Which KTM / Husqvarna for green lane
Discussion
Im currently looking for a bike to dip my toes into light off road riding. The Derbyshire Peaks are within 20 miles.
I need to expand my search from CRF300L but I’m confused with the KTM and Husky ranges. Im looking for used and 4 stroke. But have an absolute preference for it not to be competition / enduro spec requiring maintenance on hours.
TIA.
I need to expand my search from CRF300L but I’m confused with the KTM and Husky ranges. Im looking for used and 4 stroke. But have an absolute preference for it not to be competition / enduro spec requiring maintenance on hours.
TIA.
Anything 250 in the 4T flavour will be great for green laning. Don't worry about service schedules on hours, that only applies to fully raced bikes. For bimbling around just cleaning the airfilter every ride and an oil and filter change every 5 to 10 is fine.
Buy on condition but don't be fooled by a shiny new set of plastics hiding the original sin, and accept that the massive offroad capability comes at a significant cost in on road refinery. Be honest about the road to dirt ratio you'll be riding and go from there.
Although you mention a 4T machine, don't overlook the smaller capacity two stroke bikes, like Ktm 150 or Beta 200's. Immense fun, very light and easy to manage, especially if you get brave and up the ante a bit, with bags of go but not overly grunty or revvy like the 300/250 models.
The motors are a doddle to work on and much cheaper than a valve job on a 4T.
I'm currently running a Beta 390RRS which is a fantastic bike but to be honest, I'd look at a Beta 200 2T next as my local riding spot is more tight trails and woodland tracks than real offroad.
Buy on condition but don't be fooled by a shiny new set of plastics hiding the original sin, and accept that the massive offroad capability comes at a significant cost in on road refinery. Be honest about the road to dirt ratio you'll be riding and go from there.
Although you mention a 4T machine, don't overlook the smaller capacity two stroke bikes, like Ktm 150 or Beta 200's. Immense fun, very light and easy to manage, especially if you get brave and up the ante a bit, with bags of go but not overly grunty or revvy like the 300/250 models.
The motors are a doddle to work on and much cheaper than a valve job on a 4T.
I'm currently running a Beta 390RRS which is a fantastic bike but to be honest, I'd look at a Beta 200 2T next as my local riding spot is more tight trails and woodland tracks than real offroad.
Edited by Steve Bass on Friday 12th December 17:29
I bought an old 2005 525exc. It was a joy to ride, easy to modulate power delivery with a super pleasant soft response at low rpm, and a stomping mid range. The top end was nuts, but I’d say I used the top end maybe twice a year. I kept the bike 5 years and it was really reliable and the valve clearances were a doddle to check and adjust (it barely needed adjustment anyway).
All my riding mates said it was too much bike, I loved it.
All my riding mates said it was too much bike, I loved it.
I had a Husky FE350 (there is a KTM equivalent too) which was awesome but moved to a 500 because the gearing is longer so I can do road miles at 60 mph with less fuss. The throttle control on the 350 was more precise than the 500 but I have to travel to places and carry luggage too so 500 works well for me.
Both bikes weigh just over 100 kg.
I do oil changes on the 500 at 1000 miles or thereabouts and they take about 20 mins from start to finish.
To check valves prob takes about the same amount of time and is so simple even I can do it.
I have also got a Husky 701 but for me that is not as good off road as the turning circle is a bit limited and it is a good 50kg heavier meaning I'd need more skill to handle it in any situ compared to the 500.
I am sure there are other great bikes out there but I really love my little 500.
Both bikes weigh just over 100 kg.
I do oil changes on the 500 at 1000 miles or thereabouts and they take about 20 mins from start to finish.
To check valves prob takes about the same amount of time and is so simple even I can do it.
I have also got a Husky 701 but for me that is not as good off road as the turning circle is a bit limited and it is a good 50kg heavier meaning I'd need more skill to handle it in any situ compared to the 500.
I am sure there are other great bikes out there but I really love my little 500.
