2003 CR250 observations

Originally posted by whitesands26
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...

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Spectra, is the gearing on both bikes the same? I doubt it, maybe that's where the difference is...

I think stock for CR is 14 48 correct? My YZ has 14 50. But he changed his rear sprocket to a 50 tooth for more pull out of corners. So gearing is the same.

Whitesands...I was a pretty slow when I bought my YZ so I was intimidated by what everyone said about the YZF450. And the CRF450 is too small. I burned a hole in my riding pants while sitting and melted pants sticking to your legs is not the best feeling. Knees hung too low.

Originally posted by SpectraSVT
I think stock for CR is 14 48 correct? My YZ has 14 50. But he changed his rear sprocket to a 50 tooth for more pull out of corners. So gearing is the same.

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Stock is 13/48 = 3.69
Your Buddy's 13/50 = 3.85
Your 14/50 =3.57

Are you sure your running a 14/50?

The YZ250 does have 14/50 stock gearing. But I'm sure that the internal gear ratios are different.

I have an 02 CR250 and it also has a rattle noise. It sounds like the noise is coming from the RC valve to me. I also believe that the RC valve is proportional. I have not had any problems with the bike and like a lot. I still have the stock gearing and would like to try a 50 rear sprocket next time I replace the chain and sprockets. I also have the Eric Gorr Mo-Better mod done and it has made a great improvement. Jetting seems to make the largest difference these days for me. I would also like to try a DEP pipe some day, but the stocker is probably as good as any.

Have fun,
Matt

Motopuffs is fast on that CR250!! :)

Amen on the "some bikes work better for some people" comment. Have a fast buddy who switched last year from a KX on which he could do no wrong, to a new '02 CR, properly set up. He just could not ride the CR the way he's used to riding, never mind that I thought it had great power and better handling than my '00 CR250. But at least I no longer had to worry about him coming past me during a race anymore (I nail the starts and then manage to work my way backwards; he's the opposite). So he traded in the CR and got an '03 YZ250. Now he's back to his old speed (damn). I should've tried harder to convince him to keep the CR.

SpectraSVT said:

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.

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LOL your bike had problems. A good running '03 CR250R will sling a beginner off the back! My bike with PC Works pipe/UNI filter is violently strong in the midrange, great top end too, although the low end is little soft. I bought the bike slightly used and the previous owner did a great job of rejetting it. I am going to be adding the RAD3 soon to help out low end a bit though. If I still want a little more down low, I may get a 9 or 11 ounce flywheel, although I love the MX personality of the bike and don't want to lose that. (I am going to get some kind of enduro bike for woodsy riding).

The handling/braking are awesome, the bike feels light as a feather, and I never feel like I need more power. Just a little more throttle response down low, and I consider the bike finished. I will have mine for many years. :aj: But no doubt I will add some more late model 2-strokes to my collection as they start becoming cheaper and cheaper, especially if I get a chance to pick up a KTM300 2-stroke, which already has an enduro powerband and is better in the woods than any converted MXer would ever be.