Moving up from a 125 to a 250

[326mx]

In the coming month, I will be getting a job, as well as a new bike. The information about the job is irrelevant. But the bike I plan on getting, is a KTM 250 SX. While my current bike is a YZ 125. So, the questions arise. What is different? Will there be any re-orientation with riding? Will there be any mental blockades, that you may have expierienced that could be a problem for me?

Starting off, I'd like to think that I have a fairly firm grasp on the basics of riding and minor grasps of more advanced. I know how to jump, I know clutch control, and I know 125s.

But what are the major differences in the riding technique? I understand that there will be a larger element of power, where on a 125 its getting the power there to work for you. On a 250, is the power easier to tap in to?

I really hope this helps me, as well as many other riders. I hope it help riders of all ages and abilities.

Thanks in advance for all replys.

Jason

 

[Anssi]

You didn't say how big you are. For me (6'4", 200 lbs.) bigger bikes have never posed any problems. I find 450+ four-strokes and 250+ 2-strokes much easier to ride than 125s on which you have to constantly massage the gear lever.

However, the KTM have suspension that works differently than jap bikes, the mags are not lying about this. My -02 520SX felt like a lead sled that went straight, and made turns and jumps in its own sweet time. My -03 YZ450F responds much better to the techniques that the mags and literature talk about, ie. staying forward, elbows up, using body english in general.

 

[326mx]

Well then I may have no problem, but I would still like to hear any encounters with the move up anyone else has had.

6'6" 215

 

[High Lord Gomer]

You'll need less clutch control and more throttle control than with the 125.

On a 125, you use the clutch to keep it up in the RPMs where it makes power. When you switch to a 250, doing that will let it get away from you a few times until you learn to be a little more careful about riding wound out where the 250 has considerably more power.

I have a hard time going back to smaller displacement bikes because the stronger bikes allow you to develop more lazy riding habits.

 

[symen]

not many people like the SX 250 :-0

 

[intmach]

Why the SX and not the YZ.. Just wanted to ask?
Zig

 

[326mx]

Well actually its between the CR and SX.. Hopefully I'll soon be working at a shop that sells both. But I am leaning more towards the SX because of the higher quality stock parts, and with the supposedly much improved suspension. Fatbars, Magura Clutch, and other things such ass the airbox with the side fasteners. I do not want a YZ because the local(hour away) Yamaha shop doesn't sit well with me. Took them over a month to replace one part on my bike and was 3 weeks before they even touched it. The didn't even do what else I asked them to. A top end, replace brake pads, ect ect. So far the SX is in the lead cause the last CR I rode Had a real tendecy to wash out in the coners on me....

 

[trailtoy]

My personal take is a 250 is considerably easier to ride than a 125. I jumped from an xr100 to a 250, then much later rode my first 125 and felt like i was riding a slug. 250's have torque (not like four stroke torque, but a lot more than a 125) which lets you just roll into the throttle without the clutch work necessary on a 125. As to your bike selection I have a YZ love it! All my friends who have 250's wish they had bought YZ's (just my $.02) But CR vs. SX? Everything I've heard, and admittedly I haven't ridden the SX, is bad news in the suspension dept. with KTM. The CR on the other hand, is PLUSH out of the box, and handles great the only thing that holds the CR back from beating out the YZ for top 250 honors is the motor of the YZ is straight money. Your CR experience might have been poor suspension setup related. Was the CR you rode an '03 or '02? The new CR's handle pretty sweet and I have ridden them. Good luck...

 

[tedkxkdx]

McGrath likes to steer with his rear tire but even he had to go with after market triple clamps to get the front to steer more.
Maybe the CR you rode washed out because the tire pressure was too low or the suspension was way out of norms.
Is the CR cheaper than a KTM too. Plus the 04 CR's come with a renthal h-bar.

 

[326mx]

I don't know I just really like the KTMs... I'm not a pro, so I'm not sure if all this will be noticable to me...

 

[326mx]

I know there has to be other encounters on moving up... doesn't anyone want to help?

