Should you buy a 250 or 300 two stroke dirt bike?︱Cross Training Enduro

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.

#250v300 #250or300twostroke #twostroke250or300?

[crosstrainingenduro]

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[ablejohnson]

I'm going for a 3 stroke 275, seems like a great compromise.

[patw]

I should keep weighing the differences between a 250 and a 300 despite the fact that I can only afford 10 year old 125's

[crugwrf]

Whatever bike you have just get out and enjoy it😎

[motonut]

Love the 300s all I'll ever ride now, I moved to it after 8 years on 450s and the bike setup the way it is now, head, port exhaust, red PV exc. It pulls harder, is significantly lighter feeling and is faster than any stock 450 I have ridden or owned. Best part is i can still just lug around all day out in the trails almost effortlessly if I'm not out on a track.

[kevinmoore]

Best explanation yet.
I had a group of XR400 riders. We loved the bottom end. Most bought KTM 300EXCs and never looked back.

I had a license plate on my XR400 and bought a KTM 200SX for variety. Same HP, 60 lbs lighter, lots of torque for a 2T 200.

[Xeil]

Had a 13yz450, loved it. Have a 98 cr250 now, love it even more. Riding on pipe is an amazing feeling.

[matthewmattholew]

Great video. Explains it perfectly. I have had 250 and 300 XC's. I like them both and owning either is ok with me.

[chrisarch]

I went from a Beta 300 to a Sherco 250. I love both bikes, but am very happy with my Sherco. Very manageable steady power in the Technical stuff.

[FAA-DPE]

I'm still riding my 1977 Honda CR125 Elsinore. Why mess with perfection!

[erickschmidt]

I used to race my kx 250. I started with a kx 500 which I liked to ride but the problem was no matter what I did it wouldn't pass the sound checks for the enduro races. So that's why I got into the kx250. Now I sold my kxs and bought a 300 2 stroke gas gas. I loved it. It had so much grunt it was like riding a 4 stroke. Then in 2020 I traded the 300 in for a 2019 250 two stroke. I dont regret it . The 250s have more power than you can use. I like the lighter feel and the snappier engine. All though the 300 felt like the power of my 500 yet handled like a 250. When it comes down to it... get a bike you like and learn to ride it. They are all good anymore... keep rideing and God bless

[dusdroadadventures]

Love your shows. Comical as always and informative.
Peace

[RacerRed]

I love my 250. Another great video. Keep up the great work!

[Danger_mouse]

Chug (below) is onto it!
Good Vid Barry, all down to preference, get a test ride and go from there. 👍
Ive tried hard, real hard to love the 2 strokes and have tested many 250s and 300s, both of the last two times I bought a 300 4 stroke for my needs.
I find it difficult to get used to having no engine braking, and the addition of valves doesn't stop me doing anything we try when on a ride. So much choice, I think we live in a golden age of dirt bikes.

On the new efi Kato/Husky twins, I got the chance to ride a TE300i. It's a lovely smooth engine and plenty of power. I could see what 'the internet' is talking about though with the power delivery. The bottom end torque right off idle is missing, tuned out of the bike.
Thinking about it as I rode, as a mechanic, I'd bet that this very light throttle setting is where the emissions test is performed and is deliberately lacking as a result.
That said, you'd expect the factory to also give access to a 'Racing' tune for off road use. (like the old TE449 power plug under the seat)
Road tune emissions friendly, race tune with power.

[crosstrainingenduro]

DON'T ASK US WHICH BIKE YOU SHOULD BUY! We don't do personal bike recommendations. But we have done vids providing some guidelines, feel free to watch these for extremely dodgy general advice. 😊

[adriancurley]

Have had both 250 and 300 exc both on red power valve spring but i always come back to the 250 just suits my style and all current euro 250/300 seem good these days.

[anonymousanonymous]

The map switch on the 21 300RR Beeta also makes a huge difference. I call it the angry switch. I leave it on neuter mode in the slick stuff.

[danjim]

You have a fantastic voice for narrating! Awesome video like always

[TheStrouds]

The 250’s are more fun to ride to me.

Love riding my YZ 250X.

[jameskoskinen]

I grew up riding 250s and finally just bought myself a new 2020 te300i... there's no going back!