Power Differences between 250 2-stroke and XR250R?

XR400RMan

Member
Dec 11, 2000
213
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I have an XR250R, How much harder would it be to ride a 2002 Yamaha YZ250? How much faster is the YZ? I know its alot faster but how much, I have been riding an XR250R for about 3 months and got it fixed about a week ago because it was burning oil, The XR is a 1991 and it has SMOOTH POWER ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE RPM RANGE, How would a Stock 02 YZ250 be in the woods? Does it have a long powerband and how hard will it be to hang on to than my XR? I have heard that the 02 YZ250 has Great Bottom power and has a powerband as long as interstate 10(thats what Dirt Rider Mag. said), Would I have to fan the clutch alot in the woods? There is a guy that lives behind me that has a CR250R and that thing RIPS, He races Hare Scrambles and enduro races. I don't want something that HITS HARD as It would probably scare me or will I get used to the HIT? Thanks Matt and sorry for all the questions.
 

rickyd

Hot Sauce
Oct 28, 2001
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WHats happenin Xr400man,
Is there any way you can ride your neighbors bike?? If you do try a 2-stroke, i recomend keeping your fingers on the clutch, just in case you twist the throttle too hard, you can pul the clutch in in the event of a wheelie.. As for the hard hit, i hadn't ridden for about 8 years and i went and bought a 2001 kx250, you get used to it in my opinion..
Hope this helps you out, have fun..
Rick
 

James

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Dec 26, 2001
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An xr250 is nothing like a YZ or CR 250. The 250 two strokes hit much harder and are much faster. After 6 months, I am not completely used to my CR250 yet...it absolutely blows away my modified XR400.

XRs are MUCH better in the woods. I have the 400 and my brother has the 250. We are much faster on either of those than on the two-stroke 250. The two stroke doesn't pull as well down low, hits hard, and can get away from you quick. ALSO, the suspension on mine is a bit too stiff for rocks and roots....the YZ may be a bit more plush though as 2000 CRs are known for crappy suspension.
 
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karterron

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Mar 24, 2002
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It would be like the difference between a 4 cylinder automatic car and a Dodge Viper. Not even close and no way to even compare how much difference there really is. The XR plugs along while the CR tries to throw you off the back if your not holding on.
 

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member
May 3, 2000
5,348
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Whoa there, guys! Most 2 stroke 250 MXer's can be tuned to deliver smooth, woods friendly power. Usually this is done via jetting and flywheel weights, but reeds, silencers, pipes and porting are also used.

After you tune the motor to behave how YOU like it, the bike will not only have more power than the XR, but better suspension, brakes and lighter weight.

If you are converting a bike to do something it wasn't sold to do, you have to spend more time and money on set up. But an MX bike can be made very friendly in the woods, even for an inexperienced rider. JMHO.
 

karterron

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Mar 24, 2002
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I don't disagree with what you are saying but why would you do it to such an extreme? By that I mean, the difference between an XR250 and CR250 is a whole lot more difference than say a YZ250 and WR250. Yes the hit can be taken away at a considerable cost so why not buy a woods bike if that is what you are looking for?

His post said he was looking for a woods bike. Now if he said he wants to ride motocross and woods I would agree on looking at the CR250 because it is easier to detune than make a woods bike a good motocross bike. But, if your plan is to ride woods or trails only, why buy a motocross bike? Get a woods bike and save the extra money.

My opinion is don't buy a bike in the first place that is not designed to do what you want. The cost to convert it to what you want makes no sense. If your looking to ride both woods and motocross then think about which you are more interested in and get the bike that fits that description. To me it makes no sense to buy a CR250 and then spend the money it would cost to detune it to XR like power. Spend half the money and get the XR if that bikes tendencies are what you want.

Just my opinion.
 

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member
May 3, 2000
5,348
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It all comes down to personal preference. If you are an XR kind of guy, you will love that as much as anything else.

Just wanted to say it does not take 'extreme' mods to make an MXer into a good woods bike. It's done all the time with excellent results. Most people considering a new bike will not find the cost of a flywheel weight prohibitive.

FWIW, I ride mainly woods and that's what my CR was bought to do. I have never raced an MX, and I used to have a '90 XR250. The previous owner paid for the woods conversion, and I got the bike for much less than a new one.
 

bluerider125

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Feb 23, 2002
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hey, did everyone forget the KDX's? i would suggest the KDX220, good compromise from cr/yz and xr. they are said to be very smooth power-delivery, great susp. for woods, and i think they come stock w/ lights.

