All 2st 125, 144, 165, 177 You do all know there is a 250 'off the shelf'

[Crocus Paper]

Yamaha IT 125, 175, 200, 250, 490

Kawasaki KDX 175, 200, 220, 400

Suzuki PE 175, 250, 400

There was a time when the 175/200 was a dominate fixture in the enduro scene.

KTM 200 has a loyal cult following, myself included.

There was a reason why Penton developed the 125 and 175 cc for the nasty ISDE's back in the day.

I enjoyed my 250's, but have become faster on the smaller bike. After 3 hours the smaller bike becomes your best friend!

Most of these bikes are history, no longer made. The modern 2T 250 with adjustable power valves and developments in exhaust technology can get a power delivery that pretty much covers most of those capacities.

I know 2 people that had 200 KTM's, they were new to the sport, one likes it and is going to keep it, the other bought a 250.

 

[yzrider]

Well you know best, as well as your two friends.

 

[Norman Foley]

Most of these bikes are history, no longer made. The modern 2T 250 with adjustable power valves and developments in exhaust technology can get a power delivery that pretty much covers most of those capacities.

I know 2 people that had 200 KTM's, they were new to the sport, one likes it and is going to keep it, the other bought a 250.

Do you have a Provini power valve adjuster on your WR250?

 

[JRod4928]

Most of these bikes are history, no longer made. The modern 2T 250 with adjustable power valves and developments in exhaust technology can get a power delivery that pretty much covers most of those capacities.

I know 2 people that had 200 KTM's, they were new to the sport, one likes it and is going to keep it, the other bought a 250.

Yes, they're no longer made because racing classes dictated the size of the bikes. They became the most popular bikes, so it no longer became economical for the manufacturers to keep offering these intermediates. Companies like KTM are bringing those back to life because they recognize that these intermediate bike sizes are in demand.

KTM200's aren't even good examples for this convo because their power delivery is not similar to a 125 or a 250, so it's an intermediate when it comes to engine size, but the behavior of the bike is not in the same ballpark as the 125/250's we know. IMO it's a different animal completely. But at the moment, it's the only "off the shelf" intermediate bike size available, so I see why it's used in this conversation.

I personally researched this for a long time because I nearly bought a KTM200, but I decided against it because I wanted the power curve of a weak 250, but with a mid-top like a 125, then I heard about the 165, and the search was over. I wouldn't own a husky if it wasn't for that.

I should add that the 2004 KTM 200SX is probably ideal for me (but it's too old), as it really was a motocross bike. But since then, they've been taken a different direction by KTM and now they have a mid range power curve with virtually no top

 

[shrubitup]

I should add that the 2004 KTM 200SX is probably ideal for me (but it's too old), as it really was a motocross bike. But since then, they've been taken a different direction by KTM and now they have a mid range power curve with virtually no top

I had a 2000 model year KTM 200EXC. It had adequate low end, strong mid range, and insane top end pull. It would loop out on you if you weren't careful when whacking throttle full open. JD jet kit was only mod. I weigh 260 lbs. I have read that the earlier versions were stronger motors than what the newer ones ride like.

 

[Dirtdame]

Most of these bikes are history, no longer made. The modern 2T 250 with adjustable power valves and developments in exhaust technology can get a power delivery that pretty much covers most of those capacities.

I know 2 people that had 200 KTM's, they were new to the sport, one likes it and is going to keep it, the other bought a 250.

I know several people who have ridden and competed in events on 250s and 300s for years, who all decided that they liked the ease of handling handling, and power of smaller bikes. They all downsized to KTM 200s, or bought KTM 150s and bumped the engine size on them. None of these people are likely to want to ride the larger platform bikes anymore.

 

[Dirtdame]

I had a 2000 model year KTM 200EXC. It had adequate low end, strong mid range, and insane top end pull. It would loop out on you if you weren't careful when whacking throttle full open. JD jet kit was only mod. I weigh 260 lbs. I have read that the earlier versions were stronger motors than what the newer ones ride like.

I have ridden the older KTM 200s. Didn't like the power delivery. The bikes felt like a larger displacement 125, demanding to be revved all the time, whereas my KDXs felt like small displacement 250s, liking to loaf around in the lower part of the powerband.

