HI,
I have just returned a Gasgas EC250 due to it being a little bit too old and flakey. I am now 7 years out of touch with bikes (CRF250X, KTM EXC300, Gasgas EC400, DRZ400, CRM250AR, DR250 are my former bikes),
Being a bit wiser and older, I am now concerned about the quality of the machine (the Gasgas EC400 was a disaster, snapping a cam chain and busting the oil pump on consecutive rides).
Regarding, reliable 4 strokes, mostly advice follows that a DRZ, XR etc are the best bet. These bikes are not for me. I have raced once and enjoyed it very much and have also been happy trailriding a competitive bike. So light bikes are more interesting.
So what I want to know is, what is the most reliable of the competitive lightweight enduro bikes? TE310, WR250F, KTM EXC, Husaberg? From several hours of trawling forums, none seem to flag up as bulletproof with almost roadbike type servicing. I was hoping the Husqvarna would have benefitted from some BMW quality control, but nobody seems to be saying things like after 20,000 miles they are still on the original engine without major work etc...I found one exception - the BMW 650 X-Challenge, but at 144kg is just too heavy.
If I can't find anything I will happily revert to a better condition Gasgas EC250, as I like the handling on them, they are cheap, and replacing pistons does not scare me. But I would prefer a lightweight 4 stroke.
Have I pretty much found out that they don't really exist or is there a bike that I have missed?
Any help will be apprecited.
I didn't find the right solution from the Internet.
References:
http://www.trf.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=15555
Thank you.