KTM 300 vs Yamaha YZ250X

[Tman21]

The X version of the YZ still remains an afterthought.

Yes its got slightly different gearbox, altered port timing and softened MX suspension (not a bad thing at all) but it is still a MX biased platform.  Im not the ave KTM fanboy however flavor of the month is a 300 TPI.

The TPI has an extremely linear power delivery with loads of torque, (think diesel in low range) making it very easy to ride and does not wear you down as easily when things become technical.  Nothing wrong with the YZ 250X but you get what you pay for.  Bad fuel range, rattles like an Isuzu (compared to counter balanced KTM platforms), MX chain guide with bulky design and a kickstarter.  Lack of electronics make adding fan or light slightly more complicated but still very doable.  (Linkage has its advantages but requires more maintenance)

At the end of the day you have to decide what your needs are and how far you can stretch the budget.

Some more reading here:
https://dirtbikemagazine.com/yamaha-yz250x-off-road-2-stroke-full-test/

However if you riding will include idling around in 2nd and 3rd gear the KTM will be a good choice. 
If kickstarting and 60-70Km fuel range wont bother you and you not planning on extreme enduro's the YZ will do a brilliant job too.

[2StrokeDan]

The X version of the YZ still remains an afterthought.

Yes its got slightly different gearbox, altered port timing and softened MX suspension (not a bad thing at all) but it is still a MX biased platform.  Im not the ave KTM fanboy however flavor of the month is a 300 TPI.

The TPI has an extremely linear power delivery with loads of torque, (think diesel in low range) making it very easy to ride and does not wear you down as easily when things become technical.  Nothing wrong with the YZ 250X but you get what you pay for.  Bad fuel range, rattles like an Isuzu (compared to counter balanced KTM platforms), MX chain guide with bulky design and a kickstarter.  Lack of electronics make adding fan or light slightly more complicated but still very doable.  (Linkage has its advantages but requires more maintenance)

At the end of the day you have to decide what your needs are and how far you can stretch the budget.

Some more reading here:
https://dirtbikemagazine.com/yamaha-yz250x-off-road-2-stroke-full-test/

However if you riding will include idling around in 2nd and 3rd gear the KTM will be a good choice. 
If kickstarting and 60-70Km fuel range wont bother you and you not planning on extreme enduro's the YZ will do a brilliant job too.

I have the old pre-electric start 300, and I would like to upgrade to a e-start.

If pushed I would also choose the 300TPI, just a tad worried about some reliability issues.

[Sheepman]

The X version of the YZ still remains an afterthought.

Yes its got slightly different gearbox, altered port timing and softened MX suspension (not a bad thing at all) but it is still a MX biased platform.  Im not the ave KTM fanboy however flavor of the month is a 300 TPI.

The TPI has an extremely linear power delivery with loads of torque, (think diesel in low range) making it very easy to ride and does not wear you down as easily when things become technical.  Nothing wrong with the YZ 250X but you get what you pay for.  Bad fuel range, rattles like an Isuzu (compared to counter balanced KTM platforms), MX chain guide with bulky design and a kickstarter.  Lack of electronics make adding fan or light slightly more complicated but still very doable.  (Linkage has its advantages but requires more maintenance)

At the end of the day you have to decide what your needs are and how far you can stretch the budget.

Some more reading here:
https://dirtbikemagazine.com/yamaha-yz250x-off-road-2-stroke-full-test/

However if you riding will include idling around in 2nd and 3rd gear the KTM will be a good choice. 
If kickstarting and 60-70Km fuel range wont bother you and you not planning on extreme enduro's the YZ will do a brilliant job too.

I have the old pre-electric start 300, and I would like to upgrade to a e-start.

If pushed I would also choose the 300TPI, just a tad worried about some reliability issues.

There are no reliability issues. Tman21 has it spot on.....just accept it from people who ride and race the bikes 

[BuRP]

@Mapog ,

You're going to do slow technical stuff and your surname isn't Birch?
300 then, low-rev lugging power and a surprisingly linear 'powerband', the latter not even remotely resembling the 'kick' of old.
If you're going to do fast MX with jumps etc then perhaps the X is for you, but a 300 can do this too I think.
You'll use the clutch a little less on a 300 which makes for a little easier riding.
Plus a 300TPI uses noticeably less fuel than the X when the revs are kept down, probably also on the faster stuff.
Besides all that, a happy button is lekker to have, keep that in mind.
So it basically depends on what you will use it for! 

