2003 CR250 observations
- Thread starter motometal
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VintageTech
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- May 16, 2002
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Thank you, Faded. That supports my logic.
Faded
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- Jan 7, 2003
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Yes, carbon fibre...mmmmm (I dig that stuff). I went to the Boyesen reeds right after I got my bike. They did help bottom a little. I wouldn't do them just to gain the small amount of power unless your reeds are in questionable condition or need replacement.
Psyco - Black Permatex:
:thumb:
Sigar, drop that MXA mag in the :uh: If the RC valve was blue they'd say it was the best thing since sliced bread.
Vintage Tech, no problem man, but James is right, take the cover off and you can see it in action (pretty cool).
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #30
Yes, my friend has an '03 Yz 250f, and I have ridden it. They are totally different bikes. The obvious think here is you need to decide if you are ready to "cross the line" to a four stoke (I guess I shouldn't assume you have a "2" now).
CR250:
more power
quieter
easier and cheaper maintenance
you say "jump" and it says "how high"
YZ250f:
smoother power
very good throttle response for a four stroke
not lighter feeling than the CR
easy to ride, but you'll rev the snot out of it to go fast
overall a really fun bike!
Most of my experience on both of these bikes is mx, not enough time in the woods yet to comment. Both bikes had great suspension.
CR250:
more power
quieter
easier and cheaper maintenance
you say "jump" and it says "how high"
YZ250f:
smoother power
very good throttle response for a four stroke
not lighter feeling than the CR
easy to ride, but you'll rev the snot out of it to go fast
overall a really fun bike!
Most of my experience on both of these bikes is mx, not enough time in the woods yet to comment. Both bikes had great suspension.
whitesands26
Mod Ban
- Nov 17, 2002
- 220
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[/B][/QUOTE]I'm a beginner and it wasn't enough bike for me. I would say its a PERFECT beginner bike. Motor doesn't have any hit at all so its easy to keep the rear wheel from breaking loose. [/B][/QUOTE]
What ????? I think you must not be going full throttle or something....My 03' CR250R will do throttle only wheelies in 3rd gear and pull throttle only 4th gear wheelies at speed if you're not careful about body positioning. In 2nd gear I don't even want to talk about it because ya gotta be all the way over the front of the bike and it still wheelies like crazy...The front end is hard to keep on the ground....My bike pulls 3rd gear starts really easy too...
I'm definitely no beginner...None of the current 250cc motocrossers are good beginner bikes unless you plan on opening the throttle no further than half way.
The CR250R motor is noisier than the others but don't worry...This is part of the case reed design...If you've noticed, the 03' KTM250 has a noisy motor at idle as well and it also happens to be the only other case reed 250cc motor. The noise goes away as the rpms rise. Always be sure to use a high octane gasoline anyway.
Part of the reason the CR250R doesn't have as much bottom end as the other bikes is because of the case reed design...However, the advantages of the case reed motor outway that small flaw...One such advantage of Case reed motors is very strong midrange and top end power..If you've noticed, all the dyno charts have the KTM and CR producing the most mid and top end power as well as the highest peak horsepower numbers...The magazine editors that do tests usually aren't very good riders to begin with, plus they're usually fat and out of shape so they like motors with strong bottom end power to pull them around the track when they've got arm pump so bad they can barely hang on...If you've got skills and can actually hold a 250cc motocrosser wide open from apex to apex and keep doing that for a whole moto then you'd much rather have a case reed motor.....Case reed motors respond extemely well to modifications...It's hard to get massive low end out of a case reed motor, but with the right mods you can a similar to stock powerband profile but WITH MUCH MORE POWER EVERYWHERE....Want evidence ? Look how many times you see RC holeshot the long straights of the outdoor nationals with the big four strokes..If he doesn't holeshot he gets pretty close to it...
Case reed motors are much easier to work on....You can make a bike much lighter with a case reed design as well(both the CR and the KTM are lighter and both have case reed induction).
What ????? I think you must not be going full throttle or something....My 03' CR250R will do throttle only wheelies in 3rd gear and pull throttle only 4th gear wheelies at speed if you're not careful about body positioning. In 2nd gear I don't even want to talk about it because ya gotta be all the way over the front of the bike and it still wheelies like crazy...The front end is hard to keep on the ground....My bike pulls 3rd gear starts really easy too...
