Which older ktm 250 xc-w is the most reliable

[fix things]

Im looking for a older ktm 250xc-w that i can afford like around $2500 to $3000. I would like to know from ktm fans what years are reliable and which ones to stay away from...also my inseam is 30 will i be about to at least tip toe on a ktm. Also what year came out with the better e start..thanks

[76xtdrvr]

95% of all reliability issues are based on how hard the bike was ridden and how well it was maintained. A lot of that can be determined by a conversation with the owner, and what his work area looks like. Just my opinion.

[fix things]

Im new to the bike world but in the automotive world in some cars it dont matter how good you take care of it, it will always find a way to break down...thanks for the info

[zig06]

4 minutes ago, fix things said:

Im new to the bike world but in the automotive world in some cars it dont matter how good you take care of it, it will always find a way to break down...thanks for the info

What your saying holds water but at the same time how well an owner drives and takes care of their vehicle matters too, that said its a pretty safe bet that even the ill fated Yugo still has some vehicles on the road - don't ask how.

With that in mind, newer is better - less chance for the current owner to abuse it and aftermarket support will be better.  Personally I wouldn't buy any KTM older than 2000 (parts availability is questionable), found that out when I tried restoring a '90 300.  

I think that a better idea would be to plan on rebuilding the top end, and suspension (oil and seals) and then possibly new tires, chain and sprockets.  At that point your looking at "about $800", subtract that from your budget and start hunting.  You can play with how much you spend if you happen to find a bike that already has those items.

[jeb]

I've owned 99, 01, 04, 08, 14 and 19 250EXC/XCW's, all bought new. Everyone of them was very reliable. But I agree with 76XTDrvr above. Just because mine were all reliable doesn't mean any given used one will be. It's always a crap shoot when buying older bikes.

[DernHumpus]

If you spend just a little bit more money, you can have a clean 2012+ bike.  I would opt for that.

[76xtdrvr]

Fwiw, I bought a 2008 250xcf-w last year with a 300cc Thumper Racing kit. It was in your price range. It had 500+ hours and 10k+ miles. I knew the P.O. and how he rode it and how he maintained it. It hasn't missed a beat yet. None of them are reliable if they're always ridden w.f.o. and not regularly maintained.

[trailmeisterjoe]

BTW, I agree that there is NO one model or year that is any better as it completely depends on previous owner upkeep and maintenance. In your price range, NONE of the 2 strokes will have a very reliable electric start due to it's flawed design on all up to the 17 models so don't make that a priority.

Joe

[2strokes_rule]

4 hours ago, DernHumpus said:

If you spend just a little bit more money, you can have a clean 2012+ bike.  I would opt for that.

I'll agree. Better bike all around...even the electric start was pretty good by then. Plus advancement in the frame/shock.

[Bear777]

If you are worried about reliability you definitely don’t want to be looking at a KTM, as for electric starts on the 2 strokes they are a complete joke on bikes up to 2015.

KTM= ride it on Sunday fix it on Monday.

 

 

Edited February 19, 2020 by Bear777

[fix things]

I want a smoker that has tractor capabilities, i ride mostly wood and most of the time I'm in second gear. I rode four stroke before but like 2 stroke because of the weight, from what i been reading the ktm xc-w line up 250 or 300 is the best one for what I do. Yes I know it depends on how it was ridden and taken care of but on the same page there are new stuff on the market now that has problems off the show room floor not just bikes but things we use everyday. Like a John Deere riding mower every use one I look at the deck is rust out i have a 25 year old murray and no rust. 

[shrubitup]

04 and 05 exc were great. MXC version same as xc. 06-08 changed the exc to xc-w and also great. 09+ xc-w added electric start which never functioned correctly until 2017.

[jeb]

26 minutes ago, shrubitup said:

04 and 05 exc were great. MXC version same as xc.

Kind of. XC's generally have different suspension than the EXC/XCW's, but that was not true of the MXC vs EXC days. MXC's were EXC's with an SX tranny, no lights and no odo.

Quote

 09+ xc-w added electric start which never functioned correctly until 2017.

Actually, it was 08 when e-start was added to the W's here in the States. 07.5 in Europe. In 13, KTM went to a stronger starter motor and that helped a lot. But I agree that they got much better with the 250/300 engine redesign in 17.

Edited February 19, 2020 by jeb

[shrubitup]

6 minutes ago, jeb said:

MXC's were EXC's with an SX tranny,

Thanks For clarifications. Liked my 05 300exc transmission. Glad it wasn’t the sx transmission. Didn’t know that about the mxc suspension. Except for the mxc transmission, not a bad setup because I had no issue with the exc suspension.  

[ZXTOM]

I'd say 2012 or newer, the 2-stroke is so easy to start I hardly ever used the electric start and mine lasted for years with no issues. 

[GlennE]

On 2/18/2020 at 7:07 AM, DernHumpus said:

If you spend just a little bit more money, you can have a clean 2012+ bike.  I would opt for that.

Totally agree.  I despise the 5 speed W tranny.  Super gappy.

I also dont like the 2011 and older frame/plastic

[kylektm]

I really liked my 2012 250xcw. Plus I think they look a lot more modern the the older generation. I sold if for $3100, so you could probably find one near your budget

[fix things]

Just now, kylektm said:

I really liked my 2012 250xcw. Plus I think they look a lot more modern the the older generation. I sold if for $3100, so you could probably find one near your budget

How was the low end grunt..

[ZXTOM]

4 hours ago, fix things said:

How was the low end grunt..

Mine was great, had plenty of low end.

it also depends on how you jet the bike also. 

[Clydee2000]

On 2/17/2020 at 3:31 PM, fix things said:

Im looking for a older ktm 250xc-w that i can afford like around $2500 to $3000. I would like to know from ktm fans what years are reliable and which ones to stay away from...also my inseam is 30 will i be about to at least tip toe on a ktm. Also what year came out with the better e start..thanks

The 250 (and 300 and 200 for that matter) engine was largely unchanged from the early 2000's through to the 2016 model.  Some progressive CDI and head changes (2014) and gearbox ratios/speeds changes but you'll find from '08 on (to 2016) largely the same engine (again cylinder head shape was changed in 2014, probably not for the better). Chassis bit of a different story ('08 and '12 XCW (one year earlier for XC) major updates. 

So as per the above comments, reliability wise buy on condition not on years.  Starter motor came in 2008, upgraded to a 410w model around 2013, then they changed the bendix and crown wheel ratios for better starting in 2015 or 2016.  The starter should be thought of as a restarter (always kick when cold) and was a weak point.  Can be made reasonably reliable with updated crown wheel and bendix, keep an eye on all bushes (4 of), 410w genuine OEM starter, shimmed crown wheel lash, earth lead from nagative to starter and the bendix end float set to 0.8mm.  Personally I'd be looking for a good '08 to '11 XC with the nicer CC forks if you can get one in that range.  Save some funds for a top end rebuild (and check the bottom end play whilst in there) and if e-start is important to you, then some cash for a upgrading all the starter parts.