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I agree with David H, the grass is always greener on the other side.

What is this bike? MXC = motocross? It is for sale in Hutchison. It is supposedly street titled and plated. I do not see any turn signals on it--not that those are required for plating, but I'd want them for the street sections. It has electric start.
http://www.cycletrader.com/caddetail.ht ... 263411.htm

TROY!! JUMP ON IT!!!

That is an excellent bike...same as my 400 only a year older. Very reliable bike and that bike has fairly low hours.

IF you can get that bike for $2500...you can put $500 into it and have an amazing dual sport for $3K.

Blinkers just break and are hard to see...use your arms - they are safer.

All you will need is a nice Trail Tech speedo setup...go over all the replaceable stuff, chain, brakes etc...and get the seat reqorked (the 01's are VERY hard). Also....get the suspension just serviced (probably $150 front/bacl from Leigh).

Very reliable bike. I think I even have an extra JD Needle for that bike.

Excellent bike Troy.

you're thinking along good lines Troy. My comments are that while a nice bike at an OK price, the MXC is a close ratio transmission version of the EXC range of KTM (enduro). As such it has more tightly spaced ratios and that means no super low firt gear for very technical single track, or, more importantly for you, no highly geared top gear for cruising. As such, the typical rule is that EXC have a higher top speed / cruising speed than the same bike in MXC version.

If I was you I would keep looking for a plated EXC 400 or 450. ktmtalk can be a beautiful place to shop.

I predict you can get an 03-04 plated EXC 450 with many farkles for $3500 or so, if you are patient. The 400's are rarer, I'd choose a 4 hunny for single track, but for your riding a 450 or even 525 (see discussion above on engine size)

Tim...many folks like the close ratios over the wides...I have two of them.

My close ratio 400 ran over 100 mph in stock form....dont ask me how I know.

Now I have it geared way down at 13/53. It will crawl up a mountain and still cruise at 60 without breaking a sweat. I have no need to hold it pinned at 75.

In the woods...the close ratio just rocks. I personally really dislike the gappy wide-ratios especially on KTMs as the gap from 1st to 2nd is crazy wide. The sixth overdrive is nice...but what you wind up with is 4 usable gears plus a granny and a highway gear. I prefer six usable gears.

I agree the CR is the ticket for the woods. If I was doing Troy's type of riding I would opt for the highway gear though.

I think part of the reason for the different opinions regarding the bike that works for me is that MoRidin knows me as a tight woods rider while Tim knows me as a backroads rider. I enjoy both, but prefer the woods riding.

A lot of my woods riding so far, though, has been stringing together rugged ATV trails in the Ozark Natl Forest. It requires a street-legal machine because of all the forest roads and even hwy used to string the route together.

We've beaten this horse dead I think. It has been a VERY good discussion and the technical depth regarding engine composition has been enlightening indeed.

My friend (and excellent motorcycle mechanic) Jim Foley just sent me this beauty. I share it here with you. If it had estart, I think I'd have to jump on this for my backroads machine.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/306578918.html

One bike I haven't seen mentioned is the KTM SXC625. It has the proven Lc4 motor which is bulletproof and has the easy screw type valve adjusters. I don't own one but have ridden a couple and if your a big guy, they rock. It doesn't have oil in the frame like the RXC's but I would feel alot better about riding the bike for an occasional long distance on the highway compared to an RFS bike. I think the SXC is a good compromise between the RXC/Lc4 620/640 and the RFS bikes. It's got e-start and the kicker both and KTM's usual kick-ass componentry. My '98 RXC620 hits pretty hard but compared to a dialed in SXC620, it's... well,... almost a turd.

I know a guy that races an MXC525 in the Forward Motion series and he's not a big guy and he's FAST on that thing. It's possible to ride tight woods with them. There's some owners that gush over the things on KTM talk. I've ridden a number of EXC450's and they are really nice. The only Husky 4T I've ridden was Steve Starkels TE610. It's a street legal dual sport and was pretty nice.

