05 YZ250 matched with 04 YZ250F

[Spider]

I am thinking about getting a 05 YZ250 to race 250B next summer. Has anybody that rides a YZ250F ridden them both? I want to keep my 04 YZ250F for 125B and use the YZ250 on the same day. I wanted a 450 but they are so much bigger and more powerfull I was worried about it (I am 6'0 and about 140 pounds).
I also think I can get a better price buying the 2stroke then a 4 stroke.
What do you think about adjusting to riding both a 2 and 4 stroke in back to back motos?

 

[gonzo843]

It's not bad. I have both of those exact bikes. Going from the 2 to the 4 is real easy. Its a little more difficult going back to the 2 after riding the 4 for about a lap. Then your comfortable again. Once you get used to it, its not that bad. I can't blame you for wanting a 2 stroke 250. I have a 450 too and I think the 250 is so much better. And your not at a loss of power. The 450 isnt that much stronger if any.

 

[Chris_S]

Going from the 2 to the 4 is real easy. Its a little more difficult going back to the 2 after riding the 4 for about a lap. Then your comfortable again. Once you get used to it, its not that bad. I can't blame you for wanting a 2 stroke 250.

I agree. The 250F is a *****cat after riding the 2s. I used to ride, and love 250F's until recently. Last weekend I traded rides w/ a friend who has a YZ250F. Wow, all of a sudden it felt underpowered and overweight! The 2s feels very "alive" by comparison. Not surprisingly, my friend who owns the YZ250F hated my YZ, he thought the power delivery was scary and that the bike felt twitchy. Can't blame him, I felt the same way until I got used to it.

 

[SpectraSVT]

I wanted a 450 but they are so much bigger and more powerfull I was worried about it (I am 6'0 and about 140 pounds).

You make it sound like the YZ250 is slow? You can't believe all this 4stroke hype. 250 class 2 strokes aren't slouches. The YZ 250 is very fast and extremely responsive to throttle input. The YZ 250 will probably "feel" lighter than your YZF.

 

[Studboy]

The 04 250F is 208 lbs dry, and the 05 250 is 211 lbs dry. I doubt that you will feel the difference weightwise. I think that you should be able to adapt easily. The weight I can't believe is the 05 125...189 lbs dry!!! I'll bet that it's awesome.

 

[Chris_S]

The 04 250F is 208 lbs dry, and the 05 250 is 211 lbs dry. I doubt that you will feel the difference weightwise. I think that you should be able to adapt easily. The weight I can't believe is the 05 125...189 lbs dry!!! I'll bet that it's awesome.

Don't believe the quoted specs...I know the '05 YZ250 2s and '04 CRF250F/YZ250F all weigh about the same, 217 minus gas. My YZ feels noticeably lighter than my CRF250F did due to lower cg and less reciprocating weight in the engine.

 

[gonzo843]

Don't believe the quoted specs...I know the '05 YZ250 2s and '04 CRF250F/YZ250F all weigh about the same, 217 minus gas. My YZ feels noticeably lighter than my CRF250F did due to lower cg and less reciprocating weight in the engine.

Ding ding ding!!! My YZ250 feels so friggin light its ridiculous. I couldnt even imagine a 125. The cams really make a difference on how the bike feels. I get tired riding either of my 4-strokes. My 2-stroke doesnt tire me out. The cams in 4-strokes change the balance of the bike drastically. Go ride one for awhile (like a couple weeks without the other) and then switch back. My first day I thought I was going to do backflips where when on my 4-strokes I was always dropped on the front end just a hair. The difference is in the cams. They are moving so fast that when you let off the gas on jumps its almost the same as hitting the rear brake. The gyroscopic effect is that drastic.

 

[Spider]

Chris and Gonzo.
do you MX with both bikes? I feel I am a agressive rider and want to start racing in the 250 class next summer. I am a B level rider but worry about switching between the 2 during the day. I want to race both 125 and 250 classes so I have to get ether a 250 or a 450.
My worry with 450 is that they are heavier (slightly) and I think I would have a problem if I crash getting it back up and started in a hurry. I did sit on both last week and the 250 seemed a bit taller but when I layed them both on the floor I had less trouble picking up and getting back on the 250.

If you switch back and forth do you feel like you have trouble in the air?

 

[Chris_S]

I ride MX and hare scrambles. I had an '03 CRF450, and it felt like it was 30-40 lbs. heavier on the track. It was just a lot more tiring to ride, but was still a great bike. If you crash, it's a lot easier/quicker to get the 2 stroke restarted as well. I preferred my CRF250 over the 450, but like the YZ better than either of the thumpers (though the adjustment wasn't easy).

 

[Chili]

Eric, no interest in just running the big bore 262F? That would meet the 250 class rules doesn't it? Would hurt you a bit on the starts but other than that I'd be surprised if it held you back much. Might be a way to get your feet wet in 250 without it being a huge adjustment. FWIW alot of our local pro/intermediate riders that do both classes run the 4 stroke in the tiddler class and still 2 smoke it in the 250 class so I think you'd adjust with your skills.

 

[SpectraSVT]

If you are comfortable on a MX bike and spend time on both I don't think it will be much of an adjustment. The only problems I had initially was jumping. But thats just because my buddy's bike seems cramped. If you ride both on a regualr basis you will be just fine.

 

[MXP1MP]

My friend has his '01 setup as a 290 kit, it's no faster on top it just has more mid range now a 250 2s would still spank it and good 125's still compare in terms of power. This bike has been upgraded to a 500AF cause was getting tired of 450's pulling him on straights & climbs.

 

[gonzo843]

I ride/race 100% MX with all three bikes. I am also a 125 and 250 B rider going to A next year. Changing between the 2 is not that hard. Going from the 2 stroke to the 250F is the easiest. Going back to the 2 stroke the next moto takes a lap to get used to it but the more you practice on both of them the easier it gets. Plus the bikes feel ergonomically similar so that helps too. A 450 any brand will feel heavier. Again alot of the feeling of the weight comes from the cams. Also the Yamaha 450 doesnt turn all that well either. With the high center of gravity it stands up alot in corners.

If you dump either bike they are about the same to pick up. Also I have never had an issue starting any of my 4-stroke Yamaha's. Doesnt matter anyway. After I wreck pick up a bike and start it I am dead no matter what bike.

As for racing the 262F in the 250 class, in Michigan it's not legal and at Loretta's its not legal. It's still legal at both in the 125 class though. Now if you go bigger than a 262 it's not legal in anything but 16-24 (not a loretta class) or a vet class. If the bike came off the prod line a 250F, it's still a 250F.

 

[jimyz]

How about comparing bottom end differences? I know I need to ride one, just haven't had the time. I am used to my 04 yz250f.

 

[gonzo843]

The bottom end on the 2-stroke is alot snappier than the 4-stroke 250F. The 250F has good power but it's really in a class by itself. Its no where near a 2-stroke 250 and its alot stronger than a 125. Honestly I had it easier jumping tight stuff on my 250F than my 450. The 450 just tend to be alittle boggy right off. You really notice it when you ride both 4-strokes. On the 2 stroke the power is just right there when you hit the gas. No slight build up at all. Its on or off. Thats why it's preferred in SX. You dont need alot of long drawn out power and you do need alot of snap.