250-500cc Wr250 vs 250 EXC

[chamber66]

Currently have a KTM 250 exc (as well as a TE450) and was wondering how the WR matches up to the exc. Don't want to hear the WR is better because it's a Husky so it must be. Just genuine experiences.
Have heard they are a little more difficult to start, and have an awkward kick start?
Any oppinions?

 

[gixxerw1]

With the WR you get linkage in the rear for the suspension thats a plus right there. I think the motor feels like it has a little more low end then a KTM. The kicker isn't awkward its short once you build up some leg strength it's a non issue. It also doesnt wear out and tilt backwards as quick as a KTM kicker. Plus the Husky is a better color!

 

[Norman Foley]

I had a 2000 WR250 and the main advantages are handling and power. A WR250 will run with a 300EXC power wise, the WR300 must be mad! Even the 2000 will turn better than a KTM. I always found it akward to kick other 250's and the WR250 "normal".

 

[wallybean]

The two bikes are very different in how they go about their work. It really is going to be a matter of personal preference. The suspension on the 09 and later ktm's seems to have been an upgrade. I have a friend who wouldn't own an orange bike because of the linkless rear and its inconsistant behavior. He was talked into taking an 09 for a weekend to ride. He now owns the bike. The red button didn't hurt the equation.

The two bikes make power differently and have different ergo feels. Neither is right or wrong just different. The WR is heavier and caries the weight higher. While riding you really don't notice it until you have to pick it up the hill when dropping it the wrong way. Lots of guys love both bikes and it really needs to be a decision you make from experience by riding both.

Walt

+1 to what Norman said about the power. In my limited time on a ktm it felt soft power wise, almost hitless. While I prefer the Huskies handling, I think this really is a rider preference for what works best to them.

 

[wallybean]

Now if they redesign the motor into a smaller, lighter, and electric start form and then wrap it in the new WR125/TXC250 frame all bets are off. It will set a new plateau for the genre.

Walt

 

[boisedave]

Now if they redesign the motor into a smaller, lighter, and electric start form and then wrap it in the new WR125/TXC250 frame all bets are off. It will set a new plateau for the genre.

Walt

That's me too -- just what I am looking for.

I got back into the sport this January and decided to buy the KTM for a couple of reasons:

1. KTM had the bikes here -- Husky's didn't show up for a couple of months.
2. Gas tank -- MY KTM is 2.9 Gallons and I get 75 miles to a tank.
3. Aftermarket stuff -- Just more for KTM, but Husky is catching up [won't be an issue much longer].
4. E-start -- This is a much smaller plus now that I have it. The button is nice, but I don't know if I'd make it a requirement. A great option but a bit overrated in my opinion.
5. Modern design -- Say what you will, the Husky is dated. PRetty much from top to bottom the design of the 250 is around a decade old. I'm not saying KTM two-strokes are cutting edge, but they have been worked over a bit more through the years. My belief is that KTMs are slightly more "refined" than the Husky, which leads to fewer issues.
6. KTM corporate structure seemed more secure. I didn't want to buy a bike that was dying on the vine. This is changing with Husky's hard work -- thanks Scot Harden and the boys. No longer a concern.
7. Powervalve adjust-ability. I thought this was going to be a big deal -- really not. I put the red spring in my bike and have never touched it. The power is electric and I like it for everything.

Agree or disagree if you like, but it was what was in my mind when I decided to spend my cash on a new bike.

Having ridden my KTM for about a year now and about 2000 miles I can say I love it -- very fine bike. Absolutely no complaints. It does everything that I want it to do and it does it well. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

I did ride an 08 WR250 after I bought my bike - loved it too. I only had about 5 minutes of seat time on it, but I really liked it. It was slim and flickable [more so than the KTM]. I also thought it was more stable and planted. The motors were a wash for me -- seemed my KTM is slightly more electric, but the WR had plenty of power. Biggest thing -- I liked the way the WR "felt" -- just made me happy to sit on it. My KTM feels slightly uncomfortable -- the Husky seemed to be made for me.

Seat of the pants impression -- KTM had the advantage, but not as much as it should have considering it was way more $$$, had e-start and was "newer."

If things go as they are, I'd love to buy a NEW 250 or 300 Husky in 2012 when I'll be looking to buy. Something that has received a once over -- like the new four-stroke 250. I'm not looking for a radically new design -- just something to suggest that there has been some thought put into it. Finally, it will need a real gas tank and some suspenders that don't require a revalve immediately -- I want a bike I can ride and race occasionally without having to put a bunch of $$ in it [I'm not talking armor -- I'm talking more power, suspension valving, etc.].