I'm definitely no beginner...None of the current 250cc motocrossers are good beginner bikes unless you plan on opening the throttle no further than half way.
The CR250R motor is noisier than the others but don't worry...This is part of the case reed design...If you've noticed, the 03' KTM250 has a noisy motor at idle as well and it also happens to be the only other case reed 250cc motor. The noise goes away as the rpms rise. Always be sure to use a high octane gasoline anyway.
Part of the reason the CR250R doesn't have as much bottom end as the other bikes is because of the case reed design...However, the advantages of the case reed motor outway that small flaw...One such advantage of Case reed motors is very strong midrange and top end power..If you've noticed, all the dyno charts have the KTM and CR producing the most mid and top end power as well as the highest peak horsepower numbers...The magazine editors that do tests usually aren't very good riders to begin with, plus they're usually fat and out of shape so they like motors with strong bottom end power to pull them around the track when they've got arm pump so bad they can barely hang on...If you've got skills and can actually hold a 250cc motocrosser wide open from apex to apex and keep doing that for a whole moto then you'd much rather have a case reed motor.....Case reed motors respond extemely well to modifications...It's hard to get massive low end out of a case reed motor, but with the right mods you can a similar to stock powerband profile but WITH MUCH MORE POWER EVERYWHERE....Want evidence ? Look how many times you see RC holeshot the long straights of the outdoor nationals with the big four strokes..If he doesn't holeshot he gets pretty close to it...
Case reed motors are much easier to work on....You can make a bike much lighter with a case reed design as well(both the CR and the KTM are lighter and both have case reed induction).
SpectraSVT
Member
- Apr 17, 2002
- 720
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I'm a beginner and it wasn't enough bike for me. I would say its a PERFECT beginner bike. Motor doesn't have any hit at all so its easy to keep the rear wheel from breaking loose. [/B][/QUOTE]
What ????? I think you must not be going full throttle or something....My 03' CR250R will do throttle only wheelies in 3rd gear and pull throttle only 4th gear wheelies at speed if you're not careful about body positioning. In 2nd gear I don't even want to talk about it because ya gotta be all the way over the front of the bike and it still wheelies like crazy...The front end is hard to keep on the ground....My bike pulls 3rd gear starts really easy too...
[/B][/QUOTE]
Sorry, don't get how you do this. If you spend all your time in the upper mid and top end, yeah fine I will agree that the bike rips but the first half of the powerband is horrible. My buddy has to downshft into 2nd for most tight corners while I can leave it 3rd on my 03YZ....and we are the same speed. He's had 8 months on the bike and agrees with me. He had to change his riding style because of the weak low and mid power.
Don't get me wrong the bike has some power but the only people I see having issues with the front end coming up constantly are those who have poor body positioning. If your talking about your front floating a couple inches off the ground then thats not a real wheelie. Pls specify if this is what you mean. But if its not then I just don't get it. We have a local pro that races with the REAL pros in supercross and his front end is not coming up everytime he shifts. I'm a beginner and I don't have my front coming up either unless I want it to.
The reason I think its a good beginner bike..and let me specify what I call a BEGINNER. The type of beginner I am referring to is an adult sized person maybe 16+ who hasn't ridden before. I'm not referring to a 10 yr old who weighs 80lbs as a beginner. When I first started riding I would have much rather had learned on an 03 CR then the bike I had with an insane hit. The low end and midrange are smooth and not that responsive which is good for a beginner rider (i.e full sized person). and the low and midrange is where most beginner rides spend their time. As they get better and faster than they can start exploring the top end which is really good. Its the easiest 250 to ride fopr someone just starting out. thats my only point
I never heard a rattle out of my 03. I did hear something when the motor was lugging but I thought it was that 8 petal reed. I like the sound! It's gone now that I have a boyesen rad3 valve. (IF you want more low end power get the Boyesen Rad valve and exhaust flange combo. Really helps down low!) My bike also has a very smooth power band (almost 4-stroke like) and very mellow hit.
I'm calling BS and quite simply, you don't know what you are talking about.
