Hey all,

I posted this on ADVRider, but it is probably a better question to ask here:

I'm seriously considering a stab at next year's enduro series. I'll be 61 and need a challenge and I have the time to spend practicing my skilz. My "real" dirt experience is 30 years old, but I have been riding dual sport for a couple of years now in events like the Dirty Face.

Being a street oriented guy, I started with a GS650 and "graduated" to a KTM 690, which immediately made me a better rider (at least in my own mind). I've putzed around at Tahuya and Walker solo on the 690, just enough to get a taste for the easier stuff there and to realize how much fun it can be.

I've got more than ten years into single track mountain biking too, in places like Devil's Gulch, Capitol Forest, Black Diamond, Tahuya (pedal powered), etc.

Question for you folks is, what bike would get me through an enduro series happily as a newby? I like the idea of small, as I remember how difficult enduros can be around here in the wet, even after thirty years to forget. The sexy choice might be a KTM 200/250 two stroke, or the 250 four stroke. I could conceive of riding a WR250R, stripped down a little. There's Husky too. Oh, and I'd like to keep initial cost to around $3K to allow a budget for maintenance and upgrades, which means used. Plate-ability would be nice to at least tie trails together with fire roads.

Anyway, what say you? Is the KTM route too much for a relative newby? Should I go with something like a CRF230 or TTR230?

Thanks.

Your question invites many different opinions. The right bike for any individual comes down to what works best for that individual. I have been riding the Tahuya since 1974 and found that for me there was seldom a need for more horsepower as much as it was for good traction. I have done better with small engines and lighter weight bikes. (I weigh about 190 with my gear on and stand 6' tall.) I have tried bikes ranging from 125cc to 400cc and have settled into the 200 - 250 range. I am presently riding a 250 trials bike set up for enduros with a 35" seat height and an added fuel tank. You will find many riders running a trails tire on the back wheel in the NW because it will find great traction in conditions that a knobby won't find much at all. But then again there are riders that can make anything go well in the woods. I am not one of them. So I think it comes down to finding what works best for your skill level. The main thing is to enjoy what you are doing. If you would like a tour of the Tahuya I am retired and available most anytime. It is not good to ride or practice alone.

For tight woods my top choices would be a KTM 250 or 300 two-stroke, or 400 4-stroke.

I am looking for a smaller bike for the same type of riding, it seems the KTM 200 is a pretty good choice as its small and I have seen a few that are also plated which is a plus in my book. Although, there have been some good deals on used 300s lately, my only concern there is that it may be too much bike for me. You might see if you can get someone to let you test ride theirs to make the best decision. Good luck!

+1 on OldGrunt's post

Once upon a time I competed in the NW Enduro series as a B rider on a MX bike with a XR200 motor. Bikes are much different today but some things remain the same about Enduros; Ya gotta avoid stopping and slow downs at any cost, and that means keep the bike moving forward. Low seat height, tractable motor and good suspension really help. Estart is nice and can really save your butt during an enduro but so is light weight and tight woods handling. I have yet to find all three in the same bike.

Husky TE310. They are a kick butt trail bike and street legal to boot. Not to mention they look really cool. As nice as they are they don't hold their value well. I now see you are looking to spend around $3k. You can likely get a nice 2006 or 2007 for that price but the 310 wasn't available then, just the 250. Then again I liked my 2004 TE250 better than about any bike I have owned.

Greg

I would leave the WR250R alone unless you really want a dual sport... the WR250F is much more oriented to real offroad riding and the 05' and newer have a "semi OK" enduro meter stock.... you would have no problem finding a slightly used, nicely set up one for that kind of money. Any major brand these days puts out a decent bike but I swear by Yamaha 4T reliability.

The other bike that I think you could do well on in that price range is the CRF250X... I have friends with them and they seem to do everything well in the wet single track... a trials tire on either of these bikes make them unstopable:thumbsup:

I have a friend with a CRF250X and as much as he likes the bike he hates the maintenance and rants about valve replacement. Two guys I ride with have WR250Fs; good bikes and reliable, my choice for a water cooled J bike. The only thing I don't like is the high saddle, and maybe also the weight.

chuck4788 said:

Big reason for a 2005+ Husky. Valves take ten minutes to do and is easier than an air filter. No joke.

Greg

If you need a plate I vote for a used Husky TE250 as well. other than being on the tall side these are very good, super reliable, very EZ to maintain bikes. If you don't need a plate a 200-250 2 stroke bike is hard to beat. Again a WR250 husky is as reliable as a rock, will do anything and can be found cheap used. The KTM 200-250 is also a good choice but you will pay a little more and not really get any more IMHO.

