Choosing a 2 stroke enduro: 125 150 200 250 or 300? Plus dyno charts︱Cross Training Enduro
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- čas přidán 2. 05. 2024
- www.crosstrainingenduro.com How to choose the best two stroke enduro bike in terms of engine size? So many two-strokes to choose from but only one lifetime. Are you a smoker? Would you like to be a smoker? We have ridden many of these two-strokes so this is our rough guide to which engine size might suit you. Hard enduro techniques are covered in our training vids. Go through our video lists and check out the best 300 two stroke dirt bikes. Along with dyno charts. Lets start with the pint-sized screamers- the 125 two-strokes. A lot of riders overlook them due to the small engine. But with 35 to 40HP they are seriously fast if you know how to keep the revs up. Into enduro and dirt bikes? Check out our dirt bike videos. Work through our video lists and check out the best 250 two stroke enduro bikes. Years ago Shane Watts proved this by winning the international enduro championship on a 125. They are also featherweights, with some models under 100kg or 220lb with a full tank of fuel. A few years ago we reviewed the Beta RR125 and it was like riding a mountain bicycle! Despite bogging the engine down repeatedly, I was consistently faster on timed laps than the 250 and 300 two-strokes. Riders who might like the 125? Young riders upgrading to their first full-sized dirt motorbike. Older riders who love the scream of two-strokes but don't want to ride crazy fast for that thrill. And of course, anyone on a budget. These 125s are so much cheaper. You will need to rebuild the engines more often but the savings can be huge. We haven't ridden any of the 150 two-strokes yet, but they do get rave reviews from many riders. You can see in the dyno chart there isn't significantly more maximum power but there's just more horsepower across the low to midrange revs. It's interesting to see the power delivery is so linear nowadays compared to the very peaky two-strokes of yesteryear. Next? The 200 two-strokes. Again, these are often overlooked by many riders which is a shame as they are so much fun to ride. KTM's 200 became a real hit in the late 1990s. Extreme enduro training vids are our focus. Go through our video lists and check out the best 200 two stroke dirt bikes. I regularly get to ride this one and I'm always impressed with its ability handle tough terrain. If you are enduro riding get into our enduro training vids. Get into our video lists and check out the best 150 two stroke enduro bikes. It does need more clutch work but there's a surprisingly amount of grunt. Ditto for the Beta RR200 we reviewed a few years ago. It's interesting to see the 200 models can actually put out less maximum horsepower than 125s. But of course there is way more power in the low to midrange revs which makes them very user-friendly. Our dirt riding tips are great for developing your hard enduro skills. Sort through our video lists and check out the best two stroke dirt bikes!The 200s are great for anyone new to dirt riding. Need hard enduro training? Work through our video lists and check out the best 125 two stroke dirt bikes. They are also very capable dirt motorbikes in the hands of skilled riders who want a motorbike they can throw around easily on tighter tracks. The price is great too. If you want extreme enduro training see our playlists of enduro skills to learn. Try our training vids for working on your extreme enduro techniques. Similar to the 125s, manufacturers have to price these 200s very competitively because most riders overlook them. Finally the 250 and 300 two-strokes. Our group is into hard enduro so these are our favourite engine sizes. You can see from the dyno chart there is way more grunt and the maximum revs are much lower. Maximum power is usually about the same in most brands, and while the difference looks small at lower revs, the engines do feel very different when riding. In a nutshell? The 300 is the grunt-meister and the preferred size for hard enduro, or everyday riders who prefer to lug their engines instead of rev them. The extra power at lower revs can get less experienced riders into trouble faster though. Some riders say the 300 suits the 'lazy' rider too. The broader range of power does mean less clutch slipping in gnarly terrain and fewer gear changes on faster tracks. The 250? It's lively. It revs up faster. It will be easier and less tiring for less experienced riders. On the flip side, experienced riders who love getting into the powerband will probably find the 250 a more rewarding experience. Some riders claim the 250 is more 'flickable' on tight tracks due to less rotational mass although I have never noticed this myself. The 250s do have less grunt, but the gap is narrowing. For example, one of our guys has the Sherco 250SE with the electronic power valve and we find the grunt is almost comparable to 300s in other brands.
- Sport
I moved down to a yz125x a year ago and am noticing that my enduro technique is improving much faster, and I’m having way more fun! Embrace the challenge!
Piles of fun hey!
I own 3 bikes CBR300R, GSX-S1000, and Honda metro 50cc moped and I often ride the small ones more then the big one! Now if I’m going out of state or on highway I take the big bike but around home I use the smaller bikes more! I have a ball in the 300cc CBR it’s just the right size for flicking around town!
Yeah Im on a KTM 150 TPI. Most fun Ive ever had in the dirt and can keep up with a 300. Im 58 and weigh 115kg
Same here
Coming from a four stroke, the yz125x witch is also my current bike is so much more engaging. Its like being the dirt bike vs just riding one.
