EXC 300 or CRM 250AR

After a brief flirtation with an XR600 my inability to "get away" with 4 stroke dirt bikes has been confirmed (they don't smell right, slide as well or seem to make me laugh as much as strokers ) so the hunt is on for a 2 smoke.
Narrowed the choice down to either a KTM 300exc or a CRM 250 AR. Anyone had any experience or opinions of either.
I know the CRM is probably the more practical of the two but they seem to fetch daft money for what they are and ideally i want as much poke as possible (if I could find a nice road legal CR500 I'd be tempted ) hence the KTM.

TIA
Pigglet

CRM's are a lovely little tool, but are getting older and harder to get bits for. The suspension is only just adequate (IMHO) but they were only ever intended to be a trail bike. A well looked after example will command top money, as you have found, and a well sorted one will embarass more modern machinery with a decent pilot on board.
KTM 300's sound more like what you are looking for. Easy to get bits for, easy to upgrade if necessary. Very tractable bottom end, and a silly mid to top range for when you want the horizon brought closer Excellent suspension, can be set up by many of the off-road specialists to get it perfect for you.
If you are not familiar with KTM handling traits, they may come as a shock. Slow speed steering is very quick (a good thing in my book) and the headshake that scares the crap out of you the first time you back the throttle off after a long straight Seats are not quite as comfy as jap stuff (plank comes to mind) but make moving around on the bike a doddle.
Another bike to consider is the GasGas 300, more user friendly than the KTM, retains all the best traits, but with the edge taken off. Build quality has got better over the years. I would prefer one, but that's me.
HTH
Mark

I went to the NEC last week with a mate who is also my KTM dealer.

I was specifically looking at the 250 EXC-F but was certainly impressed at the 300 sitting alongside..

According to my mate/dealer,they go like utter stink and can outgone a 525 4-stroke !


Took a couple of pics with me phone :

Ha ha ha ha ha ...... I thought for a minute that you were asking if you should buy a CRM over a 300EXC. Having ridden both and owned a 300EXC I would say buy the widow maker (300EXC). Only consider it if you have some experience because they can be a propper handful. You can adjust the powervalve but what would you do that for?

A truley exciting and mad experience to ride, wheelies in most gears and slides or wheelies on command.

I fyou open the throttle like you would on an XR I would suggest you order new plastics now!!!!!

Personally bought a Husaberg 401 after the KTM because for a 3-4 hour enduro it was just too much. Like 10 rounds with that Mike Tyson bloke. The Husaberg was brilliant and far easier to ride, but never had the thrill of the Katoom. I actually made £200 when I sold it, even though I had it for almost a year.

Beware though cause they are premix not autolube, as such if your not on the throttle and slow down from high speeds alot, you can seize them through lack of oil (as it's carried in the fuel mix...ie no throttle = no lube). Mine did this. Not expensive to fix if you do the job yourself.

Buy a clutch saver for it if it doesn't have one already (the chains can snap and take the clutch cylinder out) and try not to wreck the plastics as they are quite dear. Other than that they are

choices

I loved riding Boggies GasGas300 at the Chester farm some years ago. Suspension was fantastic, especially across ploughed fields.
Much better than my WR.

If you want something like the XR600, the 300KTM is nearest. I had a CRM250, not the AR, loved it but when my riding got better, the suspension was the first problem area, just like a pogo.

From my experiance the 300EXC is too much if you are green laning, OK for an enduro if you really do have the skill, they are megger powerful and GREAT FUN.

I bought mine 6 mths old from KTM, and sold it 21/2 years later for the same money.

AJ

just traded my 05 300 for 06 525

BTW e/start is an option on the 07 300!!......loz

Got One

Went and test rode the KTM last night.....................
Yehaaaaaa
The biggest grin riding abike has brought on since selling my CR500.
Needless to say money changed hands and it arrives on friday.
Keep smiling to myself when i remember what happened when i pinned the throttle in 2nd
Cheers for all the info, I'll let you know if i manage to keep hold of it out ona proper ride on sunday

Enjoy!

And may I suggest that you invest in a decent back protector, if you don't already have one.
Mark