Need a little push to buy a KTM 500 EXC over a WR250R - Page 5

Mudguts · 11-15-2012, 07:41 PM

Why

GusinCA · 11-15-2012, 07:41 PM

I have a 2010 WR250R, and today I sat on a 2013 KTM 350 EXC-F.
50 pounds is a big difference. I'm tempted, but since I ride alone in the middle of nowhere, reliability is a huge factor for me, and I keep hearing people say that the KTM's, reliable as they are, can't hold a candle to the solid titanium bulletproof 250 motor on the Yamaha.
I ride slow, but tight single track with very little street. Money isn't really a factor, so we'll see. Maybe next year... :)

Starcha007 · 11-16-2012, 08:22 AM

I sold my 2011 WR250R. It was a great bike which I really loved, but since my recent Moab Trip it truly lacked in torque and power. I decided to go with a Husky TE511. The 500 EXC was a close call, but the price is a little steep. Some of my friends bought the 500 EXC, but on a recent single trail trip one of them just died (electrical problem) and the other one overheated. That was at 22F temperature. By no means is the TE511 a perfect bike, but it suits me and my level of riding skill well, plus it's way more fun in the torque and horse power compartment compared to the WR250R. Is it a Dual Sport? No, it's (at least to me) a dirt bike with plates.

Gryphon12 · 11-16-2012, 09:06 AM

TE449 / TE511 - Definitely Dirtbikes. Racing dirtbikes. With one of the narrowest range 6-speed transmissions ever made. Looks like all of that torque makes if very rideable though.

GusinCA · 11-16-2012, 02:46 PM

The thing that scares me away (the only thing) is the stories I hear from lots of KTM owners. I mean lots of KTM owners, dozens of whom I know personally, and even more on here or other boards. Lots of little problems, fuel pumps, stalling, electrical issues, the list goes on and on.

I have NEVER, not ONCE, EVER, even ONE SINGLE TIME heard of a SINGLE issue with the WR250R. Myabe I didn't capitalize enough of those words... :)

Starcha007 · 11-17-2012, 07:23 AM

Not a single issue on a WR 250R??? Do I have to say FUEL PUMP? Even on my 2011 the fuel pump went bad, just before my Moab Trip, so I had to take my Super Tenere down there, since we were riding all the way from Texas (2 of my friends KTMs didn't even make it to Moab, a 990 and a 690). We did rent lighter GasGas 300s in Moab and had a blast. That helped with the decision to sell the WR250R and buy something for the technical stuff but still street legal. My Super Tenere is for everything else.

RTODAHL01 · 11-25-2012, 10:26 PM

I had a wr250r and sold it after getting a 2011 TE449 Husky.
#1 thing the Husky is WAY more performance.

The WR is a nice little bike though.
Personaly I have 1000mi on my 449 no problems whatsoever.
#1 downside. 300mi oil change.
But smiles per miles WOW!
Check out my eagle creek ride on youtube.
100 to 200 mi days of serious riding no prob.
Just something else to think about.
I got mine out the door ready to ride for $6999

Nice_Rumble · 12-21-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tooltech

Stock gearing is perfect as is. First gear...you have a trials bike, sixth gear you have 100 mph ( rapidly ).

Really? To quote the Wolfman in Dirt Rider, "stock gearing is on the moon. We went from the 45 to either a 48 or 50 and dropped a tooth on the front."

Foot dragger · 12-21-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GusinCA

I have a 2010 WR250R, and today I sat on a 2013 KTM 350 EXC-F.
50 pounds is a big difference. I'm tempted, but since I ride alone in the middle of nowhere, reliability is a huge factor for me, and I keep hearing people say that the KTM's, reliable as they are, can't hold a candle to the solid titanium bulletproof 250 motor on the Yamaha.
I ride slow, but tight single track with very little street. Money isn't really a factor, so we'll see. Maybe next year... :)

I would guess mostly Yamaha dealers and riders would say the new KTM's just dont hold up,those who ride new KTM's mainly grin and enjoy the ride. If all your gonna do is putt around then any bike will work.
KTM's are made to work as good as modern technology will let them,not built to a strict budget by accountants and salespeople.

(riding alone in the middle of nowhere,no matter the bike,can end up with your name in the paper,once they find you anyways)

Foot dragger · 12-21-2012, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nice_Rumble

Really? To quote the Wolfman in Dirt Rider, "stock gearing is on the moon. We went from the 45 to either a 48 or 50 and dropped a tooth on the front."

I have 14/50 on my 530,could still be a little lower to run second gear on singletrack. Stock is 15/45.
Mine will still touch 100mph with 14/50

Foot dragger · 12-21-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTODAHL01

I had a wr250r and sold it after getting a 2011 TE449 Husky.
#1 thing the Husky is WAY more performance.

