Best 2 Stroke Enduro bike
Discussion
I'm currently looking for a 2 stroke enduro bike, up to about £4k. So far I have been mainly looking for KTM EXC 200 on strong recommendation from a more experienced off road friend, and having done a training day on a Beta 200 the engine size did seem plenty and surprisingly tractable.
I have just viewed a local 450 EXC 4 stroke which has reaffirmed my 2 stroke bias I think, but am interested in others opinions and suggestions.
I have just viewed a local 450 EXC 4 stroke which has reaffirmed my 2 stroke bias I think, but am interested in others opinions and suggestions.
300 2T's have amazing low down torque, really good for slow or technical stuff.
The 250's are excellent albeit a bit 'zingier' and quicker to rev.
2T's however need a lot more use of the gearbox to get the best from them unlike a 4T that has power everywhere.
For my money, the 200's just don't have any benefits to the 250 or 300's.. no less weight, definitely less grunt, no "less scary" to ride and a 300 will always have a strong resale value.
So, KTM 300 with(if you can run to it and it appeals) a Rekluse clutch unit... stupendous bikes and funnily enough, exactly what I'm going to be getting after winter...
The 250's are excellent albeit a bit 'zingier' and quicker to rev.
2T's however need a lot more use of the gearbox to get the best from them unlike a 4T that has power everywhere.
For my money, the 200's just don't have any benefits to the 250 or 300's.. no less weight, definitely less grunt, no "less scary" to ride and a 300 will always have a strong resale value.
So, KTM 300 with(if you can run to it and it appeals) a Rekluse clutch unit... stupendous bikes and funnily enough, exactly what I'm going to be getting after winter...
There's about 5kg difference between a KTM 200 & 300.
I owned a 2010 200 exc and it was a brilliant bike! Very rarely did I want or need more power, sometimes wanted for a little more bottom end but truthfully it just made me learn to ride in the right gear.
I've had a go on a 2021 Husky 300te and it's an incredible bike! You can use the bottom end but it still goes nuts at the top.
I'm considering buying another enduro bike but I'm still not convinced I need or want a 300 vs a 250 or 200...
Partly because whilst 5kg doesn't sound a lot, it all adds up when you get tired!
£4k is a great budget though and should get you on something between 2010-2015 quite easily. Just buy the best condition bike you can find.
Engine cases and frame tell the story of how much its really been used (they get rubbed by boots) where as I know on KTMs the clocks can be reset to show lower hours than they truly are.
I owned a 2010 200 exc and it was a brilliant bike! Very rarely did I want or need more power, sometimes wanted for a little more bottom end but truthfully it just made me learn to ride in the right gear.
I've had a go on a 2021 Husky 300te and it's an incredible bike! You can use the bottom end but it still goes nuts at the top.
I'm considering buying another enduro bike but I'm still not convinced I need or want a 300 vs a 250 or 200...
Partly because whilst 5kg doesn't sound a lot, it all adds up when you get tired!
£4k is a great budget though and should get you on something between 2010-2015 quite easily. Just buy the best condition bike you can find.
Engine cases and frame tell the story of how much its really been used (they get rubbed by boots) where as I know on KTMs the clocks can be reset to show lower hours than they truly are.
Last year i switched from a 350 4t KTM EXCF to a Beta 300RR 2T. Dont think i could ever go back to a 4 stroke again. The bikes great for MX day, longer enduro track and the more harder stuff like youll find at Wern DDu in Wales. Its the first 2 stoke ive owned and the first time owning a Beta. i have to say its giving me no issues so far and ive dropped it so many times.
Ilikemotorbikes said:
There's about 5kg difference between a KTM 200 & 300.
I owned a 2010 200 exc and it was a brilliant bike! Very rarely did I want or need more power, sometimes wanted for a little more bottom end but truthfully it just made me learn to ride in the right gear.
I've had a go on a 2021 Husky 300te and it's an incredible bike! You can use the bottom end but it still goes nuts at the top.
I'm considering buying another enduro bike but I'm still not convinced I need or want a 300 vs a 250 or 200...
Partly because whilst 5kg doesn't sound a lot, it all adds up when you get tired!
£4k is a great budget though and should get you on something between 2010-2015 quite easily. Just buy the best condition bike you can find.
Engine cases and frame tell the story of how much its really been used (they get rubbed by boots) where as I know on KTMs the clocks can be reset to show lower hours than they truly are.
I don't know about the 200, but there isn't any material weight difference between the 250cc and 300cc KTM, as it's just the cylinders that are a different size. For tighter trail riding, I would always go for torque over screaming top end power.I owned a 2010 200 exc and it was a brilliant bike! Very rarely did I want or need more power, sometimes wanted for a little more bottom end but truthfully it just made me learn to ride in the right gear.
I've had a go on a 2021 Husky 300te and it's an incredible bike! You can use the bottom end but it still goes nuts at the top.
I'm considering buying another enduro bike but I'm still not convinced I need or want a 300 vs a 250 or 200...
Partly because whilst 5kg doesn't sound a lot, it all adds up when you get tired!
£4k is a great budget though and should get you on something between 2010-2015 quite easily. Just buy the best condition bike you can find.