-Rob
 

XR400RMan

Member
Dec 11, 2000
213
0
I think you all for the great replies, The reason I want a 250 MX bike is because I know it will make me a better rider,Not saying it will make me a faster rider but I KNOW I will be a better rider. I can ride the XR and be goofing off and not get in trouble easy with the power because it is so smooth,In other words I can get "LAZY". I want a 250 MXer also so when I go riding with my friend on the CR250R I can keep up, He KILLS me on straight aways. Would I be more likly to get hurt on the YZ than the XR in the woods? How much are you guys paying for your 2002 YZ250's? Which used bike 97 or newer would be good for woods? How is the 2002 KX250's bottom end power and does it have a long powerband? Thanks again for the help here guys,Matt
 

rickyd

Hot Sauce
Oct 28, 2001
3,447
0
XR400man,
As far as getting hurt , you can get hurt on any bike i think.. Only goes as fast as you tell it.. I bought my 01 kx250 last november for $4700otd, plus they gave me $300 towards accessories.. The bike has a good power band for me, pulls hard on the bottom, i dont worry too much about top end cause i mainly ride on tracks..
Hope this helps you,
Rick
 

DirtDawger

Member
Jun 24, 2000
81
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Dirt Bike Dave hit the nail on the head. It is all in the setup. As far as becoming a better rider a modified 125 can be a good choice. When I ride my friends KX 125 I am stupid fast on it. :eek: The 125's power delivery and narrow powerband demands an agressive riding style. I can be very lazy on my 250 because their is always more power waiting to be tapped.
 

XR400RMan

Member
Dec 11, 2000
213
0
Thanks for the replies everyone, You all have been a big help, Don't know what I am going to do yet, There are so many choices out there that I want to make sure I make the right one, Matt
 

LWilson250

Member
Jan 1, 2001
683
0
I really feel I need to toss in my word here...

I used to ride a 1995 XR250. I really out paced the suspension and it was getting un-safe to ride it at the speeds I tried to push it to.

I now ride a 1998 KX250 and love it to death, it took me a few months to get used to and to set up correctly but now that I have it right it's a blast!!!

The KX is so scary fast... It's so much more fun to ride then my XR ever was. The suspension, weight and power are so much better then the XR, it's un real.

The KX has not made me a better rider yet, but it has allowed me to ride better then I ever have before.

I added a CEET gripper cover and an 11oz. flywheel weight to smooth the hit.

The bike is easy as pie to ride in the woods and is a blast in the straights.

Lee W.
 

23jayhawk

Sponsoring Member
Apr 30, 2002
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Just a quick chime-in - if you truly are looking to become a better rider, then more/quicker hitting power is not the best solution. In almost every motorsport, drivers/riders know that if they continue to polish skills without a power advantage, they ultimately become better than the competition. Otherwise, you get lazy making up that 10 bike length deficit with a little twist of the grip on the straights.
 

derekk87

Member
May 29, 2002
153
0
the two stroke hit is overrated its not like it gains 15 hp in 100 rpm just look at a dyno chart they are all steady curves for the most part it would definitely be a huge change but its nothing you couldnt handle if u stick with it. just dont get discouraged to easily
 

wildmanmike

Member
Apr 2, 2002
38
0
i ride a cr125 strictly in the woods..as do most of my friends...i have no problems at all...just takes an aggressive riding style to keep it in the power band...by the way..i love the hit ...its a blast , its what makes a two stroke fun in my opinion.
 

bobby

Member
Oct 24, 1999
67
0
Just one word.... Get a used KTM 400 or 520.. Get an EXC and it's agreat woods bike and can hold it's own on the MX track. All the power, nonoe of the hassell and in lightly used condition, possibly cheaper.
 

AnneBrooks

Member
Jan 17, 2001
313
0
just my .02 on this.............I rode a 94 XR250R last season and learned a lot on that bike. You are right---smooth power all the way up. I now have a KTM 200 MXC that I love. The power delivery on that bike is much different from my XR and has quite a bit of a hit compared to the smoothness of the XR. If you truly DO NOT want a hit, but just want to go faster and develop into a better rider, I would not suggest a full blown MX bike.

Also, you mentioned you had only been riding the XR for 3 months? Is that how long you have been riding all together? If so, don't rush it. Riding skills and speed take time. How long has your friend been riding?

As for getting hurt---no one "wants" to get hurt, it just happens. Rookie or not, anyone can get hurt (speaking from experience).

Lastly, remember 90% rider 10% bike. Let us know what you get.
 

XR400RMan

Member
Dec 11, 2000
213
0
Thanks for the reply Annebrooks and everyone else, My friend has been riding since he was a kid, He's in his 30's now and I'm 17. He races Harescrambles and stuff like that, He is just Plain FAAASSST in the woods, Yeah I have only been riding about 3 months on Dirt Bikes and LOVE IT. But just the other day my dad brought it to my attention that I am 17 and I am going to have to buy a car and pay insurance so I probably won't have enough Money to get another bike right now, So I might just have to keep my XR for a while longer which will be fine, It just seems that sometimes that some people think that if your not on a 125 or 250 MX bike that you can't ride, People call the XR250R a SLOW bike, Well no its not as fast as a 250 2-stroke but its all I need, I just like to fit in with everyone else. But I went over the ThumperTalk and say just how many people are riding XR250R's and that made me feel better. Thanks again Matt
 

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