Considering moving from orange to red, please help

I've been on an '05 KTM 300EXC for a full year now. It's been my 1st off road bike and I've been happy with it. I mostly ride tight woods and enduros. It's lightweight, powerful and fun to ride. Being a 2 stroke, would there be any advantage to trading it in for an '08 310TE? I'm 6'2" and an athletic 225 lbs. I'm very intrigued with the EFI and the ergonomics on the Husky. Thanks in advance.

I just got a 09 TE310 (had KTM 200EXC), it's nice. The Husky is a little bigger & heavier and real smooth. I like it a lot, no regrets

Chalk and cheese bikes, both good machines. The 310 will be the more foregiving ride and will see you throught the day in better shape physically. the 310 is later technology and will provide slightly better ergs/handling and refinemant than the older KTM. The 310 itself is a very tractable small bore, think in terms of a 250 on roids rather than a sleeved down 450. I ride my brothers 09 310 a fair bit and love it I am about 235 pounds and it has enough poke to take me anywhere with ease.

Te 310

If you want come down to south jersey and you can ride my 310. It's set up to for Enduros.

I agree with Motosportz. I think you should try VERY hard to ride a TE before you switch. It is a different beast completely. VERY different.

Not only are they different to ride, but the build quality of a Husky is not the build quality of a KTM.

I had a 98 250 exc, still have an 06 200 xcw and just bought an 06 TE 450.

Yesterday, I took off the blinkers and dug into the electrics on the Husky. I cannot believe how many connectors and wires that I broke taking off the headlight. Very, very light wires, mis-matched lengths (so if I pulled on a connector, the long wire broke off).

I do really like riding it, but I suspect that every time I dig into it for maintenance, the build quality of Husky vs. KTM is going to be irritating.

05 is a really good year for KTM. Strong engine, good suspension, blah, blah, blah.

The one thing that I do really, really like about the Husky, is that I am 6'3" and the Husky is a tall bike. After adding risers, tall bars and low pegs, I think I will have a very comfortable bike to ride (if someone made a comfy, tall seat for it......)

I would think long and hard about getting rid of an 05 300.......

Gee thats an interesting observation, re quality of the Husky V's KTM. My 06 has an excellent harness and has had not one electronic issue ever. I really believe (apart from the side stand) that the quality of the bikes are at the least pari pasu or the Husky just shades the KTM. Going ahead to the latest bikes it is clearly no contest. KTM have dropped the quality control bundle big time in the past 2 years. This is not hearsay. I ride with a lot of mates who have them and they are constantly having crank case seal issues etc (2 have been back 3 times for the casings to be split, machined and replaced.
Then there is the head shake but lets not go there as it is only an opinion and not a KTM beat up, really, but Husky quality is pretty darn good and has been since circa 2003/2004 imho.

Yep, coming off a 300 \ 250 2t to any 4t is gonna be a big difference engine wise ...
Did you ever get to ride a 4t for comparison?

Unless you're willing to go to an aftermarket box - the 08 series of EFI has limited adjustment to the fueling baseline vs 09+.

It will also only accept a new EFI value while running and with the o2 sensor in. This really slows down the process and (IMO) makes the system more difficult to gain experience with.

MAT

My mates are ktm riders that both they and i agree that the husky is far more stable on rocks. The ktms are too skittish in the front end for me personally.

At least get yourself some seat time on a Husky. I think you be very suprised on how well they balance, turn, put the power down, and in general "feel". My son had two KTM's both 08's him nor I could get along with the handling and general feel of the KTM's. He like me now rides Husky. If the 310 4-stroke doesn't suite your riding style look at the WR's.

I just sold my 05 300exc without a doubt the best offroad bike I've owned.I think that was one of the best years for the 300.As far as the 4st goes,2 different animals.I've always had at least 1 of each flavor at the same time.I would dualsport/practice on the 4st,and race the 2st.I have rode raced both and they both have their own advantages.My personal opinion is that the KTM 300 is the best of both worlds as far as being able to lug and short shift or pull your shoulders out of the sockets if that's your choice.The power to weight ratio is awesome,I'm thinking I should have kept it.

opinions are like @#!#$%@ But sorry KTM guy Husqvarna build quality to me is superior to the KTM's. The last few years the ktm's seem to have more problems and you could talk to your blue in the face and would NEVER convince me that their engine is as durable as a huskys. If husky had had a bigger checkbook and more smarts they would be where KTM is today and ktm would be bankrupt and done as they should have been.I believe in 1991.

I double that Fletchman45.

RVC7 I see you live in NJ. Give Bob (owner) at Central Jersey Cycles a call they have a track out back and you may be able to set up a ride on a Husky. I think a ride will be worth a thousand words.

I agree with fletchman45, ktm went broke in 91, but they have bounced back. Husky do need to spend up. i have mates on ktms and they can get anything with ktm on it, clothes, cups, shoes, bottle openers, you name it and its all so cheap. Ktm have created a culture! Husky kinda has merchandise but the prices are too steep! Now that BMW own it i think they will bounce back, however are they going to go for an exclusive premier club or going to appeal to joe average like KTM have??? Comments:

I hope they plan to "appeal to joe average like KTM"

If the measure of success for Husky is how much NON-bike related shirts, umbrellas, coffee cups and other USELESS STUFF they sell... I'll quit riding Husky. Please Husqvarna, concentrate on the bikes... most REAL Husky fans couldn't give a $hit about tee shirts.

So not wearing a husky shirt makes you a real fan?? It may be useless stuff to you, but it has marketing potential for Husky. Think about it. More husky stuff out in the public gets people curious about the brand, potentially new husky riders meaning more financial success in the market. more revenue means better spending on technology/developement Ive been a husky fan for over 15 years and am not in the closet about it. Wearing a husky shirt or hat with mates on other brands, making fun of each other. Its no different wearing your favourite football team's jersey, you like them, you're proud of them so you buy some of their merchandise.