Yz250x or ktm 300xc

SUPERDUTY

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Help decide between the Yz250x or the 300xc
both good bikes but is the ktm worth the $2500-2800 more for the larger tank, electric start, hydraulic clutch, hand guards, the extra bottom end grunt.
which would you choose and why?
 

SUPERDUTY

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Yes , single track woods riding. I currently am coming off a wr450, just looking for something a little lighter.
 

bud800

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300xc is really hard to beat for woods riding. Basically ready to rock from the factory for most riders whereas I find to get a similar yammy/Honda 250 to compete with it takes some work and cash.

I’ve been on yammys since I was about 7, 10 years old hopping milk crates to get up on my yz250 and if I were to go buy a new bike tomorrow it’d be a 300xc ktm just because I prefer the plastics over the husky lol but really the ktm 300 is IMO the best tight woods bike ever built I’d never touch a 450 over it.

Actually wanna build a 300 snow bike but I wanna see/ride one first cuz I’m a scaredy cat
 

SUPERDUTY

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But is the ktm worth the extra cash over the yz?
 

jpmez69

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I was in the same predicament. I was done with the 450 class. I was looking at the KTM 300 XC/W or the ZX250X. I ended picking up the YZ 250X. Put some Acerbis hand guards and skid plate on it and never looked back. I've owned a dozen CR 250's and CRF 450's over the years and I have to say the YZ 250X is by far the best bike I've owned. It just flat out works! The most fun I've had in a long time. From a price point it's hard to beat it. As for the KTM, I think it's also a great machine. Just more money. Can't go wrong with either.
 

SUPERDUTY

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I really like the ktm but for the difference if a guy feels he needs more umff, i guy could always put a big bore kit on it.
 

SUPERDUTY

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I was in the same predicament. I was done with the 450 class. I was looking at the KTM 300 XC/W or the ZX250X. I ended picking up the YZ 250X. Put some Acerbis hand guards and skid plate on it and never looked back. I've owned a dozen CR 250's and CRF 450's over the years and I have to say the YZ 250X is by far the best bike I've owned. It just flat out works! The most fun I've had in a long time. From a price point it's hard to beat it. As for the KTM, I think it's also a great machine. Just more money. Can't go wrong with either.
How does the yz feel for rider, cramped or ok , does it need bar risers.?
 

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Like he said I bought the YZ 250 X 2 stroke put bar busters on the bars and skid plate and re jet and go.It is by far the best bike I have ridden hands down.Best bang for your buck out there.it even works good for the odd day at the track.Hey I would take the KTM to but for 3 to 4 grand more nah not for me.
Braaap
 

Scrambled

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I have the KTM 300 xc- w,it's been awesome,very comfy to ride and has been bullet proof so far,it's a six day,paid more for it but to buy the regular one and add all the extras would have been more $ in the end,plus you get something alittle unique,I have added a run flat and hybrid trials tire, really helped with traction,I have had a opertunaty to ride the yz250 x,nice bike, doesn't quite have the low end grunt as mine and didn't feel as comfy but that was probably just my preference,both are great fun bikes,I myself will stick with KTM
 

Mountainman52

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Really cant go wrong with either,my experience on both the bikes. The YZ has the better suspension and the KTM has more Torque JMO
 

Joholio

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300xc is really hard to beat for woods riding. Basically ready to rock from the factory for most riders whereas I find to get a similar yammy/Honda 250 to compete with it takes some work and cash.

I’ve been on yammys since I was about 7, 10 years old hopping milk crates to get up on my yz250 and if I were to go buy a new bike tomorrow it’d be a 300xc ktm just because I prefer the plastics over the husky lol but really the ktm 300 is IMO the best tight woods bike ever built I’d never touch a 450 over it.

Actually wanna build a 300 snow bike but I wanna see/ride one first cuz I’m a scaredy cat

My buddy has a Husky300/yeti, carb is a bit of an issue and hes not that big of a dude, but seems to be ok from what I hear...
 

Bnorth

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I love the 300 the grunt is unreal in tight riding. The yammy 250 is a sweet bike and they have it dialed very well. Probably the most reliable 250 ever built but they've had 15 years to get it figured out. I find the 250 a bit cramped but I'm tall. Even with dropped pegs and risers I was never totally comfortable on it. I prefer the 300 for the power and the way the chassis fits me.
 

Ballzdeep

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Buy the YZ and spend the extra cash on good suspension...you won't regret it. I have thousands into my 2 450's and even more into my 250 2 smoker...dialed suspension makes the ride, even if your just riden the woods, trail or the odd weekend rider.
 

takethebounce

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Help decide between the Yz250x or the 300xc
both good bikes but is the ktm worth the $2500-2800 more for the larger tank, electric start, hydraulic clutch, hand guards, the extra bottom end grunt.
which would you choose and why?

You pretty much nailed what you are getting for more money....now decide if that is important to you. For me, having the easy button is great as my short legs on off camber snotty single track can sometimes be tough to get a foot down, so when I can't always get my left foot down to start the bike, it is a pain. Secondly, the bigger tank makes sense when riding all day.

For the Orange bikes the top end power of the 300 and 250 smokers is the same. The difference is the lower end of the 300 where it will just tractor along. The 250 you ride on the pipe a little more which I like. The 300's historically have been a little tougher to nail down the jetting on if you change elevations a lot. Lectron carbs are pretty popular for good reasons. All new KTM's (since 2017) run Mikuni carbs now which haven't been as great as the Keihin but with some playing they aren't bad. Or you can get into a new fuel injected lol

The YZ is a proven platform. Great suspension, typical Japanese quality and the X has been widely reviewed and liked. If the YZ had estart I would likely own one.
 

struglin

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I own a 250x and love it raced it all last year and never skipped a beat and unlike the ktm a few minor adjustments and you can hit the mx track with confidence
 

Crustyolddude

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Yz250x all the way. Cheaper. Cheaper to operate, parts are 1/2 price. Yamaha reliability, and dealership network everywhere. Best suspension in the business with KYB spring forks/shock. Motor has been around since 1999 (two stroke R&D technology has been moving ahead at glacial pace. ThankYou Envirocritics??).
I am going back to the fourstroke again. Crf450rx, or 250rx. Maybe Yamaha fx.
 

was1

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Been out of riding for 30 years and decided to get back in it to ride with my son! I Have a 2016 yz450fx i converted back to dirt from being a snowbike! Way to go big of a bike for this old guy! So this year i Bought a new ktm300tpi! Best thing i ever did! Frikn awesome! Runs flawlessly! Lots of low end grunt and light enough for me to throw it around! A whole lot of fun! Talked to the local yamaha dealer about a 250x and they were going to get to me with a price and never heard a thing so i put my money down on the ktm! Very happy with my decision ! Pricey without a doubt but nice just to check injection oil and gas and go!
 

takethebounce

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what are your guys opinions on the beta 300 2strokes

They are nice bikes. I have ridden a couple and know a few people with them. Haven’t seen any reliability issues with them though part sourcing can be a bit tougher with limited dealers.

The only negative I can really say is the plastics feel and look cheap. But for under $200 you can pull off the stock ones and throw an complete Acerbis kit on.
 
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