I am 50 year old, short and light. I used to ride dirt bikes when I was young. Later on the roads but did not like it, so just moved back a few months ago to dirt tracks both enduro and cross eventually.
Took me a year thinking and gathering information to choose the right bike for me.
Used or new? Small bore big bore, 2 or 4 stroke? as usual.
So I picked a brand new (but my22) Sherco SE 125 Factory - the result of all.
As a beginner I only go for training for now to 5 different professionals to learn the proper techniques.
Nearly all my dirt rider friends keep telling me how stupid I was I did not buy a big bore bike for several reasons I do not want to list here. At the same time all the proffesionals keep tlling me how smart my choice was.
Guess who I beleive in...
Love the 125 easy to ride, She just wants to be my best friend. And She is. Trying to keep up the good work for her sake.
Thanks for your work you also helped me to choose the right bike that suit me the best.
☺
moved to a beta 200 2023 recently and that was the best move ever. Less tiring, easy to ride, AND FUN
That’s what I’m going for I think. 24”Beta 200 race edition is a nice bike. I just don’t trust the tbi yet. And who doesn’t love a carb. Only heard good things about the Beta 200’s. Rode KTM 200’s for years. Had a 02”exc,04”sx and a 06”XC. All great bikes. Air filter and oil changes. Plus used cheap ATF for lower end oil. Never had a problem
I started out with a KTM 200 xcw and I don't regret it nowadays, except its older so no E-start for particularly gnarly areas or getting stuck on hillsides. I think it's nice because it was quite the little demon at first, but with just a flywheel weight and turning the powervalve so it didn't open till way late it the revs meant it was a lot more controllable as a total noob.
I test rode a Yamaha 125x last weekend and it was a blast. I weigh 225 without gear but it was fine. I had the most fun ever on that bike.
That’s exact my same weight and I was worried if a yz125 from 2007-2010 will be to “small” for me. Haha, I bet not. Thanks for this indirect tip 🙈🤗
LMAO at flipping the bird at the 4min area.
He's a cheeky bugger, than one 😁
I've got a 2020 KTM 150 and it has been great and always want to ride it more than I do.
I just picked up a 2024 Beta 200 RR Race Edition and I couldn't be happier. Coming off a TPI 300XCW, the 200 has an insane amount of grunt, its light, flickable and just all out hoot to ride. And at the end of the day I'm less fatigued.
Great video too!
I love my 22 300 Xtrainer. My riding has improved so much. I did try a mates 300 RR but it just didn't feel right. Too snappy for me. The Xtrainer does everything I need. Perfect power delivery.
I went to a Beta test ride a while back and I was able to ride nearly every bike in the lineup of 2 and 4 strokes. I was very surprised that the most fun bike of the bunch was the 200 RR 2 stroke. I only took it out because all the other models were out at the time. If they had said "pick one and take it home" I would have quickly rode off on the 200!
Very overlooked engine size!
I'm a lazy late 60's rider that is addicted to 300 grunt and my 2022 Sherco 300 SE gives me plenty of it. It just amazes me how often on gnarly single track I don't even have to feather the clutch on steep uphill switch backs I just smile and grunt along.
Same here, there are slow hills where it seems I can almost hear each detonation at low revs. And it won't stall as long as I have a bit of throttle applied. Love this engine!
here here although 11 years your junior
I'm a 125 die hard for sure. My favorite riding is on fast flowy tight single-track, but damn its still fun as hell to hold a 125 wide open during long straights.
It surprised me just how much I felt at home on a Mountain Bike after getting into those to.
Love my beta 200
I have a 23 200 race edition, it's a woods weapon, the funnest bike I've ever had by far.
Bought a 300 X-Trainer 2-years ago and LOVE IT for gnarly terrain. Cheap, light, and easy to work on. As reported elsewhere she doesn't like to go fast in rough terrain. I only get out of 3rd when I'm on smooth, open ground. If you want to ride like a motocross madman, don't buy this bike. If you want to ride like Jarvis, the X-Trainer is a great place to start.
100% agree
Hai ragione credo che il problema su questa moto siano le sospensioni!
Molti cambiano sospensioni.
Il telaio non saprei non avendola mai provata, ma credo che per l’endurista della domenica come me con le sospensioni a posto sia perfetta per non far fatica e divertirsi.
@@EB-rj3ds io mi trovo molto bene con le sospensioni, ma peso 80 kg vestito e faccio solo hard. È mooolto morbida e la gente si lamenta, poi compra la versione normale e va a lamentarsi che le forcelle son troppo dure 😂
On my second TE150I being a 2024 as my son insisted on taking my 2022 TE150I LOL, the best bike i have even owned, for fun, speed and allowing me to ride longer without tiring me out. TSP head and tune truly bring it to life.
