I test rode a new KTM690 SMC

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

You should try a standard CR500, they're torque monsters, they're not much quicker than a 250, but they need a lot less gear changes per lap.

[mboy]

For centuries all trials bikes were 2 strokes coz of their amazing torque.

You're laughing at other people exaggerating their experiences, and you come out with this whopper?!?!

Trials bikes, for decades certainly (I'm not aware of any trials bikes that are centuries old), have been predominantly 2 stroke because they are lighter and simpler... Full stop... 2 stroke engines, just like 4's, can be tuned for low down power, mid range, or a peaky top end. Most road riders that have ridden 2 strokes associate a 2 stroke engine with a peaky top end power delivery, because this was the characteristic of many/most 2 stroke road bike engines. Obviously the remit for off-road use is different, and bikes like your 300 Gasgas have a hell of a lot of grunt much lower down the rev range being tuned for it. But it's only making about 50bhp, which is plenty enough for an off road bike that weighs just over 100kg, but it's a relatively low specific power output for a 300cc stroker all told. It is also about 7-8bhp down on most 450 4 strokes top end power too, not that top end power is especially important on an Enduro bike to be fair.

I also qualified my comment by saying it was "like an old school 125cc 2 stroke" and "required a lot of commitment"... But of course you've always got to know better and be the biggest, shoutiest, most derogatory voice on the internet at all times, and of course only your point is ever valid, right!