250- 300- 250- 300

My first GG was a 200, then I ride a 250. I felt there was no penalty, so I got a 250. Then I rode a 300. It was sweet, so I bought that bike from him. Now I'm back on a 250. Overall, either one is a good choice. In my opinion the 250 is less tiring to ride over a long day, but the 300 is a good friend if you really foul up on a hill. You can't lose. Frankly, there isn't a dime's worth of difference between them. If the 250 is less money, that would make my decision. But then again, I'm pretty cheap.
 
I think Roostafish puts it's best. I gravitate towards a 300 'cause I'm bigger than the average fella but 250's work fine too.

I will say this, when I was younger and liked shooting really big killer hills I liked Honda CR250's because I liked the overrev they had. I would shoot a hill a gear LOWER than anyone else and just pin it and let 'er scream. It was very effective. When I got my 300 KTM I missed that and it hurt my hillclimbing ability. Not so much that it wouldn't do it but it didn't suit my style. As I got older I learned to appreciate the 300's ability to lug around in a lazy fashion.

They are all good albeit slightly different and it depends on your priorities and style in very defined situations.

I bought new so money wasn't a factor. I'd buy a 250 on a good deal if money was a factor.
 
Clay, you are right but doesn't "class" enter into it?

I remember when 200's and 300's didn't have a "class"

It's been a long time since I raced. I'm probably wrong
 
Bobt250 said:
Clay, you are right but doesn't "class" enter into it?

I remember when 200's and 300's didn't have a "class"

It's been a long time since I raced. I'm probably wrong
Click to expand...

Bob,
I wouldn't know since I have NO class! :)
Just ask my wife!
To be serious....it doesn't matter for the pro/AA guys. They all ride in the same class. For us average mortals, we might ride in a class that is easier to get a trophy but, for me, it's about the overall finish. I want to ride what I ride the fastest. I'd rather finish 3rd Open A and 10th ove all than 1st 200A and 20th overall.
Clay
 
cdn280 made a good point. Even though your off the pipe, you can still break traction with torque if its real slick. Not as often as a big 4stroke but it does happen. I've owned a KTM300 and my main riding buddy rides one, so I see this often. He can dig himself a hole on a loose hill while I grunt up, or spin on an off camber rock slab. When momentum is no longer an option the 250 keeps moving, with somewhat less authority than a 300, but enough to get the job done. Rarely do I have to go for the clutch. The 300s work really well in terrain like Hancock, NY with big long climbs and fast more open trail. Some of those long fast uphills were the only time I found myself wanting more from the 250, but that's an exception.
 
I'm (a not very fast, bottom-mid-pack 50B rider) a little puzzled by all this. The older KTM 300s felt tamer than the 250s (could be jetting). I rode a 2011 KTM300 -- nothing scary about it. I've ridden a 1999 GG 300 all the way to a 2008 GG300 (on both maps) and never had an issue. Matt won't let me ride his new 2011 GG SixDays 300, so I have no opinion on it.

Seems to me that much can be altered (and I do on my 250) with jetting. Failing that, a mellower throttle cam would suit as well, no?
 
That is exactly what our south NJ pine barrens is like. A lot of on/off throttle transitions in bar width (sometimes less) trees. This stuff is the main points taker in south NJ events. That's where I think the 250 is easier on you as it yanks less, but again its just me. If you look at the scores from those events, the 250 and smaller bikes generally score lower at the same skill level. I would say the 200s (almost all KTMs) and the various 250Fs are the most popular bikes. The Heavy classes have less riders for sure.

Its got nothing to do with feeling scary, its simply managing power you don't need and expending energy to do it.
 
What I like about my 250 is that it's like having 2 bikes in 1. It's light and nimble through the tight stuff, steers nicely with the throttle, and has nice mellow but tenacious bottom end which is great when you are struggling for traction. It's also great for conserving energy. But then when you let rip, and get on the pipe it just lights up, whips the front in the air - tracks over just about anything - yeh haa !!! It is soooo much fun. I like the over rev of the 250 -it breaths!
 
