So after buying a 1998 KX250 last year and flogging it well (and really getting sort of attached to it), I sold it yesterday. I bought it to determine if I still loved off-road riding as much as I did several years ago when I had to give it up. YES - I DO...duh.
I think I'm going to buy a new bike, with the intention that my son will inherit a well used but very well maintained bike in about 8 years (when he's 16-ish).
I've narrowed it down to 2 or 3 bikes. I will not even consider a 4 stroke. I've ridden plenty of them. It's just not who I am.
I can get a really nice and fairly discounted 2014 Husky TE250 at the local dealer. New bike but nearly a couple model years old now. I can get this bike tomorrow if I wanted.
But...I'm really a Yammy guy at the core. In September I can get the new 2016 YZ250X. Basically a YZ250 with wide ratio box, off-road calibrated suspenders, 18" rear wheel, kickstand, different porting and powervalve tuning etc.
The Husky is more money by $800 or so, but that's not really the point. Should I buy a bike now, that I intellectually know is a great bike, or should I give up most of the summer of riding to get a bike that I'm truly excited about and really stoked is even coming to market?
What are the pros and cons of each as you see it?
My riding is mostly mountain trails, with as much gnarly single track as I can manage. I'm not an expert rider, but I'm pretty decent.
You need to get good return on every day because you are literally spending a day of your life in exchange for it. There will always be a better bike, every year. A decent bike now is something you can USE RIGHT NOW. Sell it and buy the yammy when they are on sale if you need a tuning fork on the tank at some point.
Get another used 250 2 smoker to tide you over. Buy it for $2k and sell it for the same next spring.
Buy the nicest used YZ250 you can find. In the Japanese tradition, it's a bike that hasn't changed in a decade. Fortunately, in this case, it's a good bike, and can very easily be set up for woods or trails as well as motocross for almost nothing. OTOH, you can't go wrong with the Husky/KTM. It's a modern, very capable bike. Yamaha hasn't changed the YZ's in 10 years. i wouldn't expect the 250X to be much more than window dressing because they're getting destroyed by the Europeans in the offroad market. If it were me, I'd be looking at a Beta.
I've got an '05 Gas Gas EC 250 that I bought for $1400 several years ago and it's been great. 6 speed trans, Ohlïns rear shock and Marzochi forks, kickstand, lighting coil, and some other cool stuff from the factory like an FMF pipe and silencer. Really reliable bike and cheap to pick up.
FMF makes a lot of pipes for other manufacturers as well, FYI. They just generally aren't branded.
I'm a big fan of KTM for woods riding, but they have a feel that some people just don't care for. The Beta RR300 is getting pretty rave reviews as well, and Sherco makes some great bikes for gnarly riding. I've not ridden a Yamaha or Honda that I really liked in the woods. The KDX was decent if you want a japanese bike, but is in something of a different class.
Thanks for all the opinions. I'm going to do likely the most irrational thing I've done in my life. I'll wait another month and spring for the 2016 Yammy.
I've ridden a couple KTM's, and it's true, they feel "funny" to me. Very light steering and ultra hard thin seats. I assume the Husky would be the same, or very very similar.
Gas Gas support locally is nil. The only dealer in the southern part of the province just stopped selling the brand. Otherwise I'd look at one, I think they're cool bikes.
I like Japanese bikes, and I think the YZ is the best bet for overall build quality, and long-term aftermarket parts and support. Plus, all reviews indicate that the KYB SSS suspension on the YZ's is about as good as it gets.
I'm really looking forward to maintaining a bike long term right from new, and not inheriting previous owners butcher hacks and hidden issues.