It's the one two stroke size I haven't ridden yet, keen to try...
@@crosstrainingenduro You definitely need to! That’s one thing the hp graph doesn’t show is the torque. The 150’s have a 125 chassis feel, with a touch more torque that says “hey buddy, don’t worry about that mistake, I’m here for you.”
I have a 2013 ktm 200 and couldn't be happier with it. I agree that the 125s do put out more top end power but the bottom end and mid range power is seriously impressive. I would consider it a great bike for hard enduro because of its light weight and super linear power.
I had a KTM200EXC for many years and it was pretty much perfect.
On the road I switched down from a CBR1000F to an NSR150 and immediately went from the back of the pack on Sunday rides to waiting for everyone else who all had 5 times or more capacity.
Ha! I remember road riding on my docile SV650 and my friend on his Casey Stoner replica Fireblade was too scared of the power to get it through the twisty sections at speed. Different story on the straights of course...
I own a KTM 200xcw and a Sherco 300se. There is a Beta 250rr and a yz250x in our riding group. The yz250x is fun but requires alot more clutch slipping and RPM and compared to the 250RR. I feel the 200 enduro's are even easier to ride in tight technical than the yz250x. Some 300's I've ridden seemed excessively powerful for the elevation's we typically ride at; I only stepped up to a 300 for higher elevation riding trips. That being said, I LOVE the Sherco's. The size is perfect for me (5'10' 210lbs), it has very usable power, it feels light compared to the scale numbers, and they come well equipped right off the showroom floor.
Great being able to swap bikes and see the differences like that...
I LOVE my 2018 TE150. I absolutely freaking love it. My friend just bought a new XCW 150 with TBI and it's even better. I was pretty new to "real" dirt riding when I bought it and didn't know how to ride a two stroke but now that I do I just love the thing. It's plenty fast enough on the pipe and makes enough grunt for me even at almost 200lbs with gear on (although you do have to kick it down into the second when you're going up hills). I bought it used with 2hrs on it, PO did some weird shit with the powervalve but I got that figured out and the engine makes power just like the video says, linearly. It's hard to stall at the bottom, will do everything in the middle, and screams at the top. It's perfect for dancing through the trees and rocks in New England and I take it for an occasional day at the mx track too. Riding my friend's Beta 300 is really nice but I honestly don't have a single bad thing to say about my 150 other than it takes focking forever to warm up.
Love my 2019 TE150. It’s an absolutely amazing bike that really screams with the TSP high compression head and Lectron Billetron.
I currently ride a ktm530, however laid the foundation of my offroad riding on a yz125. At 6ft4 and with fitness deteriorating(young kids) the bigger bike makes sense for the open singles in my area but rest assured, my next bike will be a 150 or 200. I love the way they handle and the fact they require you to maintain proper technique in order to give you their best
I love reving my bike so my 200 fits perfectly. Its almost never overwhelming power but always plenty enough. I recently tested the 300 of a friend and while it was an awesome bike the power and grund was enormus to much for me.
Great to hear. I'm slowly moving away from the hard enduro stuff so thinking of downscaling to a 200 or 250...
I love my KTM Freeride 250R! Light, maneuverable, plenty of grunt. Not a motocrosser, but I ride woods anyway. If only it had a kickstart backup!
I started riding on a yz125 at the age of 32, coming from some street bike experience. I purposely chose the 125 to spend the first few years working on technique. Three seasons later it’s still my main bike and I’m glad I did becasue when I hop on a bigger for stroke I feel that the 125 has helped me in technique.
Great to hear!
I went from a 500 to a 250 and now have an overbore 310. Coming from a 500 I struggled with the lower power of the 250 getting over logs, rocks, and ruts and it suffered on finessing steep hill climbs. The first day on the 250 I crashed on a washout rut that I had ridden over for years because I was going at speed and the front tire did not come up like I was used to. I also nearly crashed clearing a log. I ride trails and enduro type mountainous terrain with large hill climbs and the 250 fell short on power and I hated it. The 310 hits the sweet spot. I miss my old KX500 Kouchasaki, the only time I needed a clutch was starting, stopping and changing gears. On the KX500 when I hit sketchy stuff I would close my eyes and let the bike get me through it and then open my eyes on the other side after the bike did all the work. Soft frame, soft seat, and soft suspension made for a cushy ride that didn't take as much energy.
That said my face hurts when I ride a 125 from smiling the whole time.
I'm thinking of getting an 85cc to learn enduro/trials stuff. They're a touch smaller than a 125, but built much lighter, like 50-70 lb lighter. They are actually pretty similar in weight and size to a trials bike... Would just have to move the foot pegs back a bit, and maybe put on some taller bars and a heavy flywheel...
2020 250rr race edition been my favorite bike, fit for me. After talking to other riders and actually riding a 300 i am glad i got the 250. Lugs good enough and lights up faster. I find/feel like the extra bottom end causes the front to push and the 250 turns on demand.
