I did a 1 year search for the Holy Grail a couple of years ago looking the "one" bike that would fit all my needs and make me a better rider
I am a "B" rider, 42, and ride mostly woods.
I used craigslist and found solid used bikes that were local for my experiment.
I had been riding a highly modded KDX220 with KX forks by Racetech, RB carb and head mod, FMF and a full ergo makeover. I had also owned a couple of KTM 200's at that point as well.
I started with a Yamaha WR450f. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about 450 thumpers. It was fully uncorked and jetted spot on with no bog or hesitation. It was an '06 and suspension was worked over for woods. The bike had a great motor! What a tractor. It was smooth and would lug up and over anything. It had good snap as well and would loft the front end at will. Very fun bike and you didn't notice the weight until it got real nasty and you had to muscle the bike or pick it up. Good ergos, comfy bike that you could ride all day and great suspension for trail slop. It would track very well, but was not a quick turning bike by any means.
I then went with the Gasser EC250. My brother had found twin '03's that were loaded with extras. Woods nirvana! Lug, rip, stable and quick turning all in one package. No weaknesses. Really the only issue for me was reigning the bike in as it was set up for racing with aggressive jetting.
I then went with a Yamaha WR250f. I wanted to try the small thumper. This was an '07 aluminum frame and had been fully uncorked, jetted spot on and FMF exhaust. This was a very FUN bike! It is not overly fast, but simply puts all the ponies to the ground. I found I could ride this the longest with the least amount of fatigue. I could easily have one as my only bike.
I then wanted to see what all of the fuss was over with a KTM300. Great bike with lots of useable power. I'm not a huge fan of KTM ergos or suspension though. It had no faults and is a very nice package. Great woods bike and I could easily have on in my garage.
I then found a nice '05 DE300 Gasser with virutually no hours. Great bike! I loved it and found it a better ride than the KTM. I like the smaller feel, better turning and better suspension. But, for me, the ergos just fit better. Probably because I am a big KDX fan. My only compaint was that it was actually a bit, can I say, boring. It is not a quick reving bike and I kinda missed that.
I sold the DE to FarmerJ on this site and was ready to purchase a new gasgas EC250 when I noticed my old EC250 pop up on craigslist. I called and bought it back from the guy. I couldn't be happier. I have the thing jetted to perfection and it will lug like the 300, but rip when I want it to.
So, after the experiment, I found I liked all the bikes. I had fun on all of them and could have gotten along with each. I like the Gasser overall the best because it is so versitile and has the best of all worlds. Great ergos, handling and the motor is about as good as it gets for the woods.
The only bike I would really like to try now is the Husky TXC250. I would really be interested to try the fuel injected little thumper. I think it would make a great woods mount. But, I will probably stick with the gasser. It is reliable, cheap to own, and fun to ride. Plus, it gets lots of looks and questions which is fun.
