"This is the best 250cc two-stroke bike ever made".

williamsmotowerx 10/31/2011 7:52pm
10/31/2011 7:52pm
I've ridden them all, part of my job to evaluate the bikes.

I couldn't believe how good the KTM '12 250sx motor is.

You guys trying to compare that antiquated 250 stuff... just fooling yourselves. They're not even in the ballpark.
chillrich
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chillrich 10/31/2011 7:56pm
10/31/2011 7:56pm
Really? Votes for a 1997+ CR250????? The '97 vibrated until '99... not just those model years, the 97 literally vibrated until 1999!!! After 2001 the case reed had terrible power.Ergo's were great. It's no wonder Honda discontinued the 2T in 2007.

Yamaha had/has most consistent power delivery. But, KTM has been developing the machine year after year and that has to say something.

BWTFDIK
jmc2
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jmc2 10/31/2011 7:57pm
10/31/2011 7:57pm
slipdog wrote:
I'd vote for 2001 Cr250 with a 2000 PWK carb
Agreed...
mrquick
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mrquick 10/31/2011 8:04pm
10/31/2011 8:04pm
NP301 wrote:
[img]http://www.sistemamx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/258X6036.jpg[/img]
EvanR127 wrote:
I will raise you to this....... [IMG]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/volwrath25/6231501515_cc11acabf5_b.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/volwrath25/6231500739_14663bb9ed_b.jpg[/IMG]
I will raise you to this.......

I'll go with RC's Suzuki ^^^^^^^^^^^

The Shop

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JayDoubleU 10/31/2011 8:18pm
10/31/2011 8:18pm
williamsmotowerx wrote:
I've ridden them all, part of my job to evaluate the bikes. I couldn't believe how good the KTM '12 250sx motor is. You guys trying...
I've ridden them all, part of my job to evaluate the bikes.

I couldn't believe how good the KTM '12 250sx motor is.

You guys trying to compare that antiquated 250 stuff... just fooling yourselves. They're not even in the ballpark.
Everytime I get on a KTM 2 stroke it reminds me why I don't want one.
My last ktm 250sx was 03 which happened to be my very first year on a 250. I switched to blue ones in the next year and have only thought a yellow bike was near as good as a blue one since.

I have not rode a ktm 250sx never than 09. Is the 12 Ktm power useable or is it just some rocket ship that is hard to ride.
If I got a new Yamaha I think think of very few things I would need to do to it to get it back to my liking. Ever rode a Yamaha with the Ty Davis pipe/silencer combo? (which was really noleen) That thing Barked with that one tooth down on the rear and a vforce and good jetting with half and half race/pump gas 50:1!! I have a hard time believing anything is better is why I am asking. I am thinking a ktm will fall apart. I would need to buy expensive tripple clamps unless the rake has changed on them and I don't think stock Ktm SX suspension really compares to a stock Yamahas in the rough choppy stuff. Will the rear brakes go out 20 minutes in? I'm just asking if you are saying a yz250 is really that much worse!? If so why!? 50hp of pure wheel spin is really that much better than 45-47 or whatever a blue bike is with traction? I am asking you because I know you do a good job on motors and I have been wondering this a lot lately.
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kxking 10/31/2011 8:43pm
10/31/2011 8:43pm
NP301 wrote:
[img]http://www.sistemamx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/258X6036.jpg[/img]
EvanR127 wrote:
I will raise you to this....... [IMG]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/volwrath25/6231501515_cc11acabf5_b.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/volwrath25/6231500739_14663bb9ed_b.jpg[/IMG]
I will raise you to this.......

Nope....The Suzuki is nice, but that Kawasaki is killer !!!
eThug
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eThug 10/31/2011 9:07pm
10/31/2011 9:07pm
the kx is a hose of a bike, but the motor rips (and is very YZ like from what i hear, interally)

KIPS powervalves are dumb..........
Kartwheel84c 10/31/2011 9:57pm
10/31/2011 9:57pm
williamsmotowerx wrote:
I've ridden them all, part of my job to evaluate the bikes. I couldn't believe how good the KTM '12 250sx motor is. You guys trying...
I've ridden them all, part of my job to evaluate the bikes.

