- Joined
- Aug 28, 2006
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- 7,670
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- Location
- Hilton KZN
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- Boss Hoss (all models)
I have been wanting a light fun playbike for a while now, but took ages to make up my mind as to what would be the most appropriate bike for me. You know the old saying about buying in haste and repenting at leisure and all that.
My search was finally narrowed down to 3 bikes, all of which were very similarly priced (and available 2nd hand) and all 3 of which I tested.
These were:
Honda crf 230 - this bike looks like a great little easy to maintain playbike and it seems to be hugely popular and very capable. The fact that it is 4 stroke initially appealed, ie no hassling with mixing oil in containers etc, also it is air cooled so less to go wrong. The bike is also very light and nimble and easy to ride.
The only problem with the bike is the very uninspiring performance of the motor. Don't get me wrong, I know in the right hands, ala Wild Will Gillet, he will put most other more powerful bikes to shame, but the fact is, I am not nor will ever be in his class as a rider. After riding this bike I decided that I needed something a bit perkier in the performance department, so the crf and the ttr were ruled out.
KTM 200 XCW - a friend of mine had one for sale in a reasonable condition, it had been raced a bit, but the engine seemed ok. This bike looks great and does not need any extra's like after market exhausts or valves. It is the weapon of choice for most enduro riders here in Kzn.
Riding the KTM was awesome, and like chalk and cheese compared to the crf. The bike just wants to go. The only negative for me in terms of riding the bike was the somewhat narrow power band. It felt like out of the power band it had nothing, and in the power band the front wheel just wanted to lift. A great little bike though and I am sure I would have quickly got used to the power band and no doubt loved it.
A major factor that put me off the KTM, and please can this not be construed as brand bashing, coz it's not, they are great bikes, is the cost of spares. A quick comparison between 2 parts that I would quite likely have to buy in the future, a piston and rings set.
KTM 200 - R2 826
KDX 200 - R595
which brings me to my last option,
KDX 200. When I told my younger brother, who has raced KTM's for quite a few years, that I was looking for a bush bike, his immediate recommendation was a KDX 200. He reckoned they are no slower in enduro's than the kTM's, second, I will not even notice that the suspension is not quite as good as the KTM's, and lastly the engine of the KDX is bullet proof and cheap to maintain.
This advice fitted in with what a lot of poster's on this forum, including Shark ZA had said, so thanks guys, appreciate all the comments and help.
On the ride, the KDX is great fun, also has a pretty wild power band, probably not as radical as the KTM, but still goes really well. The KDX that I looked at (and ended up buying is a 2005, never been raced, has full FMF gnarly pipe, Hyde bash plate and swing arm and exhaust protectors already fitted), and was in perfect condition. It came with complete MX plastics as well as all the standard plastics brand new in the box.
My KDX:
I have only taken it for one ride so far, but man this bike is fun. I live right next to the plantations, so no need to trailer the bike anywhere as off - road riding opportunities are endless.
My KLR is looking a bit miffed and out of sorts at the moment, a younger more exciting steed has arrived.
My search was finally narrowed down to 3 bikes, all of which were very similarly priced (and available 2nd hand) and all 3 of which I tested.
These were:
Honda crf 230 - this bike looks like a great little easy to maintain playbike and it seems to be hugely popular and very capable. The fact that it is 4 stroke initially appealed, ie no hassling with mixing oil in containers etc, also it is air cooled so less to go wrong. The bike is also very light and nimble and easy to ride.
The only problem with the bike is the very uninspiring performance of the motor. Don't get me wrong, I know in the right hands, ala Wild Will Gillet, he will put most other more powerful bikes to shame, but the fact is, I am not nor will ever be in his class as a rider. After riding this bike I decided that I needed something a bit perkier in the performance department, so the crf and the ttr were ruled out.
KTM 200 XCW - a friend of mine had one for sale in a reasonable condition, it had been raced a bit, but the engine seemed ok. This bike looks great and does not need any extra's like after market exhausts or valves. It is the weapon of choice for most enduro riders here in Kzn.
Riding the KTM was awesome, and like chalk and cheese compared to the crf. The bike just wants to go. The only negative for me in terms of riding the bike was the somewhat narrow power band. It felt like out of the power band it had nothing, and in the power band the front wheel just wanted to lift. A great little bike though and I am sure I would have quickly got used to the power band and no doubt loved it.
A major factor that put me off the KTM, and please can this not be construed as brand bashing, coz it's not, they are great bikes, is the cost of spares. A quick comparison between 2 parts that I would quite likely have to buy in the future, a piston and rings set.
KTM 200 - R2 826
KDX 200 - R595
which brings me to my last option,
KDX 200. When I told my younger brother, who has raced KTM's for quite a few years, that I was looking for a bush bike, his immediate recommendation was a KDX 200. He reckoned they are no slower in enduro's than the kTM's, second, I will not even notice that the suspension is not quite as good as the KTM's, and lastly the engine of the KDX is bullet proof and cheap to maintain.
This advice fitted in with what a lot of poster's on this forum, including Shark ZA had said, so thanks guys, appreciate all the comments and help.
On the ride, the KDX is great fun, also has a pretty wild power band, probably not as radical as the KTM, but still goes really well. The KDX that I looked at (and ended up buying is a 2005, never been raced, has full FMF gnarly pipe, Hyde bash plate and swing arm and exhaust protectors already fitted), and was in perfect condition. It came with complete MX plastics as well as all the standard plastics brand new in the box.
My KDX:
I have only taken it for one ride so far, but man this bike is fun. I live right next to the plantations, so no need to trailer the bike anywhere as off - road riding opportunities are endless.
My KLR is looking a bit miffed and out of sorts at the moment, a younger more exciting steed has arrived.
