Dirtbiking in Colorado

[colorider]

The ktm 300exc is a brilliant colorado woods weapon. However, a real pain to get streetable.

[Rabid]

The word is, now that the guy that owns KTM is now the owner of the Husqvarna brand too, the Husagerg brand will soon be phased out.

Had not heard that, i am sure they will bring what makes the Husaberg line great to the Husaqvarna line. I always wanted a Husaberg with a linked rear suspension, maybe we will get something like that.

[wctriumph]

If I had any cash to start a business, I would open up a Husky dealership. There are none in Colorado at this time. BMW tried to force dealers to take on more than the market would bear and all three dealers said good by to Husky. Now that they are associated with KTM and their successful business model, this is a great opportunity to bring in a great brand and rebuild it in CO.


TEA

III

[Danimal]

You want something with low end grunt if you are planning on trail riding, and while a fly wheel on a two stroke is better than one without, they are just tougher and less capable than four strokes. Don't get me wrong I love two strokes but they shine on sand dunes rapped out flying through the air, not in low speed turns on rocky trails. IMO if you have to trailer it to the trail, you might as well just get a jeep and do that instead. Not having to license store and pull a trailer or load and unload the bike in your truck every time you want to go riding is way worth it. Plus insurance for my bike is $3 a month Getting something street legal is where it is at, and it makes the journey that much more fun. All the race bikes are cool to ride, but the maintenance intervals are too high so if you start really getting into riding you will be rebuilding it constantly. The smaller four strokes will feel gutless no matter what terrain you are on. Mid size fours, like the WR426 and WR450 mentioned earlier are great on the trails, but on the street at highway speeds they feel a little lacking and squirrely around town(not bad but just by comparison to other options). The bigger four strokes like the 650s are a little heavy for extended trail use.

The one bike that I have ridden that really stood out as an all around best of all worlds was the KTM 525 EXC. It has the power, the quality components and since 2007 came factory street legal. The weight, power and balance really is impressive. I would throw one of those into a lineup and test ride all of the street legal four strokes.

[def90]

I like the street legal idea as I could just drive up the canyon to Ned, top off the tank and then hit some trails. Traillering isn't the end of the world but..

Should I be able to find something a couple years old in the $4k range that is worth buying?

Think I need to start visiting a few shops here and there for info.

[XC700116]

You should be able to find a good bike you can get plated for that kind of money. My buddy paid 3800 for his 07 525 about 4 years ago. You can get a tricycle with a weed whacker motor on it plated in co so pretty much anything is on the table. What danimal mentions about 2 strokes is pretty solid with the exception of the KTM 300's they truly are in a class of their own. That said, they also hold their value incredibly well so you probably aren't going to find a really nice one in your price range. You'll want to look ar KTM 450 and 525/530/500's, yamaha wr 426/450's, honda crf450x's, and Suzuki drz400's the drzs are a bit low on power and don't have that great of forks on them though but have gigantic following in the dual sport world and thus very large aftermarket support options. Also one of the world's best drs tuners/motor builders is in Longmont.

In general KTM's are more expensive but imo they offer what none of the Japanese bikes do in a factory package too, all out woods bikes from the showroom floor.

For 4k I'd look for 05 and newer 450/525/530 xc-w's or exc's pre 07 the exc is the same bike as 07 and newer xc-w's. 07 and newer exc's are 50 state street legal from the dealer which means carb compliant for Cali. That equates to stopped up exhaust high gearing and lean jetting. All easily fixed and it is probably done by the previous owner if buying used anyway.