Engine cases and frame tell the story of how much its really been used (they get rubbed by boots) where as I know on KTMs the clocks can be reset to show lower hours than they truly are.
Also to add, if you can get a bike with 'leccy start, do it.
The "getting tired" bit is not so much from falling off and picking it up but having to kick it back into life. 4T's can be terrible for hot starting, 2T's are much better but pressing a button, especially if you're hanging on a tricky obstacle is a real life saver....
The "getting tired" bit is not so much from falling off and picking it up but having to kick it back into life. 4T's can be terrible for hot starting, 2T's are much better but pressing a button, especially if you're hanging on a tricky obstacle is a real life saver....
had a 2015 husqvarna te250 (v. similar to ktm but not orange)- carb version with electric start. absolutely brilliant bike - easily had enough low down for slow slippy stuff and had laugh out loud top end. I rode a 250 and 300 back to back before I bought - preferred power delivery on 250 - but either will delight you. I only sold it as I started doing other stuff at weekends- writing this reminds me what is was like if you hadn't ridden it for a while when cold...the bag of spanners sound/blue smoke everywhere - turn the throttle- not that much going on...and then FAARK!!! I'm tempted to go and buy another.
https://youtu.be/28BPnpCbWgs
OP take a look at the Bike videos on Harry’s garage he has a lovely collection on enduro bikes
Chevicos look lovely proper off-road Africa bikes. Appreciating in value too.
OP take a look at the Bike videos on Harry’s garage he has a lovely collection on enduro bikes
Chevicos look lovely proper off-road Africa bikes. Appreciating in value too.
Welshbeef said:
https://youtu.be/28BPnpCbWgs
OP take a look at the Bike videos on Harry’s garage he has a lovely collection on enduro bikes
Chevicos look lovely proper off-road Africa bikes. Appreciating in value too.
Not really an alternative to a 2 stroke enduro bike though!OP take a look at the Bike videos on Harry’s garage he has a lovely collection on enduro bikes
Chevicos look lovely proper off-road Africa bikes. Appreciating in value too.
Welshbeef said:
https://youtu.be/28BPnpCbWgs
OP take a look at the Bike videos on Harry’s garage he has a lovely collection on enduro bikes
Chevicos look lovely proper off-road Africa bikes. Appreciating in value too.
Interesting link, thanks, makes me want to head off to Morocco OP take a look at the Bike videos on Harry’s garage he has a lovely collection on enduro bikes
Chevicos look lovely proper off-road Africa bikes. Appreciating in value too.
As a quick update, I have been to see a few bikes now, although not bought anything, and had a chance to ride an EXC 300 Tpi yesterday.
As my experience so far goes, I will have to politely disagree with some of the advice on here
(For reference, the training day I did was on a 200 Beta which was very easy to ride). The 300 KTM was absolutely terrifying, and definitely would not be good for a beginner like me, I actually found it very intimidating and the power came on so hard and fast it was quite hard to control. Definitely not what I need and I don't think I would actually enjoy it much.
The 200 KTM's use the 125 frame so are around 5kg lighter than the 250 / 300, and I am actually going to view an XC 150 on Thursday which seem to get very favourable reviews. The 150 still has 38bhp, so plenty for me, and I am happy to have to use the revs to get performance from a bike (my track bike is a CBR400RR)
So after lots of looking around I am settled on a 150 or 200, just finding a nice one for sensible money is the big task!
As my experience so far goes, I will have to politely disagree with some of the advice on here
(For reference, the training day I did was on a 200 Beta which was very easy to ride). The 300 KTM was absolutely terrifying, and definitely would not be good for a beginner like me, I actually found it very intimidating and the power came on so hard and fast it was quite hard to control. Definitely not what I need and I don't think I would actually enjoy it much.
The 200 KTM's use the 125 frame so are around 5kg lighter than the 250 / 300, and I am actually going to view an XC 150 on Thursday which seem to get very favourable reviews. The 150 still has 38bhp, so plenty for me, and I am happy to have to use the revs to get performance from a bike (my track bike is a CBR400RR)
So after lots of looking around I am settled on a 150 or 200, just finding a nice one for sensible money is the big task!
Years back I had a gas gas ec200, lovely bike, really crisp engine, suspension well sorted by the previous owner, but I decided I needed more power and bought an Ec300, loads of power, but never really gelled, it always felt like it was controlling me rather than the other way around, I don’t think you’d regret buying something like an EXC200, the only downside is if you need to road sections between the lanes which the small 2 strokes aren’t great for.
smifffymoto said:
A friend has recently bought a Beta Xtrainer,300cc but a bit softer power delivery.Change the pipe and it becomes a ‘proper’ 300.
I'd heard that the Beta Xtrainer was really good as well - may be worth a look OP. FWIW I found the monstrous Beta Alp 200 was plenty rapid enough for my cajones/skill level
_Neal_ said:
smifffymoto said:
A friend has recently bought a Beta Xtrainer,300cc but a bit softer power delivery.Change the pipe and it becomes a ‘proper’ 300.
I'd heard that the Beta Xtrainer was really good as well - may be worth a look OP. FWIW I found the monstrous Beta Alp 200 was plenty rapid enough for my cajones/skill level
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