 

[Racercr125r]

I just switched from a 00 CR125 to a 02 0CR250 about 2 months ago. The 250 is a lot easier to ride. I dont have to use the clutch as much as on the 125. The power seems to always be there. The power scared me at first but it makes it a lot easier to ride. It also doesnt seem to tire me out as much. If u get one i think u will like it.

 

[pace]

After riding a 125 for a number of years, I just made the jump to the 250. I had expected the topend power to scare me, but its the bottom end that really demands care. The area where I'm having to pay the most attention is throttle control at takeoff. I have always favored carrying a higher gear and less throttle, to enable me better control of the attitude of the bike as it leaves the ramp. However, even with this approach I'm finding I have to excercise a much greater throttle finesse with the 250 - the slightest chop or blip carries a much exaggerated rotation of the bike versus the 125.

Right now I'm not attempting any of the jumps I clear on the 125 (70ft tables, 30ft doubles), but I've only had the 250 for a week so I guess it's early days yet. The bike is definitely a lot easier to ride in the turns and seems to hook up a lot better. The suspension seems better suited to my weight/style also (160lbs).

-Pace

 

[mdkuder]

The KTM is and excellent bike, not that I'm biased or anything like that. I used to ride a buddies 01 and that was a power house even the pro testers said it had to much power. The only change I would make is start working out those arms as its a mother to hold yourself forward on the bike!

 

[rm125kev]

I just moved from a '99 RM125 to an '00 RM250 and went for my first ride last weekend. I am very close to your size (6'5" - 205 lbs) and found it VERY different at first. As far as being easier to ride, sure there is less shifting involved but I was much more tired than I was on the 125. It will take a few rides to get used to the extra power and weight and wrestling the bike around the corners. As far as the power, as somebody mentioned above it is not the top end that's scary.... it's the bottom end that's ALWAYS there as soon as you twist. I had quite a few scary moments coming out of turns where I shot off the track using too much power. For jumps, I was carrying more speed up to them then letting off and staying a gear higher than normal and GENTLY rolling on while going up the face to keep momentum. I was easily clearing tables and step-downs that I had to really work at on the 125. All in all, I was very happy and can't wait to get out there again this weekend to put more time on it. Like everything, take it easy at first to get the feel of the bike and what it's doing and go from there. I can't comment on which make of bike is better, but if you don't race every weekend, then buy what you like. You'll soon find out the characteristics of the bike, then start adjusting from there to make it suit your style. Only lots of riding will help you there, and most of us will never ride a bike hard enough to see the subtle differences of each at the outer limits. I would imagine each make has enough adjustments to get it close to what feels right to you in stock form. It's your hard earned cash, so go with your gut feeling and buy what you want and have fun.
Good luck!

 

[fuzzy]

6'6" 215

Most any bike will need resprung for your size to handle correctly....I'm the same size and I've never rode a bike out of the crate that worked well. They are setup for those Charmichael-sized guys :) If you haven't rode a newer YZ (you said the CR washed) I would bet it acts the same...

Don't know how the KTM's ride on the MX, but as others have said people seem to compain about them. Didn't stop Belgium from whipping us at the MX DeNations this year! The linkless rear susp seems to pose problems in MX conditions. I ride woods, and FWIW think the 250exc is about the sweetest bike out there.

McGrath likes to steer with his rear tire but even he had to go with after market triple clamps to get the front to steer more.

This is a good point, but I consider it the opposite. A triple clamp is a lot less than what most people spend on their jap bikes in the first few months outfitting it w/ what the KTM has stock. Pipe, clamps, bars, hyd clutch, whatever.... You won't need any power mods on the KTM, if you need a $300 clamp to make it handle than so be it--it will be the only mod you need...

 

[boardadikt]

I have a question for you 326mx. Why are you set on a 250 two stroke? Are you going to race it in the 250 class? Just want more power...etc...?

