So I thought I was all set on a 300 and had the opportunity to ride both today, now I think I'm leaning towards a 250. It turned faster for me and I think I like the power better. Don't get me wrong the 300 was sweet. I rode it first and loved it,but I had to watch my right hand a bit. The torque was nice but when it comes on the pipe you better be ready. The 250 was fun. Yes you have to clutch it a little but all in all I think I like the 250 better. Has anyone gone to a 300 and then went back to a 250?
250- 300- 250- 300
- Thread starter mikemoto
- Start date
bukwheat
New member
Yeah, I had to make up my mind too, but I went with the 300. I've been riding a 200 or 250's all my riding life and decided to try a 300. The 250 is fun, no doubt but I just wanted to try something new and different. On my 06
250ec I have a Rekluse installed and never have to clutch it. It'll lug with the best of them. I plan on installing the Rekluse on the 300.
I don't think you could go wrong with either one.
250ec I have a Rekluse installed and never have to clutch it. It'll lug with the best of them. I plan on installing the Rekluse on the 300.
I don't think you could go wrong with either one.
Hey Moto Mike!! welcome aboard!! the 250 is the hotrod and the 300 is more like a bridge between the 2 and 4 stroke if that makes sense.. I keep going back and forth myself. I hope to get to make that same decision this spring.. My 03 250 in near you in NC somewhere.. they ride at Brown mtn often.. I should have never sold it..
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
einsteingarage
New member
I can tell you that from direct experience. Go with the 300 unless you are a racer.
I did a demo ride in 06 and had the same feelings you did about the 300. A little scary and liked the 250 better. A couple of years ago I bought a used 250 and within a year upgraded to the 300. Now I won't even think about a 250(still an awesome bike) but I know I can't ride the 250 at speed.
If you are an average(not fast, not slow) trail rider the 300 will give you everything you need without wanting more.
I did a demo ride in 06 and had the same feelings you did about the 300. A little scary and liked the 250 better. A couple of years ago I bought a used 250 and within a year upgraded to the 300. Now I won't even think about a 250(still an awesome bike) but I know I can't ride the 250 at speed.
If you are an average(not fast, not slow) trail rider the 300 will give you everything you need without wanting more.
GMP
Active member
One of the oldest FAQs on the board!
Of course its all personal. If you race and trail ride, the 250 is great, as it has just enough and not too much off the bottom. I have some big climbs here and my 250 has never been shut down, lugs down fine. My issue with 300s is the instant torque when you open the throttle. This yank on the arms adds up after thousands of times during a race and wears you out faster. If you like to lug a bike around off the pipe then the 300 would be good. Also, power makes a bike want to straighten out feel slower handling, so the 250s seem a little more agile even though they are the same bike. Plenty of guys race 300s but for me at 52 yrs old the 250 is just eaiser to manage over the day. This is JMO but something to think about.
I'm actually planning on a new 200 this coming spring as soon as I sell my Duc. Even riding the 250, most of the time I'm just managing extra power in technical terrain, and think that a 200 might be a lot of fun for most rides.
Of course its all personal. If you race and trail ride, the 250 is great, as it has just enough and not too much off the bottom. I have some big climbs here and my 250 has never been shut down, lugs down fine. My issue with 300s is the instant torque when you open the throttle. This yank on the arms adds up after thousands of times during a race and wears you out faster. If you like to lug a bike around off the pipe then the 300 would be good. Also, power makes a bike want to straighten out feel slower handling, so the 250s seem a little more agile even though they are the same bike. Plenty of guys race 300s but for me at 52 yrs old the 250 is just eaiser to manage over the day. This is JMO but something to think about.
I'm actually planning on a new 200 this coming spring as soon as I sell my Duc. Even riding the 250, most of the time I'm just managing extra power in technical terrain, and think that a 200 might be a lot of fun for most rides.
stainlesscycle
Site Sponsor
that's exactly how i feel - i'm more confident on the 200, i know what it's gonna do. the 300 yanked me around too much, and was unnerving/wore me out riding at speed. eventually i'll probably pick up a 250, just to get that little bit more oomph. it seems to me the 200's are a little more work (clutch and shifting), but less tiring at speed......
Torn
about this too.
I like 4t power and kind of wanted the XC250f- but now I'm not so sure- kind of want the XC250 or 300. But, no matter the brand, I always hear "Make sure you are holding on tight when that pipe kicks in because that 300 will send you into next week" That concerns me a bit- just a trail rider and at 46, I don't need a time machine!
My only concern 250 vs 300 is my, uh, considerable heft- I'm about 220-ish in gear.