The WR is a nice little bike though.
Personaly I have 1000mi on my 449 no problems whatsoever.
#1 downside. 300mi oil change.
But smiles per miles WOW!
Check out my eagle creek ride on youtube.
100 to 200 mi days of serious riding no prob.
Just something else to think about.
I got mine out the door ready to ride for $6999

300 mile oil change.........Are you sure of that?

Foot dragger · 12-21-2012, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GusinCA

The thing that scares me away (the only thing) is the stories I hear from lots of KTM owners. I mean lots of KTM owners, dozens of whom I know personally, and even more on here or other boards. Lots of little problems, fuel pumps, stalling, electrical issues, the list goes on and on.

I have NEVER, not ONCE, EVER, even ONE SINGLE TIME heard of a SINGLE issue with the WR250R. Maybe I didn't capitalize enough of those words... :)

Get a 530,no fuel pump,no stalling,no electrical issues. Since 1978 Ive had 15 KTM's. Not a single one has had any sort of breakdown or left me stranded.
Ive blown Yamahas to tiny bits,but just from riding them too hard and too long.
I cant see myself on a 300 lb 250 4 stroke just for the 100% reliability,Id go sound asleep down the straights.
There's more to life then gauranteed reliability,besides,nothings gauranteed. Anything can break.

tundra61 · 12-21-2012, 04:00 PM

I had. 530 exc which did show me the light to how great KTM is - bit for sure it had it's flaws. The main thing for me was for Northeast trail riding which tends to be slower - the bike constantly overheated and if stalled when hot - was impossible to start.

I guess it was partially the wrong tool for the job but still my experience.

I am probably going o get blasted for the following - but i have loved my BMW g450x for 3 seasons now! Granted I spent a lot of money on the suspension wptraxx in the rear and ohlins TTx in the front. But the bike has been flawless and the engine has supper smooth power.

There are some crazy deals to be had on these bikes given the lack of popularity.

what broke now · 12-21-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starcha007

Not a single issue on a WR 250R??? Do I have to say FUEL PUMP? Even on my 2011 the fuel pump went bad, just before my Moab Trip, so I had to take my Super Tenere down there, since we were riding all the way from Texas (2 of my friends KTMs didn't even make it to Moab, a 990 and a 690). We did rent lighter GasGas 300s in Moab and had a blast. That helped with the decision to sell the WR250R and buy something for the technical stuff but still street legal. My Super Tenere is for everything else.

Any bike with a tiny, low spec, in-tank fuel pump will likely someday stall in bfe. I don't care what hood ornament is on it, that is a characteristic of a motorcycle FI pump system. Husky, Yamaha, KTM, Husaberg, and probably others. My wr250r has done it, so have others. There are better pumps available, but Yamaha doesn't seem to care.

davesupreme · 12-21-2012, 05:04 PM

my buddy just bought a '10 450 SixDays for $3k w/a pretty much new trailer hitch rack and some other stuff thrown in.... smokin' dealio, so they're out there.... i got a 3yr old 450SMR w/alot of stuff on it for $4k a couple of years ago.... i like to shop, and i'm cheap, so.... dunno if i'd drop 9k on a new one, but i don't have that kinda bread..... i always gotta laugh at everybody freakin' about valve adjustments, like it's rocket science.... i love to work on mine, turning it into a dirtbike now, so i got everything.... any type of high performance bike you're gonna have to get involved with, so.... had looked at a DRZ previously, but it sounded like a lawn mower, so it turned me off.... if you don't like messing w/them some, i can see getting a simpler bike.... but you really can't argue w/the performance aspect, killer motor, excellent suspension, design, etc.... the one my buddy just bought is sweet, and it's even got the magic button!... jetted way too lean though, and he's another one that doesn't wanna change anything.... whatever....

11-16-2012, 09:06 AM	#64
Gryphon12 Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Carnation, WA USA Oddometer: 697	TE449 / TE511 - Definitely Dirtbikes. Racing dirtbikes. With one of the narrowest range 6-speed transmissions ever made. Looks like all of that torque makes if very rideable though. __________________ 1990 Honda NT-650 Hawk-GT Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead

12-21-2012, 04:00 PM	#73
tundra61 Studly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2008 Location: There Oddometer: 853	I had. 530 exc which did show me the light to how great KTM is - bit for sure it had it's flaws. The main thing for me was for Northeast trail riding which tends to be slower - the bike constantly overheated and if stalled when hot - was impossible to start. I guess it was partially the wrong tool for the job but still my experience. I am probably going o get blasted for the following - but i have loved my BMW g450x for 3 seasons now! Granted I spent a lot of money on the suspension wptraxx in the rear and ohlins TTx in the front. But the bike has been flawless and the engine has supper smooth power. There are some crazy deals to be had on these bikes given the lack of popularity. __________________ 2007 BMW K1200R (just like my women - fast and naked) 2007 BMW K1200GT (man this bike is fast) 2009 BMW G450X (hard to beat a bike with FI) 2007 ktm 250 xc-w (light as a feather - sold) 2007 BMW r1200gs (awesome bike - but sold) 2007 BMW X-Challenge (SOLD) 2008 ktm 530 exc (SOLD) 2006 xr 650 r (SOLD) brute force 650i (SOLD) klr 650 (SOLD)

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11-15-2012, 07:41 PM	#61
Mudguts when in doubt GAS IT Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Some were in , lostralia Oddometer: 1,661	Why

11-15-2012, 07:41 PM	#62
GusinCA Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Newport Beach, California Oddometer: 169	I have a 2010 WR250R, and today I sat on a 2013 KTM 350 EXC-F. 50 pounds is a big difference. I'm tempted, but since I ride alone in the middle of nowhere, reliability is a huge factor for me, and I keep hearing people say that the KTM's, reliable as they are, can't hold a candle to the solid titanium bulletproof 250 motor on the Yamaha. I ride slow, but tight single track with very little street. Money isn't really a factor, so we'll see. Maybe next year... :)

11-16-2012, 08:22 AM	#63
Starcha007 Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Texas Oddometer: 47	I sold my 2011 WR250R. It was a great bike which I really loved, but since my recent Moab Trip it truly lacked in torque and power. I decided to go with a Husky TE511. The 500 EXC was a close call, but the price is a little steep. Some of my friends bought the 500 EXC, but on a recent single trail trip one of them just died (electrical problem) and the other one overheated. That was at 22F temperature. By no means is the TE511 a perfect bike, but it suits me and my level of riding skill well, plus it's way more fun in the torque and horse power compartment compared to the WR250R. Is it a Dual Sport? No, it's (at least to me) a dirt bike with plates.

11-16-2012, 02:46 PM	#65
GusinCA Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Newport Beach, California Oddometer: 169	The thing that scares me away (the only thing) is the stories I hear from lots of KTM owners. I mean lots of KTM owners, dozens of whom I know personally, and even more on here or other boards. Lots of little problems, fuel pumps, stalling, electrical issues, the list goes on and on. I have NEVER, not ONCE, EVER, even ONE SINGLE TIME heard of a SINGLE issue with the WR250R. Myabe I didn't capitalize enough of those words... :)

11-17-2012, 07:23 AM	#66
Starcha007 Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Texas Oddometer: 47	Not a single issue on a WR 250R??? Do I have to say FUEL PUMP? Even on my 2011 the fuel pump went bad, just before my Moab Trip, so I had to take my Super Tenere down there, since we were riding all the way from Texas (2 of my friends KTMs didn't even make it to Moab, a 990 and a 690). We did rent lighter GasGas 300s in Moab and had a blast. That helped with the decision to sell the WR250R and buy something for the technical stuff but still street legal. My Super Tenere is for everything else.

11-25-2012, 10:26 PM	#67
RTODAHL01 Adventurer Joined: Nov 2012 Oddometer: 15	I had a wr250r and sold it after getting a 2011 TE449 Husky. #1 thing the Husky is WAY more performance. The WR is a nice little bike though. Personaly I have 1000mi on my 449 no problems whatsoever. #1 downside. 300mi oil change. But smiles per miles WOW! Check out my eagle creek ride on youtube. 100 to 200 mi days of serious riding no prob. Just something else to think about. I got mine out the door ready to ride for $6999

12-21-2012, 05:04 PM	#75
davesupreme Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2011 Location: palm harbor, fla Oddometer: 299	my buddy just bought a '10 450 SixDays for $3k w/a pretty much new trailer hitch rack and some other stuff thrown in.... smokin' dealio, so they're out there.... i got a 3yr old 450SMR w/alot of stuff on it for $4k a couple of years ago.... i like to shop, and i'm cheap, so.... dunno if i'd drop 9k on a new one, but i don't have that kinda bread..... i always gotta laugh at everybody freakin' about valve adjustments, like it's rocket science.... i love to work on mine, turning it into a dirtbike now, so i got everything.... any type of high performance bike you're gonna have to get involved with, so.... had looked at a DRZ previously, but it sounded like a lawn mower, so it turned me off.... if you don't like messing w/them some, i can see getting a simpler bike.... but you really can't argue w/the performance aspect, killer motor, excellent suspension, design, etc.... the one my buddy just bought is sweet, and it's even got the magic button!... jetted way too lean though, and he's another one that doesn't wanna change anything.... whatever....