Best 2 Strokes

MXD
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MXD 1/22/2014 12:06pm
1/22/2014 12:06pm Edited Date/Time 1/22/2014 12:07pm
Graybeard wrote:
I have to agree with CamP--go with an 03-07 Honda CR250R-I personally race the '04 CR250R. You can get them at a GREAT price, they are...
I have to agree with CamP--go with an 03-07 Honda CR250R-I personally race the '04 CR250R. You can get them at a GREAT price, they are awsome handling bikes, and if you're not comfortable with just racing at the top end of the powerband, you can send the cylinder and head over to Terry Varner Motorsports and he'll get you a ton of bottom end for around $450 with his porting and decking work. I think he gets like 6 more HP out of the bottom end. And there are a bunch of suspension shops that did work on those model years--Merge, Enzo, Factory Connection, RG3 so you can get the suspension race ready for your level as well.
I'm not saying I disagree with the post above, I'm just saying that by the time you get a great deal on one and put money into the motor (which will likely require some race gas) you could have just bought a used bone stock RM with an already awesome motor and unmatched handling.
smezmx
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smezmx 1/22/2014 12:08pm
1/22/2014 12:08pm
CamP wrote:
If buying new, I think it's a toss up. I would buy the YZ because I've seen them for as little as $5,500, brand new.
GeorgiePorgie wrote:
Where???? I haven't seen anything south of 6400. And that's not out the door!!!! Everyone raves the Ktm engine is better. I think it's because they...
Where???? I haven't seen anything south of 6400. And that's not out the door!!!!

Everyone raves the Ktm engine is better. I think it's because they come with a vforce stock. Slap a vforce on the Yamaha and the bike noticeably picks up equally as strong as the Ktm off the showroom.

I've rode the KTMS. They feel taller, not as much distance from seat to handlebar kinda feeling if that makes sense. They handle well and pull hard.

I love my 06 yz 125. Thing rips. I plan on keeping this bike for eternity. I changed the 7/8 bars to pro tapers with the riser adaptor. Bad idea, the bike handles better with 7/8. The pro taper and risers feel like they offset the bar position way too drastically. But the newer models don't have 7/8 clamps so that is fixed.

I loved my 08 yz250. The bike soaked up high point rough with ease, cornered beautifully, and neer faltered confidence when coming in heavy to hard packed corners. No front end push ever and I used stock triple clamps. Was planning on keeping it for eternity. Until some asshole decided he was gonna take and it destroy it for all eternity.

You can't go wrong either way. The suzukis handle great as well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-YZ-NEW-2012-YZ125-2-Stroke-Race-Bike-Tim…
Digger29
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Digger29 1/22/2014 12:41pm
1/22/2014 12:41pm Edited Date/Time 1/22/2014 12:45pm
I'm an RM250 guy & have raced them pretty much my whole life. After taking 9+ yrs off I came back in 2010 & bought a KXF450 because everyone was on 450s & I hated it & couldn't ride it for shit so I sold it & bought a brand new in the crate 2007 RM250 & I was back in love after about 5 corners on it at my local practice track. In the summer of 2012 I had ton of hrs on it & I just really wanted a new bike. My options were another RM250 a new YZ250 & the KTM250SX. I didn't see the RM happening because I was never going to find another brand new one & I ruled out the YZ because to me it's just a warmed over 06 & not nearly as good as the RM250 anyway so I went with the 13 KTM 250SX & while I didn't like it the first cpl of days out on it. It had a very light front end feel & the suspension was very cranky & the power just hit too hard for me. I made some calls to some friends & one of them got an email from Andrew Langston from KTM & he gave him all the engine & suspension set up tricks. After we made the changes the bike was just amazing & is definitely the best 250 2 stroke ever made. I swapped with a friend who has 2 13 YZ250s & one has a Pro Circuit motor because we were both kind of curious about each other bikes. I only rode few laps and came in & told his son that my bike will kill the YZ & literally felt like the KTM had 10 more HP than his YZ. He rode about 10 laps & I knew he liked by how quickly he was able to fast on it & the fact that he stayed out there for 8-10 laps. He came in & tossed it on my crate & said to me & his son that he needed to get one & that the KTM was amazing & that it felt as if the my KTM had 10 more HP than his YZ & I said that I told your son the very same thing when I came in from riding his YZ. Since then I've installed the 300SXS kit & my bike is just an unbelievable MX bike & without the doubt the best 2 stroke that I've ever ridden. It just a blast to ride/race & serious weapon on the track. The fit and finish on the new KTMs is second to none, sorry Honda but you've been dethroned it the fit and finish department. All of the nuts & bolts are high quality & it is a very well thought out & designed bike because everything is very accessible on it.
sargeant
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sargeant 1/22/2014 1:37pm
1/22/2014 1:37pm
had an 08 yz 250 with susp done and flywheel weight put 100 hrs on two top ends. fun and trouble free. currently have husqvarna 144. stock, fast,fun,light, highly recomend both. unless your a pro there is no need to get a ktm for the xtra power on the 250. ive ridden one and they are very fast. one of the funnest bikes ive ridden is the 250xc. fast but easy to ride.

