Finally gettin' the hang of this thing.....

[nephron]

Dayamm....can't think of a bigger jump b/t 2 bikes. I was used to riding a KX500 everywhere. Decided to try a little thumper out. Wanted a yellow YZ250F, but for reasons previously stated (dealer support), bought a KX250F instead. I just thought it might be kind of interesting for people to have a brief perspective on the experience.

My biggest 'adjustments' have been learning how to start the son of a biotch and keep it running. I've finally got it jetted right, with the proper fuel screw and idle adjustments to keep it in the 'greater than 1 rpm' range for more than 5 minutes. It took me a LONG time to figure this out, yet now that I have, it's been relatively easy to keep it running, so I guess it's no different than my 500 and I shouldn't biotch. Either way, now that I'm relatively comfortable around it (kinda like a new girlfriend that you've just started to cook with :laugh: ), I'm pretty happy. It's got skillz....skillz in different ways. I'm used to plowing through everything like a runaway IH350 cabover that left the road due to a blown front tire or split rim. Now I "glance" as a mode of movement. Things I have a hard time getting used to: 1) the stalls 2) the definite need for a clutch. My 500 neither stalled, nor needed clutch. But it also wasn't nimble, easy to handle in a tight situation, or easy to keep ON the track at low speeds.

Anyway, rather than being happy, sad, or otherwise--I just think there's different reasons for being for both of these bikes. Common sense? Yes. But experiencing it is a different deal.

 

[rodH]

why did you go from a 500 2t to a 250 4t? A 250 4t is like a 125 2t, and even a 450 4t is like a 250 2t (still way less power than the 500). Let us know how you like it.

 

[BSWIFT]

When I tried out the little thumper, I liked it. On the track, it was nimble and very capable. However, I was currently on a 450F so it seemed to be down on bottom end. I'm back on a 2T now and have no complaints on the thumpers, well, they are still too heavy.

 

[Okiewan]

why did you go from a 500 2t to a 250 4t? A 250 4t is like a 125 2t, and even a 450 4t is like a 250 2t (still way less power than the 500). Let us know how you like it.

I did the same thing ... (500 2t to a 250F) then to a 450 and back to a 250F.

 

[nephron]

I made the huge jump because A) power means nothing, once you've been on a well-tuned 500 (what's the point of going down to a 450F vs a 500?) and B) I really wanted to know what all this 'handlin' stuff was all about.. ;) I gotta say. I'm having a lot of fun.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

I gotta say. I'm having a lot of fun.

:cool: 60hp sure is fun, but 35hp in the right package can be just as entertaining.

 

[rodH]

interesting, I am guessing this is a pure track bike? I have to admit, I was thinking the 250f was enough for me as well. Then I went and rode a 450f, holy cow, the difference was amazing. I got the CRF450, and my buddy got the SXF KTM 250 that he made a 305 with exhaust, jetting, etc....it is faster than my dads CRF250, but not even close to my 450. I rode it for a significant amount of time, on the trails and switched back to my 450. The thing just doesn't have the power to rip up hills. Now, if we are talking track bikes, maybe the 250f is the way to go based on wt (but even at that, the CRF 450 is only like 10lbs heavier than the 250f). I guess I assumed going from a KX500 beast to a 250f, you would be using it for the same purposes, maybe not?

 

[nephron]

That's my intention, Rod.