[Dirt Junkie]

300 all day any day and has a large advantage when it comes to selling it in the future

[Rossdog]

Some interesting points on this comparison in the Roof threads last year. One of the comments, the way I read it, was that the KTM's nowadays take much more effort and money to get "Roof Ready" than the YZ250X. This might be more relevant to faster riders than the weekend class.

Out of interest, why would you say this? If you weigh more than about 85kg, you will need to work done on the suspensions of both bikes, but the YZ probably has a better standard suspension.

The YZ will need the same after-market protection as the KTM (pipe guard, back plate, hand/lever protectors, etc.). The standard chain guide on the Yamaha needs to be replaced, and as mentioned previously, it is trickier to install a fan, as the YZ has no battery. If I had another YZ, I would also add a linkage guard, which you don't need with a PDS suspension (as on KTM, but not Husky). The KTM also has a big advantage in having an electric leg. Believe me, there are times where you need this.

So in terms of price, the YZ is a winner, but about the same amount of preparation is need to get it race ready.

[2StrokeDan]

The X version of the YZ still remains an afterthought.

Yes its got slightly different gearbox, altered port timing and softened MX suspension (not a bad thing at all) but it is still a MX biased platform.  Im not the ave KTM fanboy however flavor of the month is a 300 TPI.

The TPI has an extremely linear power delivery with loads of torque, (think diesel in low range) making it very easy to ride and does not wear you down as easily when things become technical.  Nothing wrong with the YZ 250X but you get what you pay for.  Bad fuel range, rattles like an Isuzu (compared to counter balanced KTM platforms), MX chain guide with bulky design and a kickstarter.  Lack of electronics make adding fan or light slightly more complicated but still very doable.  (Linkage has its advantages but requires more maintenance)

At the end of the day you have to decide what your needs are and how far you can stretch the budget.

Some more reading here:
https://dirtbikemagazine.com/yamaha-yz250x-off-road-2-stroke-full-test/

However if you riding will include idling around in 2nd and 3rd gear the KTM will be a good choice. 
If kickstarting and 60-70Km fuel range wont bother you and you not planning on extreme enduro's the YZ will do a brilliant job too.

I have the old pre-electric start 300, and I would like to upgrade to a e-start.

If pushed I would also choose the 300TPI, just a tad worried about some reliability issues.

There are no reliability issues. Tman21 has it spot on.....just accept it from people who ride and race the bikes 

There were a few cases of the "wrong" 2stroke oil used, apparently, and according to E2R the pump cannot move the "thicker" oil, and engine damage resulted.

GJ on this forum lost a main bearing on a fairly new TPI.

[Tman21]

I was sceptical too at first when it came to TPI so stuck it out with my 4T's untill I felt more comfortable with actual real world reports.
Lots of people who I personally know on 2018 model TPI's with more than 200hrs without even doing the piston or in tank filter but on the other hand lots and lots of bikes that needed new barrels and pistons before 50hrs.

If you want TPI my recommendation is to find a low hour 2019 or go 2020.

If your budget is in the 40-50K area look for a 2014-16 KTM 300.  (I personally feel that 2014 was one of the goodies and for some reason the 2016's were by far the strongest - port timing and ECU upgrades)

And lots and lots of bikes with really high hours that are well kept, so rather go for an older one with lower hours.  There is a mint 2014 model on WD somewhere for 50K which would give years of great service.

On the other hand, a 40-50K wont easily land you with an "X" model as they only started in 2016 and you might find one thats been well used that will still cost you a bit in the near future.

In my experience (As a smouse and nearly 300 KTM's later) a poked 2T motor is the least  of your concerns.  7-10K (labor dependent) for a new motor and countless of hours with peace of mind.  But a tired chassis is what will cost you time, money and joy in the long run.

Well kept, lowest hours regardless of brand.  Both bikes 14+ ktm or YZ250X will be a great upgrade from where you are now.