The Shop

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njracer46
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njracer46 1/22/2014 1:43pm
1/22/2014 1:43pm Edited Date/Time 1/22/2014 1:44pm
Skerby wrote:
The KTMs are held together with zip ties and wood screws, they also vibrate like ****ing hell. YZ 250 greatest motocross bike of all time (opinion)...
The KTMs are held together with zip ties and wood screws, they also vibrate like ****ing hell. YZ 250 greatest motocross bike of all time (opinion). I've put 350 hours on mine and I've only replaced 8 top ends, 3 cranks and 1 transmission! It never actually broke though, Im just scared of old cranks. I found some gear dogs in my oil one day and thats when the trans got replaced, that was at the 300 hr mark though.
Those "wood screws" make it so you can't strip any plastic out smart guy! I just took my bike apart, only zip ties I found were for the frame gaurds.

Sorry your yz gets out braked and out accelerated. (opinion) Whistling
CamP
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CamP 1/22/2014 2:28pm
1/22/2014 2:28pm
Graybeard wrote:
I have to agree with CamP--go with an 03-07 Honda CR250R-I personally race the '04 CR250R. You can get them at a GREAT price, they are...
I have to agree with CamP--go with an 03-07 Honda CR250R-I personally race the '04 CR250R. You can get them at a GREAT price, they are awsome handling bikes, and if you're not comfortable with just racing at the top end of the powerband, you can send the cylinder and head over to Terry Varner Motorsports and he'll get you a ton of bottom end for around $450 with his porting and decking work. I think he gets like 6 more HP out of the bottom end. And there are a bunch of suspension shops that did work on those model years--Merge, Enzo, Factory Connection, RG3 so you can get the suspension race ready for your level as well.
MXD wrote:
I'm not saying I disagree with the post above, I'm just saying that by the time you get a great deal on one and put money...
I'm not saying I disagree with the post above, I'm just saying that by the time you get a great deal on one and put money into the motor (which will likely require some race gas) you could have just bought a used bone stock RM with an already awesome motor and unmatched handling.
The 05-07 CR250 engine is easy and inexpensive to transform into an excellent engine. It only needs .030" milled off the base of the cylinder. That's a $40 job. Then install a rejetted 00-up YZ250 carb. Just those two mods transform the engine into a fire breather from bottom to top. C12 required unless you add 2.7cc of volume to the head for pump gas.

The 02-07 CR250 chassis is better than the YZ/RM/SX/KX chassis, and it's a lot harder to improve a chassis than it is to improve an engine.
mx965
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mx965 1/22/2014 2:53pm
1/22/2014 2:53pm
MXD wrote:
If we read between the lines of all of these replies, I think they say "no matter what, stay away from the Kawi and Honda". Not...
If we read between the lines of all of these replies, I think they say "no matter what, stay away from the Kawi and Honda". Not one person has mentioned them and probably for good reason.
CamP wrote:
I don't know much about the last KX's, but I love my 07 CR250. The 05-07 CR would have been a shootout winner with a few...
I don't know much about the last KX's, but I love my 07 CR250. The 05-07 CR would have been a shootout winner with a few simple engine mods. The problem is they are rare, so you may wait a long time for a really nice one to pop up.
I have a 2012 YZ250 and a 2002 CR250. I will say, i love them both. I dont know why people dont stick up for these cr's. I love mine i think its an awesome bike. It handles like a dream. When i first got the yam it took a minute to get used to the slower handling of it compared to the Honda. The honda is faster on top but the yz has better bottom end. Also for the people that say "i cant spend the money on a new bike thats an 06" They have made changes since then and whose to say thats bad technology? why change something thats not broken? You can get a yz250 out of the box and its a monster.
PRM31
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PRM31 1/22/2014 3:05pm
1/22/2014 3:05pm
I had an '03 CR250R. I cannot recommend it. It handled okay, suspension was good, and the motor, while fast, was like having a light switch for a throttle. You got all or nothing. I ended up spending in inordinate amount of time to get the jetting pretty good, added a pipe, reeds and that helped the motor. It was still nowhere as easy to ride as a YZ250 and the YZ's suspension and handling was noticeably better.
RY9MX
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RY9MX 1/22/2014 3:08pm
1/22/2014 3:08pm
SinjinL wrote:
Hey everyone, I am looking into buying either a 125 or 250 2 stroke. I was curious to everyones opinion on which 2 strokes are the...
Hey everyone, I am looking into buying either a 125 or 250 2 stroke. I was curious to everyones opinion on which 2 strokes are the best. I know Yamahas are probably the best with KTM a close second but how are the rest of the bikes, and what are good years? Thanks for the help.
What's your budget? Will it be your only bike or a second play bike? If a second bike, I would get a 125. If its your main bike, get a 250. I have a nice 450 for racing, but I like to have a 2 stroke to play with and not rack up hours on my 450. Last year I had a nice 2006 cr125 that was great. It had decent power with a few minor mods and handled great (with proper suspension tuning). Sold it and now have a mint kx500 for screwing around on.