 

[JRod4928]

I had a 2000 model year KTM 200EXC. It had adequate low end, strong mid range, and insane top end pull. It would loop out on you if you weren't careful when whacking throttle full open. JD jet kit was only mod. I weigh 260 lbs. I have read that the earlier versions were stronger motors than what the newer ones ride like.

I'm not sure of the exact year, but at some point in the history of the KTM 200, KTM decided to take the bike away from a mid-top MX style power delivery and replaced it with a mid range power curve that lends itself to trail riding. Sounds like your EXC came from that older generation. I'd like to hear from some others who've ridden a few of those 200's

I'd love to ride one of those older KTM's!

 

[firffighter]

Here's my '98 200exc. She did just fine against modern 250's and 300's last year!

Motor is flat out awesome in the woods!



Came of this Gasgas EC250. Great bike too. I'm simply faster on the 200!

 

[firffighter]

http://vurboffroad.com/videos/getting-dirwise-ft-shane-watts-episode-5/2728

I guess Shane Watts is a beginner Spode! He'll be making his return to GNCC again this year and looks like its on the 200 beginner bike!

Check out his comments on new vs old!

http://www.enduro360.com/2014/02/13/products-tested/shane-watts-ktm125sx-comparison-old-vs-new/

 

[shrubitup]

Here's my '98 200exc. She did just fine against modern 250's and 300's last year!

Motor is flat out awesome in the woods!



Came of this Gasgas EC250. Great bike too. I'm simply faster on the 200!

Ha ha. I had a 00 200EXC KTM and a 04 250EC GasGas. The 200EXC had a much livelier motor than the 250EC but not as good as my WR300.

 

[MotoMarc36]

The modern 2T 250 with adjustable power valves and developments in exhaust technology can get a power delivery that pretty much covers most of those capacities.

Now take the crankshaft from that 250 and hold it in your hand. Weigh it. Measure the diameter of the crankwheels. Now do the same with a Husky 125, 144, 165, and 177 crank (all same for practical purposes, 177 slightly different). That's pretty much where the answer lies. And your 250 anything will never handle as well or feel as light and flickable as a result. It's a handling thing. The small crank of a 165/177 maintains the handling advantage, while the added displacement brings the power down the RPM scale and closer to a 250's sheer output. Different people want and excel with different setups. Your 250 isn't best for everyone.

 

[Motosportz]

yep

 

[andymarriner450]

I'm fifty next year I've riding bike since I was ten I've raced mx For 25 years and that was on all different makes of 250s two stroke of course had a little venture in to super moto for two years on a 450 honda man that was a expensive couple of seasons I then decided to do Enduro and hare and hounds on a Ktm 250 2 stroke after two seasons I found a husky wr 143 for a very good price so snapped it up and all I can say is what a difference after two hours I'm still in control yes I still crash but I'm still in some form of control I LOVE MY LITTLE HUSKY GENUINE STATMENT best bike I've ever rode yes there's problems but when you sort them out they rip and I can't what for the weekends

 

[john01]

A local shop owner's son is the kid that ran over the Ninja nut. On the 125,144,165 and 177 you really have to ride one to understand just how great they are and how different they are from any 250 bike. Oh.... it really should be a Husky too . It's a handling thing. Thanks Walt .

 

[JRod4928]

 

[GhostRider32]

Hey GhostRider, that video. What the..........what happened there. I've never seen anything like that before.

I saw where one of the previous posters had said "woods ninja" and that's what came to mind. I saw this video on youtube about a year ago and thought I'd post it. Evidently the fellow thinks he's a ninja or something and every time I watch the video I still laugh.

 

[john01]

GhostRider32 that is a VCHSS race were that guy (nobody knows who he is) was as you saw just hiding out under the leaves and got ran over. He was seen earlier in the day on the course in regular cloths acting a little strange but nobody ever talked to him. They did call a local sheriff and he checked the local hospital to see if anyone showed up with rib/back injuries. His identity is still unknown. A local bike shops son is the kid that ran over him. I talked to him and he said it scared the crap out of him . They call him the Ninja!

 

[firffighter]

Not to beat a dead horse, but Shane Watts just took 12th overall last weekend at round 1 of the national enduro. Any guess on which bike? 300...no. 250...nope. just a beginner's 200! And, he's over 40!

Sorry to rub it in Crocus :-)

 

[troy deck]

hahaha old guys rule