2 Stroke 300cc as a novice bike?

[Bioflex]

I have quite a few bikes, many of which are VMX, with almost everything being a bit impractical for the average punter.
From 125cc Mx'ers to full blown 500cc machines, I prefer bikes a bit wild and a bit different to the norm.

IMO, there is nothing worse than going riding and seeing multiple people on exactly the same machine. To many of us, I am sure that is why the 2 bangers have an extra appeal. Sure, we would like them to be better appreciated and represented, but being the only one riding one in a group is still kinda cool.

Anyway, as I often go riding with friends, family and even females who don't have bikes, I have brought it upon myself to get one "hack" which basically anyone can ride - if nothing else it always means I have someone to ride with.

For the last few years this has been an Xr250.
IMO, this is the essence of a good 4 stroke. Extremely reliable, very easy to ride and requires little maintenance. While out riding on the weekend I realised that the XR does have a few issues. The first, an electric start would be nice - as there is nothing worse than seeing a beginner on the side of a hill struggling with a kick starter, the suspension does have some serious limitations and it is of course, very slow.

Nowadays, trying to find a replacement for this is almost impossible. Given the modern advantages that you should expect when upgrading, ideally I would like something that requires similar maintenance (or only a touch more) while being faster and more capable, however reliability is the main factor.
My first thought was a newer 4 stroke 250cc but with all being so "race inspired" these days I get the feeling while all would be faster, lighter etc, none would be near as trouble free.
Perhaps the Wr250f would be close but when considering this I thought, what about two strokes?

Lately, I have been hearing people rave about the newer 300's, heaps of bottom end power, easy to start, low maintenance and a spread of power which doesn't necessarily scare the shit out of you (assuming you take it reasonably easy).

Can anyone here compare a modern 250cc 4 stroke with a 300cc 2 stroke in terms of it's ability to lug, "feel" of the bike in terms of weight ( rather than actual weight) and general ease of use for a novice?
I know we usually associate these things we expert riders but from what I read, if given respect with the right hand, one could be ideal in this situation.

[miedosoracing]

Stock, a 300 2 stroke will scare any new guy or girl. It is a hopped up 250 2 stroke.  But that being said, it is easy to make a KTM 300 much more friendly.  Weight wise, it is a 250 2 stroke with a bigger cylinder.  Anyways, back to the dealio.  If you do get a 300, take the gray wire under the tank, and put a switch on it.  It is basically giving you two Maps. Seperated, it gives a much better smooth powerband for beginners.  second, get the spring that matching what you are wanting for power, KTM sells a couple different ones, that will help in the smoothing out as well.  Those things will make it much much more friendly to a newby.  A 250 KTM would be more comparible to a 250F though.  A 250 XCW will basically have the grunt you are looking for, I owned one, and you can do the same things as the 300 (map and springs).  a 300 is going to have more grunt than that of a 250F, more like a 450F grunt, almost. 

[MyckMcClung]

truth be told, I'd hang onto the XR, I've ridden several, and I know several guys that ride them and literally destroy everyone on them. They are older, former A class enduro guys, and the only mods are some minor suspension work. So they are definitely not slow bikes, maybe not as quick as others.
I have a 1999 KX125 that I keep on hand for my oldest boy and friends that want to ride. I know you're thinking no bottom and a screamer motor.....Nope
But here is a list of things I have done to it to make it more beginner friendly
1> Moose Torque spacer. This little guy lengthens the intake tract and produces more bottom end and smoother power spread.
2> 11 oz. flywheel weight
3> FMF turbine core 2
when I got the bike it only had 3 hours on the top end so I was reluctant to tear it down, but I would also have installed 2 high compression base gaskets. Doing so raises the timing ports and lowers the compression, the result is losing any violent hits in the powerband and makes it easier for mere mortals to start and ride.
I also left the suspension stock, it needs a rebuild, but the spring rates are even and for a fast 160 lb MX rider so it covers a pretty wide spectrum

[VintageBlueSmoke]

You cannot beat a KDX200...except with a KTM200.

These bikes are more forgiving than any 125 and are lighter and easier to ride than any 300.

