Okay... I am now to a "Definite Maybe" decision on what I want to do for my next DS play bike.

Here's the deal...

IF I go with a WR250R... in the back of my mind I'm going to forever wonder "what if I'd gone with the KTM 350 EXC-F???".

I don't want to do that.  I'm getting too old to have regrets now.  Gonna' grab for all the gusto I can get the last decade or so of off-roading.  Here's the direction I think I'm going to take:

Think I'll take the plunge and purchase a KTM 350 EXC-F.  IF it turns out to NOT be the bike I thought it was, or hoped it to be, for my riding style... I'll man-up and take the hickey (loss) by selling it... and take the proceeds from said sale and purchase a WR250R and ride off into the sunset.  THIS way I will have tried and will KNOW, one way or the other.

It will likely be late June before I get serious (i.e. have the money ready) to start shopping for a new EXC-F

Vinduroman

Edited by Vinduroman, 11 April 2012 - 04:27 PM.

Sounds like you've got your Plan A and Plan B set.  If I had the money and was a little bit younger than I am, it would be LIKE YOU SAID!!!!!!  GO FOR IT!!!

Edited by calbikeman2, 11 April 2012 - 10:07 PM.

Wow! That's an exciting choice!
You've been all over the map with this and seems you've changed 180 degrees a couple times. My first responses were based more on finding reliable and cheap bikes. I didn't realize $10,000 was in the budget.

All that said ... I am extremely jealous! The KTM 350 will be a stellar ride. I've only ridden the 450 and 530 (loved them both!) but I'm guessing the 350 will be the perfect blend of big bike power with the light handling of a 250. If I could afford it ... I'd chuck my WR250F and move up to this new 300/350 class. I like my WR but miss torque and low rpm performance ... it has to be ridden more like a 125cc two stroke: gotta keep it spinnin'!

I would love to hear a detailed ride and maintenance report after a year of KTM 350 ownership.

Edited by 54321, 12 April 2012 - 08:38 AM.

How about the KTM Freeride:

http://www.ktm.com/f...highlights.html

Edited by hollywood_72, 12 April 2012 - 04:54 PM.

Hi All:

Well, money is always a factor.  It's not that I can't afford it... it's just convincing oneself that 9K for a bike is WORTH IT.  At heart I'm very, very frugal. (i.e. A real tightwad in almost all areas of my life except bikes!).  Hence I was looking for a suitable Japanese alternative.

BUT... I'm 60 years old.  The clock is ticking.

Continuing to take care of myself, I should have at least another 10 years of off-roading ahead of me. (I have a good friend that recently continued competing and WINNING up until he was 74.)  Might as well splurge one more time and get a particular bike just because I want it.  

As for the Freeride:  Looks to me that's it's more a civilized trials bike than a dual sport type bike.  Nothing wrong with that... just don't think it would fit my given's n' druthers very well.


Vinduroman

OK,  I finally stopped p1ssing myself about the XR400 not starting and pushed it from the barn to the garage got my tools out and tried to figure out why it would not start.
Remember in the last episode the XR100 started on one kick after I inadvertently left the gas on and my XR400 would not offer anything.  

So, I first tested for spark by pulling the wire connecting a spare plug and then having my 13 yr old son watch for spark while I spun the motor by holding decomp and kicking the beastie.  He said he saw blue spark so I knew it was on to the carb then.

I dumped the gas in the bowl, pulled the bowl and removed my high speed jet, a 152.  It appeared to be clean and I gave it the breath test.  Why does metal marinated in old gas taste so bad?

Next I pulled the idle jet, a 60 and inspected it.  Got light thru the pinholes on the sides but nothing down the middle.  Hmmm that may not be right.  I searched through my electronic parts bin, found a diode and poked one lead from the diode into the pilot jet hole.  Doesn't get through, feels like the diameter of the metal lead on the diode is too large to pass through what should be an opening in the jet.  I find a small electrolytic capacitor and poke it through.  Tough at first then goes through easy.  I repeat several times until a visual inspection shows what appears to be a normal passage through the middle of the jet then I begin putting it back together.  I put in the main jet, tighten it.  I put in the pilot tighten it.  Then I put in the white plastic thing that I always find in the bottom of the bowl but it seems to want to be on the main jet, but never stays there.  I don't know what that thing does but I'm starting to hate it.

Now I check the air screw in front of the carb is 2 1/4 turns out.

Finally, bowl goes on, screws go in except for the rear one, can't figure out how to hold my hand, it will not bend the way it needs to.  Using long pliers and my screwdriver I manage to get the rearward screw in and tight.

So,  now is the real test.  Choke on, gas on, wait for 30 seconds or so, kick slowly about 4 times to pull something good into the combustion chamber then a hard TDC kick and BANG, I get a one kick start.   Sweet!

So I let it fast idle for a couple minutes and then it's time to really test the idle circuit and pilot jet.  I put it in gear, ease off and idle it all the way around the block with not a single miss, spit or burp.  That's what I'm talking about!

Tomorrow night I will test the half throttle and WOT positions to see if all is well again.  Then it might be time to hit DMV to see if I can get a plate.

Thats great news RBRXRMAN,  lots of threads on here with clogged up pilot jets,  glad it was an easy fix,  good luck with the DMV.

keep us posted if its possible for you to get it plated.

Good work on the "unclogging". But keep in mind ... if it clogged up once, it may happen again. This is what I would do when you get round to it to avoid
more Carb trouble:

1. Flush and clean fuel tank
2. Pull out fuel petcock when you clean tank and clean the filters on the Petcock and flush it out too.
3. Think about installing a small in-line fuel filter

If your bike sits around a lot, you can pick up crap in the tank. (moisture, plastic bits) With more Ethanol content, some plastics can break down, clog the system. Same goes for rubber items in Carb (O-Rings, Diaphragm, ect.) . If you see rubber bits in your Carb ... time to replace the O rings and such.
Good luck!

Thanks guys,  good advise on cleaning the fuel system.  It shouldn't be too bad but the minimal work to make sure it isn't going to cause more problems is worth it.  Plus I only have to dump about $1.35 worth of fuel right now as opposed to $9.50 once I fill it.  I will have my son pick up an inline filter from Autozone for me.  Should be a nice addition to the bike.

150Ron, my son and I are heading to Rowher Flats once he gets his WR450 fixed.  Hope to see you there.

Vinduroman - I just read most of this thread.  Found it a very interesting read.  I see you picked the Yamaha WR250r.  Interesting also to read your more recent threads about your experiences on your new bike.  Look forward to your future reports.

Hi mikem:

So far, so good. However, soon after I took delivery of my WR250R... another of our hotter n' hades summers hit... and I haven't done much riding. (I work in the heat everyday.  Once home or on the weekend, I don't enjoy riding in high-heat... so I don't!)  Soon, though, my favorite riding seasons will be here... and I'll let you know more about living with what I've purchased!

FWIW:  Been watching the KTM forum here off/on.  Seems some are having teething problems with the 350 EXC-F.  May have dodged a bullet on that one.

FWIW2: I have an online acquaintance that has over 30k trouble free miles on his WR250R.

Anyway... I shall return!