What gets me is people cross shop the 200 and the 300 as if the 250 doesn't exist when its perfect.
I think the RR250 is very similar to the Sherco 250SE, amazing grunt. I'd seriously contemplate one now I'm moving out of the hard enduro scene more and more...
I have the 2023 Beta 250rr (non race) and I love it on the single track. I don't want more power, and it goes where you point it.
I've enjoyed trying all these sizes off road, and chose an EC250. The line about enjoying the powerband is right on.
250cc master race. 300cc riders are secretly 4 stroke lovers too afraid to come out of the closet...
😂👍
I own a 125 enduro. Most people think it would be fast in the tight/ gnarly stuff but that isn’t what I’ve experienced. The 300’s own the gnarly stuff , the 125 shines in the flowy tracks, not wide open not gnarly so you can keep it on the pipe more easy and also corner while still on the throttle easier then on a 250/300
That was my experience too... Iv'e ridden with a guy who does the slow gnarly stuff on a 125 but he's very very good on the clutch and always has the revs up. It's a lot of work!
2018 250xcw carb , everyone needs to ride one, best bike ive ever owned,
KTM really hit the mark with their last carb models! They got the weight down to a whisker over 100kg before adopting TPI and adding something like 2.5kg back on. 😢 A friend could be selling his soon, I'd love to buy it.
LOVE my 2012 KTM 200XC-W everyone askes me why my fat ass (250lbs) likes the little wimpy 200 over the 300 and I say because it doesn't beat me up to ride it and its so much lighter I can afford to have that extra beer or two :)
I'm back, I've used 350 4-stroke motorcycles for light enduro, now in old age doing something harder a small TTR 230 and the latest acquisition for something harder a Beta 300 Xtrainer, very satisfied with this
I love my beta 200rr I can go the same places as the 300 club and I'm not Exhausted as some of the others
I was tempted to get a 200RR but didn’t like the engine vibration during a test ride. So I got a TE150 and with a simple head and carb swap it grunts and accelerates well plus the top end is impressive. I’m a small rider with tons of small bore experience but I’ve owned and liked both 250 and 300 too. I’ve ridden KTM, Yamaha and now Husky and had great results with each bike after some focused set-up. My best race results were actually on 3 different 125s. I’d be tempted to get a new Austrian 250 or 300 now that they’ve solved the horrendous engine vibration of the old, pre-counter-balanced engine. But KTM has a BAD REPUTATION for introducing new technology which is not ready for prime time so I’ll wait another year or two to see if they can get the TBI bikes to run properly.
I remember in "old days" everyone knew the 125,s were the fastest class
I bet manufacturers will shove the price up when we catch on!
For sure!
Been on a 2017 YZ250X for a few years, a little tall (seat height) for the hard enduro stuff but when i have competed on it it really shines in hare scrambles and GP's. Very little clutch modulation needed on it most of the time and for singletrack/ hard enduro I drop to a 13T front sprocket.
Would love to try one, still haven't ridden one yet. Great price here in Australia.
For the tight steep rocky nasty stuff we normally ride in 300 two strokes are amazing. Most of the guys I ride with are on 300's. The others are on 250's with a Recluse clutch. Being able to crawl at low rpm's without spinning the rear wheel and digging a trench is a huge plus. I did go to the local Beta demo day a couple of months ago and got to ride all of the two strokes (again). As much as I love my XTrainer the 200 RR was very intriguing. It was so light and the power was so linear. If and when I ever wear out the XT I might go back to a 200.
The RR200 has such a sweet engine, everyone who rode our test bike a few years back loved it. I'd seriously consider it now that I'm moving away from the hard technical terrain.
Love my ‘23 KTM 250xc! I’ve owned a 350 & 250 4 stroke previously, so this my first 2 stroke (although my boys were both on 2 strokes). I love the new air forks, and I love the bike so far! Only owned it since fall, and no riding here in the winter, but I have about 15 hours on it so far, and I have no regrets whatsoever!
Did it take a bit of adjustment going from 4 to 2 stroke?
@@crosstrainingenduro Not really, but I think my riding style was better suited to the 2stroke. The only negative I’ve seen is when I want to grab a fistful of throttle on mud or slick ground. The 4 stroke can really put the power down for sheer acceleration! But the 2 stroke advantages far outweigh any negatives.
I have a 2002 yz426 and recently bought and rode a 2002 ktm 380exc I love that bike more than the big bore YZ it makes more power and is lighter to throw around. Has to be my favorite bike to own
Always preferred the 250's to the 300's for the quicker revs and more flick able feel. Losing a little grunt off the bottom is worth it for the quicker spool up.
On the other end of the spectrum my KX500 is the torque king.
I'm curious as to why you didn't include any torque curves, for slow technical riding that can be more important than hp.
