Congrats TexXR. One ride is all it takes on that '01 to see why so many people have been buying them. "The best" 250 class MX bike? Debatable for sure. One heck of alot of fun, great handling, smooth addictive power that makes a 225 pounder like you feel like you weigh 170? You bet. Big guy on a big bike with lots of power and great suspenders - sounds like a match to me.
That 426 power is so cool. The secret is it makes 40 to 44 hp over a 5,000 RPM spread. Once you get it up above 5500 RPM it is simply dial-a-thrust, no shifting required.
Oh, flop it upside down in a revine a few times before you finalize your impressions on its starting:p .