I had an '03 KLX400, (DRZ400) for awhile, (sold it to Dave H.) and it was a great bike. A buddy of mine has an e-model that is dialed well and it is a very good bike. Not to knock the DR350's, as I had a '90 model for about a year, but the DRZ400's are light years ahead of them in a number of ways.

I would wrangle a test ride on a properly dialed in DRZ400 E or S model and see what you thought. Also see if you can find an SXC625 to take a lap on. Both these bikes, especially the KaToom would put you in another universe compared to the DR350 and still be overall more civilized than the RFS bikes. If you still feel you have to hang with the HS racers in Chadwick, and still have something streetable, I'd get the 450 KTM.

You're right we have beat this to death. Good luck with your choice.

-Harvey
#77 FMHS
'98 RXCe400
'98 RXCe620
'02 EXC300
'89 FXRS-1340

"There's alot of Orange in them thar woods"........

Troy....you interested in the 400? If not Im going to go look at it this weekend. Or if you are....I go look at it this weekend.

T

Hayden wrote:Troy....you interested in the 400? If not Im going to go look at it this weekend. Or if you are....I go look at it this weekend.

T

If you want it, go get it. By the way, you may see my brother Kyle there this weekend. He wants to look at another bike they have and an ATV for his wife.

Hayden, I'd love to spend more campfire time with you hearing some stories! You are one tough mofo.

KTM 625 SXC? MoRidin just sent me a link to a PRIMO 2004 for sale for only $4,500. You have to be a member to see it, but here's the link.
http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=221519

Guys, I'm cooled off on the new bike thing for awhile. Baby is due in 6 weeks and I'm spending lots of money on a basement refinish starting in a week. So I can't afford to mess my budget up right now. I may revisit this in late June and possibly get a new bike before my Colorado ride in July.

Guys, I'm cooled off on the new bike thing for awhile.

LOL you think that's gonna stop us from tempting you??? I have a magazine I was gonna drop off at your house.... Just have to do a drive by instead and toss it on the porch

That 625 is crazy cheap and looks like brand new.

Holly CRAP That thing is nice.......Hummmmm how far is OHIO?

Hayden

Kudos to Troy for starting this thread...it has been very informative for me as well! I sold my hog(100th anniversary FatBoy) last week so I am ready to buy my next dual-sport. I am struggling to make the right decision on a good all around bike that can handle long pavement sprints as well. I think the best bike for what I need right now is any KTM w/ the LC4 motor. I am also thinking about an F650GS. I plan on using up my DRZ400 on the serious trail rides, then picking up a 450EXC in a couple years.

HAYDEN: Monica and I will be up at Streamline Performance in Hutch tomorrow around lunch time. I was going to look at that 400MXC as well, I found it first!!! If it hasn't been abused too much it could be a good deal on a great bike. I'm not serious about buying it because I don't need another bike in the same class as my DRZ.

Looks like BMW is going to play ball with us dual-sporters:
http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/bik ... xchallenge

Mid Amerca Powersports in Wichita has one on their showroom floor. It shares the same suspension with their HP2 and has the same "stealth fighter" contoured blue seat. Instead of the boxer 1200 engine it has a 53 hp 650 w/ 6 gears. Half the motor, half the price.

Here is another little gem I found for you Honda lovers:

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/9/5/88105795.htm

This is a 2004 XR400R still in the crate!! I found this a few days ago and I haven't called them about the price. They may not have it anymore. I was tempted to buy it just for the sake of owning it. I need a bigger garage just to keep my motorcycle collection in!!! That way I wouldn't have to sell one to get another, dangit!

At first glance, I love that BMW Xchallenge! You mention 6 speed tranny, but specs show gears 1 - 5 and then gear 6 is "N/A". You can get it with the BMW ABS brake system. That would be interesting on a "dirt" bike. Not so fun when you want to power-slide. ABS is not standard, though.

It seems like a lot of bike and a lot of power at 318 lbs. That puts it heaver than a DRZ400, but lighter than a KLR650. It's just under the 324 lbs dry weight of a new Honda 650XRL.

