2 stroke dirt bike for older rider?

[Jesse Jaymes]

I am an older rider. Just picking it up. Have a long running thread from a year ago about bike for backwoods.

My skills have been progressing. I'd like to try a 2 stoke bike. I simply am not going to dump $11,000 into a KTM 300 XC-W.

Are there many torquey older bikes to recommend that are NOT track oriented?

Would like to progress my slow techincal skills. And ride single track. Screams 300 XC-W. Was hoping for way cheaper and less tears when it takes a few spills.

See a local Husky 2014 TE300 that's $5k. But believe it's sold. Seems the Euro bikes are what I want/need. But anything Japanese work?

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Already own both KTM 450 EXC and new to me XR400 as a spare bike. Would like to try something 30+ pounds lighter but still linear power.

 

[JK47]

Talking my lingo, friend.

I grew up riding trails, and that progressed to racing motocross for a while. I’ve rebuilt a few from the ground up, and I love 2 strokes. I tried the fart rocket 450’s, but I kept going back to the 2t.

Yes, there are smokers out there that are built for exactly what you’re after. First thing that popped in my mind is, like you already mentioned, a 300 KTM or Husky. Cannot go wrong with those.

But a few years ago, Yamaha rolled out a trail version of the YZ250. 18” rear tire, softer suspension and lower gearing for technical trails. Maybe a slightly larger fuel tank…..not sure.

But even before that, guys were buying a YZ250 and modding them for trails. They would add a heavy flywheel weight, soften up the suspension, add a couple teeth to the rear sprocket, throw that 18” rear tire on.

Some guys went as far as putting 300 or 325cc kits on. Adding base gaskets to raise the port timing would add some grunt(….or overrev…..been a while and I can’t remember if raising the ports added torque and lowering the ports added top end or if it’s vice versa).

I raced a 2013 YZ250. I had it dialed. It was awesome. I had a 2020 KTM 250SX. I liked it, but sure missed my Yamaha.

So yeah, look for a used YZ to mod, or see if a YZ250X(the Yamaha trail version) is in the fold for you.

Then there are the harder to find bikes like TM, Beta….I believe Gas Gas has a few trail bikes since KTM bought the brand….could be wrong there.

 

[Dirtscoots]

Ktm launched new lines in 23 really changed a lot. My new fuel injected 300 is a beast of a bike. The slow map it is as good as it gets for tight technical trails. With that being said a lot of people are upgrading. I would sure think you can find an older ktm husky or beta for a decent price. I would stick with 16’ or newer personally. I’ve rode my buddies beta 300 they aren’t a bad bike. No offense but depending on your size the ktm 200 or 150s are a good option for a trail bike. Lots of low end. As stated above Yamaha is the only jap bike putting out a trail oriented motorcycle. A aftermarket head is always a great option to get more low end torque on any of them. A flywheel weight would help if you get one that feels to rowdy. One of my cr500’s is actually a great trail bike minus starting it!

 

[Geewhiz]

Find a used ktm 300, no need to pay $11k for one.

 

[def90]

Unless you want to get in to motocross I see no reason to go to a 2 stroke from a 4 stroke.

 

[Dirtscoots]

Unless you want to get in to motocross I see no reason to go to a 2 stroke from a 4 stroke.

Have you rode a newer two stroke? Or been to a motocross track in the last 15 years? On the track there isn’t much for two strokes. In the woods for tight stuff as the op described you won’t find a 4 stroke that is comparable to the newer 300s. It’s nothing like taking your early 2000s cr or kx and trying to woods ride them as a stock bike. Now is it possible for a good rider to ride a 450 everywhere? Absolutely. Is it as easy as a newer 300? No. I’ve spent a lot of time on all the above. I can trail ride my cr 500 or my 450 or my cr250 everywhere I take my 300. I don’t enjoy it as much because my 300 is just a lot easier to ride and I’ve kinda gotten old and slow.

 

[Dust Rider]

Look into the Beta Xtrainer 300.
Gas Gas used to make the Pampera 280

 

[Braaap]

Like someone mentioned earlier the yz250x is pretty good. I rode one for a year and it was a lot of fun. Mid way through a ride I traded bikes with a guy riding a ktm 300 ( whatever the last year of the carb was) and it was way different than the yz. The yz is based on the classic moto 250 two stroke and it is much more snappy, lively and fun. The 300 is kinda lethargic feeling to me but the reality is the 300 is super effective in the woods. It’s not slow but it has a heavy flywheel and didn’t excite me. However I will probably buy one for my next bike. If that makes any sense.

Two strokes are awesome in the woods! I’ve had basically every bike except the exotic European brands and I really enjoy both 2 and 4 strokes. If you want to try a 250 or 300 2 stroke you absolutely should!!!

 

[jimh406]

I'd say Kawasaki KDX either 200 or 220. Very light 2 stroke that's generally easy to start.

 

[Braaap]

I should add the yz250x is not what I would call torquey. The yz250x has a fairly broad power delivery for a two stroke and is easy to ride. It’s mostly a mid range motor but very fun!

 

[OregonSteeler]

I ride a 1999 RM 250 in the PNW coast range. Can't find much tighter and technical trails than here! Is my bike perfect, nope. Am I an expert rider, nope. But it's 100% capable, easy to fix, and super fun.

If I rode enough I'd spend the money and get a dedicated woods bike but I'm very happy with my RM.

The only thing that I think is a big downside for hunting is it's FREAKING LOUD!!

 

[h2so4]

I had a 2004 ktm 200 exc and that bike was awesome. It did everything I asked of it. I’m not a pro rider or anything, but it was awesome how well it worked on the trails in CO. I’d expand the search to include the 200cc ktm bikes.

 

[Braaap]

I had a 2004 ktm 200 exc and that bike was awesome. It did everything I asked of it. I’m not a pro rider or anything, but it was awesome how well it worked on the trails in CO. I’d expand the search to include the 200cc ktm bikes.

I 100% agree. My dad rode a ktm 200 for years and it was an awesome bike. The 200 is underrated.

 

[h2so4]

I 100% agree. My dad rode a ktm 200 for years and it was an awesome bike. The 200 is underrated.

Yep, names checks out.

 

[Dirtscoots]

I 100% agree. My dad rode a ktm 200 for years and it was an awesome bike. The 200 is underrated.

Awesome bike my son rides one. The 150s are good to

 

[JK47]

I'd say Kawasaki KDX either 200 or 220. Very light 2 stroke that's generally easy to start.

For sure! I drooled all over the brochures when I was a kid. Ended up buying a KLX300 the year I graduated from high school. Loved that bike, but always wanted to ride a KDX.

 

[SloppyJ]

I had a 2008 KTM 300xc and I got it to be the ultimate "Dad" bike. I used it to chase around my son as he was learning. Throw a rekluse in there and I think you'd love it. It was by far my favorite bike that I've ever owned. It allowed me to lug it around and it was like a tractor that would just keep going. They're amazing bikes.

You don't have to buy a new one. There are some good used ones out there. I'd splurge for one with e-start though although mine never had any problems. I just have flashbacks of dumping my Honda 450 on a hill and trying to get the bitch fired back up. That was the worst. Research the years, I think the early e-starts had issues with the starters going out or something. Mine would start first or second kick every time.

 

[Bluefish]

Don’t overlook a Beta 300. Either an XT or a regular 300. They were a few k less than a comparable KTM when new. I have been back on a 300 for 5 years now. I would stay away from the mid 00 KTM’s as they are tuned to be peakier with more power. While that can be fun, they are not as mellow as the newer 300’s.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

KTM 150, 200, or Beta 200.

300s are kind of boring.