I couldn't believe how good the KTM '12 250sx motor is.

You guys trying to compare that antiquated 250 stuff... just fooling yourselves. They're not even in the ballpark.
I've owned a '96 CR250, ridden '05-12 YZ250s, RM250s, and I have to agree the new KTM250SX is freakin UN-REAL. I dearly loved my '96 CR250, but comparing it to a '12 250SX is silly, not even in the same ballpark.
JayDoubleU 10/31/2011 10:13pm
10/31/2011 10:13pm
a lot of people still talk about the 96 cr250 motor but that thing is so old. What is so good about the 12 motor to you? Is it just strong everywhere?
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hammertime 10/31/2011 11:10pm
10/31/2011 11:10pm
Flatliner wrote:
96 Cr 250. Best 250 ever.
yeah....or the last yz 250's. no question.
2strokerider 11/1/2011 3:12am
11/1/2011 3:12am Edited Date/Time 11/1/2011 3:16am
The ktms are great bikes to ride- I would buy one tomorrow if they didnt have so many reliability issues. At the 2 stroke champs this year one rider had a conrod snap on a 5 hour old ktm 250 2 stroke, causing around £1000 worth of damage, then when it was rebuilt (with genuine ktm parts) the big end bearing let go another 4 hours later. Several riders have had triple clamps snap on their ktm 250s this year, a couple of rear wheel spindles, another rider has had 2 output shafts snap in half on his ktm 150. Another common fault has been the reeds pulling through into the engine (its happened to 3 different riders more than once!) - but i beleive v force have designed a new block for 2012 to try to prevent this. Also, a few common problems with clutch plates breaking up.
Ive ridden a 2011 ktm 250, and i thought it was great- it was light years ahead of the jap 2 strokes (really strong useable power all the way through- and right off tickover, it felt incredibly light and handled great) - just the reliability issues that put me off. I cant help but think ktm have gone a little too far with the weight saving on this bike (which has in turn made it less reliable) - its pretty much unheard of for jap bikes to snap triple clamps or rear wheel spindles!

Personally, I would rather stick with my rm 250- as I know they are pretty much bulletproof if you look after them. The ktms have a stronger motor, but Ive seen far too many problems with them this year to go out and buy one! The yam 250s are a great bike too, and the hondas can be once you get them set up right.
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Jefro98 11/1/2011 3:37am
11/1/2011 3:37am
Flatliner wrote:
96 Cr 250. Best 250 ever.
I had one of those and agree. That was a great bike.
I went YZ250's after 1996.

I got a chance to ride a 1996 CR250 this summer and felt right at home after 1/2 a lap.
So much fun to ride that bike.
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kyle450rider 11/1/2011 4:01am
11/1/2011 4:01am
The 2012 SX250 is what I had planned on purchasing this year. Plans fell thru and I thought I had better buy a used 2 smoke to see if I even liked riding them anymore. I've only owned 1 other KTM and it was a 1995 model. Thing was pretty reliable until I purchased it....LOL.

KTM continues to develop the 2 strokes. Look for fuel injection in the next couple of years. I bet it's on it's way.
mx_phreek 11/1/2011 4:50am
11/1/2011 4:50am
94 kx250, great motor and best suspension out there and looked bad ass compared to others. 95 and 96 shit and back to good in 97.
Shawn142
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Shawn142 11/1/2011 4:51am
11/1/2011 4:51am
Talking about how good things were 15 years ago really shows how the development on 2-strokes not only stopped, it actually went backwards. I haven't seen anything I'd consider a step forward from the mid-90s on until this new KTM. Those are brutal horsepower numbers from a stock bike.
Erick
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Erick 11/1/2011 5:39am
11/1/2011 5:39am
Shawn142 wrote:
Talking about how good things were 15 years ago really shows how the development on 2-strokes not only stopped, it actually went backwards. I haven't seen...
Talking about how good things were 15 years ago really shows how the development on 2-strokes not only stopped, it actually went backwards. I haven't seen anything I'd consider a step forward from the mid-90s on until this new KTM. Those are brutal horsepower numbers from a stock bike.
You are propably right about that, save for suspension technology. I am not saying the overall handling package is better, just saying the suspension technology in itself has improved.