Those can vary quite a lot across various models whereas the hp is pretty similar. Just wanted to keep it pretty basic...
Only reason I bought a 300xc is because we occasionally go to the dunes. Otherwise that damn thing is starting to feel way too much bike for me 😂 gonna play with power valve and gearing and see if I can tame it a bit for woodsriding. Sure is a blast though. My little kx100 has been a blast too recently. Definitely something to be said for smaller bikes.
I love the 200s . I've gone back and forth with 300 cylinders on 250s and kinda prefer the rip of a correctly tuned 250 over the 300 .
But on super lazy days the 300 is nice at idle speeds.
I enjoyed changing my riding style. Motocross 2 stroke teenage years did not bode well for the modern 300. My Reiju 6 days has been a God send to learn to ride slower to go faster. Appreciating time, fitness and coaching tips from riding schools. Sometimes reaching out for help and advice pays off.
I agree! Enjoying the Rieju?
Although the bike isn't built out from the factory to be very competitive, a few minor upgrades on my old 99 KDX200 had the bike holding it's own quite well and was an absolute blast to ride!
Aweome bikes. I had a chance to buy a cheap one in mint condition a few years ago... kicking myself for not snapping it up.
OOOOOFFFFF that opening shot with the sound.... amazing...
Ruben Chadwick doing his thang. He's in the top three with our national hard enduro series.
Awesome video!
I’m 37 and haven’t ridden dirt bikes for around 10 years. I’m super keen on the YZ125x but my mates and the salesmans are trying to convince me on the YZ250x but I’m afraid it will be too much bike for me and also don’t want to hurt myself too bad when I inevitably come off.
Very keen to hear your advice on which one I should go for!😊
Couldn't advise without seeing you ride unfortunately. But always worth looking at the Beta RR200!
@@crosstrainingenduro I’m an extremely low skill level rider nowhere near the skill level of you guys
I take offense that the 125 is considered a kids bike. I got a 2013 YZ125 when I was 47. Now 51, on a 2021 YZ125X, and I absolutely love it! And yes, it's a blast hearing it scream all the way through the gears! 😁
Did someone in the comments say it was a kid's bike? I know quite a few adults who have downsized to one and love it. I do think it can be a good step up for teenagers who are just getting a bit too big for the 'big wheel' 85s etc.
It wasn't mentioned in the comments, but most dirt riders on their 250s/300s or 4-stroke 450s see 125s as "not intended for serious riders", or "a kid's bike". They only realise how fast and nimble these 125s are when they can't keep up in fast, single trails with corners 😁
i learned to ride as a kid on a cr 80. trial by fire, got good at the clutch but blew up the top end like once a year. then a 91 kdx 200 that as a complex 4 element multi stage power valve, guys that borrowed it caome back saying it felt like a four stroke, could pop start at a walking pase almost preferred because they gave you a massive super long hard to use kickstart for like getting a 500 going. could almost rip the kickstart by hand to get it going. also had weird design ideas like fork oil drain screws and odometer even though it wasn't street legal.
Love the KDX models. Especially the 250. Rode one back in the 1990s and fell in love with the linear power delivery.
Ive got a 07 husky wr 250 with a 300 kit and a rekluse. I also have a 2020 beta 390 rrs. There both great!
I grew through the ranks fome 50s to 500's. After a break from riding (basic and first assignment), I started in the mid range. Becoming disillusioned with the 250s and 500s, I threw a temper tantrum and bought a 125 and immediately moved up the ranks. After a couple of years, I tried improving performance (139 and 144 kits) for the next 10 years until retirement from top level racing, and a move to vintage. I explained to friends that when you are young and strong, big bikes are king, but when you get old (then in my 40s), the little bikes are better. My return completion was with a KTM 144, but was faster with my '97 144 Honda CR. After several injuries, I went to the Gas Gas 300 I was using for enduro, and in '21 bought a new one. However, when I got to 50, having the extra power seemed to be less work. My next bike (at 60) will be a 125 or 200. Rotational mass and weight are a hinderance for over old riders.
Interesting progress with age, Kurt. The 125 riders I've met all used to race but once they hit their 40s they wanted to be able to rev freely but not have the risk factor of crazy horsepower...
@@crosstrainingenduro I admit, I loved feeling like a hero on the 125, but over 50, I didn't have the body for it. Now as I approach 60, the weight and power are more a threat to the ol' bod than anything else. The 125 will "just have to do."
I love my 23 yz125x, it's so fun and light. Small bore bikes are great. I installed the Stic Super X carb by stic super torque as my factory dialed in keihin, I found disappointing.
