Honda crf450x, Yamaha wr450f, KTM xcf-w350-450. Which one?

[ktm1991]

I would agree with the 2s argument! Ive owened both and worked on both and 2s are by far easier to work on especially when you get to the motor! I am a strong believer in the 300 it has all the low end of a 4s plus the light weight feeling of a 2s and allows several different riding styles to gel with it! Plus the price is a little more reasonable! As far as dealers go it is very critical to find a good one and cycle zone is top notch and has always been a huge help to me!

[AJ227]

I have owned them all crf 450, yz 426 the beginning to the 450's, KTM 450, KTM 300, and 2 KTM 350's and there is a reason I am back on a 350. The japanese off-road models like Jeremy said weigh a lot and are bulky. If you are used to and enjoy a 4-stroke you can not go wrong with a 350, but a KTM 300 2-stroke is amazing also. Honda was the most reliable bike I ever owned but my 2011 350 sx-f was not far off with over 130 hours on it I checked the valves 4 or 5 times but never had to touch them and they were still in speck when I sold it. From my stand point the feel and comfort of riding a KTM versus Honda in the woods is you cant beat them, its pretty simple just look around at the sea of orange.

[Btrigg88]

Sounds like you may need more than one bike! A wicked 2s hare scramble machine and a big baja beast. I went from a KTM 530 to a 300 2s. I did all the maintance on the big KTM. You can forget about all that with the 2s. Just tranny oil and air filters. Last year I raced Warrensburg, Walters and big springs on the big 530. It can be done but you will suffer in the tight stuff. I would spend your money on the bike you'll be racing more. A lot of baja guys like the 09ish 450/530s and you can pick those up at a reasonable price. You can talk to Bob #1060 he can try and sell you on the KTM 200. I couldn't get a 200 locally so I went with the 300 2s. It was my first 2s ever. There was a learning curve coming off of a 4s but you get figured out pretty quick. I wouldn't knock the smaller 2s till you try them. My 300 has way more to give than I'll ever ask for! You've got some tough choices. Good luck.

[xDxKEIMx]

I've always been a honda guy, my last bike was an XR400. I still have it and plan on keeping it forever.
But a month ago I decided to go ahead and get a KTM cuz i was sick of getting blown away in the woods by all my friends that ride KTM, and also getting beat up by the bike. I'm pretty small and light, so it doesn't take much bike to get me around. I settled on a new 250 xc-f, it's amazing. Fuel injected so it has such good throttle response at low rpms. It's more power than i'll ever need, unless i gain quite a few pounds, it's quick, nimble, light enough for me to throw it around, geared perfect for the woods, suspension is awesome, and has big enough gas tank.
If i was more averaged sized, closer to 200lbs, then i'd definitely get the 350.

[VetSki]

Go for a new Husky! They offer all the sizes you are considering, they are not orange and they are basically premium KTM's! They are pretty high dollar though! No matter what you get, you will have a blast! Good luck!

[blister]

Thanks again to everyone for the replies. I've considered all the input and am doing quite a bit of research. I still don't know what model exactly but I am definitely leaning strongly in the KTM direction now. Although I am leaning towards a 250-350 and considering now the 2 stroke option, as well, I did run across a very nice '06 450 EXC that has little use and a reasonable price tag. Any of you have experience and/or opinions on this particular bike?