Some say the best motocross bike ever made was the 1981 Maico 490

Maybe in a few years when there will be a major update of the KTM SX250 (which it will get) we will say that bike will be the best motocross bike ever made.
Kryan5
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Kryan5 11/1/2011 5:49am
11/1/2011 5:49am
I can't speak for many bikes, but I have ridden the 06-12 yz250's and a 2005 kx250 and the motor on the KX kills the YZ. I'm not sure about the handling though. The bikes have 2 very very different feels and I can't tell if the bike handling is bad or if its just to different for me to get comfortable. I can tell you one thing though. The front on the KX tends to tuck and wash out a lot even after trying to adjust fork height. My goal was to buy a new KTM250sx this year but that plan fell through.... Third kid on the way. But i do intend on having the 13' model.
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Racer92 11/1/2011 6:00am
11/1/2011 6:00am
mrquick wrote:
I'll go with RC's Suzuki ^^^^^^^^^^^
Smart choice, the RM250 has proven its mettle offroad as well as on the track !



Rodney wouldve had even one more of those #1 plates on the RM250 had he not hurt his thumb at the last of the season and missed that years title by just a teeny amount. You dont pull off that many titles on an inferior machine.

Pit Row

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newmann
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newmann 11/1/2011 6:15am
11/1/2011 6:15am
Shawn142 wrote:
Talking about how good things were 15 years ago really shows how the development on 2-strokes not only stopped, it actually went backwards. I haven't seen...
Talking about how good things were 15 years ago really shows how the development on 2-strokes not only stopped, it actually went backwards. I haven't seen anything I'd consider a step forward from the mid-90s on until this new KTM. Those are brutal horsepower numbers from a stock bike.
People still rave about the 87 CR250 as the best bike ever so I jumped at the opportunity to snag a super mint low hour one a few years back. Boy, talk about a weird feeling bike. Sway backed, bars back in your lap and power that is mediocre,though smooth.

What's really sad is the fact that for bikes to advance over the last twenty years took a buttload of added weight, double the displacement, 150 extra moving parts and aluminum frames. Doesn't sound like advancement to me. The four stroke power delivery has smothed things out and with the added displacement, made it easier for normal folk to go faster, but at the cost of a top heavy pig of a bike. Had the displacement advantage not been given, the four stroke never would have taken off like it did.
Erick
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Erick 11/1/2011 6:48am
11/1/2011 6:48am
newmann wrote:
People still rave about the 87 CR250 as the best bike ever so I jumped at the opportunity to snag a super mint low hour one...
People still rave about the 87 CR250 as the best bike ever so I jumped at the opportunity to snag a super mint low hour one a few years back. Boy, talk about a weird feeling bike. Sway backed, bars back in your lap and power that is mediocre,though smooth.

What's really sad is the fact that for bikes to advance over the last twenty years took a buttload of added weight, double the displacement, 150 extra moving parts and aluminum frames. Doesn't sound like advancement to me. The four stroke power delivery has smothed things out and with the added displacement, made it easier for normal folk to go faster, but at the cost of a top heavy pig of a bike. Had the displacement advantage not been given, the four stroke never would have taken off like it did.
Indeed. The funny thing is. One reason aluminium frames where chosen was because there was a steel shortage in Japan at the time. This has nothing to do with performance.

I am unsure about the ease of production of aluminium frames.
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Hut 11/1/2011 6:51am
11/1/2011 6:51am
Erick wrote:
Indeed. The funny thing is. One reason aluminium frames where chosen was because there was a steel shortage in Japan at the time. This has nothing...
Indeed. The funny thing is. One reason aluminium frames where chosen was because there was a steel shortage in Japan at the time. This has nothing to do with performance.

