Bum leg or not I would not want electric start! Most fast guys would remove this feature just because of the weight! I'm truly a KTM hater but if I had to choose between a KTM 200 (2 STROKE) and a Husky 4-stroke I would probably put a orange halloween pumpkin mask on and ride the KTM. If you want high revving fun grab a 2 stroke if you like low end grunt etc.. grab a 4 stroke. Both bikes are capable to have fun on and win, just really comes down to rider preference. To me the best overall bike for woods riding would have to be a 250 2-stroke. But thats me. Good luck!
You never stated what model & year you purchased! The TE's come with all the junk required to pass EPA (including a throttle stop, which does not allow full throttle !!). For the bike to actually run properly, you need to remove all the EPA stuff, install the JD Jetting, and then just go riding.
Sorry for the delay. This is a 2011 TXC250. It turned out to be 2 bad fuel pumps in-a-row. I removed all the EPA junk, now it runs & starts 100% as well or better than expected. I keep hearing about JD Jetting, Kawi injectors, etc, but I don't know how it could run any better. Idles great, mid range fine, top end rips. I have 2 buddies who are brainwashed on Honda, they both ride CRF250X's, essentially identical target-market bikes to this TXC250. Both were actually disappointed in their Hondas after riding the Husky. Their comments (2 different rides) where about the same, "power is about identical, but the Husky feels 20 lbs lighter." The real-world scales/specs say they weigh the same, so kudo's to Husky!
Another point. Altho the TXC250 is 40 lbs heavier than the KTM200XC-W, the 'weight-feel' is fabulous on the Husky. Is it heavier feeling. Yup. Is it distracting. Not at all. I'm older, slower, & end up picking the bike up way to much now, but I really don't sense weight being ANY issue. Here's what I've come to realize on Husky vrs KTM 1. Buy from whatever Dealer is closer, or you like better. 2. Buy a Husky if you don't wanna be just another Orange rider. I do get tons of attention, people asking me if I like it, 'looks great', etc. Got low self-esteem? Husky can help ya. 3. Husky is no better or worse than a 4-stroke KTM. I consider them the same bike, different color. 4. You're not gonna be faster on either bike. It's the rider that makes the difference, not the bike.
At least you did not jack in the Husky and got the problem sorted. But yup as long as you look after your bike it should be no different to the others, FI will take a while to sort out every bike has had issues with it.
In all fairness these are 2 completely different bikes. The Husky is street legal! And a TE is not really a racebike. And a 2-stroke is not a 4-stroke. Why not look at a Husky with the 144 kit!! Way cheaper then the KTM and ALOT better bike and better looking then and orange POS. Dude you should go back to KTM if you really feel this way about your Husky. The fuel injection I understand does get better with the newer Husky's, but do not expect to be harsh to a Husky on a Husky website without explaining your reasons a little. I understand. I will ride a Gasser this year and if I do not like it, I will not complain about it. I will take it in the shorts and jump ship back to what has always worked for me, been bullet proof, fast etc... A Husqvarna............ The KTM is light for a reason. It is junk.................
So, they win virtually every off-road race series because they are junk? I'm a Husky guy; I have 2 of them, and zero KTMs. I love my bikes. But to say that KTM is junk? KTM makes good bikes, and they have proven over and over and over again that they are fast, capable, and tough. Extreme enduro 2012: http://www.kingsofextremeenduro.com/koee-2012-ranking/ Of the top 20, 15 are KTM/Husaberg. Junk? Don't think so.
Come on guys, trying to keep Cafe Husky a nice upbeat place... every bike / manufacturer has their own charm.
Yeah, the amount of KTM bashing on CafeHusky is getting a little tiresome. Although I love my WR250, I also have a KTM 200 and it is a great bike. In fact I usually race the 200 because it is at least 20 lbs lighter than my WR and that make a huge difference to me toward the end of a long enduro like Idaho City. I put 40 racing hours on it last year and it never missed a beat. I also have a KTM 950 Super Enduro that is the most fun big dual sport I have ever ridden, period...and it is not junk.
Update Oct 2012 Went riding in Wisconsin on some faster trails (3rd-5th gear stuff). The Husky ran perfect, and fast. I got in a high speed freight-train with 2 young moto guys riding 2-strokes, a YZ125 & a YZ250. We were dicing for 1/2 an hour, all flat out, blitzing corners, all going the same speed. I couldn't pass any of them, they couldn't pass either of us. The only passes made were when one of us would blow a corner. It was probably the greatest rollercoaster twisty trail-race ever, and the TXC250 stayed right in the mix. BTW - They couldn't shake the 'heavy, slow, electric-start' enduro bike, with a 51 year old at the helm. They gave me some props, & tons of street 'cred!
The Future: 1. I will buy a second bike in the future, once 2-stokes come w/ oil injection. I always enjoy having a spare bike to lend to someone who I can introduce to the sport, or who can't afford a bike. 2. I have gotten to the stage in life where I can see each bike for their strengths, not a polarized 'this-bike-is-better-than-that-bike'. 3. Now that Huskies are white-KTM's, I see only a better future. More Dealers, more accessories available, tho less unique. It will still be years of uniqueness before there's a ton of Husky's on the starting line. 4. I do see the future of off-road events being 90% Orange & White bikes, tho . . . and that ain't all bad (except for my Honda buddies) Throttle up, Brothers ! Fearless Fred
