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Not to derail this thread and Welcome by the way , but you mentioned your friend is sponsored and rides for KTM. I would think that he would have some valuable input to give you on what bike to get and should know your riding ability better than we do. Also you mentioned that he can get you greet deals on parts for your bike. Normally the deals on parts are for the same bike he would be riding unless he has a connection through a bike shop or something. Also again if he is sponsored by KTM, they normally can sell their bikes at the end of or mid season (depending on their sponsorship) at a great price. Have you talked to him about that? You can sometimes get a current year race bike for a great price. Other than that, I see you are 6'2" and have ridden a couple 250s and 230s. Can you remember what those bikes where and how you felt riding them? Where did you ride them? Once you get a bike are you hooking up with some friends to ride? Do they have current bikes that you can throw a leg over for test run? As for the KTM200, I rode with a guy a couple months ago that easily with gear on was pushing 280lbs. He was ridding a 2013 KTM200 in the open desert, but we were going up some tight rocky canyons and hill climbs and I swear he was on a 300. The bike tractored up everything with no problem and even though it was de-tuned and geared for the trees, it moved pretty well across the open desert as well. Good luck on finding a bike and enjoy the riding.
Not to derail this thread and Welcome by the way , but you mentioned your friend is sponsored and rides for KTM. I would think that he would have some valuable input to give you on what bike to get and should know your riding ability better than we do. Also you mentioned that he can get you greet deals on parts for your bike. Normally the deals on parts are for the same bike he would be riding unless he has a connection through a bike shop or something. Also again if he is sponsored by KTM, they normally can sell their bikes at the end of or mid season (depending on their sponsorship) at a great price. Have you talked to him about that? You can sometimes get a current year race bike for a great price.
Other than that, I see you are 6'2" and have ridden a couple 250s and 230s. Can you remember what those bikes where and how you felt riding them? Where did you ride them? Once you get a bike are you hooking up with some friends to ride? Do they have current bikes that you can throw a leg over for test run?
As for the KTM200, I rode with a guy a couple months ago that easily with gear on was pushing 280lbs. He was ridding a 2013 KTM200 in the open desert, but we were going up some tight rocky canyons and hill climbs and I swear he was on a 300. The bike tractored up everything with no problem and even though it was de-tuned and geared for the trees, it moved pretty well across the open desert as well.
Good luck on finding a bike and enjoy the riding.