I have all 4 yz's in my garage (125, 250f, 250, and 450f) The 125 isn't enough. The 250F (four stroke) kicks butt on the track. I have alot of fun on it (i'm 6'2" and 200lbs) and can clear everything that I do on my yz250 two stroke. The 250 two stroke tires me out and feels like it has too much power right off the bottom. My new 450f is unreal. IT is so much smoother than the 250. I added a 4oz flywheel weight and added 1 tooth to the rear and it rides awesome. Doesn't tire me out like the 250, I can ride longer and put in faster lap times, not to mention that I rarely need the clutch. This bike has made me a much faster rider overall.

So my question to you is....Why not try the new CRF250 or the KTM 450SX. I hear the 450sx is killer! If it was my choice I would take the 450sx over the 250sx any day based on how much easier/smoother the 4 stroke is. Give a 250 four stroke a chance also-the crf250 is going to be a really great bike. Just my opinion.

 

[spuddybuford]

I agree with boardadikt, I have ridden 2 strokes for 20 years and was one of the "cold dead fingers" 2 stroke-type paople, up until several months ago when I purchased a CRF450, I am converted. The 450 makes plenty of power over a broader range, is smoother, and less tiring over long rides. With the Clarke 3.3 gallon tank, no fuel stops during a 2 hour Hare Scramble is nice too. You will in time appreciate the power that the 250 2 stroker has to offer, as they are very much easier to ride than the 125's. But I would definately consider going for a 4 stroke.

 

[Yz250FinAZ]

Wow guys this has even helped my friend whos over reading this currently. Well i would just like to say you guys are lucky for owning 2-strokes. i used to ride a Honda CR80 with a 110 big-bore kit. I loved it. But since i dont race professionally or even at a real track, (only the ones some people made at the local riding spot) my dad decided to get me a 4-stroke. It is a '03 Yamaha YZ250F that is pretty tricked out with Big Gun Exhaust, pro action suspension, emig racing triple clamps, renthal twin walls, excel rims, talon hubs..etcc but it is so different than a 2stroke 80 and i am learning it. i rode my friends '97 CR125 and i almost fell in love with it. But then this other guy let me rode his RM250 on the track and it was alot easier at the shifting. On the flats it was awesome.I got it on the power band it was awesome. Just from riding it 1 time i will tel you that you will love this 250. if you guys ever are in AZ go to 7st. and deer valley.cya guys

 

[kiwi_925]

I raced a '04 KTM125 in the weekned, the best bike ive ever ridden, and im of similar size to yourself. My own bike which i was also racing is a '00 YZ250. After riding the 125 and going back to my bike, i found myself going faster on my bike after learning what i was doing wrong on it before. Like i was on the gas in the right places, but the 125 you had to be on the gas other wise you'd get left lose ground. The biggest thing i noticed going back to my bike was the power, i was going places fast, and all i had to really do was change body positioning on the bike so the front wheel didnt come up. Also i found myself running hotter into the corners and keepin the the speed up on my bike, which helped as i didnt get worn out so quickly. I'd say those two were my only major changes between the bikes. I only can imagine what a '04 KTM 250SX is like, if i had the cash id go and buy one straight away.

 

[_j0kA_]

well im 16 190lbs and an int level mx racer.. i was on an 01RM125 for two years and just recently (3 months ago) bought an 04RM250.. i absolutely love it! i consider myself more of a 125 rider, but i adapted to the 250 instantly and power was not an issue.. i noticed i had to shift more on the 250 when trying to ride it like a 125, but its not a problem and have since adjusted to it.. i have had no mental blocks and can't wait for the white stuff to go away!!!

i suggest if you dont have a lot of skill get a four stroke 250.. they are the future and the way to go now, however i love my premixed machine :)

pic - 125
http://community.webshots.com/s/image6/2/14/51/81721451JoLcZU_ph.jpg

pic - 250
http://community.webshots.com/s/image5/9/28/92/103692892uqiisN_ph.jpg

 

[kx134]

i moved down from 250 to 125 and don't plan on moving back up or getting a four stroke. The 125 has all I want and I am not as lazy as I was on my kx 250.

Could be faster, but thats not the bike.