Posted on the Thumper Talk Beta forum, but I thought I could get a more lively discussion here even tho many probably post to both. The subject line was kind of a hook, because I've been around long enough to know I will need to ride and make a decision on my own.
A little background: I celebrated the tenth anniv. of my 7th birthday plus one this past January. I have ridden YZ250 2T's since probably the early 90's with one 96 RMX for about 2yrs. I really like my 09 and would like it even better if I could wide ratio it as I had my 99, but it's getting difficult with the increasing popularity and the resulting cost. I'm 5'6" with a 29" inseam and the Beta looks to be better in the seat height department, plus the elec start would be a big benefit for a short legged guy. I have to admit one of the reasons the Beta looks better to me than KTM is the fact that most of the young guys I ride with are on Orange and have given me crap about ridding blue. In reading the different threads on both forums the majority of the discussion regarding the 250 vs the 300 is that they feel much the same, true observation? Will the added torque of the 300 make up for the snap the 250 provides? I do motocross a couple of time a year in the Oldtimers series and from what I have read either should work well in that format, anyone with a guess as to what I would miss in that venue? Take into consideration at my age there are no high flying antics, more old style MX.
For readers on the Wet Coast, I have two sons, one in the Seattle area and one in the Bellingham area. Are there any dealers that would be good to visit where I could get the opportunity to ride one or both? We have a dealer of sorts just 7 miles away in Whitefish, MT but they never have bikes on the floor and when I talked to them they did have a 300 coming in for a customer and would call me when it comes in. He mentioned riding it, but if it was my bike that I ordered I wouldn't want anybody riding it unless I was there and then it would depend on the gut feeling you get when you meet the other person.
Sorry for the long thread, but looking for all comments.
Thanks, Tom