Just so you know -- all my gear is red and black in anticipation of the change.

 

[glangston]

"way more $$$"

How much?

 

[boisedave]

"way more $$$"

How much?

I got the KTM for $7200 [before tax]. The Husky would have been about $6000 if I bought it in april or may with the rebate.

I don't know what the 2010s are priced at but I would speculate its about a grand difference.

 

[Rusty 2]

Don't know if this will make any sense to anybody or not,....But when I jump back and forth between my WR300 and my 300XCW, it seems like I sit down in the KTM,...and up on top of the Husky.
Never sat on a new '09 KTM tho',...may be totally different now,...?

FWIW, the KTM is the one that feels weird to me now,...after a season on the Husky.

 

[Rusty 2]

I got the KTM for $7200 [before tax]. The Husky would have been about $6000 if I bought it in april or may with the rebate.

I don't know what the 2010s are priced at but I would speculate its about a grand difference.

That's accurate for out east too,...at least around these parts.
My buddy John paid $7000+ for his new 300XCW, and I got my WR300 for $6000.
_____________________________________________________________________

Edit: I stand corrected,...the wife says we paid around $6800 out the door for the WR300.
I must have selective memory I guess.

 

[razornpc]

just my opinion here so take it for what its worth.

the 06 WR250 i road i didnt care for 1 bit. i was a stock bike, suspension was, engine was a fresh rebuild.

had a 3.9 tank, so maybe thats why i didnt like it.

it pushed really bad. brakes didnt seem as good as my 144.

good smooth torquey power.

just couldnt cope with the handling. most of all the push it seemed to have.

 

[2whlrcr]

My 02 cents. I've got a 07 WR250. There are plenty of orange bikes around here and I have plenty of seat time on an 09 250 and 300 XCW. I also own an 08 450 EXC.

Husky is more stable, doesn't need a steering dampner. It turns slightly slower than the new KTM's, but not too noticeable. KTM's can shake at high speed without the dampner.

For tight woods riding and my skill, the stock forks on the KTM are better. My Husky is a little soft and I may just need stiffer springs. I weigh 180lbs and am a slow A racer.

Rear suspension. I give the nod to KTM, because of the linkless suspension. No maintenance, no headache. KTM has made great strides in the last couple of years with their rear suspension setup. Both bikes perform well for me, just less maintenance on the KTM.

Motors. The Husky is much stronger than the KTM 250. Stronger low, mid and top end hit. This can be good, or bad, just depends upon how you ride and what conditions you are in. The KTM is definitely more tuneable with the adjustable power valve. Of course the KTM has the button. And I think both are equally as reliable.

Yes the kickstarter is awkward on the Husky, but you get used to it. I just lean way forward and kick backwards, not down on it, works good that way.

Brakes go to KTM. They are just awesome on the new bikes. Brakes are good on my Husky too, just not as good.

Ergonomics feel good to me on both bikes. I'm 5'11".

Price. I was hours away from buying a new 09 KTM 300 XCW for $6800, which is a great price around here. I stumbled acrossed my new 07 WR250 for $4000 new. I figured how bad can the Husky be? I think the new KTM's are sweet bikes, but I thought that $2800 in my wallet was sweeter.

 

[john01]

Wow that was a sweet deal don't fault you one bit for getting the Husky. Hey do the 2-stroke KTM's "feel" like the 4-stroke KTM's? The reason I ask is my son has to KTM's a 08 SX450 and a 08 SX505 and they just feel weird to me. I feel the front is shaking at high speed and the back is fighting for tracton. I just don't fit well on them it's like I'm sitting high on the seat looking down on the front. Just not a natural fit for me as my Huskys. To the OP I wish I could help give an opinion but I haven't had a chance to ride either bike you are asking about. Good luck either way.

 

[2whlrcr]

Wow that was a sweet deal don't fault you one bit for getting the Husky. Hey do the 2-stroke KTM's "feel" like the 4-stroke KTM's? The reason I ask is my son has to KTM's a 08 SX450 and a 08 SX505 and they just feel weird to me. I feel the front is shaking at high speed and the back is fighting for tracton. I just don't fit well on them it's like I'm sitting high on the seat looking down on the front. Just not a natural fit for me as my Huskys. To the OP I wish I could help give an opinion but I haven't had a chance to ride either bike you are asking about. Good luck either way.

I'm not an MX guy, I'm a woods racer, so I'm not sure about setup for the track. I have found that I need to run about 115mm of sag to stabilize my KTM's. Playing with the clickers is worth the time too. Sounds like you may have too much rebound dampning and the tire isn't returning to the ground quick enough? Plus if your not close the 175lb weight, the springs and valving could be off for you.