I am unsure about the ease of production of aluminium frames.
and here all along I thought they were developed just to make it hard to swap jets.
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Shawn142 11/1/2011 7:09am
11/1/2011 7:09am
Shawn142 wrote:
Talking about how good things were 15 years ago really shows how the development on 2-strokes not only stopped, it actually went backwards. I haven't seen...
Talking about how good things were 15 years ago really shows how the development on 2-strokes not only stopped, it actually went backwards. I haven't seen anything I'd consider a step forward from the mid-90s on until this new KTM. Those are brutal horsepower numbers from a stock bike.
newmann wrote:
People still rave about the 87 CR250 as the best bike ever so I jumped at the opportunity to snag a super mint low hour one...
People still rave about the 87 CR250 as the best bike ever so I jumped at the opportunity to snag a super mint low hour one a few years back. Boy, talk about a weird feeling bike. Sway backed, bars back in your lap and power that is mediocre,though smooth.

What's really sad is the fact that for bikes to advance over the last twenty years took a buttload of added weight, double the displacement, 150 extra moving parts and aluminum frames. Doesn't sound like advancement to me. The four stroke power delivery has smothed things out and with the added displacement, made it easier for normal folk to go faster, but at the cost of a top heavy pig of a bike. Had the displacement advantage not been given, the four stroke never would have taken off like it did.
I should clarify and say the Japanese 2-strokes didn't make much movement past the mid-90s. Certainly suspension tech has come a long way but I can solve that problem by bolting late model CRF suspension onto my '02 CR (which I did). The newer KTMs certainly prove there are areas 2-strokes can still be improved on especially with the adaptability. It's a shame the Japanese kinda turn a blind eye to that market but it's understandable, they are mostly companies who have their real stake in other interests. Off-road bikes are a side show to them.
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TX_187 11/1/2011 7:24am
11/1/2011 7:24am
NP301 wrote:
[img]http://www.sistemamx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/258X6036.jpg[/img]
EvanR127 wrote:
I will raise you to this....... [IMG]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/volwrath25/6231501515_cc11acabf5_b.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/volwrath25/6231500739_14663bb9ed_b.jpg[/IMG]
I will raise you to this.......

kxking wrote:
Nope....The Suzuki is nice, but that Kawasaki is killer !!!
Pretty Sexy..
RM Mike
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RM Mike 11/1/2011 7:36am
11/1/2011 7:36am
06 RM
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Racer92 11/1/2011 7:46am
11/1/2011 7:46am Edited Date/Time 11/1/2011 9:29am
RM Mike wrote:
06 RM
Good choice. >05 is all the same
reded
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reded 11/1/2011 8:02am
11/1/2011 8:02am
EvanR127 wrote:
I will raise you to this....... [IMG]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/volwrath25/6231501515_cc11acabf5_b.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/volwrath25/6231500739_14663bb9ed_b.jpg[/IMG]
I will raise you to this.......

kxking wrote:
Nope....The Suzuki is nice, but that Kawasaki is killer !!!
TX_187 wrote:
Pretty Sexy.. [img]http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5679/cr500isit.jpg[/img]
Pretty Sexy..
I gotta go with the Honda on this one...WOW!
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TeamGreen 11/1/2011 9:19am
11/1/2011 9:19am
2012 CR250R-AF

I'm jus' sayin'...
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Flatliner 11/1/2011 9:23am
11/1/2011 9:23am
Flatliner wrote:
96 Cr 250. Best 250 ever.
Jefro98 wrote:
I had one of those and agree. That was a great bike. I went YZ250's after 1996. I got a chance to ride a 1996 CR250...
I had one of those and agree. That was a great bike.
I went YZ250's after 1996.

I got a chance to ride a 1996 CR250 this summer and felt right at home after 1/2 a lap.
So much fun to ride that bike.
I'm going to try to find one again this winter-spring that's not too hammered, throw some tlc on it and have fun!
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peelout 11/1/2011 9:27am
11/1/2011 9:27am
bish153 wrote:
You know, Im sure ktm's are nice and all, but shit when does the ball sucking end?
why does it have to be ball sucking?

why can't it be that people are happy that there is a manufacturer out there that wants to give people the choice of what they want to ride?

i'm glad Yamaha is still producing/selling 250's but they stopped progressing them a long time ago. good for KTM on keeping the technology of the two stroke moving forward.
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Tiki 11/1/2011 9:32am
11/1/2011 9:32am
redrider400 wrote:
I'm going with the 2000 or 2001 CR250.
My arms hurt thinking about that bike. It pulled mine out about an inch. That was a powerful motor.

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