03 CR250 Newbie Questions

i have a '96 cr250 and I run HP2 at 32:1 mixture with 93 octane gas. A steering damper helps slow down all the little jerks and over-corrections that riders make while trying to steer through rough terrain.

Welcome to the site and congrats on the new bike. I also have an 03 CR250R and love it. I run 32:1 using Mobil 1 Racing 2T Synthetic. I also use Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10w-40 Synthetic in the tranny. I have used other products in the past, but these are readily available at my local Autozone and have worked great so far. My current mods are a Pro-Circuit Works pipe and R304 silencer, Applied triple clamps, Renthal Bars, and V-force reeds. I do mostly trail riding so I didn't go very crazy with it. Jetting has been a little hit and miss so I just ordered a JD Jetting kit for the bike. I have heard great things about the kit and for $75.00 I thought it was a good investment.

A cut and paste from Scotts explaining a Steering Damper:

What is a Scotts Steering Stabilizer?

It is a compact, fully adjustable, hydraulic shock absorbing stabilizer that mounts to your steering head area right above your handlebar mount. By helping to stabilize the front end of your motorcycle, the rear of the motorcycle will track straighter allowing the rest of your suspension to work the way it was designed to. In addition, the Scotts Steering Stabilizer eliminates that sudden thrust affect of having the handlebars pulled from your hands after unknowingly hitting sharp edged rocks, tree roots or rain ruts. It has also been proven to help minimize rider fatigue and the dreaded arm pumping situation that occurs while wrestling the front end of your bike. Dirt Rider Magazine said, "A Scotts Steering Stabilizer is the single greatest improvement you can make to your motorcycle". Once mounted, it eliminates the unwanted phenomenon known as “Head-shake” that is commonly found on off-road production motorcycles. This is more predominant now a-days due to the steeper head angles you find on production bikes. It helps keep your motorcycle going straight in the whoops and smooths out the rocky sections by preventing those handlebar wrenching jolts and more than likely will help keep you a healthier, happier rider.

How does it work?

Basically, it operates under the same principle as your front forks. Valving inside the unit reacts to the slightest of jolts that are transferred through the forks and crowns of your motorcycle. Internal circuitry and hydraulic valving absorbs the energy that would have been received through your handlebars. The link arm which connects the stabilizer to the frame, reacts instantaneously, absorbing any unwanted movement. Your suspension was designed to handle the vertical movement of your motorcycle. Scotts Steering Stabilizer completes your suspension package by controlling the unwanted horizontal movement that is continually transferred to your handlebars.


What is over-rev?

Its going way past the RPM's where the bike makes most of its power.


Hope that helps... :cool:

Mobil racing 2T at 32:1 here.........I'm just sorting my 03 out for trail riding......consider also a flywheel weight, lower gearing and Rad guards.....price out a radiator and you'll soon see why you should have them. It's sounding to me like a steering damper would be a good investment.

Gald to help. Let us know how you like the bike when you get it. :yeehaw: :ride: :yeehaw:

I have the same bike as well. I run mbile racing 2t with 94 octane Chevron fuel. I just bought a jd jetting kit as well because my jetting is finicky. I bought rad guards after my first ride because i realized the hard way how easy it was to damage the rads. I also bought a carbon fibre pipe guard and i'm running the stock pipe and silencer. I geared mine down to a 51 rear for tight woods riding, but if i was to do it again i would have bought a 50 rear. I love my bike as well. Take it apart and grease the rear linkage and head tube bearings and enjoy ripping it up. Oh, forgot to mention i sealed the airbox joint where it meets the boot (used hondabond i think). 02 models had a leak here. I did mine just for cheap insurance.

Gratz on the new bike. I think you'll find the '03 CR250 to be a worthy stead. I have enjoyed mine with minimal failures. I have been running the Silkolene pre-mix with 93 octane. I the gearbox I have been running Bel-Ray Gear Saver. Enjoy it!!

In my 03 I am runnig Belray H1R at 32:1 ratio (stock spec.). Mobil 1 10W40 automotive oil in gearbox - 95 octane pump gas.

Jetting: I lowered the needle 1 clip, and 1 size leaner pilot jet - compared to stock specs, I am at sea level stock spec. temperature range.

Good luck with the bike

New gas and plug, it should fire right up...

I'd think about tearing down the carb and giving it a good cleaning though. Chances are it's gummed up from sitting with old gas in it.

i run 40 to 1 with 93 octane and golden spectra oil

The carbs on modern 2-strokes are fairly simple. You obviously have the manual, which is great. I would suggest pulling it apart and cleaning it. If you're going to loosen the clamps and turn it to take the bowl drain out, it's only another ten minutes tops to take it out. If it has sat it's definately worth doing, just my 2 pennies.

Yeah, with a service manual handy, it's a breeze.. There really aren't many parts in it.

Just make sure your work surface is clean, and that nothing can roll off of it.. I use a small tray to do carb work on.. Helps for when those small parts fall out and hit the bench, they don't end up on the floor.

Take your time, and you shouldn't have a problem.

Wear safety glasses. Fuel can come out of surprising places when you're working on a carb for the first time and gasoline in the eye is no fun.

Are you riding trails or tracks?
Tracks 32:1. Trails 40:1.
If you are riding a little bit of both, then I would just go with 32:1.
90+ octane rated gas, any good dirt bike 2-stroke premix.
Over-rev is when you give it too much gas in neutral, while the clutch is pulled in, or when you wait too long to shift.
You will hear the engine make a loud, annoying sound.
You will be able to tell whether you over-revved it or not.
You'll look around like an idiot, making sure no one is giving you funny looks.
It probably happens to a lot of beginners.
Congrats on the new bike. =D

Yeah, that oil you see is spooge.. usually can be fixed with jetting and running cleaner burning 2 stroke oil.

But if it's just a little, I'd not really worry about it much. Get that thing in the power and you shouldn't have a problem.