[instigator]

I swapped bikes with my buddy who rides an 05 450exc while riding single track in Georgetown. now my friend can ride and will eat my lunch anytime he wants. But he was impressed with the snap of my bike and power band and I was unimpressed with his 450s sluggish seemingly slow response to everything. It felt like you had to be way up in the rrrs to see any kind of power and then that seemed tame. I also did not like the feel of the cockpit or the ergonomics of the bike. Now I know it's hard to get used to something new and I was quite used to my bike by that time but I am not impressed with KTM. Ride Red!!!

[prost]

Hondas and now KTM are the only bikes I would ever own. OK OK I did own a 2004 DR650 with 600 miles but I bought from a guy for $250 cause he buried it in a mud hole messed up the motor, I did a top end rebuild and it was like new. I grew up in Anna, OH where the new indoor track is, which is also right next to one of the Honda plants that builds the motors for cars so where I lived infuenced to go red, also my uncle had a ol CR480 which also influenced me. In High school me and one of my buddies would always do reports and presentaions on Honda versues Kawaski (buddy rode those piles of crap) That time period was also when McGrath was ruling and Lamson as well. Thats why I am a red rider.

Now why did I switch? Well my CRF450R was a awesome motocross weapon. I even tried a hare scramble but that bike beat the crap outa me during that race, I also did more time kick starting it than running. Now this past year I ran the West KY series came out 2nd for the year in the 250C class. Though along the way I had a couple of good crashes (bad). Now I am 27 yrs old I am not gonna be making a factory rig any time soon and for $35 at the track I maybe get 9-10 laps in on race day, yes it was fun. I am recently a new father, so now its how bad do I wanna mess myself up?
Other options trial ride with my old arse buddies which is a blast and do few hare scrambles or keep up the motocross get hurt again. Then I decided (which I went back and forth on for several months and still question as I write this) to get away from motocross for now and trail ride and hare scramble, so whats the best trail/ hare scramble bike?

Well KTMs are known to be woods weapons and this year they are street legal so I could go to the dual sport rides with my OLD buddies who all have plated KTM 2 on 525 and 1 on a 450.

Being as loyal Honda rider I always respected KTMs no other brands and now I own one. When my son grows up he will rider red or oraqnge no other. If he races motocross I may get back into it, but for now I have a blast playing in the woods where there are no 80' triples that scare the crap outa me but have to jump cause everyone else is.

[prost]

P.S. I must go now my friends over at ktmtalk.com and have tea and crumpets..

[nedirtbikr]

P.S. I must go now my friends over at ktmtalk.com and have tea and crumpets..

See you there! I am also nedirtbikr over there. Uh oh...did I type that out loud?

[palmrider230]

P.S. I must go now my friends over at ktmtalk.com and have tea and crumpets..

You mean NEW friends...

[Jim]

Yeah, I have to admit, when I saw the KTM was plated for CA, I was almost tempted to go over to the dark side myself. That is a big plus. But I am so deep into mods on my X, I don't want to start over. I am just getting used to my X and love it. Every year something new comes out that makes you want to trade up, but I would really like to wear this bike out first.

[nedirtbikr]

Every year something new comes out that makes you want to trade up, but I would really like to wear this bike out first.

So true...well put!

[Danny]

In my group I am the only Honda.I am out numbered 6 to 1.
they all ride KTM

[Beast Rider]

great justifications for why you ride what you ride. In our garage there is 1 blue,4red,1yellow and 1green they all serve a purpose. We are in the market for some new toys and the idea that the ktm is street legal in Ca. is a bonus although I have not checked the specs on this bike ( we tend to like power with minimal weight)it is now a contender even though it won't match my pink outfit. I really think that there should be a build a bike store because we all buy a bike and then replace everything but the frame so how is it that we are riding RED,BLUE,GREEN OR ORANGE! I think I am riding AFTER MARKET

[Vanrock]

Its just your personal opinion, at the moment i have an 2007 CRF250R and love it. But i can see my self in the future with a KTM if honda doesn't have something at the time but its only Red or Orange here.

Red Goes Faster, Orange goes fastest

Justin

[No. 9]

I can only imagine the debate over which bike is better andthen the forum will be clouded with riders of all colors. I can only offer this: ride what you like and stop whining it only leads to more hot air and less ride time

[cbutler]

SIX SPEED GOOD