The X carb has widened and increased my power curve everwhere. It has a wall of torque off the bottom now, smooth and strong midrange and top end. It has nearly as much power at 1/4 throttle as the factory keihin had at full throttle. People who I have offered rides to say its like a 150! I have since added other mods as i got the power bug, nothing compares to the power the X brought on its own. If you have a small bore bike and looking for more power and rideability on single tracks or the mx track, I would do this mod before a cylinder head or pipe change.
I wish I could still buy a tame 125 like I had some 30 years ago (Suzuki TS-R). I don't want a race machine.
Im 60kg and 170cm. Always been on the 2 smokers. KDX200, EXC250, EC300, SX250, Beta XT300. XT300 the best by far for me; light, heaps of low down, nimble and comfy. Im a weekend hack focused on mostly single trail.
Still miss mine. Especially when I need to lift the 300SE out of a rut or hole lol.
Love my Yamaha YZ250X
Ive had a couple of 250s, a 200 and numerous 300s. I was probably faster in single track on the 250 but the 300 is my main meal nowdays, luggable to the max and plenty there when you crack it. 200s have pretty good bottom power but it just wont lug like a 300.
I’ve owned all of these engine sizes. A 250 is the best compromise for any terrain and any elevation. I’m small so a 300 is overkill but the acceleration and grunt is intoxicating. A 125 is great for open, flowing terrain but an awful lot of work in tighter terrain with abrupt uphills plus they are mentally fatiguing. Lastly, my 150 KTM works well on all terrain and is not tiring. Again, I’m only 5’7” and 155 pounds and have better than average clutch/shifting skills due to a lot of racing smaller bikes. In my ideal world everybody would ride a 125 even though a 125 is no fun when people aren’t going fast. I live in Oregon and race hare scrambles and enduro in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. I am NOT good at hard enduro mostly because of being vertically challenged.
I just bought a 2024 KTM 250 XCW. I love it. Actually I paid $1k more for the 250 than what I could of gotten a 300 for. There are much more 300's than 250's.
I have a yz250 that i enjoy riding in technical woods. It's got plenty of low and mid range to get me into and out of trouble. I would like to try a 150.
Hi Barry, i've gone from the standard 300 to the Xtrainer for reasons discussed at the end of your video. As my riding has progressed the harder the terrain and harder the wrestling with the bike has become at 50 yrs 70kg. Still waiting for the bike to arrive in Thailand!
Great bikes. I still miss mine and might go back to one again.
@@crosstrainingenduro What sprockets sizes were you and your xt riding buddies using Barry?
I have a Sherco 300 currently. It honestly almost has too much power and response right off the crack of the throttle. It's gotten me in trouble a few times, and I ride the local AA/Pro class. It may be because I'm a lighter rider, around 170lbs. Up top, I wish it had more power. The bike would be perfect with some of that low end power shifted towards the top end. My brother has a 250xc (last year of the carb models) and yz250x, both insanely fun and basically have perfect power characteristics for more aggressive riding. They still have more than enough down low to get the job done and have a more zippy top end. I'm almost certain my next bike will be a 250.
I agree, they can have almost too much grunt at low revs. In wet technical conditions I have to slip the clutch a bit more to avoid wheelspin. I suspect the electronic power valve gives the Sherco two strokes that bit of extra grunt at low revs...
ihave a '24 ranger 300 and its fantastic
Always been a 125 rider bc of my size(5'8 and most of my life been under 120lbs but up to 135 after a few years of weight training and diet changes) but have owned bikes up in size to a 2010 fe450 but always go back to the 125/150 size it seems for racing. That said the 200 is probably the perfect balance for me(had ktm200 and is what sparked my training and major uptick in speed) but Im currently have a xtrainer and would love if they had a 200 version but the grunt is great. I did spend a few years on a surron light bee as well and the Ultra bee is the perfect balance of weight and power for someone my size so that may be future bike but the xtrainer has been a dream for trying to get into the hard enduro stuff. I do also have a beta 200 evo for trials and came from a gasgas 125 before that so its not just the enduro bikes I get along with the smaller sizes
+1 on 200's being the sweet spot if you're light. Even as a smaller rider, the peaky power of the 125/150 is less forgiving in the tight stuff. 200's in my experience (I haven't ridden the Beta yet though I want to!) have a more 250/300 like power character but just less hit. If I could own 10 bikes I'd probably have a 125 just for the fun of it in the flowy terrain.
@@seabrookmx Yea, best ive done in a traditional hare scramble was on the 200 but best Ive done on a sprint enduro was on the 125 where it was alot of fast flat turns. The beta is just great for slow 1st-2nd gear tight stuff. I wish I hadnt waited as long as I did to get the xtrainer though, I wanted to get one in 2018 then found the deal on the 200 but even as good as the bike was they just are too tall so it halted my tech skills development another few yrs until I got the surron and now the betas
Great to see you enjoy the Xtrainer. I think they should be more popular but so many riders are focused on outright power...
