Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've always had 2 strokes, but never purchased a new bike. I could never justify the price. After a few "surprises" with some used bikes (and me getting older and having more money), I decided maybe I would treat myself to a brand new bike. I always loved the Honda CR's and said, "When the bell rings, I'm gonna buy a brand new last year CR250!"
That day came in 2007 and boy the reviews were harsh about that bike. Slamming Honda for giving up on the bike, never getting it fully dialed in and simply re-stickering a model that hadn't changed at all in a couple years. I took a step back and thought, is this how I want to spend my money? Am I really going to "reward" Honda with my business when they abandon all two strokes in 2007? So I passed.
The KX, fell the same fate after that year. Another abandoned mill that hadn't changed. Even though I found some reasonable deals on 2007 models, I passed. I felt that someone like Yamaha deserved my money since just two years earlier they were "reinventing" their bike with an aluminum frame. But I was a Suzuki guy, I had owned two RM's, at the time Suzuki claimed to be supporting two strokes, rumors of an aluminum framed RM for 2008 were hot and heavy....so I waited.
2008...........drumroll.............bold new graphics. Ugh. Then the rumor mill was churning again about an aluminum framed 2009 RM. SO I waited. Drumroll..........................we are cancelling the RM250 line. WTF!!!!!!!!!!
I spent 2009 considering if I should just pour money into my current RM250 to make it what I want, or if I should spend my money elsewhere. At this point, both KTM and Yamaha were a bit stagnant as well and I just wasn't sure what to do. But finally, in 2010, I decided I wanted a brand new bike so I sold my RM.
As I was looking, I couldn't help but notice all of the 2008 YZ450F's, brand new, sitting on showroom floors for $4300 out the door. I also couldn't help but notice the MSRP had risen on an even OLDER looking YZ250. What to do, what to do. $4300 on a brand new 450F, or $7000 on a brand new YZ250? And the "older" 450 was actually "newer" in ergo's, style, design, suspension, etc... I really struggled and was seriously on the brink of getting a 450F just because I wanted a new bike.
Then I found the new redesigned KTM. The choice was clear. If I wanted a two stroke, I needed to support the people who build them. It was a no brainer. I never ever ever had a desire to be on a KTM, but I hunted down a 2011 KTM 250SX and happily spent $2400 MORE than the YZ450F's I was looking at.
I'm happy to be apart of the movement. These really are phenomenal bikes and I just couldn't see a 450F being my only bike. I'll admit, 250F's and 450F's are fun bikes. I've ridden both and enjoyed them. I grew up in the 80's when a "fast" 4 stroke just didn't exist. So part of me thinks these technological wonders are pretty cool, but then part of me knows that after a year or so - i would get teary eyed for the two strokes. So there is no point in fooling myself.
I'm just glad that in 2011, KTM stepped up to the plate and continued producing smokers as if nothing had changed. And I hope the big 4 are reading the writing on the wall. People will buy new two strokes. Then can jump back on board, or they can miss out.