Thinking about going orange

[comp182]

Riding a 02 WR426 and I am thinking about going to most likely the KTM 300exc two smoke. I just feel like the Wr is just a tank to ride. I am thinking that the 30-40lb lighter bike would be much more fun and easy to ride in the tight, technical single track trails here in Colorado.

Looking for advice from others.

[SPDFRK450]

Biggest enemy in riding is Weight and overcoming it. 2 smokes just got the light weight, but on my 02 426 I just love the wheelie torque.

[ZEKEDAWG]

I thought about this one for awhile also. But I just don't like the power delivery of the 2 strokes. The thumper has the torque i like. It seemed like the strokers have to "wind" up before they make power, even on the 300 exc. Light wieght isn't always and advantage.

[ncmountainman]

i've been doing surgery on my 04 wr and before it weighed 276 without gas i'm gonna weigh it again today. i think i've lost almost 20 lbs. saved 14 on the starter and all the crap associated with it,2 less on the yz fender,2 less on the yz airbox,1 less on the ironman sprocket,1 less the odo and cable,3 less removing kickstand(use a axle stand now)that makes 23! can't wait to weigh it,she feels like a yz now! ?

[TooFaarOut]

Yeah!! buy an KTM that way there will be less people out on tht trail because your bike will spend more time in the shop. As for the weight factor lose a little around the mid section and maybe hit the gym I have a wr426 and weight is no problem.

[blireef]

apples and oranges guys, they are both great bikes. you do lose a lot of power up high in colorado. i ride with a guy who has a yz 250 with flywheel weight, and gnarly fmf pipe and he rips and loves it, it's light too. when you start connecting those trails in colorado using the roads is when you'll get buzzed and not enjoy the 2 stroke that much. on tight trails they work good. if you ever get into the open that's when i just wave goodbye to the 2 stroke.. ?

[jwriott]

I'd be very interested to see what your bike weighs now but I'm guessing it's not as light as you are saying. Dirt Rider has the 2004 WR450 listed at 261 lbs so you must have gotten a lighter version than everyone else. ?

Comp182, I didn't forget about calling you. I got home late last night from soccer practices and then a pool committee meeting that lasted forever.

[5valve]

...2004 WR450 listed at 261 lbs...

this is still very acceptable for the 4T 450 enduro bike

[r_dawg1021]

I prefer the heavier bike simply because it feels more stable and carries a bit more enertia(sp) going through the muck. Light is better if you're jumping but for me personally I don't mind a heavier bike.

[DIGITAL_SOLDIER]

Have you ridden the KTM yet? I went on a 150 mile ride with some friends, one had my old 426, another an XT 350, and the last on a KTM 2 Stroke (250). We switched off a few times for some variety. Ughhh. Here's what I liked:

*light

*easy to start

That about sums it up.

Here's what I disliked.

*harsh ride (WOW, someone made a seat harder than the WR!)The suspension was not very forgiving.

*The powerband (abrupt,but never really pulled hard or left me hanging on.

*The smell (everyone hated it when we "LET" the KTM lead.Good lord it was like I smoked a carton of Camel Straits after 45 minutes.)

*the science project everytime he gassed up. "How many ounces of oil for 2.13 gallons guys?"

Anyway, that's just me ranting cuz I hate everything two stroke. I did ride a 450exc and it had some things I liked, but the motors are on different levels....Yami being the better of the two.

P.S. I can't wait til someone makes a 4 stroke chainsaw, then I'll have a 2 stroke free garage! ?

[ncmountainman]

I'd be very interested to see what your bike weighs now but I'm guessing it's not as light as you are saying. Dirt Rider has the 2004 WR450 listed at 261 lbs so you must have gotten a lighter version than everyone else.

Comp182, I didn't forget about calling you. I got home late last night from soccer practices and then a pool committee meeting that lasted forever.

it weighs 253 now(wet no gas),the 261 had to be a dry weight(without oils and coolant) because i came up with 269 wet no gas(actually 276 but 7 lbs of that were aftermarket add ons) so i did lose the 23 lbs but the bike was way heavier than it was supposed to be to start with.yamahas weight in the brochure for a 04 wr450 was 247 dry,so although my bike is 23 lbs lighter it's kind of dissapointing that it still weighs 253,oh well its probly one of the lightest wr's around,can't do much else without sacrificing strength and stability(the only other thing would be the headlight but i like it so it stays!).on the up side its still way lighter than my old xr600! ? what does the ktm 300 weigh, around 220?

[jwriott]

The 300 is supposed to be 227 wet without fuel.

I love the WR's and my only issue was weight and the seat is pretty high for me. I think you did great with the weight reduction and I'm sure the bike feels completely different. How about the suspension, does it feel too stiff now?

The stock WR headlight is glass so I'd bet an aftermarket Acerbis with small plastic lens would be lighter. Who knows, maybe a WR450 will be my next bike with some of the mods you've done. ?

[Magilla82]

just curious about why you took all the stuff off of your wr? when basically all you made was a yz? im kinda lost in why you did that? why didn't you just start out with the yz ?

[jwriott]

5-speed, wide ratio transmission, bigger radiators, overflow bottle, 18" rear wheel, larger tank, etc.

I'd have bought a YZ450 and lived with all those things except the 4-speed.

[Magilla82]

understandable reasons. i like the yz as well, id throw a trick dual sport kit on it and have at it, but i dont like the 4 speed either ?

[simch]

Awww, man, I was brought up on the smell of two stroke oil and mud! There is nothing quite like it IMO. I love my thumper but the CR250 was awesome too! And the smell rocked! ?

[ncmountainman]

as far as the suspension goes it seems relative to the speed you gain from the weight loss.so basically a little stiffer is a good thing! there are alot of differences in yz and wr,the cams are different(more tractability),like said the 5 speed wide ratio was one that put it over the top,heavier flywheel,headlight(i like to ride at night),stock they have softer spring rate for trail riding(i didn't think i'd have to change them),larger radiators,and the ability to put the yz goodies on if wanted! e-start was not really a factor in the purchase and it didn't work well anyhow,so adios to that. they really should offer a trimmed down version of this bike. ?

[blireef]

You might want to weight the 300 while you're at it, they probably lie also. Kinda like asking a diesel pick-up guy what kind of mileage they get.. " I get 23 MPG" why do they do that?? ?

[jwriott]

I'm going off what Dirt Rider says. http://www.dirtrider.com/tests/141_0403_ktm/

All I know is I can easily lift this bike onto my stand whereas the WR required some serious effort for me. It feels every bit of 40 lbs. lighter.

KTM updated their site and they are saying 224.5 lbs. wet without fuel for the 05'. The 04' said 231 lbs. which was high.

[jhteneyck]

I rode a KTM 4 stroke for about 3 months - MUCHO wrenching... I have friends who ride the 2 smokes when they are not ....wrenching on them. I understand you weight issues but what good is a reduction in weight if you or not riding ?. In Colorado, or any other Mountain West state, it is nice to pull up to the fuel dock and get your 2.5 gallons and keep going without busting out the ratio rite and mixing ?.