TE/TC Trying to decide between TE250 and TE300

Hi all,

I've been a 4T rider for the last 4 years and have decided to give a 2T a go. I'm 6 feet tall and weigh around 80kg. I've looked at the KTM and Husqvarna 250's and 300's but just can't make a decision on size, it's driving me mad! I have decided on the Husky though

Most of my riding is what I would term open single. Not wide open fire trails, but not completely snotty tight single either. I also LOVE long steep hills, that's about my favorite thing to see coming up in the distance on a ride. I've been lucky enough to ride a 2014 EXC300 and enjoyed it very much, I found it easy to ride, almost 4T like torque, and made me feel comfortable. Unfortunately I have never ridden a 250 and have no idea what they feel like.

One of my reasons for trying a 2T is that the 4T is a little "boring", and I'm concerned the 300 may seem similar. So I'm wondering, would the 250 be a better fit as it forces you to push it harder, or is that just completely wrong? Is the 250 a luggable bike, or do you need to ride it hard?

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Thank you!

I've got the 2015 TE300. Let me tell you why: The price was right.

Coming off a red 450, I too was looking to shake things up. After reading numerous posts about 250's versus 300's, I finally came to realize that the only way to really know which one I liked better would be to ride both of them. Since no one in my area had a 250 and 300 that I could ride back to back, I did the next best thing. I pulled the trigger on the very best deal I could find, engine size be damned. A dealer about an hour away had the TE300 for a great price OTD, so I bought it. If it had been a TE250, I still would have bought it.

Here we are 4 months later, I still haven't ridden a 250, so I don't know what I'm missing. It may be good, it may be bad, it may be a little of both, but I'm okay with that ignorance. All I do know is that I'm loving this 300! Install the red powervalve "Spring of Death" and 'boring' will be the very last word used to describe the bike. Sure it can lug, but it's got top end like crazy too. I'm not trying to convince you either way, because I don't believe you can make a bad choice between the two. Many guys buy a 250, knowing they can easily upgrade with a 300 kit later on. Even better, in my puny mind, is to start with a 300, and if you're still curious, buy a 250 jug from one of those guys who upgraded already.

I think you'll be happy either way. Both bikes are tractable, luggable, and super-tunable, and both can be ridden aggressively. It's a win-win for those looking at 2T's! Good luck!

Thanks for the reply guys.

sethmg, I'm glad you're happy with the 300. As I said in my post, the 300EXC was a lot of fun to ride, and I really was amazed how flickable the bike was. Being end of financial year here is Oz, and with the 2016 models fast approaching there are some good deals to be had on both the 250 and the 300. I can get the 250 for around $1000 cheaper, which gives me an idea......

LandofMotards, I think that's the way I'm going to go. I'll grab a 250, and with the savings pickup a 300 kit. It looks like a very simple installation, so for about the same money as a 300 I'll have 2 bikes

Go 300 and turn the power valve in if needed....

I've been riding a KTM 300 since 2009, can't say enough good things about it - hard to imagine I could ever get bored with it.
A few months ago I got to spend the day on a KTM 250 XC at Highland Park near Atlanta. Here are my thoughts:

1) The differences were less significant than I expected
2) The 250 feels lighter (it isn't)
3) The 250 revs quicker, it feels "lighter" on the throttle, a little happier at higher revs
4) The 250 feels racier
5) The 300 motor isn't as smooth, vibrates more
6) The 300 is a hill climbing monster
7) The 300 can torque along at low revs like a tank - I run mine a little on the rich side and have no over heating issues

all my opinion but there you go -- JP

I guess I could so that, and go the green spring as well, but it will never be a 250. I think I'm convinced to get the 250, as the 300 upgrade is only about $1000, which is pretty much the cost difference between the 250 and 300.

So the million dollar questions, were you itching to get back on your 300, or would you have happily stayed on the 250?

My wife told me to toss a coin, she's no help at all

that is pretty much correct go for the bike with the best deal, the new 250's 14's and up have allot more low to mid torque curve than the previous 250 models, talking about a stock bike just jetted correctly here.

The 250 I rode at Highland Park was a 2014. And yes I would agree with ggg, plenty of torque. I would say the 250 is more "fun", because it feels lighter and racier. I had to use more throttle control though as the 250 revved more freely - but jetting or getting a G2 throttle tube with different cams could change the feel. If you are a faster rider, I bet you would like the 250 better. It is probably the perfect bike if you could only have one bike and you like 2 strokes. In the end, can't go wrong with either!

I was orginally looking for a 250 and stumbled across a 300... personally they are close and mess with the powervalve and the 300 will feel like a 125 on crack if you want, which is how mine was....

I went with the 300 bc I thought it might cover the gaps in the TE tranny a little better.

That was my experience with the 2007 KTM XC-W 250/300. There wasn't much difference between the 2007 KTM 250 and 300. But the 300 did seem to cover the gaps just a bit better.

I have a 2014 Gas Gas 300 and my buddy has a 2014 Husky TE250. I felt the 250 had similiar power up top, but the bottom end was lacking. I had to really get on the gas to maintain the same momentum. The 300 just charges out of corners with a simple twist of the throttle. Hill climbs at low RPM there is no contest, the 300 is king and you better be on song with the 250. I can lug the 300 in 3rd through tight single track and rarely have to change gears, as with the 250 I am rowing through the gears quite a bit more and expending more energy.

Some say the 300 is for lazy riders and that is a bunch of crap. Nothing lazy about holding onto a 300 2 stroke. It just has a much more effective and usable power band. The bike allows me to focus on my line, be more efficient with my energy, and not worry about being in the perfect gear for a corner/hill climb. I can ride the 300 longer and with more precision. Unless you are an A rider who is screaming the 250 at song, I don't see a reason to buy one, and even then I am sure an A rider would be faster on the 300.

To me it is no brainer...300 without a doubt. I wouldn't be surprised if one day they keep the 200 & 300 and just do away with the 250.

just get the tee eee