Bobt250 said:
I will say this, when I was younger and liked shooting really big killer hills I liked Honda CR250's because I liked the overrev they had. I would shoot a hill a gear LOWER than anyone else and just pin it and let 'er scream. It was very effective.
Click to expand...

that's exactly how i climb hills on my 200. on the pipe, wot, no lugging. if the hill is easier then expected i may shift up during the climb. i definitely hit hills like i'm on a smaller bike.... if i have no momentum at base of hill, i stab/slip the clutch to get it on the pipe.

on the 300 you can stay a gear higher than you expect, to keep it off the pipe. but if its loose and i get wheelspin issues from the torque, slip the clutch for traction...
 
I liked the 300 dont get me wrong it's just on the 250 I was able to get it on the pipe and not worry about ending up in the trees. It just was more fun to ride. I was standing just ripping threw the trees. On the 300 I had to think about that touchy throttle. My ridding is just like south jersey. As a matter of fact, I'm from L.I. so used to ride the Jersey enduros. Same terrane here on with some palm trees thrown in.
 
Mike,, I think you'll like the 250 the best,, Glenn,, He used to ride here in rock land,, between my area and RORR ground and would go out on anything from a ktm 200 to a 640 adventure and go the same speed.. like a A class ECEA guy,, He would make Carl R from up here look slow.. fun to ride with!!
 
GMP said:
cdn280 made a good point. Even though your off the pipe, you can still break traction with torque if its real slick. He can dig himself a hole on a loose hill while I grunt up, or spin on an off camber rock slab. When momentum is no longer an option the 250 keeps moving, with somewhat less authority than a 300, but enough to get the job done.
Click to expand...

I'm moving up from a KDX 200, and love the low end on my txt321 trials bike - you can chug up rocky, rooted singletrack, lug down low, and never stall with the rear wheel just barely turning over. So I was set on the 300, and then I read something like this! I don't want to be breaking traction all the time - but I haven't found a substitute for displacement "down low" in my limited experience! Yet for tight singletrack the power of a 300 can be a liability, I'm hearing...

I guess I'll just have to try one:)

Jeff
 
Last edited:
Yes, try both if possible. Its not a good or bad thing just a personal choice. We are just throwing out experiences, and those vary with terrain and talent. I can tell you that my '07 250 will lug to just over an idle and not stall, and I have the 2K-2 with a weight not the heavy 2K-3. The 250 has enough, the 300 just has extra.

Also, G2 throttles are a really nice addition on either bike for low end throttle control. I even run one on my Hypermotard for the street. Talk about yank off the bottom!:eek:
 
My choice has been the 300 over the years. I never owned the 250 but have rode a couple and liked them alot also. I am 215 lbs with no gear and an A rider. Check that, I just had some really good holiday meals, I may be a few more lbs. now. :rolleyes:

I'm not bothered by the yank. I actually have the 2 k2 on my 2008 and love it. I think the more you ride the 300 you adapt to the torque and strong hit.
My 2008 with the 2k 2 is a rocket ship and I was a bit leery of it at first as I had always had the 2 k3's in all my other 300s, and that alone makes quite a difference. But I left it in place and am glad I did, it plain works everywhere. rpms build more like a 250 but with the authority of a 300. Yet I can still get tired in a long grueling race and ride lazy, lugging along, which as Clay mentioned is still a very fast technique on the 300. Its really the sweet spot where guys with 300's ride most of the time. I think that another benefit is since we do ride in the lower rpm range that also contributes to engine life. Of course the large bore helps also.

MY needs are different than yours as I live out west and I need a bike that does it all. From the tightest slickest technical gnarl to the most wide open open pin it to win it stuff.

Honestly If I was in your shoes and only rode tight bar to bar stuff thats got little to no elevation I'd be after the 125 and add a little displacement say to a 150. Hint Hint Gas Gas engineers. :cool:
Mikemoto, sounds to me like if the choice for you is only between the 250 and 300 the 250 is better for you. Listen to your gut, that instinct is rarely wrong.

Roscoe
 
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