🚀 go-pugleaf

I live in the middle of the HM trail system and agree it's a mecca.  I have
much the same attitude as you about being willing to spend a little more for a
better long term ride.  I just bought a KTM 450EXC and am very happy with it.
It can definitely kick some ass now and then.  It should be durable, time will
tell.
By the way, the Kawasaki and Suzuki 400's are the same bike nowadays.  They are
great, but the KTM already has the suspension, motor, etc.  It doesn't need
anything but maybe some jetting and suspension set up to make it perfect.
Having had many different dirt bikes, including several thumpers, I didn't
think I needed an electric starter, but it sure is sweet.   Of course, you are
talking about the 300 two stroke, but it is a great bike from everything I
hear.
Also, if you plan to license the bike, you will have to pay WV taxes,
regardless of where you buy the bike.
You won't go wrong with the Suzuki, it's a great bike.  But, the KTM will make
you smile like an idiot when you just think about it.

My opinion,
The Suzuki is a pig compared to the KTM.
I have been on both. The KTM has awesome throttle response. The DRZ is a
pig.
I ride a CR500 now. I am considering getting another bike and have been
riding everyone's bike I can, to get a handle on "the truth" about each of
them.
Here is MY findings...

XR is not the lightest, not the quickest, but of any of the bikes, I would
trust it with getting me home from a 200 mile journey more than the rest.

The KTM300 is powerful. Nice suspension. there are NO KTM dealers near me.

The GASGAS300 is a "Lexus" of woods bikes. It is plush, and the motor is
almost like an electric motor.

The Yamaha WR bikes 250 and 450. They both bring a SMILE to your face
(moreso the 450). Not a Lexus, but nice gearing and 450 has POWER.

The CR500E (2003 Honda CR500 Enduro) is nice on paper, but I have not ridden
one.

If you are always in TIGHT woods, then I suggest a 250 four stroke. It will
not beat you so bad.
If you are in open woods, with lots of fast straits, then you might want a
450 (ktm's 450) for more powerful acceleration.

I am thinking that the bike I would like, if someone was to GIVE it to me,
would probably be a WR250.
I dont think it would have the SMILE factor that my CR500 has, but I do
think that my lap times would be smaller, and it would not WEAR me OUT like
the big 5 does.

Anyhow, that is my overview of the bikes.

Oh yes.. I am not sure why you discount the MX bikes. My 500 was wonderful
in the Hare Scramble. Not as PLUSH as a woods bike, but it held its own.
Dave

--
Ride like they are TRYING to hit you
http://profiles.yahoo.com/whiteknight32_1967
2001 GSXR-1000
1991 CR500R
1979 XS Eleven
1973 GT750 waterbuffallo (two stroke)


"Slingblade" <unitedtowingjc@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:f75456f5.0307051752.20227ca@posting.google.com...
> Hi Guys,
>
> I am going to probably end up getting one of the above bikes in the
> next week or so. Suz.DRZ400 or KTM300 (although KTM400 isnt out of the
> question)
>
> I live about 30 miles away from the new Hatfield-McCoy trail in WV..
> Also there is probably another 100-200 miles of trails within 30
> minutes of me.  The terrains will be all over the board..from mud to
> gravel, some blacktop areas, and thick forest..I live in a mecca for
> riding..
>
> As far as dealers go, they are all the same around here..sell bikes,
> sell bikes, sell bikes.. I will go out of state to buy the bike anyway
> to save from paying taxes..but that is a different story.
>
> We have a local trader called the ad bulletin, that lists about 400
> bikes a week locally for sale...so I can pick up a used bike and save
> lots of money..but im not interested in that..  I might keep a frugal
> eye out for a 2nd bike, but I want this bike to be something that
> really makes me happy for a long time and gives me long long long
> service..and also I want to kick a little ass now and then.
>
> Money isnt a problem..I would pay $1000 more for a bike that will give
> me a couple more years happiness over saving a few bucks and
> compromise.
>
> I have been reading pretty solid for the past week trying to catch up
> on the technology and things.. I can be pretty sure that I dont want a
> CRF or a WR.. I am not looking to mod something alot as soon as I get
> it....I want to have a bike ready to do what I want and just ride. I
> am also passing on the XR400, I know it is a solid bike and it is the
> Toyota of bikes....but I am looking more for a Lexus.
>
> I have read "bulletproof" on both the KTMs and the DRZ...so that makes
> me smile.
>
> I would have went with the WR450 or 250 if you didnt have to do a ton
> of stuff to get it right..(throttle, airbox, jetting)  or with the CRF
> if everyone didnt say it was a MX bike not a woods bike..
>
> The Kawasaki bikes are out of the question...just a few too many bad
> stories and overall I never liked them.
>
> So now that I have given some background.... and if you had $6000 in
> your pocket to go buy a bike....what would you do...or what did you
> do?  Are you happy? Did you regret it?  Help me over the fence (or
> under)..
>
> Thanks in advance.