The real problem with these high-dollar, high-style "dirt" bikes is few have the budget to buy them then go tear them up on gnarly trails! You throw a $4500 KLR down and get a scratch, you don't cry so hard.

Kyle...if you are seriously considering on of those fancy Beemers...have you looked at these?

http://www.husqvarnausa.com/2007/07_TE610.html

Not quite as exotic and pretty proven. Same power from the engine (mid 50's) and a hair lighter.

Our local dealer has one of these for $6 (an 06). That would save you $3k over the BMW and pay for one of those ultimate Baja trips!

It is rumored that BMW is going to buy out Husqvarna from Cagiva. That motor looks a lot like the TE 610 motor. I think it could be great for both BMW and Husky!

Kyle, I think you should buy the BMW Xchallenge. I really do.

...so I can ride it!!!

Troy,
I think YOU should buy that beemer so I could get it really cheap when you see the new 654 (690?) KTM Adventure which will come out then.
Stu

Troy, everything Mo is saying is pretty much spot on. I did A LOT of research before I bought my 400. I had a tough time, like you, deciding between, short/long stroke, 400/450/510/525 cc, short/wide ratio trans. I had a chance to ride the 450 EXC, 400 MXC, 525 EXC, LC4 640, and, obviously, my 400 EXC. I am an experienced dirt rider, off and on, since I was 5, and these are my thoughts:

LC4: GREAT bike! If you want next to no maint., and a bullet-proof design with just "good" off-road ability, this is the one! I didn't choose it because it was just too heavy still. Not enough off-road ability for me, but you can ride it from KC to Wichita, and have fun along the way. I wish I could have one, and my EXC.

RFS bikes in general: I was afraid of the maint. schedules, too, but you get what you pay for. The oil changes are easy, the valve adjustments I can do inside of 45 minutes (with taking off the ignition cover because of my auto clutch, normally don't have to), and I've read the internal stuff is very straight forward, too.
The power they make is more like my old two strokes, but with less noise and smoke. Like I said, for sure worth the maint., which really isn't bad.

525/510: Too much for what I wanted to do. I was tempted by the "wheelie at will" power for some time, until I got on one. The type of riding I enjoy most is technical woods, and hill climbs. The 500cc+ bikes are too much. Not saying you can't make a go at it with them, but the gyro effect is frightning sometimes, they will make you slower in the tight stuff, wear you out faster, and the power "snap" can put you off line before you know what happened. In the open, it's the best bike available, but my 400 will run 65 with barely a sweat, and I don't need warp speed, but I enjoy half warp very much!
450/400: This is the range I think you should really consider. The power of these bikes are nothing to laugh at, but they are predictible. I know what the bike is going to do, and when. There have been times when I've bobbled and my wrist pulls the throttle back enought to make it go. On my 400, it was controlled, on a 525, I would have been in trouble.
Lighter weight is a big factor, too. Even though the 400 doesn't weigh much less than the 500's, it feels like it does. Even over the 450 it's noticeable.
As for the wide to short ratio tranny, it's up to you. I didn't like having to pick gears so much on the MXC I rode, and the 400 pulls enough from the bottom to make power whenever you need it. I liked not having to shift so much (EXC). I had a choice of the two, and...well, you know the result. Completely different feels, and up to each rider. Obviously the MXC is a great bike, or there wouldn't be so many out there.

I know you are tempted to jump from the 350 to 525 for the thrill, but my 400 has enough to make my heart race, it has it whenever I want, and is night and day compared to your DR. The 525 is an aweful big jump, IMO.
Do some research at KTMTalk and TT. So many people talk about how much faster and better riders they are on the 400/450 bikes. You'll find the pro's saying the 400 is the real woods secret forgotten because so many people are blinded by displacement.
I can't imagine having the 525 for what I like to do, which includes d/s. They are both equally as uncomfortable on long rides, and the only advantage of the 525 is pure power, which really only applies in open terrain and sand.
What ever you decide to do, you've made a good list. I'm sure you'll be very happy with any one of them.

Let me know the next time you are in Wichita. You are more than welcome to take mine out on the street and Boeing hills for a test run. I think you would be suprised.
Tye