[AfricaOffroad]

Love my Husky 300. Last of the carb models and I prefer the linkage to the PDS system. I will however admit to running YZ forks on it.

[2StrokeDan]

That is a beauty, AfricaOffroad!!

[AfricaOffroad]

Some more pics just for the hell of it.

[Tman21]

Well oiled machine tgat

[Gwilliams]

Some more pics just for the hell of it.

And no Vintage Factory Grafix - what gives?

[Rough Rider]

I personally would kill for a YZ125X

[katana]

Interesting.  I can agree to having a smaller bike building confidence better, but it wouldn't be the last bike I owned.

[2StrokeDan]

I personally would kill for a YZ125X

What a really great video, except for being a fantastic rider himself, he talks so much sense. So much.

[shark_za]

The 2020 300 is all that people say and more. It almost feels tame compared to older bikes until you measure overall average speeds and or compare it to where you used to ride.
Its faster than it feels. Smooth motor and power delivery makes it a winner. Cant compare it to a 250X really.
I'd do roof on my 2014 but would rather enjoy the 2020. There are 4 era's you still see out there, the pre 2011 with no kick start, the 12-16 era, the 17-19 with balancer and now the 2020+
You have to do suspension work on any bike you get out the box.  The 250X can compete against the pre 2011 and maybe be a better choice but its coming second when compared to a 2012+ thats still in good nick.

Kyle Flanagan knows he was at a disadvantage racing against the Sherco and KTM's at the last roof.

Just make sure that you get KTM to fix the leaking power valve cover on a 2020. Older ones did not have this issue.

[Roxtar]

No comparison, just buy the KTM...… honestly

[Tman21]

The 2020 300 is all that people say and more. It almost feels tame compared to older bikes until you measure overall average speeds and or compare it to where you used to ride.
Its faster than it feels. Smooth motor and power delivery makes it a winner. Cant compare it to a 250X really.
I'd do roof on my 2014 but would rather enjoy the 2020. There are 4 era's you still see out there, the pre 2011 with no kick start, the 12-16 era, the 17-19 with balancer and now the 2020+
You have to do suspension work on any bike you get out the box.  The 250X can compete against the pre 2011 and maybe be a better choice but its coming second when compared to a 2012+ thats still in good nick.

Kyle Flanagan knows he was at a disadvantage racing against the Sherco and KTM's at the last roof.

Just make sure that you get KTM to fix the leaking power valve cover on a 2020. Older ones did not have this issue.

2012 falls into the 08+ boat.  Still had the poor starter.

If you want a 300 carb buy the cleanest 13-18 you can find. (yes there are 18 carb models but rather scarce).
If you want a TPI (dont) buy a (18) 19 or 20.

Welcome to take my 19 for a spin if you in or around GP

[Crankshaft]

The 2020 300 is all that people say and more. It almost feels tame compared to older bikes until you measure overall average speeds and or compare it to where you used to ride.
Its faster than it feels. Smooth motor and power delivery makes it a winner. Cant compare it to a 250X really.
I'd do roof on my 2014 but would rather enjoy the 2020. There are 4 era's you still see out there, the pre 2011 with no kick start, the 12-16 era, the 17-19 with balancer and now the 2020+
You have to do suspension work on any bike you get out the box.  The 250X can compete against the pre 2011 and maybe be a better choice but its coming second when compared to a 2012+ thats still in good nick.

Kyle Flanagan knows he was at a disadvantage racing against the Sherco and KTM's at the last roof.

Just make sure that you get KTM to fix the leaking power valve cover on a 2020. Older ones did not have this issue.

2012 falls into the 08+ boat.  Still had the poor starter.

If you want a 300 carb buy the cleanest 13-18 you can find. (yes there are 18 carb models but rather scarce).
If you want a TPI (dont) buy a (18) 19 or 20.

Welcome to take my 19 for a spin if you in or around GP

@Tman21 net 'n vraag... hoekom se jy (don't)  Is daar iets fout met die tpi, of gee hulle probleme met injectors?  Of is dit maar net duur as dit kom by maintenance?    Ek vra maar want ek ry 'n 4T.