Wow, great information!

I made the mistake of visiting the Husky dealer in Everett and heard about the 2010 TE250. They have a CR250 there and it looks small compared to the 2009 TE. Course I would have to sell the 690 and pay some more money to buy one.

I got a chance to ride a 200 EXC and it seems pretty manageable, with the power valve set to eliminate the "hit". Much lighter than the 690, of course. Seat height was a scosh lower, too.

Another dumb question is, do you need a plate for the NW Enduro series? It's not clear from the NMA rules that these events are all run on "closed" courses.

wetsiderider said:

Taskys / Jeff, are great people. You will be treated right there. Bought my last 6 bikes from them.

No plate needed for racing the enduro series.

chuck4788 said:

Yeah... I left that part out to avoid the brand trashing but I have also heard of the valve maintenance issues on all of the CRF's but have also heard of recent improvements?

+1 and +2 for Tasky's if your looking at Husky's...

If truely aimed at the competition side and results get the lightest bike that has the power you need for happiness. Fatigue during events and maintenance are the two biggest issues riding the circuit.

1. Fatigue -you can't think and ride (timekeeping) if your tuckered out from herding a big bike.

2. Maintenace - 4 strokes cost more due to the oil and filters and take more time due to valve checks/adjustments. You will replace other parts on any bike like plastic /chains/wheel bearings/sprockets/tires due to conditions.

I am a 4 stroke guy but a 200 KTM is tempting for this kind of work and your budget. I also lean to a 250 KTM 4t with a big bore kit -not in your budget.

I have a KTM 200 I ran in the enduro series this year. They are great bikes and have a good balance between power and weight. That being said, I recently picked up a 250SXF that I will be using for next season. While it's easier to go faster on the 200, the 250 doesn't wear me out as much and is more forgiving with throttle inputs.

I'll have to throw my vote in too, as I just upgraded from an XR250 to a KTM 200 xcw.

After riding my 280lb xr250, my new KTM feels insanely light. The power was rather surprising at first - fun on the flat, but get into the hairy stuff and it was uncontrollable. I fiddled with the jetting and powervalve and it smoothed it out while still being very fun. Apparently there's a lot you can do with flywheel weights and other stuff to make it even more linear.

I've heard the KTM 200 referred to as a "motorized mountain bike", and I'd have to agree, with the addition of "with a sewing machine motor" - the definition of smooth. I just picked mine up middle of this last summer, and I'm finally starting to get used to the much more advanced ergos and power (from my xr), and am absolutely loving every minute on the thing.

And cost was also a large factor in my decision. I watched craigslist for quite some time and found an 07 (would have preferred 08 with the chassis change, but the price was right) with 6 hours on the clock that I picked up for $3200. So, if you're patient (and we're going into the season of good deals too!), you can get a (uh oh, brand loyalty!) superior (no flames please!) machine for not really much more money.

My favorite type of riding is the Tahuya single track, carving through the trees, and this bike helps me be SO much smoother, faster, and ride longer, it has completely revolutionized my riding (and my desire to ride).

Best of luck on your decision, and no matter what you pick, hopefully I'll see ya out there!

http://portland.crai...1434397749.html Here's a 08 250 xcfw which is what I ride and is a really nice bike.

http://portland.crai...1437773907.html and here's a super nice looking 250 xc-w 2 smoker also a really good choice. One of the fastest riders I've ever been out with uses this bike.

If you need a dealer, L and D racetech in Warrenton, Oregon is a really good choice for KTM's or even Husky bikes if you want a great price on one of those. Call 503-861-2636. If you are going to buy new give these guys a shot. In my experiance they have the best prices.

Off topic but maybe helpful......

Search Tempest is a great tool to search Craigslist in multiple areas at once.
http://www.searchtempest.com/
Use this link on the Serach Tempest page to get the ability to search by regions
More 'Where to Search' Options

Lets Go said:

Good choices but 2K over what he is looking to spend.

wetsiderider said:

http://portland.crai...1436161206.html

Here's one for 3200 in Gresham that looks " ready to race " wetsiderider.

I know the L and D Racetech also has a new used 2008 xcf-w with 37 miles on it for 5000 if you feel like trading in your 690. I know L and D takes trade ins, they have done that several times for me.

They always had the lowest price on new Husky bikes too when I checked around.

Ask for Lon or Don and tell them Rob sent you :thumbsup:


http://www.landdracetech.com/index.htm


They have a nice website too :ride: