250 vs 350 - Which bike Is Best For You?

[@breeno59]

I recently bought a close out 24 FE 350w primarily to have a loaner bike for out of town friends and in service to the N+1 principle ... I took it out to our local single track last weekend while a buddy rode my 24 TE 300 and was very pleasantly surprised at how much fun that thing was! The 24 chassis and suspension are so good and the engine (still stock, GET ECU arrives this weekend) was super fun in the woods. I still prefer the 300 for the woods but that 350 is a joy to ride for sure and could totally see taking it "just because" on any given weekend. Really love how it delivers the power - I felt like I could ride it all day and not get fatigued at all.

[@OdysseyOffroad]

My buddy has the same bike it's great. Unfortunately 2025 they got rid of that lineup and now the only four-stroke Enduro bikes you can get have street tires and turn signals and mirrors so you have to strip the bike and swap the tires in order to get the same bike anymore

[@rodneystewart4312]

Right away I noticed that the video quality was terrific , love the sound of the 250 ,great trails . Thanks

[@PNWEnduro]

Thanks. I actually think the video quality on this one isn’t great as I’m using an older camera. Next video I’ll be using a brand new action cam so both audio and video should be significantly better.

[@ramonsuarez1893]

What a nice place to ride. It reminds me of the summertime surroundings of Mexico City. Anyway, I now live in Texas, and this is my second season with a 250 XCF. It's a love-hate relationship. I love how it handles and how it pulls you into riding her fast, but on the other hand she hates being ridden slow and usually when that happens is because I get tired, which snowballs into getting more tired because of her manners. As much as I like this bike, I've decided to go back to a 300 enduro. I think this is a more energy-efficient bike.

[@nickjpass]

Been waiting for this video! Hoping you post a sweet "RAW" style video soon filmed from the sidelines!

[@deancooper5513]

Whilst the 300 2T is a great all rounder for trails, there is always the question of 'over-biking' by thinking the bigger bike is the best option. Most find when they ride a smaller capacity bike they become aware of the benefits (less weight, flickability, etc) but when you can only have one bike then its hard to overlook a 300 2T or 350 4T. But small bore bikes are very capable, and should not be overlooked as a primary bike.

[@mixalis6168]

Small bores also go with rider, whos wanting to rev, rev them to get best out of them !

[@joshpodolsky7740]

When I was looking to upgrade from my 2011 530 I wanted a low hour used 17+ 350 but told myself if there was a good deal on a 250 i wouldn't say no. I do not regret that decision, I added a 7 oz clutch weight and geared it down to 12-52 and I almost never stall it. It just revs and revs and revs, it's crazy. It's got enough power yet doesn't rip your arms off and low rpm.

[@wednesdar452]

PNW rips the sopping wet with no fear!!

[@mixalis6168]

As an older rider, 350 for me, 250 needs to be ridden harder in my opinion! But, as you say, they are both great bikes, and not one is a bad choice !

[@juniormissle]

Nice vid! Dirt bikes are fun -- pick your poison, A guy can have fun on almost anything with the right attitude. That said, once we know what we like, optimizing bike to rider becomes ideal, eh. Currently astride a KTM 300XCW, I haven't found a reason to want anything else but that said, well you know: N+1. Ha! I can't deny at 6'2" & 193# straight out of the shower, the 350 calls my name. By the way your current recording equipment seems great. In this vid it struck me that it was a little harder to hear your voice over the sound of the bikes compared to most of your previous vids. (Speaking of, both bikes sound terrific but honestly I like the pop of your 250 over the exhaust note of the 350.) 👍

[@PNWEnduro]

I'm lucky to have two bikes I am really happy with right now. When I'm on the 250XCF I'm loving it, then I take the TE300 out and remember how much I like it as well. On this video I'm using an old DJI Osmo Action 3 so the cameras mics are not ideal. I received my new action camera the day after I filmed this so you should hear a significant improvement in the audio quality on future videos as well as improved low light performance during the dark winter months here in the PNW. I just can't trust GoPro products anymore and I've hopefully found the right alternative now. It's getting expensive keeping up with the technology, had to upgrade my editing program as well to be able to process videos with the new camera.

[@davedonedis]

A buddy and I got 2020 Fe350s and 350 xcw at the same time. Love them! Have to go with the street legal versions where I live or you’d hardly ever ride them.

[@dougsmith5873]

I ride 4 strokes because they do not leave a vapor trail. We sometimes see walkers.

[@richardhammond2633]

Great comparo. The 260 four strokes are quite stall resistant. An excf or fe 250 would be even better in that regard. You have the ultimate combo with the 300 2t and the 2504t. Who would of thought the 4 strokes would become so light and powerful back in the 80s!!

[@PNWEnduro]

4T's are lighter than 2T's, what a world we live in!