I agree that the gasgas is probably the Lexus of bikes....but I am not
interested in that bike either.. due to lack of dealers etc. in my
area.

I am going to toss the WR250 or 450 back in the ring, but I hate the
idea of opening up the carburator as soon as I get the thing.. also I
heard you have to remove the snorkle and a few other tweaks to get the
best of the bike.

I have read mixed opinions on the DRZ400....those who are used to MX
bikes all call it a pig...all who have been riding XRs think its the
best thing since sliced bread.

Also I have decided not to totally ignore the CRF250 and 450, although
I have read many complaints about both bikes, and the only good I have
heard is that they are fast.

So, from my research..
1)KTM guys all rave about how awesome their bikes are...nothing but
good solid reports that I can find.  The only negative reports are
from people who havent ridden them, and are totally blind to a certain
color, blue or red.

2)Suzuki.. most MX riders call it a pig.. XR riders love it...E-button
has made alot of people happy.

3)Yamaha WR guys seem to always be talking tech....they talk about how
they modified their bike, what parts they got, and how do I do this or
that....sounds like a good bike for a guy who likes to fix things up.

4)Honda CRF guys seem to be addicted to speed and talk about how many
horsepower it has, or how fast it is compared to other stuff.

5)Kawasaki- Same bike as DRZ...I HATE my local Kawa dealer...and I
never have liked Kawa from the beginning...so they are out.

6)GasGas- These seem to be the mecca of trail riding...I am ignorant
of this bike, and havent given it much thought...they dont look very
agressive to me, and I hate their website.....Am I wrong or do they
only sell one non-trials bike?  It seems that 280 is the only enduro
type bike they sell...did I miss something?

7)MX is out of the question right now....If I get power hungry or want
to kick peoples asses I know where to go.. I am just not in that frame
of mind right now.





> My opinion,
> The Suzuki is a pig compared to the KTM.
> I have been on both. The KTM has awesome throttle response. The DRZ is a
> pig.
> I ride a CR500 now. I am considering getting another bike and have been
> riding everyone's bike I can, to get a handle on "the truth" about each of
> them.
> Here is MY findings...
>
> XR is not the lightest, not the quickest, but of any of the bikes, I would
> trust it with getting me home from a 200 mile journey more than the rest.
>
> The KTM300 is powerful. Nice suspension. there are NO KTM dealers near me.
>
> The GASGAS300 is a "Lexus" of woods bikes. It is plush, and the motor is
> almost like an electric motor.
>
> The Yamaha WR bikes 250 and 450. They both bring a SMILE to your face
> (moreso the 450). Not a Lexus, but nice gearing and 450 has POWER.
>
> The CR500E (2003 Honda CR500 Enduro) is nice on paper, but I have not ridden
> one.
>
> If you are always in TIGHT woods, then I suggest a 250 four stroke. It will
> not beat you so bad.
> If you are in open woods, with lots of fast straits, then you might want a
> 450 (ktm's 450) for more powerful acceleration.
>
> I am thinking that the bike I would like, if someone was to GIVE it to me,
> would probably be a WR250.
> I dont think it would have the SMILE factor that my CR500 has, but I do
> think that my lap times would be smaller, and it would not WEAR me OUT like
> the big 5 does.
>
> Anyhow, that is my overview of the bikes.
>
> Oh yes.. I am not sure why you discount the MX bikes. My 500 was wonderful
> in the Hare Scramble. Not as PLUSH as a woods bike, but it held its own.
> Dave
>
> --
> Ride like they are TRYING to hit you
> http://profiles.yahoo.com/whiteknight32_1967
> 2001 GSXR-1000
> 1991 CR500R
> 1979 XS Eleven
> 1973 GT750 waterbuffallo (two stroke)
>
>

On 6 Jul 2003 12:22:27 -0700, unitedtowingjc@yahoo.com (Slingblade)
wrote:


>6)GasGas- These seem to be the mecca of trail riding...I am ignorant
>of this bike, and havent given it much thought...they dont look very
>agressive to me, and I hate their website.....Am I wrong or do they
>only sell one non-trials bike?  It seems that 280 is the only enduro
>type bike they sell...did I miss something?

