2 Stroke question: 125 or 250

a 125 2T would be too small for you, so i would get a 250 2T, preferably a KX or RM. the YZ is taller and heavier than the others with suspension setup for racing. the KTM 250SX is solely a race bike, not meant for anything else. plus, the price tag on the YZ and SX are a good margin greater than the others. the early Honda's were not known for their power, so most stayed away until '05 when they changed it for the better. the KX and RM250's have been known as being the ideal 250 2T's for a while. the KX has the most low-end/torque you can muster from a 250 2-stroke, and the RM has a good deal of mid-range. i personally like the color green better than yellow( see my name), but get whichever of the 2 you think would best fit you. the KX is also a little bit smaller too. you can probably find a good 2000-2003 on evilbay or cycletrader.com( possibly craigslist, but i dont visit their site ofter) for the price youre willing to pay :nod: .

In 1986 to 1996 range the CR250 is the best. The power is great for trails and the suspesion was great in its time.

2 strokes for life said:

In 1986 to 1996 range the CR250 is the best. The power is great for trails and the suspesion was great in its time.

Click to expand...

i was pointing out that it wasnt near as good against the competition after '01, which he can afford.

O you are right. I thought he was in Canadian prices. So do what Kawi said.

My 96 KX250 has plenty low end guts as well as great mids and highs thanks to some sprocket gearing, it's an old bike by date but is practicaly new because I keep updating it with new parts when ever I get spare money, I'll keep this bike for ever even if I do get another.

250

I never understand the comments that a 125 would be "too small". If you compare a 2007 YZ-125 with a YZ-250:


The 125 :
weighs 22 pounds less
has 0.2" more ground clearance
Has 0.4" greater overall height
has 0.2" greater seat height
has the same suspension travel, front and rear.

They are not made for small people. They have half the power and need to be ridden a little differently. You shift a lot more on a 125. Executing a clean fast shift going up the steep hills is essential or you don't make it. When you don't make it on the 125 you have to go back to the bottom and get another running start because you aren't likely to accelerate up the really nasty stuff.

I just got back from a weekend in the desert. I am 6', 195 lbs and ride a YZ-125. My son is 6'1" 190 lbs and rides a YZ-250. We rode together all over Stoddard Valley. When we dropped into a sand wash my son could get on the gas and just leave me in the dust. When it came to the more technical stuff I could hold my own. When it came to the hills: There was one hill he made it up that I didn't, but there were two others that I made it up and he didn't. (Going down the hills is a different issue, I am still healing from that....)

If you are trying to ride fast then there is no doubt that the 250 will be faster. Having twice the power and only 20 pounds more weight the 250 will accellerate so much faster! There were a few gulleys that my son was able to gas it at the last second and hold is front wheel up to jump cleanly while I had to ride it down and back up. As for the hills, sometimes I could use extra power, but other times the power just gets you into trouble.

If you are not sure and are just tossing the coin then I would lean a bit towards the 250. Other than a small additional cost there aren't many downsides, as long as you learn to NOT apply too much power. It is very unlikely that you will have regrets buying a 250. If your friends are on 250s and you're trying to keep up on a 125 you might have regrets.

Rod

I looking at getting a yz or rm 125 I would like a 250 but I haven't rode in 15 years or so and it was a yz 80 the thoughts of a 250 :yikes: scares the :uh: out of me.

550?!! WOW that's a steal man especially since it's running. I am totally jealous. Enjoy that bike. My buddy has a 90 CR250 and he loves the thing. It's a fun bike and you'll be fine on it. Just be careful on the throttle as most people say it's that which gets you into trouble.

Good call. That is a great deal. Have fun and be somewhat safe.

ya a 250 scares the crap outta me too but i ride 99% trails and i dont wanna be on the clutch all the time on a 125 so thats why im getting a 250. i rode my sister's friends KX125 and had it 3rd gear pegged within like 200 feet, then i jumped aboard my sister's boyfriends KX250 and i got into 2nd gear once and thought to myself "holy crap... get the hell outta 2nd gear." then 250 2 strokes have a lot of bottom end..