[@whiskeythrottledave]

I think the rekluse robs the bike of some power. I've had several 350's in the past that I installed a rekluse. Wasn't until my last '23 350 factory edition I went without. That bike ripped. Very rarely ever took it off the white map on tight single track. I've also owned a 250xcf and really enjoyed that bike.

[@Anatoli50]

I bought the less popular FE 250 as I have always liked the quarter liter bikes. They are smoother, revvier, and more engaging to ride. The side to side transitions are noticeably easier due to less gyroscopic effect. That said, the 250 was more difficult to ride in the steeps and gnar requiring more momentum and skilled clutch work. A heavier rider would definitely be better served with the 350.

[@PNWEnduro]

I would have definitely considered the FE250 if they were available now, I miss having the headlight and trip computer.

[@SteveKiziak]

I'd be cool to see a review of the new '25 YZ250FX, if you can get your hands on one? Looks like an amazing bike!

[@PNWEnduro]

@@SteveKiziak I’d love to try one. Maybe you should buy one and let me try it out 😉

[@SteveKiziak]

@@PNWEnduro I'd love too! Maybe in the spring?

[@Tacoexplorer]

I thought this was a 2 stroke video. All I can stay it I love my 24 250 XCW.

[@philipsmith6152]

Great review, I had a 350 and the flame outs were bad.!! which is why ai sold it. Let us know if the 250 is better? Cheers

[@PNWEnduro]

The 250 is very stall resistant, if it ever flames out it’s from rider error or because I got lazy and didn’t shift down when I should have. The newest 350’s don’t flame out as much either. With these two bikes in particular it’s not a fair comparison as the 350 has a Rekluse and is almost impossible to stall.

[@williamcrotts7054]

I run my 350 in the green map with the TC on, even with the big climbs in Colorado. I do have a rekluse CX 4.0 which I think is necessary on the 350. Your guys feet get wet?

[@PNWEnduro]

Yep, wet feet from November until April around here lol.

[@mikeburnett6222]

What modifications, if any, have you made to the 250? Like ECU, exhaust, intake system, etc?

[@PNWEnduro]

Just protection parts, no mods. I don't feel the need to make any changes.

[@rhinogames9856]

How do the 250&350 compare to the 3004t Sherco u had.

[@Outdawrzman]

I’m looking at buying a 250 4 stroke or a 250 2 stroke. I live in Kelowna. If you had to choose a bike to race the entire PNWMA series. Which bike would you choose. 250 four stroke or 250 2 stroke?

[@PNWEnduro]

@@Outdawrzman I’d probably go 250F to race the series plus it will be a lot of fun on your local trails.

[@tomnekuda3818]

Get a two-stroke woods bike and live happily ever after.

[@OdysseyOffroad]

My buddy has a beautiful 2024 Husqvarna Fe 350w and they don't even offer that in 2025 anymore unless you want the 350s model which again has street tires and mirrors. 4-Stroke enduro lineup by ktm and husqy don't offer the same as the two-stroke lineup does for the brands. You have to go to the cross country models but then you lack the stator size to add a headlight and a fan. Its silly and limiting for 4 stroke fans.

[@PNWEnduro]

I don't think these XCF's have the same small stator as the 2T XC's, at least from what I've been told so adding a headlight should not be a problem. I do really miss the trip computer and while I don't really need the headlight it would still be nice to have.

[@OdysseyOffroad]

@PNWEnduro Yes you just reminded me the trip computer also! I just don't understand why they're 4-stroke and or a lineup doesn't match the two-stroke. I mean it did but they took a lot away for 2025

[@Fontainebleauify]

Can a new xcf run just a fan?

[@PNWEnduro]

Both these bikes are running fans with no problems.

[@miro_s]

watched with anticipation, but could not hear a word you spoke, only the engine…

[@PNWEnduro]

Unfortunately, after having yet another GoPro crap out on me I had to use an older camera to film this video so admittedly the video and audio quality is not the best on this one. I do have a new camera and mic now so you will see a big improvement in future videos. That being said, you can try watching this one with closed captioning turned on.

[@robsonenduro3316]

of course 450cc is better for me....

[@PNWEnduro]

This was supposed to be 250 vs 350 vs 450 but the 450 rider no-showed.

[@robsonenduro3316]

@@PNWEnduro i have 350 and 500 and it's matter of preference. I don't like to rev my bike high as 350 and below.

[@miro_s]

But the 500 vibrates insanely. Not use whether the 450 does too.

[@robsonenduro3316]

@@miro_s over 620 hours on 500 exc-f and no vibration that would bother me, any combustion engine bike vibrate anyway. Ride more so you get use to.

[@miro_s]

@ it may be a metter of being used to and expectations: used to 350s, I tested a 500, the vibration through handlebar and pegs was so bad that I wrote off having one. Still wonder how it is with a 450, tried one once, but I didn’t think it was set up well, so will draw no conclusions from that ride.