http://www.crosstrainingenduro.com http://tractionerag.com Should you buy a 250 or 300 two stroke dirt bike? I still get heaps of questions from guys about bike recommendations. Despite constantly saying there are a gazillion things I'd need to know about their situation first. And then I am hopelessly unqualified to make recommendations anyway. Sigh.

Anyway many ask me if they should buy a 250 or 300 two stroke when looking at the Sherco, Gas Gas, Beta or KTM. So should you buy a 250 or 300 two stroke enduro bike? Get a test ride, it's the only way you will know for sure. But if you want a dodgy opinion from a dirt riding muppet, hang around. Mind you, our research indicates that plenty of experienced riders love the hit of the powerband when you put change the power valve setting from mild to wild... your previously tame beast is suddenly wheelspinning uncontrollably, the front wheel is pawing the sky, your arms are pulled out of their sockets and your eyeballs are pushed back into your brain. The milder power in the low to midrange revs will keep you out of trouble, and if you adjust your power valve you can soften that hit of power you usually get with the 250s at higher revs. The 300 dirt bike is all about a linear powerband, looking at 250 v 300cc. heaps of low down grunt, same in the midrange, same in the top end. I love it for our slow technical riding. At low revs a small blip of throttle lifts the front wheel for all those obstacles, it's almost impossible to stall as long as you have some throttle applied, and there's way less clutch work needed compared to the 250. I can with the heavier four strokes where there's a lot more rotational mass, but what about a Sherco 250 v KTM 300 two stroke? Nup. However plenty of experienced faster riders say they can tell. So up ahead is Pete on his 250. It's all he will buy and he often tells us we will sell our 300s and get 250s when we learn how to ride properly. Of course we tell him he is a skirt wearing nancy boy who will sell his princess pony 250 when he mans up and grows a pair. Now the funny thing is that often the complete 300 upgrade kit is around $1000 too, if considering a 250 or 300 two stroke enduro bike - KTM, Beta, Gas Gas and Sherco. If this is your sort of caper then the 250 can be a winner for experienced racers too when choosing a 250 or 300 two stroke, whether it's KTM, Gas Gas or Sherco. The smaller engine revs up faster, usually a bit higher, and despite having less lowdown power in most brands the 250s are putting out the same top end power as the 300s. For less experienced riders the 250 will probably be safer and less tiring too when considering 250 v 300. The power valves are just getting better and better at totally changing engine characteristics. The mapping switches are also improving, especially on the Shercos where you would swear you are on a completely different bike when you flip the switch. So beginners can start with the 250 then later on spend their savings on an upgrade to a 300. Sweet! Okay, that all makes the 250 sound pretty good. But me? I love 300s. Riders were raving when the first 300s came out, saying they are like riding a four stroke but so much lighter and better handling. Another alleged advantage of say a KTM 250 is less rotational mass. A few years ago Stephen Hawking sent us this easy equation that explains everything. The idea is all the moving bits in your engine tend to keep the bike upright. So a bike with a smaller engine should be be easier to tip over into corners. So how do they compare? Well two strokes have come a long way recently, and especially the 250s. The Europeans are really getting some serious low down grunt from the little smokers, which has narrowed the difference considerably with the bigger 300s. Get a test ride and see what you think. Interestingly some riders say this makes the 250 less tiring to ride. But then others say the same about the 300 because it requires less rider input with clutch slipping and gear changing. But the 250 is still a favourite for guys who like a lively engine, and like to rev more without killing themselves. In KTMs you can fit the motocross heads for increased compression, or just head your existing head modified. It's all a far cry from the old deadly peaky two stroke beasts that were the ulimate way to commit suicide, whether a 250 or 300 two stroke Sherco, Gas Gas, Beta or KTM dirt bike.


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