If you can't get wheelspin or a "hit" out of any recent CR, then it isn't running right. Furthermore, a bike with no bottom (as you claim), and a mid hit is not good for a beginner. If you are truly a "beginner", then this bike has more than enough power....but you probably belong on something else. I find it real hard to believe more "hit" than this makes you (a beginner) faster.
There are only three possibilities with a post about ANY 250 being a beginner bike.
1. Been reading too much MXA and is brainwashed to believe EVERYTHING they read is gospel.
2. Has never ridden a competitive 250 2 stroke and has no basis to form any opinion.
3. Lacks intellectual ability to hold a conversation and quite possibility may be on a wanted poster. Some village is definately looking for their lost idiot.
1. Been reading too much MXA and is brainwashed to believe EVERYTHING they read is gospel.
2. Has never ridden a competitive 250 2 stroke and has no basis to form any opinion.
3. Lacks intellectual ability to hold a conversation and quite possibility may be on a wanted poster. Some village is definately looking for their lost idiot.
Moto Squid
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- Jul 22, 2002
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The permatex won't break down any time soon...I used it to seal the airbox on my 02 a year ago and it's still doesn't leak. I've also used it on other applications involving gas with no problems. I wish I woulda gone with the MXbonz kit...with my PC kit I had to modify it to be like the mxbonz kit.
Superchief
Member
- Feb 11, 2003
- 103
- 0
i'll give you all 3 of those reasons ( especially number 3 ) and the fact that they bought the bike, don't have a clue how to jet it correctly or anything else for that matter and now it's a piece of @#!& cause they can't get it to run right. found the same thing with people that were hanging out at a near by car cruise. just because they could'nt get their Pontiac to run fast nobody could. Funny how they change their tune when you take them for a 11 sec joy ride on the street, usually tell them " now if you really want me to show you what it can do, come to the track and i'll take you on a 9 sec pass." Alot of the villages in the usa must be looking for their idiots, they seem to be running rampid!!!
- Thread starter
- #41
Just got back from a mini-DRN get together at Merwin, MO, and I got to ride the bike on a very tacky track. The track had a few hills, nice jumps, and two long straights (4th gear tapped!). It started out silky smooth but had plenty of braking bumps by the end of the day.
I love this bike!
I find it pretty easy to keep the bike in the powerband in third gear through corners. It takes some clutching, but never bogged or felt weak. Comparing it back to back with my friend's well-tuned '01, it didn't have quite as much over-rev, but I was able to clear the uphill step-up jump more easilly on the '03. Suspension felt pretty good on the jumps, even with the occasional mistake. My seat is a bit stiff, but the flatness of it makes it very easy to slide forward for corners. Handling wise, it turns on a dime and will head shake a bit in 4th if I let it.
Regarding the MX Bonz airbox fix, I spent several hours installing it. Cutting the nubs off with a razor blade is tricky, and hard on the fingers. Also the silicone makes a huge mess and it takes patience and many paper towels to do a tidy job. Dirt had already made it most of the way through the stock foam gasket after just three rides, so i'm glad I took care of it. I'm pretty happy with the kit so far, and when I installed just the cage on the finished product, it fit very flush with the inner ring. Not sure how to address the issue of the filter not having much "lip" to grab the cage. Looks like if it had more lip it would hinder the flow a bit due to the design.
I love this bike!
I find it pretty easy to keep the bike in the powerband in third gear through corners. It takes some clutching, but never bogged or felt weak. Comparing it back to back with my friend's well-tuned '01, it didn't have quite as much over-rev, but I was able to clear the uphill step-up jump more easilly on the '03. Suspension felt pretty good on the jumps, even with the occasional mistake. My seat is a bit stiff, but the flatness of it makes it very easy to slide forward for corners. Handling wise, it turns on a dime and will head shake a bit in 4th if I let it.
Regarding the MX Bonz airbox fix, I spent several hours installing it. Cutting the nubs off with a razor blade is tricky, and hard on the fingers. Also the silicone makes a huge mess and it takes patience and many paper towels to do a tidy job. Dirt had already made it most of the way through the stock foam gasket after just three rides, so i'm glad I took care of it. I'm pretty happy with the kit so far, and when I installed just the cage on the finished product, it fit very flush with the inner ring. Not sure how to address the issue of the filter not having much "lip" to grab the cage. Looks like if it had more lip it would hinder the flow a bit due to the design.
Cleaned the air filter for the first time since the MXBonz kit install and all is well. Didn't see any dust in the boot. Everything looks go so far. Guess I must have done an "OK" job putting it on.
Can't believe all this '03 CR250 bashing... I love mine. Went from a '00 YZ250 and the hit on that sucker kept me puckered. Was hard to enjoy the bike as much. No, I am not an A/Pro level rider. Guess that may have something to do with it. Anyways, I really dig and am having a blast on my CR!! :aj:
Can't believe all this '03 CR250 bashing... I love mine. Went from a '00 YZ250 and the hit on that sucker kept me puckered. Was hard to enjoy the bike as much. No, I am not an A/Pro level rider. Guess that may have something to do with it. Anyways, I really dig and am having a blast on my CR!! :aj:
Superchief
Member
- Feb 11, 2003
- 103
- 0
I have no complaints with my 03 Cr250R. Had mine for 6 months now and have enjoyed it from day one. all the power you can handle on tap ( just twist it and go) and it's even better with modifications. definitly not a bike for a beginer. i think it all goes back to what was mentioned before " to many vikkages looking for their lost idiots!!!!"
- Thread starter
- #45
enough bickering about beginner/non beginner bike! I'm sorry I even made the comment now! There's no doubt many beginners could ride a CR250 without instantly being thrown off, also no doubt that something like a WR250F, XR, etc. would be easier to ride. Debating the definition of a beginner's bike was not the intent of this thread.
whitesands26
Mod Ban
- Nov 17, 2002
- 220
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I'm 5'8 and weigh 155 to 160lbs and my body positioning is very far forward and my properly jetted 03' CR250R wheelies like crazy in 2nd and 3rd gear...I can easily loft the front standing up with less than half throttle in 2nd and 3rd.....
What's the difference in weight between you and your buddy ? If he's substantially heavier than you then of course you'll be able to use a higher gear than he can...
I just gave you my weight stats and I'm pulling 3rd gear starts easily....Tight corners in 3rd gear are even easier...I prefer entering a corner in a taller gear on the 03'CR250R just because it wheelies too easy....
Personally, I don't think any of the new 250's are good beginner bikes...Generally, the consensus is that beginners do better on bikes that have more bottom power than bikes that make huge midrange and top end power because bikes with more bottem end are more forgiving of mistakes and you don't have to super aggressive to go fast...But that shouldn't be a problem with any current 250 motocrosser...
SpectraSVT
Member
- Apr 17, 2002
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Alright, I'll back off since you seem to have to resort to name calling to prove your points. I don't remember calling anybody an idiot because they liked an 03 CR250. I merely questioned the performance of the engine. Ive ridden 2 and both were the similar. One with Vforce and one without.
Someone above said they were 155lbs, so I can understand how the bike will move quicker for you than for me. My friends with the CR's are 5'10" ish 185lbs and I'm 6'3" 240lbs. So I outweigh both of them but can pull a higher gear.
Motometal: I apologize for turning your post into something else...it was not my intention. I did not think it would resort to senseless name calling.
Someone above said they were 155lbs, so I can understand how the bike will move quicker for you than for me. My friends with the CR's are 5'10" ish 185lbs and I'm 6'3" 240lbs. So I outweigh both of them but can pull a higher gear.
Motometal: I apologize for turning your post into something else...it was not my intention. I did not think it would resort to senseless name calling.
whitesands26
Mod Ban
- Nov 17, 2002
- 220
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A 55lb weight difference is quite a difference between you and your buddy.. Something isn't adding up if he's that much lighter than you and you're still able to pull a taller gear...The bottom end power deficit is NOT that much different...Maybe you're just a better rider than he is..I woudn't tell him that though...lol
You're a big boy though...What made you decide against one of the big 450's ?
Now this is my first Honda (03 CR 250) that I have bought and after cleaning up the jetting the bike just hauls, But once again I only weigh 155. Handles great and is easy to ride! I can hole shot with 450's on each side of me (and win) so I am not sure the 2 strokes are dead. Granted I am not a pro but this bike is sure easy to ride fast! Classes 40A and 30A.
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