@@crosstrainingenduro yep and even those that get them swap out all the suspension and increase the power, mine is all stock in power wise but I did do lucky kit for the forks and a wp shock in the rear so all under $1200 in suspension but still feels like the original bike, just able to a little faster when needed
I find I’m way more comfortable with the 250 tpi than the 3 hunje, revs quicker and smoother 😊
sounds spot on ,, great choice nowadays ;;
We are definitely spoiled for choice!
I started out on a 2002 RM125. I was learning to ride and thought the bigger 250 would help me be faster. I got a 2016 YZ250X, rode it for about six months and decided I needed to just go back to the 125. I've since gotten rid of the 250 in favor of a 2002 KDX200. The KDX and RM are staples in my racing. I'm still faster on the 125 than the 200, but I feel like the 200 may soon be the bike that I'm faster on after some more seat time.
Good video… I don’t believe the public knows any better, people ride what the pros ride, I recall one year Jarvis was riding a Husky FE 250 4T, guess which bike sold extremely well that year…personally I’m a 250 2t fan, the 300 is just to much for me.
Monkey see, monkey do lol. It's crazy how much it influences us, even when we try to be aware of it...
I need "torque meister" as my ringtone. Maybe a t-shirt?
😎👍
Sold KTM 150 (22), kept yz250x (23). Mostly wanted the extra power. Fun factor.
How's the Yamaha? After all these years I've still never ridden one but would love to try it. Be great if they added an e-start and it could be road registered in Australia, it would sell like hotcakes.
I ride maybe 15 hours a year. From 450 525 and yz 250x with mods now on sherco 300se factory with suspension done by Langs Off Road I am much better. The bottom torque of my 300 helps me .
YZ125X💙
Great price too... at least here in Oz.
I race hare-scrambles on a 125sx, seems I have an easier time make sure the rear doesn't spin on rain races. This comes at a cost inevitably once I'm on a dry race, then I'm having to work the bike harder to keep up on anything but the tightest of sections. though people do sometimes get out of my way faster because they hear me behind them when I have to scream my engine to the moon to get the drive out of the corners like other get. I have found that a heavy flywheel weight also allows my engine to handle clutch dumping easier when trying to break the rear end loose.
Have to love the scream of a 125 on the pipe!
@@crosstrainingenduro like being chased by a chainsaw
😂
Love my yz125x
Currently building a yz125x for Moab Utah and Western Colorado trails. Been riding an xr650r and Rokon Trailbreaker, the 125x should fall in the middle of that capability.
I just finished Moab on a TE150. Great bike for it.
My Sherco 250 can lug like my buddy's Gas Gas 300. I love it.
Interesting! The TPI models all tend to be pretty weak at low revs and we've found the 250SE pretty much matches them for grunt. The TBI models seem to have corrected that though.
@@crosstrainingenduro Switching my front sprocket to a 12 tooth probably has something to do with it too.
200 All the way. Had all cc's but was a 250 fan for many years as I don't like the 300s. I got back on the 200 and it's like a 125 on steroids. Don't miss the 250 at all.
6ft 2, 200lbs. Been riding a ktm 125 mostly hard enduro to develop skill to carry over to larger bore bikes in the future. Hopefully haha
I reckon it will pay off. A guy in our group sold his 300 and got the 200EXC specifically to work on clutch skills. Big improvement!
Anyone have experience with the mid 2000's gasgas 200 ec. Hows it compared to the other 200's
Im heavy and dont like to rev the snot out of bikes so I like the 250's and 300's.
Luv the 250's.
I swear if I had to pick just one I would take the KTM 300cc 2 stroke I think that would be the best all around in the woods and hills and stuff! 450 is to heavy 250 is little to small and weak 300 is just the right size to throw around the woods easily!
TE250I TPI with a TSP head and remaped ECU .
One of each is the perfect answer as they’re all great for different reasons… ✊😎💨💨💨
150 is a ripper, love it. 300 is brilliant because big bore smokers, yeah!🦾😅 Seriously though, with different PV setups, maps and CDI you can have a 300 that’s a big tractor, or an MX weapon.
The smaller bikes can be fun in a way that the bigger ones never could be though… get them fizzing on the pipe and enjoy. Fortunate to have a lot of desert / XC terrain to ride where you can open up the 300’s in the same way. Do it in the woods though and you’re getting airlifted. 😂😂🚀🤕
Best IMHO was the 200/2 though… really wish KTM would bring them back, I loved mine. 🥹
Us mere mortals will struggle to get a 300 ripping in the woods lol. I tried for a certain video last year and scared the bejesus out of myself!
@@crosstrainingenduro I’ve got a 300EXC with a Lectron that I use for enduro and XC riding by swapping the CDIs. Plus a TBI 300SX for desert and MX. The only place you’re taking liberties are wide open spaces on the 300’s. 😂
i bought a exc 250 for the lively engine
I ride 125 Sherco and for my amauter level it has enough power in 95% situation.
