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Offline asr524

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250sx vs 250xc
« on: January 22, 2013, 12:42:25 AM »
I hope I  don't start a war with this question but,

What bike is the better choice KTM 250SX or the 250 XC?

I'm a short guy (5'3") and light (135lbs) so i really like the e start option. I also like the clear tank of the XC since its easier to see fuel level.
I used to have a 01 KX 250 and did some racing with it and was usually mid pack and higher in the 250C class. Im not really sure how much racing i would do again but some track time on practice days would happen occasionally as well as some trail rides.
Ive never had a dialed suspension at all. Never once have I changed a spring, even though i wish i would have multiple times.

Im looking into getting a new bike and these two at the top of the list and cant really decide which is better for me.   
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline ford832

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2013, 01:47:07 AM »
Conventional wisdom would say the XC.I've had both and in my case,much preferred the SX,even in the woods.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline Stusmoke

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2013, 01:52:23 AM »
I'm gonna say the sx. Yeah its got a small capacity black fuel tank but other than that its the same bike. Gearing, gear ratios, everything else is the same. I can't remember if the XC has a light or not though... Anyway SX because it can do both really well and the XC is more of an enduro/trail bike therefore it will have softer suspension.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline TMKIWI

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« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2013, 06:15:52 AM »
I'm gonna say the sx. Yeah its got a small capacity black fuel tank but other than that its the same bike. Gearing, gear ratios, everything else is the same. I can't remember if the XC has a light or not though... Anyway SX because it can do both really well and the XC is more of an enduro/trail bike therefore it will have softer suspension.

Wrong.
The XC has the SX engine with a wide ratio box and 18" rear wheel.
The EXC has a different engine configuration,wide ratio,lights, different suspension etc.
I think the XC has more mx type suspension then the exc.?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline oppenheimer77us

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2013, 07:15:17 AM »
Sounds like the XC is the perfect bike for you, E-start, very track worthy (not like the SX but still a fun track bike) and a great trail/off-roader. If you really wanted to moto it some suspension work would probably be in order.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline Stusmoke

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2013, 10:12:09 AM »
I'm gonna say the sx. Yeah its got a small capacity black fuel tank but other than that its the same bike. Gearing, gear ratios, everything else is the same. I can't remember if the XC has a light or not though... Anyway SX because it can do both really well and the XC is more of an enduro/trail bike therefore it will have softer suspension.

Wrong.
The XC has the SX engine with a wide ratio box and 18" rear wheel.
The EXC has a different engine configuration,wide ratio,lights, different suspension etc.
I think the XC has more mx type suspension then the exc.?

Really? I thought the XC was a closed course competition bike and had the SX engine exactly the same. Ok my bad.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline citabjockey

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2013, 03:46:35 PM »
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline Stusmoke

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2013, 07:05:32 PM »
I'm gonna say the sx. Yeah its got a small capacity black fuel tank but other than that its the same bike. Gearing, gear ratios, everything else is the same. I can't remember if the XC has a light or not though... Anyway SX because it can do both really well and the XC is more of an enduro/trail bike therefore it will have softer suspension.

Wrong.
The XC has the SX engine with a wide ratio box and 18" rear wheel.
The EXC has a different engine configuration,wide ratio,lights, different suspension etc.
I think the XC has more mx type suspension then the exc.?

Really? I thought the XC was a closed course competition bike and had the SX engine exactly the same. Ok my bad.

http://www.ktm.com/us/enduro/250-xc-usaeu/technical-details.html#.UQA1FWfCeFs
V.
http://www.ktm.com/us/enduro/250-xc-w-usa/highlights.html#.UQA0mWfCeFs

You were right. My bad, got model confused.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline scotty dog

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2013, 09:40:29 PM »
I would go with the XC if you only plan on doin practice days here n there and not goin to race full on. The clear tank, wider ratio and electric leg would be the benefits over the SX in your case though i think. Good luck  ;)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline oppenheimer77us

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« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2013, 10:16:20 PM »
Another benefit of choosing a bike with linkage is you can get a lowering link if you need to drop the bike. I think the kick/E-start, six speed tranny and linked rear suspension would sell me on the XC. The weight difference is E-start, muffler, gearbox, kickstand, and fuel tank compared to the SX, all heavier on the XC. That go button would make it all worthwhile but that's just me.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline ford832

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2013, 10:44:56 PM »
I've never understood why everyone seems to want a wide ratio trans-I always hated it.It's likely great for fireroads or desert but for woods or track,you're much better off having a tighter gear spacing so your not razzing it to catch the next gear or lugging it and working the clutch to get to the next.When I had mine,that was my biggest complaint,followed by the excessive weight of the flywheel.I ended up having it machined down.When I traded it for the SX,all was right again. :)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline SachsGS

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« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2013, 12:29:12 AM »
A nice thing about a low (XC) first gear is if you are completely exhausted it will always drag you out of the bush. Nothing worse then being so tired you can hardly stand and trying to clutch a high mx 1st gear out of tight terrain. For occasional motocross you can juggle the final drive sprocket ratios to get the spread you want.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline Stusmoke

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2013, 12:41:15 AM »
XC is a good choice then. Couple of things though: You should take the light off for track days cos it may very well get broken by roost. Some tracks won't let a bike on if it has a kickstand also, so you might need to take that off too. Other than that you wont have too much trouble I shouldn't think.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline ford832

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #13 on: January 23, 2013, 01:05:21 AM »
The e-start looks like it costs 15 lbs or so.

Even if there was some other advantage I don't see,this would be a deal breaker for me.15 lbs is huge.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline Stusmoke

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250sx vs 250xc
« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2013, 03:58:29 AM »
Thats around 7 kgs for a bloody es? Thats bollocks. If you're dead set on a magic button, maybe a 250SXfs would fit it? If so is it ligher? (I'd bet my left nut it is considerably lighter). If so then just buy the XC, ask around at wreckers for a 250SXFs starter and ask them if they would trade the XCs for the SXFs.

I agree with Ford though. It would most definitely be a deal breaker for me. If there was no alternative and I was still set on the XC, I would just take it off. Two strokes are meant to be light and they are easy as pie to start (If tuned correctly) anyway.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »