Posts
1692
Joined
5/9/2011
Location
AU
Watched this video this morning and found it interesting how Ping talked about how good the forks were and said he can't believe the manufacturers have moved away from spring forks.
Obviously the CV system is like a works system but if manufacturers stuck with the springs I think there would be a trickle down effect. Instead the manufacturers are trying to reinvent the air system.
Also thought it was funny how he was talking about how hard the 125 is to ride. Almost like he was blown away that people could even race them at one time
Last thought, why the hell won't husky give that bike to stanky, imagine him on a works 125, that would be sick
Anyway, here's the video
Obviously the CV system is like a works system but if manufacturers stuck with the springs I think there would be a trickle down effect. Instead the manufacturers are trying to reinvent the air system.
Also thought it was funny how he was talking about how hard the 125 is to ride. Almost like he was blown away that people could even race them at one time
Last thought, why the hell won't husky give that bike to stanky, imagine him on a works 125, that would be sick
Anyway, here's the video
Really seems like Husky would throw him a bone since his videos get more action than any of their other rides. Jason who?
The Shop
Same can be said about the poor 250 smoker vs 450's.
Seriously, why the fuck are these rules still in place?
Don't get me wrong, I agree with you completely, but the reality is, none of the manufacturers want displacement equality, not even KTM or Husky. Nobody wants to invest 100K into their "state of the art" 250Fs only to get wrecked by Kaven Benoit on a a 7K 250 2-stroke with A-Kit suspension and a pipe.
And It's definitely hard to ride the 125's. Recently I traded my 4-stroke KX250F for a 2-stroke SX150 and it's quite confronting to notice how bad of a rider I became during my time on the four stroke. Just a lot more lazy, cutting insides, crappy lines, in the saddle too much etc.
The 2-stroke makes me focus on technique and momentum a lot more. Also my cursing game stepped up. It really is a struggle but it's fun to notice the improvements you make on riding the bike.
"Mike Landman – Penrite Honda Racing team manager:
In the Lites class, definitely not. Not a 250 two-stroke anyway, maybe a 150 or something like that. A stock 250 four-stroke out of the box, is anywhere from 35, 36 to 38hp and a stock 250 two-stroke is 8-10 more horses than that. It is possible to get a 250 four-stroke to about 40 or 41hp but you can increase the power in the two-stroke as well and it’s faster to begin with. They should be in separate classes. I think that’s something that could be worked out. My concerns are with running the two together – one, is the big horsepower advantage, and two, I can see that the average person who goes to buy a bike is paying similar money for something that has 10 more hp, probably less in maintenance, and I can see it killing the 250 four-stroke class because you can’t blame people. If you’re a privateer riding in that class it’s a no brainer, you will ride a 250 two-stroke. I totally disagree with it because it’s not a fair and level playing field."
http://www.motoonline.com.au/2014/07/31/point-two-stroke-vs-four-stroke-solutions/
But here is the reason MA (Motorcycling Australia) let the lites class consist of 250 two strokes and 250f's. To boost entrant numbers, especially in a domestic series where there is a clear difference between the factory teams and the next level down, If you are not on a factory team then basically you are a privateer or very close to it. Factory Yamaha is easily the biggest player here in Australia and have been for a long time, their 250F's would be punching close to 50 Hp. Even getting more than 40Hp from a 250f requires serious dollars, and with that comes serious maintenance. If you are a privater racing out of a van then there is only so far your fitness will take you when there is such a stark contrast in performance between your dealer supported effort and the full factory bike you line up next to (wich probably has suspension worth more than your Race bike and van put together)
So. As a result it becomes less feasible for anybody that isn't heavily supported to race at a national level here. Enter the 250 2T. MA made it a rule that the engine on a 250 2T must remain in stock trim from the reed cage to the exhaust port, Thus eliminating the advantage that they hold over easy to be made power. You can then buy a brand new 10 grand KTM 250sx that makes the same power as the 80 grand Serco YZ250F, but you dont need to strip the engine down every meet and it provided you with a platform to race at a national level and you did it for cheaper.
Pit Row
If you have the option, keep your 4-stroke and pick up a small-bore 2-stroke...for the fun times (250cc 2-strokes are not much fun IMO).
Classic one-liner from Ping right there. Love it!
the air fork issue comes back to companies trying to save money,
the great thing about spring forks, yes they can be harder to setup with shims and stuff BUT you dont have to play with it EVERY TIME YOU RIDE. set it once and tune your clickers, and they dont fade or change with the heat
Post a reply to: Ping on air forks and 125's