Pick the 2011 bike. Much less headache.

Thanks for the input. Man, this can be kind of confusing. I hear from some folks.... get the newer bike - it's lighter, easier to find parts, two-stroke is a simpler setup, beware of the mint older bike that hasn't been ridden much, etc etc. Then of course there are valid, good points from you all and others about why the gasser/4RT is actually the way to go. FWIW, I'm in my 50s, in pretty good shape, and have ridden dual sports for years. The objective is to get something that will be fun, keep me riding slower, and good for balance, skill development and so on. I have no desire at this point to compete. I am good at wrenching, do pretty much everything myself on my bikes. Hmmmm... In any case, your input is much appreciated. 

 

4rt it is then 110%

I've had 4rt's for the past seven years. I'm pretty sure I'd get better results on a 2 stroke but that's not my main aim with the sport......having fun is and the 4rt does this perfectly for me everytime I ride one. They are pretty much bullet proof, easy to maintain and do not suffer with the carburation hassles many 2 stroke bikes can have. If the 4rt your looking at is clean and well looked after forget the age as there are many 05's being ridden very well today with no problems or signs of tiredness. A good question for the seller is how often they changed the oil and the oil filter, there is a little trick to removing the oil filter that only someone who's done it will know, so ask them what's the trick to taking it out easily? The 4rt should fire with one or two prods anymore is odd, and if whilst idling with no throttle the revs surge up and down it could be a sign of a fuel pump issue which could be a little costly. If its fun you want and a smile on your face get the Mont.

I swapped from a 09 300 raga to an 05 4rt and at first I thought I'd made a big mistake But a few months on and I now can't see me going back to a 2 stroke

No comparison at all in build or material quality

I can now work on a bike that's not made from cheese and without fear of something breaking by just looking at it

I've had 4rt's for the past seven years. I'm pretty sure I'd get better results on a 2 stroke but that's not my main aim with the sport......having fun is and the 4rt does this perfectly for me everytime I ride one. They are pretty much bullet proof, easy to maintain and do not suffer with the carburation hassles many 2 stroke bikes can have. If the 4rt your looking at is clean and well looked after forget the age as there are many 05's being ridden very well today with no problems or signs of tiredness. A good question for the seller is how often they changed the oil and the oil filter, there is a little trick to removing the oil filter that only someone who's done it will know, so ask them what's the trick to taking it out easily? The 4rt should fire with one or two prods anymore is odd, and if whilst idling with no throttle the revs surge up and down it could be a sign of a fuel pump issue which could be a little costly. If its fun you want and a smile on your face get the Mont.

Agreed 100%

Most of us could ride better on a 2T, but as you say that's not always the point