Being a VMX guy, you can find older KDX's for dirt cheap and they are just as competitive as any off-road stead.  Remember, guys like Watts and Fredette won on them regularly.

[streaks383]

Point blank a 300cc 2T is not a beginner ride.  Mine has tons of bottom and a good spread just like a 4T. slightly less lug that a 450 but retains the whole rip my arms out if throttle control is not practiced and has worlds more lug than a 250 4T and a whole lot more power on top too.  The bike is super easy to ride if and only if the rider has enough experience to know and know well throttle control, if you can do that well then sir my YZ 300 is the easiest thing you have ever ridden, if you are going to let a beginner on it then expect to be replacing fenders frequently.  If you live near Ohio you are welcome to ride mine and see if it is right for you.

[eprovenzano]

I agree with streaks383, a 300 is not a bike for novice.  My son has been riding for many years, and unfortunatly too many years on quads...  he took my KTM 300 for a spin, the power surprised him.  He got a little cocky and flipped  the bike out from under him. The little spin cost me a new clutch lever, and for him a bruised and batteried ego...

[factoryX]

Well lets look at it this way, a works 250f($30,000 bike) will put out about 42hp, and a stock ktm300 puts out over 50hp stock. You do the math.

[Coop]

You cannot beat a KDX200...

I have had a couple XR250's and currently have an '03 KDX200. I would say the KDX is more compatible to an XR250 than a 300. However even the 200 will smoke an XR250. The KDX's have mellow smooth power, but more of it than an XR for sure.

[Larousse]

I on the other hand think quite the opposite of what most of the others here think. I think a 300cc 2-stroke very well can fit a novice rider. With that I don't mean a rider who has never ridden a bike before, but someone who has at least some experience of riding bikes. I have owned a Gas Gas EC 300 and compared to my RM 250, it really was like a teddybear. Nice and soft and easy to ride.

I mean of course it can be quite a handful when/if you open it up too much, but it also can be ridden very softly, using low rpm and just chug it along. And since it has that nice strong but soft low-end power it is much easier to control when the going gets tricky, than say, a EXC 250 which I have also owned. And that hydraulic Gas Gas clutch is just soo sweet.

So I'd say it's not the perfect bike for a complete novice, but for someone who has ever ridden a bike before I think it might be very good. This is just my opinion though.   

[TMKIWI]

NO.

If it was me I would just buy a KDX200 or KTM200.
Or buy a late 90,s 125 frame and put in either a XR200 motor ( I want to do this for the beach, just as a hack) or KDX200 motor.

I would not give my bike to a novice unless I had an ambulance handy.

[ford832]

I wouldn't consider the 300 to be a novice bike as such but I would say it's easier to ride and more forgiving of mistakes than the 125,200 or 250-in the KTM line anyway.For a straight forgiving trail bike though,it's hard to beat an XR or KDX.I used to have an XR250 and put extensive miles on a KDX 200.I'd likely be looking at either of these,unless I wanted the 300 for myself sometimes 

[TMKIWI]

To answer your original question, Yes a 300 can be lugged around all day with alot more bottom end then a 250.
But the problem is IF/WHEN they twist the throttle too much bad things will happen.
So you are better off buying yourself a 300 and getting a cheapy KDX/RMX/XR for your mates.
A 300 would be a waste of a good bike for a novice IMO

[ACMX]

Ford and Coop have the right idea

[Bioflex]

Thanks for the responses guys.
I hope I don't need to point out the fact I realise a 300cc smoker packs a crap load more grunt than a 4 stroke 250!

My queries related to how smoothly the power was delivered and it's ability to lug, as that is where the Xr shines.
None of the people that ride this bike would be complete beginners, just the type who don't ride regularly enough to really improve their skills.
The idea of the KDX isn't a bad one, but I may be better off to keep the Xr all things considered, just fix the suspension a bit.
Obviously I would be spending a bit of time on that bike, which is why the 300cc does interest me.

[MyckMcClung]

Ah yes the KDX200/220, I completely forgot about that little guy, and for good reason, I love that friggin thing!!
I also love the XR200 motor for a 4$T, when I think 4$t the XR, DR lines are what I think of as good 4$t's, reliable, dependable, low mantinance bikes.