By the same token, my KDX200 has really never left me wanting for power so.....
I have a 450r that I just love- something about a 4t is addictive to me; That tractor-like ability to just churn up, through, over anything.
about this too.
I like 4t power and kind of wanted the XC250f- but now I'm not so sure- kind of want the XC250 or 300. But, no matter the brand, I always hear "Make sure you are holding on tight when that pipe kicks in because that 300 will send you into next week" That concerns me a bit- just a trail rider and at 46, I don't need a time machine!
My only concern 250 vs 300 is my, uh, considerable heft- I'm about 220-ish in gear.
By the same token, my KDX200 has really never left me wanting for power so.....
I have a 450r that I just love- something about a 4t is addictive to me; That tractor-like ability to just churn up, through, over anything.
I know, I know The bottom line is I was able to ride the 300 but was always thinking of the big hit. It plowed through things were as the 250 I just flicked it around. I now have a 250f with a 280 kit but I never lug it. I come out of a corner and gas it. I definitely felt more confident on the 250. I had my mind made up till I got home and started reading. On the bright side I get to try them both again this weekend but only on a moto track. I think I might just go with the 250 and if i fell i need more I can just get a 300 jug and piston.
Bryan
Gold Level Site Supporter
The 300 only yanks hard when you go wide open throttle rapidly, if you control the throttle, you control the rate it comes on the pipe. The only time I ever get on the pipe is on a logging road or on a hill climb where power and speed matter. The rest of the time, I usually ride in a gear to high which allows the throttle response to be more of a torque feel. It gives you enough to get the front wheel up to cross a log without having to slow down but doesn't give you too much power and send you flying.
But as with all motorcycles, your throttle control is key to how the bike responds. The 300 just demands you be a little more precise about it.
just depends on how you like them.Ha Ha....
"The 300 only yanks hard when you go wide open throttle rapidly, if you control the throttle......."
Another guy who has never seen me ride- "Throttle control" You guys kill me.
What next? You gonna tell me to open my eyes?
On a serious note, though- being able to do the 250 and then pump it to 280 or 300 if you want is pretty cool.
"The 300 only yanks hard when you go wide open throttle rapidly, if you control the throttle......."
Another guy who has never seen me ride- "Throttle control" You guys kill me.
What next? You gonna tell me to open my eyes?
On a serious note, though- being able to do the 250 and then pump it to 280 or 300 if you want is pretty cool.
Clay
Banned
Urnuts,
On a 300, you really don't ever want to get there unless it is a fast, open area. The 300 pulls so good down low that it is surprisingly fast when it's lugging. The first time I rode one, back in 2003 on an orange one, I felt slow but was keeping up with the guys I rode with so I knew I was still going fast. You can't always go by the feel of the motor. You need to use a stopwatch to time yourself to on a section of trail and compare it to your other bike to prove it to yourself. Short shift it and ride it like a 4T and you will be happy.
Clay
Bryan
Gold Level Site Supporter
Clay, as you state, you don't need to wring it's neck to get the power. But it sure is nice to know you can when you need to.
Bryan
Gold Level Site Supporter
Same here and we have sme areas in the Cascades that have a lot of elevation changes with very tight switchbacks in them. Very technical stuff.
Bobt250
Platinum Level Site Supporter
I had a 300 KTM and it was the same as some of the mega powerful Honda 250's I've owned over the years. Just short shift them and lug them around and they're really sweet. I rode my 300 KTM sometimes all day without ever once hitting the powerband....as they like to say. Truth is that it's simply that the RPM's never got high enough all day to open the power valve.
My bike was a 300 new, and had a chance to pick up a complete 250 topend for a spare. After riding it for a year at a 250 now I'm leaving it on even though I have new rings and enough parts for both jugs and the wear being about equal.
I ride very tight and usually extreme stuff. As stated, if you doing more open terrain, the 300 is great, but the 250 is less work, easier restarting and still very lugable. The softer bottom end gives me better traction in the sketchy stuff. Probably why you see more 250's then 300's in the extreme races.
Power feels pretty close from around 5k upwards with the 250 seeming to have more overrev.
I ride very tight and usually extreme stuff. As stated, if you doing more open terrain, the 300 is great, but the 250 is less work, easier restarting and still very lugable. The softer bottom end gives me better traction in the sketchy stuff. Probably why you see more 250's then 300's in the extreme races.
Power feels pretty close from around 5k upwards with the 250 seeming to have more overrev.
Clay
Banned
Clay, as you state, you don't need to wring it's neck to get the power. But it sure is nice to know you can when you need to.
Bryan....good point!
Clay