They make a good number of Enduro bikes.  Check out the EC line -
there's a couple of 50s, a 125, a 200, 250, 300 and a 450 four stroke.

http://www.smackovermotorsports.com/html/2003_enduro.htm
or

from the following page:
http://www.gasgas.com/Pages/Dealers/Dealer-list.html

Cycle City Inc
Jeff Cox
832 West Neville St
Beckley WV 25801
304 252 7601

or

Black's Motorsports
708 Division St
Parkersburg WV 26101
304 428 0606

or

Shenandoah Motorsports
John Ross
1603 Berryville Pike
Winchester VA 22603
540 678 8500

or

Alco Motorsports & ATVs
302 S Main St, Box 246
King NC 27021
336 983 7315
alco4atv@aol.com
www.alcoatv.com

or

Fullers Action Cycles
Tracy Fuller
9 North Main St
Marion NC 28752
828 652 5358

There's 5 listed in Tennessee, 8 in Ohio and 1 in Kentucky, but I
don't know how close they are to you.


W.B.Lyttle
94 Husaberg FE350
02 Yamaha TT-R125L (youngun's)
New hauler: 03 Chevy Silverado (2772 miles)
BRC, ARRA, USA-ALL and like that

"Slingblade" <unitedtowingjc@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> I am going to toss the WR250 or 450 back in the ring, but I hate the


    I have a WR450, I love the thing.  The mods you need to do to the bike
to have it right is shorten the throttle stop (or get a YZ one).  Remove the
snorkle out of the top of the airbox, remove the baffle out of the exhust (1
bolt) and rejet if your dealer doesn't.  I love the bike.  Just my opinion
though.

           Rex McKinney
           03 Wr450
           02 Yz250

Last week, I found out that GGMA has 2 of the 6-speed 50cc Super
Motards in stock.  Cool bike!




>On Sun, 06 Jul 2003 16:54:53 -0400, scrape at mindspring dot com <scrape@mindspring.com> wrote:

>On 6 Jul 2003 12:22:27 -0700, unitedtowingjc@yahoo.com (Slingblade)
>wrote:
>
>
>>6)GasGas- These seem to be the mecca of trail riding...I am ignorant
>>of this bike, and havent given it much thought...they dont look very
>>agressive to me, and I hate their website.....Am I wrong or do they
>>only sell one non-trials bike?  It seems that 280 is the only enduro
>>type bike they sell...did I miss something?
>
>They make a good number of Enduro bikes.  Check out the EC line -
>there's a couple of 50s, a 125, a 200, 250, 300 and a 450 four stroke.
>
>http://www.smackovermotorsports.com/html/2003_enduro.htm
>or
>
>from the following page:
>http://www.gasgas.com/Pages/Dealers/Dealer-list.html
>
>Cycle City Inc
>Jeff Cox
>832 West Neville St
>Beckley WV 25801
>304 252 7601
>
>or
>
>Black's Motorsports
>708 Division St
>Parkersburg WV 26101
>304 428 0606
>
>or
>
>Shenandoah Motorsports
>John Ross
>1603 Berryville Pike
>Winchester VA 22603
>540 678 8500
>
>or
>
>Alco Motorsports & ATVs
>302 S Main St, Box 246
>King NC 27021
>336 983 7315
>alco4atv@aol.com
>www.alcoatv.com
>
>or
>
>Fullers Action Cycles
>Tracy Fuller
>9 North Main St
>Marion NC 28752
>828 652 5358
>
>There's 5 listed in Tennessee, 8 in Ohio and 1 in Kentucky, but I
>don't know how close they are to you.
>
>
>W.B.Lyttle
>94 Husaberg FE350
>02 Yamaha TT-R125L (youngun's)
>New hauler: 03 Chevy Silverado (2772 miles)
>BRC, ARRA, USA-ALL and like that




      Wudsracer
  '99 Gas Gas EC 274
     Team LAGNAF
   SMACKOVER Racing
 www.smackovermotorsports.com

"We Only Ride on Days That End in Y"

"Slingblade"
> Hi Guys,
>
hi guy

> I am going to probably end up getting one of the above bikes in the
> next week or so. Suz.DRZ400 or KTM300 (although KTM400 isn't out of the
> question)

nice choices but there are others as well

>
> I live about 30 miles away from the new Hatfield-McCoy trail in WV..
> Also there is probably another 100-200 miles of trails within 30
> minutes of me.  The terrains will be all over the board..from mud to
> gravel, some blacktop areas, and thick forest..I live in a mecca for
> riding..

mm nice

>
> As far as dealers go, they are all the same around here..sell bikes,
> sell bikes, sell bikes.. I will go out of state to buy the bike anyway
> to save from paying taxes..but that is a different story.
>
sorry to here, your dealers experience is not what you hoped for.
This would be my deciding factor, excellent service from a dealer
will help you work through the nuances of a new bike

