2008 KTM 250 SX-F vs. XC-F

[austin szenina1]

Im looking into getting a KTM four stroke 250, and want your opinion for which bike would be better for my riding style. I'll be mainly racing offroad (sand, singletrack, rocks) in C-class, and will probably have this bike through B-class, and maybe even A. The 250 SX-F is a 6 speed, is said to be motocross, and is the lightest bike in the 250 motocross lineup. The EX-F or whatever it's called is a 5 speed, and Is 10 pounds heavier than than the SX. Both bikes are exactly the same suspension wise, which I'll end up changing anyways. I don't really want electric start for the weight, but my dad says the 5 speed will be way better for my needs. Anybody have an answer?
Thanks in advance!

[MattBennett23]

It probably depends on how much work you want to do to it. A MX specific bike is setup for motocross, not the kind of riding you are talking about doing. An offroad bike, like the EXC or XC-F models would be setup more for the riding you intend to do.

That said people have been making excellent offroad bikes out of motocrossers for decades. It takes work, but you can get an excellent light weight bike. People had been making Honda CRs, Suzuki RMs, and Kawasaki KXs into off road bikes for a long time. They even made more offroad ready versions of the bikes such as CREs, RMXs, and KDXs. Generally you need different gearing, different suspension, more protection, etc...

If I were you I would start with an offroad bike and make it race ready. This is much easier than taking an MX bike and making it offroad ready. It's a whole different world, and KTM did it for you already. The weight issue is there but by the time you add the things you need to ride a MX bike offroad you have added weight anyways.

Personally, if you want to go KTM, Id get an EXC or and XC model. These bikes are setup for offroading and enduro racing. If you are worried about weight they offer a 250cc and 300cc offroad based two stroke that are lighter than the 4 strokes. Leave the motocross bikes to motocross, KTM has already made a bike for offroad...

[Hondacrfrider]

wait, so your not looking between that honda and kawi any more? and you want a ktm now instead? well let me share my knowledge...
the exc is a dual sport, and the xcf is a trail bike, and the sx is the motocross bike.
And have you ever thought about maybe getting a 2 stroke? they do really well in technical riding and in rocks or over logs. i have a crf250r and a ktm 144sx and i prefer the 144 when trail riding because it is easy to start, doesn't stall much, and is light weight

[Hondacrfrider]

so what did you end up getting?

[austin szenina1]

wow, haven't been on here forever but felt like replying! i ended up finding an 09 KTM 150sx for sale, and it was the only one for sale in all of AZ! It's been the best bike i've ever had, and in my last race i had this season i got 13th place, so next year i'm moving up to B class with it.