If looking for something similar to the CRF300 how about a Rieju 300 Aventura? Can't see any used ones (not even sure they are out yet) but at £4600 new surely has to be considered? 20 ltr tank for all day riding
https://rieju.com/gb/adventure/121/1990/aventura-r...
https://rieju.com/gb/adventure/121/1990/aventura-r...
quigonjay said:
If looking for something similar to the CRF300 how about a Rieju 300 Aventura? Can't see any used ones (not even sure they are out yet) but at £4600 new surely has to be considered? 20 ltr tank for all day riding
https://rieju.com/gb/adventure/121/1990/aventura-r...
They're not out yet, but I understand it's imminent, I've put my name down for one as I'm looking for something lighter than the Africa Twin for green lanes. It's done everything I've asked of it so far but my fitness isn't keeping up!https://rieju.com/gb/adventure/121/1990/aventura-r...
I had a exc-f 250 6 days. the Carb'd version (2010). I had the jet changed (?) / tweaked to give it some more low down grunt and it was a lovely bike to ride. Did lanes all over Yorkshire, lakes and did a IOM off road trip on it. Even went around the TT course. Which was lots of fun in the rain on the knobblies
I keep having a look to see what I could pick one up for as would love to get back out on the local trails. would definitely recommend.
I keep having a look to see what I could pick one up for as would love to get back out on the local trails. would definitely recommend.
Gnits said:
I had a Husky FE350 (there is a KTM equivalent too) which was awesome but moved to a 500 because the gearing is longer so I can do road miles at 60 mph with less fuss. The throttle control on the 350 was more precise than the 500 but I have to travel to places and carry luggage too so 500 works well for me.
Both bikes weigh just over 100 kg.
I do oil changes on the 500 at 1000 miles or thereabouts and they take about 20 mins from start to finish.
To check valves prob takes about the same amount of time and is so simple even I can do it.
I have also got a Husky 701 but for me that is not as good off road as the turning circle is a bit limited and it is a good 50kg heavier meaning I'd need more skill to handle it in any situ compared to the 500.
I am sure there are other great bikes out there but I really love my little 500.
Some good points mentioned here which I learned afterBoth bikes weigh just over 100 kg.
I do oil changes on the 500 at 1000 miles or thereabouts and they take about 20 mins from start to finish.
To check valves prob takes about the same amount of time and is so simple even I can do it.
I have also got a Husky 701 but for me that is not as good off road as the turning circle is a bit limited and it is a good 50kg heavier meaning I'd need more skill to handle it in any situ compared to the 500.
I am sure there are other great bikes out there but I really love my little 500.
If you do a fair bit of tarmac (I say 50/50 with byways) getting to each one, look for a 6 speed ideally
Mines a 5 speed and I've dropped rear 3 teeth as stock it's geared like an Mx bike. Some of the bikes being mentioned with be more tight trails gearing orientated. That's fine if you have a 6th gear which is a bit of a overdrive gear
If you don't they can end up revving pretty hard at 50-55mph
My old 300 2 stroke which is a good 5-7hp less than the modern KTM/GasGas/husqvarna engines with it's older 5 speed and a few teeth off the rear will happily sit at 60 and tops out about 76 max revs (GPS confirmed)
Further up with the 500 thumper and being too much. It's not the power, it's getting the bike that suits what you want. For me, that 500 would flame out too much and be too lumpy for what I want but for more open, wider trails I reckon it'll be lovely
Yep mine is 6 speed and 6 is a very tall gear. I also went to a 14 / 45 sprocket ratio to gear up a bit too.
I do use it to do Euro trails through France and Spain and sometimes will do a couple of days on road just to do distance which so far has been pleasant - French countryside on the smaller roads in the sunshine has been great.
I do use it to do Euro trails through France and Spain and sometimes will do a couple of days on road just to do distance which so far has been pleasant - French countryside on the smaller roads in the sunshine has been great.
Thanks all. Really appreciate the advice. I imagine it’ll more likely be 20% trail and 80% road. This will be toe in the water for trail riding. With the bike used for general w&nking around in the Peaks so my other bike doesn’t get dirty!
Imagine my original plan of a CRF300L would probably be more sensible. Saying that I’d like to start getting my hands dirty again. So have no issues with regular maintenance of a 250/300/350 KTM/Husq
Imagine my original plan of a CRF300L would probably be more sensible. Saying that I’d like to start getting my hands dirty again. So have no issues with regular maintenance of a 250/300/350 KTM/Husq
PT1984 said:
Thanks all. Really appreciate the advice. I imagine it ll more likely be 20% trail and 80% road. This will be toe in the water for trail riding. With the bike used for general w&nking around in the Peaks so my other bike doesn t get dirty!
Imagine my original plan of a CRF300L would probably be more sensible. Saying that I d like to start getting my hands dirty again. So have no issues with regular maintenance of a 250/300/350 KTM/Husq
If it's that much road and you're just getting started, the CRF will do very well. I had mine for about 3 years before feeling the need to upgrade. Had a lot of fun with it. Better tyres make a world of difference with off-road confidence.Imagine my original plan of a CRF300L would probably be more sensible. Saying that I d like to start getting my hands dirty again. So have no issues with regular maintenance of a 250/300/350 KTM/Husq
Not ridden off road recently but my advice, FWIW is don't get 'too much' bike, especially if you're new to it.
I did this some years back when I bought a (2-stroke) KTM 500 motocrosser which was offered to me cheap so I thought why not? but in reality it was just 'too much' for what I needed.
It wasn't so much the power but that, it was a pig to start, vibrated excessively, very loud, high maintenance and ultimately broke down a lot.
In the end, I just couldn't be bothered with it any more as it was just hard work getting and keeping it going, and something milder with electric start would have been much better.
It was fookin' fast though.
I did this some years back when I bought a (2-stroke) KTM 500 motocrosser which was offered to me cheap so I thought why not? but in reality it was just 'too much' for what I needed.
It wasn't so much the power but that, it was a pig to start, vibrated excessively, very loud, high maintenance and ultimately broke down a lot.
In the end, I just couldn't be bothered with it any more as it was just hard work getting and keeping it going, and something milder with electric start would have been much better.
It was fookin' fast though.
catso said:
Not ridden off road recently but my advice, FWIW is don't get 'too much' bike, especially if you're new to it.
I did this some years back when I bought a (2-stroke) KTM 500 motocrosser which was offered to me cheap so I thought why not? but in reality it was just 'too much' for what I needed.
It wasn't so much the power but that, it was a pig to start, vibrated excessively, very loud, high maintenance and ultimately broke down a lot.
In the end, I just couldn't be bothered with it any more as it was just hard work getting and keeping it going, and something milder with electric start would have been much better.
It was fookin' fast though.
Man I bet that thing ripped I did this some years back when I bought a (2-stroke) KTM 500 motocrosser which was offered to me cheap so I thought why not? but in reality it was just 'too much' for what I needed.
It wasn't so much the power but that, it was a pig to start, vibrated excessively, very loud, high maintenance and ultimately broke down a lot.
In the end, I just couldn't be bothered with it any more as it was just hard work getting and keeping it going, and something milder with electric start would have been much better.
It was fookin' fast though.
Birky_41 said:
Man I bet that thing ripped
It certainly did, 60 odd hp and strong right through the rev range (not 'peaky'), it would wheelie off the throttle in any gear at pretty much any speed.But it shook so much, especially at low RPM that the (53mm) carb, plastic floatbowl would 'rub' on the top of the crankcase and wear through, then the petrol would piss all over the engine. Happened a couple of times until I fitted a car valve stem seal over the bottom of the floatbowl.
Seized on me a couple of times, one time the little end bearing had broken down and the rollers got sucked up through the intake ports and jammed between the piston and barrel - it bent the conrod and I had to remove the piston with a lump hammer.
I too was in this predicament. I didn't want the hassle of the servicing every few hours, but after a lot of research I ended up getting my hands on a very nice KTM 500 exc f Six days.
I too do my oil and filter changes at 1000 miles and it's easy and quick to do. I buy the oil in 20 ltr containers and not that expensive stuff, as long as it's the right spec it's fine. A friend of mine has used this oil in his and has done 25,000 miles with no problems at all.
They are cracking bikes, without being an animal!
I too do my oil and filter changes at 1000 miles and it's easy and quick to do. I buy the oil in 20 ltr containers and not that expensive stuff, as long as it's the right spec it's fine. A friend of mine has used this oil in his and has done 25,000 miles with no problems at all.
They are cracking bikes, without being an animal!
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