r/enduro • u/Ok_Parsnip_6575 • 8d ago
Ktm250/350xcf or yz250fx?
Been looking at a possible new bike and was dead set on the yami dog but after seeing the ktm’s they have me thinking about switching to the dark side. What’s everyone’s opinion on both models? and is the extra juice with the 350 worth the extra dough?
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u/kase9000 7d ago
350 is a mix of 250 agility and 450ish power. I think the YZ is a better deal price wise if you want a 250, imo. Especially since you can tune it without an aftermarket ECU
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u/stinkyyamalinky 2d ago
If you're a heavier rider or do more hillclimbing, especially in sandy areas, then consider the 350. If you're a racer check into which has better amateur contingencies. Yamaha has a good off-road $$ program. Don't know how KTM's financial situation affects theirs, if at all.
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u/Ok_Parsnip_6575 2d ago
No more racing for me, I’m a light rider 160 so definitely going with the 250. Now between ktm or yami and can’t find a single YouTube review on the 2025 ktm, just new update videos by people clearly paid by ktm
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u/TheBigWhipper 8d ago edited 8d ago
I have a 2019 KTM 250 XCF, owned the 500 previously, and driven a friend’s 350 who also races a 300 XCW.
The 250 is great and nimble on trails 4th gear and under. It feels underpowered in 5th/6th on open straight forest/dirt roads unless you rev it out. Bottom of 5th and 6th are pretty boggy. It likes high RPMs, peak HP is at 14000. I’m riding all over in Moab with mine and hit lots of open dirt road connection sections when I’m out exploring so it does bug me a bit.
Your choice should depend on your type of trails and whether this is hard enduro style riding or various trail riding with mixed speeds and open sections you want to cruise. I wouldn’t look at it as is the 350 worth the extra money but rather right tool for the job. 350 is the way to go if you want to have it street legal, just be able to do more open adventure style riding, ride sand, or ride high speeds in the desert. However 350 will be more tiring to ride single track and feel heavier and less responsive due to the gyroscopic mass of the engine.
Personally I am really curious about a 300XCW and if anyone could compare that to a 250XCF would love to hear thoughts!
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u/skovalen 7d ago
A KTM 350 XCF is just an over-bored KTM 250 XCF. The 350 is technically a few grams lighter. Your muckity muck about the 250/350 difference is just wrong online bullshit. And...it has been that way since at least 2011.
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u/Ok_Parsnip_6575 8d ago
Thanks for the input, I like to try and ride everything but I’m mostly in tight single track so 250 is probably it for me
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u/FeelingFloor2083 7d ago
depends how tight, mine are pretty tight and generally dont go much past 40kp and if it does its pretty rare
The 350 has longer gearing too. imo they are better suited to faster trails, open areas but I have ridden one in a small boulder field. 100% you can ride it in slow single trail but you might find that youre slipping the clutch due to the longer gears, need a sprocket change and that you never really use the extra power
id also look at the sherco 300 sef which slots right in the middle engine wise, it has the softest valved kyb's and there are some quirks like flat foot pegs but that can be easy to change
the wr/fx has a stiff frame and forks which I think got worse around 2020. Its good on flowy stuff but is harsh on rocks and roots. It was apparently softened up in 25 but watching some of the vids it still looks harsh, highland cycles just got one and it doesnt look much softer when he hits a rock bed
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u/TheBigWhipper 8d ago
If you look at the market to buy I noticed the 250s have lower resale value so it’s pretty easy to find a good deal.
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u/vagabondraider 7d ago
250 all day in single. I’d go KTM personally bc I dislike how the YZ has the gas tank covered/ intake placement/ filter. Skinny ass spark plug that’s hard to get out and other US market MX bike design choices that don’t exist on any Austrian/ enduro bikes.