'Upgrade' to a KTM 350EXC from My GG 300EC?

Looks like Mullins is going to win the National Enduro today on a 350XC or SX. Not sure which one. Just food for thought.
 
I just picked up an 11 350 sxf to play on the MX track with, never owned a four stroke dirt bike and only rode a modern four stroke once a few months ago. Today I was practicing on my Gas Gas at a fairly technical single track loop that's about 3 miles long with a good mix of hard pack, sand, roots and some ruts. I was timing myself as I'd do each lap cuz I like to try and shave time for each lap, gives me extra incentive. When I was done I wanted to take the 350 sxf on the trail just to see what it's like. I just picked it up last week and today was the first time ever even riding it. It felt good to me after a couple laps so I decided to take some lap times. I actually had faster lap times on the 350 four stroke... :confused: I am an A rider in enduros and hare scrambles also so I'm not exactly just learning. I honestly don't know what to think? Does the four stroke just fit my riding style better?
 
Probably. I've owned several four strokes, and my 2011 350sx was my least favorite. That doesn't mean it's a bad bike. It just means that it didn't fit my riding style.
 
ive been racing a mutt of an 06 200 and now am entertaining the thought of picking up a titled 05 gasgas MC250 on the cheap...figure i can swap over my wheels, upgraded newer tail section,recluse..etc and have a nice woods bike with the 50mm forks...and then update to newer 2011 plastic down the road...if i sell my 200 i can make the money back spent on the 250..its a nice cheap way to upgrade...
 
Lonestar4x4 said:
I just picked up an 11 350 sxf to play on the MX track with, never owned a four stroke dirt bike and only rode a modern four stroke once a few months ago. Today I was practicing on my Gas Gas at a fairly technical single track loop that's about 3 miles long with a good mix of hard pack, sand, roots and some ruts. I was timing myself as I'd do each lap cuz I like to try and shave time for each lap, gives me extra incentive. When I was done I wanted to take the 350 sxf on the trail just to see what it's like. I just picked it up last week and today was the first time ever even riding it. It felt good to me after a couple laps so I decided to take some lap times. I actually had faster lap times on the 350 four stroke... :confused: I am an A rider in enduros and hare scrambles also so I'm not exactly just learning. I honestly don't know what to think? Does the four stroke just fit my riding style better?
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I haven't had a chance to ride a 350 yet, but I have always believed I'd be faster on 250F than the 250 2T. The usuable linear power delivery from top to bottom, which almost all goes to the ground, makes it easy to ride fast.
 
The problem with some of these new EFI bikes is the non-linear throttle response, kind of defeats the purpose of a linear power curve for the woods. ON/OFF, Yank/Stall. Sucks when its tight, not as bad for open stuff.
 
stay_upright said:
Has any-one ridden both - I have but not raced the 350 or rode in the wet.

My impression of the KTM 350 was it felt as light as the GG 300 and similar power, similar abaility to pop wheelies. Good brakes (as good as the GG) suspension felt good out of the box but was not an exhaustive test. Build quality felt A1 on the KTM and the motor was nice and smooth.

I'm wondering whether to go for the KTM - I fancy a change but also I'm feeling a bit down on the GG at the moment - main problem s are
1) I stall too easily in very slow enduro conditions which is actually because the motor makes so much torque so I shift up until there is little power available - this could be 2nd or 3rd at walking pace - then it's too easy to stall as the motor is probably doing 800rpm or something.
2) The lack of build quality is getting to me - most races will see plastic shrouds coming away from the tank somewhere, the seat is cracked and has lost a lug etc etc
I'm thinking if I'm changng bikes I'd prefer something different (so maybe not another GG 2t) and I don't want to shell out ?1000 on a rekluse on this old bike to fix the stalling issue.
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So upgrade the parts on your GG. Get a new seat but better.. gutz etc. Get all new plastic and improve the mounting for it. As far as stalling too easy a 2 stroke lugs better down low.. Maybe gearing and flywheel weight if you don't already have that .. otherwise I think the ktm is worse for the slow enduro conditions you are talking about . For hard core down low stuff the 2 stroke wins. Go through the bike and upgrade .. maintain. or like some say here get a new gasgas 250/300 2t. Overall maintenance will be better and if something blows you won't get stuck. I think even with low resale the safer bet is with a 2t gasgas than a 350 ktm.. and is the resale good on a 350 ktm? It isn't around here but maybe it's different in other places. Around here all old 4 strokes have crap resale. No one wants to get caught holding the bag when it blows.. and I think that's a pretty universal concept.
There also is the retro fit of an electric start for your bike. That's another factor that is great to me.
 
