i have owned every year of cr250's since 1995......so I kinda know what I am talking about.....the 2002 is a step forward in handling and weight. but what really shines is the suspension...wow ...its great right out of the box.....as far as the engine goes, it is not impressive your first couple of times at the track......but give it a chance and you will find its a really easy bike to ride and although it doesn't feel turbo-fast - it gets the job done and best of all it doesn't tire you out....i would compare it to a '99kx250 or '98yz250...another side benefit is it grabs traction like a four-stroke...i am a big fan of the '02 and if you really want that "hit" like the 02 yz - just grab a moto-tassinari reed cage and a pipe of your choice and go.....I have riden both and I still prefer my 02cr250 bone stock. Honda makes a pretty good stock pipe. the one thing I would reccomend is change the oil in the tranny very often and a taller seat foam. I am only 5'11 - but I find it really makes it easy to get forward in turns. Once the air filter problem is solved, all you have to do is watch the spokes. the 02 feels like a 125 - its that light, has far better suspension and is a very easy bike to ride/race.....I race 30-40 time a year and my stock bike gives up othing to the competition.....its 5 months old and looks like it is brand new....thats something yz,rm and kx owners can't say...good luck