> We have a local trader called the ad bulletin, that lists about 400
> bikes a week locally for sale...so I can pick up a used bike and save
> lots of money..but im not interested in that..  I might keep a frugal
> eye out for a 2nd bike, but I want this bike to be something that
> really makes me happy for a long time and gives me long long long
> service..and also I want to kick a little ass now and then.

for 6k I'd get a $500 buck husky 430 automatic &
hire a mechanic to follow me...<grin>

>
> Money isnt a problem..I would pay $1000 more for a bike that will give
> me a couple more years happiness over saving a few bucks and
> compromise.
>
kdx200 is a nice green color bike if the local kaw dealer is good
KTM 300 is nice if you like black & orange.
I don't much care for the older DR's (haven't rode a newer one)

> I have been reading pretty solid for the past week trying to catch up
> on the technology and things.. I can be pretty sure that I don't want a
> CRF or a WR.. I am not looking to mod something alot as soon as I get
> it....I want to have a bike ready to do what I want and just ride. I
> am also passing on the XR400, I know it is a solid bike and it is the
> Toyota of bikes....but I am looking more for a Lexus.

I like XR's because I ride slow & stop often to look at the vista's
so the weight is not an issue (unless it run out of gas & I have to
push it, BTW never buy a car you can't push)

>
> I have read "bulletproof" on both the KTMs and the DRZ...so that makes
> me smile.
>
bullet proof? my Super Computer wasn't ;)

> I would have went with the WR450 or 250 if you didnt have to do a ton
> of stuff to get it right..(throttle, airbox, jetting)  or with the CRF
> if everyone didnt say it was a MX bike not a woods bike..


not a ton of stuff, if you have a good service place local say to
them I'm considering buying..... which one is easier to work on
requires less mods for my riding style.... let them know you plan to
take it to them for fixing & would like to keep the bike for a while...

> The Kawasaki bikes are out of the question...just a few too many bad
> stories and overall I never liked them.

Kaw makes nice jetski's,
I've ridden the kdx200 it's like moving from a banana seat bike to a
skinny tire 10 speed.. I've never had one long enough to have any
bad stories

>
> So now that I have given some background.... and if you had $6000 in
> your pocket to go buy a bike....what would you do...or what did you
> do?  Are you happy? Did you regret it?  Help me over the fence (or
> under)..
>
I took a yz250 through a barbwire fence (I don't recommend it)
as for the two bikes you highlighted the KTM300

> Thanks in advance.

mwhite4981@aol.com (MWhite4981) wrote in message
> I just bought a KTM 450EXC and am very happy with it.
> It can definitely kick some ass now and then.  It should be durable, time will
> tell.
> By the way, the Kawasaki and Suzuki 400's are the same bike nowadays.  They are
> great, but the KTM already has the suspension, motor, etc.  It doesn't need
> anything but maybe some jetting and suspension set up to make it perfect.
> Having had many different dirt bikes, including several thumpers, I didn't
> think I needed an electric starter, but it sure is sweet.   Of course, you are
> talking about the 300 two stroke, but it is a great bike from everything I
> hear.

i don't know much, but here is what i do know:
the drz (i have ridden one a few times) fits kinda funny if you're
tall. the bars are too low and too close for me, and i'm only 6'2".
otherwise, it seemed like a pretty nice bike.

the ktm 300 is (in my humble and inexperienced opinion) about the best
thing since sliced bread. compared to a non e-start 4-stroke, it's
super easy to start, it weighs 20-30 lbs less than a competitive 4
stroke, and at least 40 lbs less than a drz. the 300 is very torquey
for a 2-stroke. it's got enough low-end grunt to let you lug it around
through technical stuff like a 4-stroke, but when you rev it up a
little, it's freakin' unbelievable. the ktm 300 also seems to require
less maintenance than about any other bike. the 2003 ktms also have
vastly improved suspension valving stock. lots of folks (including the
ones at enduro engineering) are saying there's no need to send them
out for revalving if you're a normal size guy. i have a 2002 and i
just revalved the forks myself, and the shock is currently on its way
to EE.

i rode a crf450 the other day, and it's a pretty fun bike to ride. i
like the engine alot. i think it could be a swell woods bike, but you
still have to get a spark arrestor, and it's a little small for me
ergonomically. if honda actually gets on the ball and produces an
off-road version of it, that might be cool, but if i were buying
another bike, i would get a 2003 ktm300 or a ktm450. all you have to
do is jet for your locale, put handguards on and go ride (and maybe a
steering stabilizer).

-mark weaver
2001 klx331
2002 300exc
2001 bandit 1200s