Truth is if a guy can win a national enduro on a KTM 350 4-stroke he could probably win on a dam mini-bike!!! Everyone has different riding styles for sure. I had and 09 Husky 4-stroke 250 and 09 125 Husky 2-stroke at the same time. A 3 mile singletrack loop and one day ran it back to back switching bikes every time VERDICT for me 125 twostroke 4 wins. 4-stroke 0 wins boring and with my riding stye I do not think would last very long!!! Without thinking about it and besides the fact I think KTM are a POC and wouldn't ride one if you gave it to me I would be faster on the two stroke then ANY 4-stroke and it just may be my riding style. If there are any buddies you have there may be a way to try both bikes out for yourself and make a decision.
 
Jakobi said:
I haven't had a chance to ride a 350 yet, but I have always believed I'd be faster on 250F than the 250 2T. The usuable linear power delivery from top to bottom, which almost all goes to the ground, makes it easy to ride fast.
Click to expand...

I am also and A rider. But for me the two stroke ALWAYS works better. Better check your stopwatch! Hum....... If your always faster on the 4-stroke then that would really only leave you one option. Yuck. Ride a 4-stroke!!
 
I sell both and have raced and ridden both. The GasGas is a great bike and really handles well in tight woods. I am by nature a 2 stroke guy I have to say the 350 is an awsome woods weapon. Easily the best thumper I have ever ridden. You won't be dissapointed with either. Relabilty is good with both.
 
I made the switch to a '13 350 XC-F. The bike is stellar in every way. Fuel injection is incredible. Suspension is perfect for me, right out of the box. I am 155 lb. in street clothes. I have played with the clickers up and down, and still come back to near stock settings. It has six gears, but it may as well be a one speed. Just stick it in second or third, depending on terrain, and leave it there. Lug/rev. It does both very well. It's amazing just how far the bike will pull.

After four GG, and a hiccup which had nothing to do with Gas Gas themselves, I needed a change. This has been a change I can certainly live with, and even be quite happy with. As good as Gas Gas are as a package, they still need attention to the suspension before they can be raced competetively. Easily done, but I didn't have to do anything to the KTM. I like that.
 
Why not do just the necessary fixes to your 200 and keep it. Get yourself a 350 for " the other stuff" ?
I own a nicely set up ec300 for trail/woods tech stuff.
I also have a '11 Yz450f for Mx playing, open riding and occasionally playing in the woods. I just throw a "woods" map at it ;-)
2 bangers are cheap to rebuild , 4 bangers not so ( the reason I bought a Yamaha ).
The 350's are good but they don't "punch" like a 450 and because you have to rev them to get into " the fat" they are relatively high maintenance and that = $$$
 
There not like the RFS bikes, those were like Honda XRs. Its going to cost no matter how you slice it. Either pony up for PM or loose big when it blows.
 
Thanks for all the replies, I've managed to buy a 2nd hand rekluse z start for my 05 300 so I'm going to get the gasser running nice, fix up whatever needs it and run it with the rekluse for a while to see how I get on.

So - the GG stays :)

My car is also on it's way out so may need to buy another soon which helps make the decision, but also I was a bit concerned that the KTM 350 may be slower in tight woods and didn't want to spend the cash on something slower!
 
It's a 2012. Has Rekluse CORE EXP, Motosportz billet disk guards, Fastway pegs,Zip Ty Axle bolt, DSA suspension,Husky Seatcover, BRP Chain guide, EE skid plate,Set of Black Warp 9's with billet hubs, full OEM Excel Wheelset, Supersprox set,spare sprockets and chain, FMF powerbomb and Q4. New Shorai battery and good stock battery. 20 hrs on all of it.

Will come with a brand new plastic kit that was close to $300.00

Find me at CVTR race. PM me your cell.
 
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