Only motocross in deep sand i can ride slower than possible on bigger bike.
Love my ‘23 Beta 250 RE. The fun factor is addicting.
Beta 125 rr factory all day long great bike
Partito col 300, odiato per il peso e per la mia guida inesperta e l’erogazione troppo esosa, era un fantic con motore gas gas.
Sono passato al tm 125 facendo gli stessi percorsi ad un quarto della fatica e grande soddisfazione!
Le mie cilindrate peró credo siano i 150-200cc
Purtroppo introvabili sull’usato sopratutto i tm, Ktm se ne trovano ma sembra di avere un 125 bloccato, sono ferme rispetto i tm, non li conto nemmeno!
Le altre case purtroppo non le ho mai provate con quelle cilindrate.
Col mio 125 comunque sento la mancanza di qualche basso, ed è difficile mantenere la marcia alta senza avere manico (che io non ho).
Il 200 ho provato beta e confermo il 125 mi sembrava più potente, ma a parte che mura, sembrava di essere su un 300 che non da problemi di gestione di potenza, aiuto a chi non ha una guida esperta.
Il 250, beh magari averla presa come prima moto non l’avrei mai cambiata, chi lo sa. Per me comunque c’è gran differenza tra 300 e 250 forse l’erogazione dipende dalla casa e dal fatto che ho provato modelli comunque datati di 10 anni.
Il mio sogno? Tm en 144, naturalmente a carburatore.
My GF and i started out on the Beta 125/250 2 strokes (of the older 2018/2019 models).
The 125 was a blast, espescially on tighter MX tracks my laptime would be better on the 125 then the 250. In technical enduro terrain however our skills wern't good enough to properly ride the 125. She moved on to the 200 and couldn't be hapier. Very predictable, has plenty of low end grunt and will do everything.
The 250 however... It's a good bike, but i'm the shortcomming to it. I bought the 250 because the 125 had a hard time pulling me around on deep sand and dirt but i didn't want the enourmous power of the 300. Boy was i mistaken. The 250 is way more explosive. The dyno shows a very lineair power curve, but it is properly agressive.
In sand enduro i love it, it gets way more of the ''i'm a racer'' feel than the 300's. Also in the bigger sand MX tracks it's a blast.
However when stuff gets technical it's a beast. From near stalling to ''why is the front wheel behind me'' in a blip of the throttle. Some very well skilled and talented riders that tried my bike have the same experience, it's just too agressive on the technical stuff.
I've riden the 200 and 300 often now and i would love to get ether of them. The 200 for predictablity and control. The 300 for it's endless low end crawling performance.
In november i bought the Stark Varg (and will not stop raving about how good that bike rides) so investment money is spend for the comming time. However given the choice i would trade my 250 for a 200 or 300 any day. Especially for the more novice rider.
Thinking about a beta 200, but i'm afraid i won't be able to handle the jetting. I don't have a lot if altitude, but living in northern europe the temperature changes a lot. How much of an issue is this on a modern 2-stroke?
Good question, I'm not really sure. I think altitude changes are the big difference... less so with temperature?
300’s are love 300’s are life!
I'm guessing the 300cc 2-stroke is a no-brainer for a 300lbs rider?
could you add 4 stroke to the dyno charts. i have gotten myself a 2020 fe250 and was wondering how the power curve looks/ compare to 2 strokes.
Crazy amount of work just getting the chart to that point, way too much work to include accurate thumper figures too.
👍
250 or 300 for hare scrambles?
I CV che dichiarate sono calcolati al motore o alla ruota? Is the HP you declare calculated for the engine or the wheel?
All ruota 👍
It’s about time Kawasaki brought back the KDX 200
And the KDX250, brilliant engine in its day...
adbmag.com.au/editorial/1992-kawasaki-kdx250-used-bike/
The "simpler" Rieju bikes might be heavier,but they are also just better than the beta, better components and higher manufacturing quality
Rieju do put some quality components on their bikes. Beta electrics are sketchy at the best of times so Rieju is probably better there. I think the main thing to keep in mind with Rieju is the basic engine design is very old now so by modern standards they are lacking grunt, are heavier, and they've got the old KTM e-start which need more maintenance to keep going in the long term... despite the 'wet mod' to improve things a bit. But like the earlier Katos it's very easy to access the starter when if it goes wrong. As long as they are substantially cheaper than the others I think the Riejus are a good option!
@@crosstrainingenduro both the old motor design and the starter problems are a valid concern
May I ask your weight and height on the 125? Strongly considering over the 250's since i'm a cheapskate. 150 is out of the question.
That was a few years ago, I think 88kg or so? 193cm.
Ever ridden a ktm 380?
No but my brother had one, said it was a torque meister...
@@crosstrainingenduro it does 4th gear power wheelies just off idle