Going on my first dirty ride this weekend!

[ZX-12R]

The 350 EXC-F makes about 10 more horsepower than your DRZ too!

[nhbubba]

KTM alphabet soup! I was looking at the 250 XCF-W (251.40 lbs wet), which is a 4-stroke. Not the 250 XC‑W (246.80 lbs wet) which is a 2-stroke. So the 250cc 2t weighs about 10 lbs less than the 350 4t, not 5 lbs. Are you telling me that 10 lbs makes all the difference? 'Cause I think I'd rather have the fat, familiar 4t power band.

And with this comes the revelation that KTM makes a 250 4-stroke. Ooooooh...

[nhbubba]

And really, what DOESN'T make 10 horse more than the DRZ??!!

[Chippertheripper]

Get a 10lb medicine ball. Toss it from hand to hand for 1.5hrs. Then 2hrs and then 5hrs, then tell me.

I'm not being facetious, really.
I think I could be happy on a 250 woodsy thumper too. But if I was looking for a 50-50 DS, I'd definitely go bigger.

[R7]

By my read of the spec sheets, KTM's 350 EXC-F is a full 40 lbs lighter than Yami's WR250R!!
(And over 60 lbs lighter than my DRZ!!!)

The Yami WR250R is in no way comparable to any KTM in the exc lineup. It's one thing the Japanese big 4 fail miserably at, making a true enduro/trail bike that is street legal. The KTM's, the EXC street legal models are the exact same bike as the XCW enduro models, with the exception of added lights and DOT hardware. Same frame, same motor, same body work, etc. Yamaha should have done the same as KTM, put DOT hardware on the WR250/450F models rather than build a brand new bike, new frame, new motor, new bodywork...and at the end of the day end up with a clunky heavy underpowered pig (just like your DRZ...sorry, but it's the truth) that just ends up kicking your ass and sucking your energy after a few hours of riding.
Of course after riding my 208lb KTM smoker, all 4-stroke woods bikes will feel porky to me now

[Paul_E_D]

This is not something that can be decided poring over spec sheets. Get out and ride with friends. Swap wives, I mean bikes, and see what you like. the tale is not told in weight alone. Lower center of gravity and greatly reduced flywheel effect make a 2t completely different to a 4t of even the same weight. Not to mention character of the motor and engine braking. Apples and oranges.

[typeone]

^ yup.

[breakdirt916]

Swap wives, I mean bikes, and see what you like. the tale is not told in weight alone.

although the tale might be told for weight when it comes to wives...

[Petorius]

although the tale might be told for weight when it comes to wives...

The CG can vary, you need to decide if you prefer top heavy or bottom heavy

[Paul_E_D]

The CG can vary, you need to decide if you prefer top heavy or bottom heavy

Ding! This thread is OVER!

[Chippertheripper]

Bottom heavy. Always.

[Marc R]

I'm at the bottom of the learning curve. Only experienced a KLX250s (300 lbs, 20hp). The bike was borrowed from a generous friend, but I'm bikeless and itching to get something newb friendly. The KTM XC lineup has at least 50% more hp, I believe, and leaves me wondering if the power would get in the way of my skills development. I'll only know once I try one. So, any idea how someone with riding gear and no bike can test this out?

[Chippertheripper]

I'm not above letting anybody take my 300 around the block. My schedule is pretty wacky, and the boingers are coming off for service, after the next 2 Sunday's events.

[ZX-12R]

Likewise, anyone is welcome to try my 500 EXC keeping in mind that it's sprung for a 270-280lbs person.

[e30addict]

You guys are not helping my desire for another bike when it's a bad time for me to be thinking about it.

[ZX-12R]

I can promise you that no matter what KTM you ride, you're going to like it.

[Paul_E_D]

Likewise, anyone is welcome to try my 500 EXC keeping in mind that it's sprung for a 270-280lbs person.

I'm out...

[R7]

Marc, you're welcomed to come try my KTM if you'd like

[ZX-12R]

I'm out...

If you jump it like a MX bike, it may be just right!

[South of Heaven]

You will do fine man! Don't be shy of falling-off! Street gear can generally be heavier than motocross gear and restrict movement a bit, but it will do fine!

xxaarraa: These words sound familiar!! Like at Pachaug when I almost broke my toe from wearing hiking boots! Good times...and I was lucky as hell. Then I immediately bought those big MX boots and couldn't even shift properly. Haha. I re-learned shifting on my WR250 after the next ride....