The 300 KTM is often called the 3 stroke of dirt bikes, because it has good low end and resembles 4 stroke power. This is true to some extent. Good low end and mid range, but it does not rev out like a 450 does. My 450 still has more power everywhere and has a longer powerband than the 300. But it is also heavier, more complex and a wallet drainer if you need to rebuild it, compared to the two stroke.

 

[gixxerw1]

Shouldn't most of this thread be over on KTM talk?
Husky 250 dated? yes but the KTM 250 motor hasn't changed in years except a estart on it same with all the 2 strokes from KTM. When you buy orange you get new plastics design and the problem from the previous year fixed. Like suspension, leaking gas caps, clutch baskets that let go, 144's that blow up on the first rides, 200cc cranks that seem to just say thats it i quit. I see alot of orange at the local races and it seems to me all of them have a back up bike or a fat wallet to keep them coming back every weekend.
Just seems to me with all the so called inovation they could make them a little more reliable in the long run. KTM=Race ready out of the box, once you buy all the gaurds, have the suspension revalved, replace the lower end after 100 hours, change the hiem bearing every ten hours so on so on.
Just my .02.

 

[Motosportz]

I have ridden both extensively. I have an obvious husky bias but regardless I like the husky more. So did one 09 KTM 250 guy who tried a buddies 07 WR250. The motor is a lot better on the husky IMHO. The rear suspesnion is better. The KTM E-start works half the time and is goofy IMHO. Just more crap to deal with. I would buy the husky for $1500 less, send the suspesnion off and add a Rekluse (which works AWESOME on the WR250) and go out and beat the pants of the KTM boys.

 

[2whlrcr]

Hey, I like my Husky 07 WR250 and I beat the pants off plenty of KTM's at the races. But that fact is, it's a 15 year old bike minimum. The reason you don't see many around, is because Husky hasn't kept up and KTM has. KTM has continued to refine and improve and Husky hasn't with the two strokes. I hope Husky does, I like the brand and bought my first one in 1975. Right now I have 3 Huskys and one KTM in my garage.

So after 35 years of racing experience and owning both brands and riding them back to back many times, I think the KTM is a better bike. But for the money, you can get some great deals on new or used Huskys and most riders can't ride a bike to it's limits anyway, including me.

 

[surfer1100]

But that fact is, it's a 15 year old bike minimum. The reason you don't see many around, is because Husky hasn't kept up and KTM has. KTM has continued to refine and improve and Husky hasn't with the two strokes.

I have to disagree, there are some features that go back that far, but the bikes have changed and not only superficially. Husky generally changes the porting, pipes, etc...every year. The frame geometries have changed and the suspension valving is optimized each year as well. The 250 does appear long in the tooth...the important changes are somewhat hidden so to speak. Ask someone who has ridden and 00 vs 02 vs 04 vs 06 and so on so forth...the 07's+ are monsters compared to the early 2000's. And my early 2000's CR runs just as strong if not stronger than a 2001 Honda CR 250, and handles better too.

Look at the husky 125 for example since 99...two frames 3 geometries, 3 top end designs, 3 sets of plastics/ergos, porting, pipes, 3 different suspension systems....if that isn't refinement and improvement I don't know what is?!?!

 

[gixxerw1]

KTM has better marketing and buys the top riders. If Husky had the advertising budget and the rider budget of KTM we wouldn't be having this conversation at all.

 

[2whlrcr]

All of my conversation is directed towards the 250, not the 125, since that was what the thread originator asked about. I was looking a mid '90's Husky 250 shortly after I bought my bike. The frames appear to be identical. If there is a geo change, it's not noticeable without measuring. Engine cases are the same and only the power valve housing appeared to be different.

Yes I know that suspension has changed through the years and I also assumed various porting and tuning changes to the motor. But it's still the same basic engine and frame from 1995. Gixxer was saying that KTM hadn't changed their motors in years and that isn't true. They had a major redesign about three or four years ago, along with major frame changes and it's Husky who has continued on with there basic engine and frame. Not that this is bad, but it's part of what leads Huskys to be heavier over the KTM's. Husky has been coasting with it's two strokes and if they are to continue in this market, they need to quit throwing all the R & D money at the four strokes.

And KTM sells more bikes because they didn't piss off and alienate all there dealerships 20 years ago, not because they buy riders. Tough to sell many dirtbikes when you only have 50 dealers in the US (just a guess). Husky has a long road ahead of them and they obviously know this, because it looks like they are taking steps to try and revive the marque. I just hope they don't forget about the two strokes.