Adventure Bike Rider Forum

DesertX-MY25-Borse-Model-Preview-1050x650 by gary boy, on Flickr

PHO_BIKE_90_RE_2025-ktm-350-exc-f-90-right-side_#SALL_#AEPI_#V1 by gary boy, on Flickr

I recall an article in Dirt Bike mag back in the 1990s explaining why 350cc was the best size for a 4-stroke dirt bike.

Anything less than that, and there wasn't enough bottom-end grunt. Anything more than that and the gyroscopic inertia of the crank started to impact on the handling.

For the record, I once had a brief go on an old KTM 250 EXC, which used the barrel and piston from a bigger EXC to turn it into a 350. The owner said it was the best bike KTM never made...and he was right!

Nice .. good value too.
I don't like the colour orange, but that's not important compared with performance and weight .. and low cost.

In 2 years I could afford hp on that. I wonder if they'd keep it foe me

Red is the new orange

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375661003765 ... R_DjiYf2ZA

Beta and Gas Gas seems to be very popular in South Wales now.
I wonder if they are more stable
In the market place?

A modern Gas Gas is a KTM with red plastic...I know, I've gone one.

The actual pro riders I know who are free to choose their own bikes seem to mostly choose Beta these days.

Modern KTM quality is not what it was, frankly.

Touch wood, but my Beta, purchased second-hand, has had zero actual mechanical issues. The only spannering I've needed to do on it has been either routine maintenance, replacing wearing parts like the chain and sprockets, or fitting bits to make it into a better long-distance trials bike/conceal my inadequacies as a rider.

Thanks you, RS2 .
Hmmmmmm .. maybe I should be researching Beta.

Which one do you recommend for trail riding. ?
350 ?

I sometimes wish I'd taken your advice to get a Beta Alp4.
But there were suspension drawbacks. And the crf looked So perrty, is stronger and more long -egged .....
and I knew I would get HP from Thunderroad .. (wotever happened to them ? Lol.