If budget isn't really a concern, I have never ridden more fun bike than the ktm 150sx.
catatonic
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catatonic 1/22/2014 3:08pm
1/22/2014 3:08pm
Anybody ride/own a late model husky 125?
The low price and included 144 kit are nice.
sargeant
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sargeant 1/22/2014 3:20pm
1/22/2014 3:20pm
catatonic wrote:
Anybody ride/own a late model husky 125?
The low price and included 144 kit are nice.
look above a few posts
catatonic
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catatonic 1/22/2014 3:30pm
1/22/2014 3:30pm
catatonic wrote:
Anybody ride/own a late model husky 125?
The low price and included 144 kit are nice.
sargeant wrote:
look above a few posts
Thanks........not sure how I missed that.
BobPA
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BobPA 1/22/2014 3:59pm
1/22/2014 3:59pm
peelout wrote:
hah! have you ever owned or worked on your own KTM? what year? and what website have you been following where you read bullshit about the...
hah!

have you ever owned or worked on your own KTM? what year? and what website have you been following where you read bullshit about the bikes then get on here and talk shit without having the firsthand knowledge for yourself?

my '12 300 is torn down right now going through all the bearings and top-end preparing for this season. i have literally taken out every single bolt on the entire bike for the first time since owning it. i will tell you right now that you are full of fucking shit saying it's held together with zip-ties and wood screws. seriously, where the fuck did you get that information?

after riding YZ two-strokes for years and now my '12 KTM, i will tell you first hand that the KTM is VERY well put together and they use very high quality bolts throughout the entire bike. the standard of bolts and connectors is every bit as quality if not more so than the YZ. i've owned at least 15 YZ's over the years, want to talk about shitty bolts how about the early 2000's steel bolts across the entire bike? the older KTM's may have used lesser quality screws/bolts, but the newer ones definitely don't.

you can be blinded by hate for the brand that's just fine, but talking out of your ignorant ass about a bikes "wood screws and zip-ties" is fucking stupid, and so are you if you truly believe it.

stfu moran

/end rant

Something along these lines better be in the future
....




Did this last year, they look soooo much better
malachi177
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malachi177 1/22/2014 4:17pm
1/22/2014 4:17pm
Used....05-08 RM250 or 125. I have both and absolutely love them. New, you're pretty limited but the money you save buying a YZ you can turn into aftermarket stuff to make it even better....that said the KTM300 is wicked.
Joko
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Joko 1/22/2014 5:47pm
1/22/2014 5:47pm
97-01 CR500 with a 12oz flywheel weight, properly setup suspension and a strong, fit physique is tough combination to beat, and will make you wonder why you were wasting your time with 250's
peelout
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peelout 1/22/2014 5:55pm
1/22/2014 5:55pm
BobPA wrote:
Something along these lines better be in the future .... [URL=http://s817.photobucket.com/user/btf454/media/CF1E2F43-8492-46F0-BA66-8E32911E0FAD_zpsfwafiicf.jpg.html][IMG]http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz99/btf454/CF1E2F43-8492-46F0-BA66-8E32911E0FAD_zpsfwafiicf.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s817.photobucket.com/user/btf454/media/45D543B4-CADE-4063-9A7B-7EB2BB84DA1B_zpsnsbr6ra7.jpg.html][IMG]http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz99/btf454/45D543B4-CADE-4063-9A7B-7EB2BB84DA1B_zpsnsbr6ra7.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Did this last year, they look soooo much better
Something along these lines better be in the future
....




Did this last year, they look soooo much better
I was going to do this on this tear down, after seeing yours I'm definitely doing it this year! So sick! Do all the wood screws and zip ties still attach properly?
GeorgiePorgie 1/22/2014 6:03pm
1/22/2014 6:03pm
CamP wrote:
If buying new, I think it's a toss up. I would buy the YZ because I've seen them for as little as $5,500, brand new.
GeorgiePorgie wrote:
Where???? I haven't seen anything south of 6400. And that's not out the door!!!! Everyone raves the Ktm engine is better. I think it's because they...
Where???? I haven't seen anything south of 6400. And that's not out the door!!!!

Everyone raves the Ktm engine is better. I think it's because they come with a vforce stock. Slap a vforce on the Yamaha and the bike noticeably picks up equally as strong as the Ktm off the showroom.

I've rode the KTMS. They feel taller, not as much distance from seat to handlebar kinda feeling if that makes sense. They handle well and pull hard.

I love my 06 yz 125. Thing rips. I plan on keeping this bike for eternity. I changed the 7/8 bars to pro tapers with the riser adaptor. Bad idea, the bike handles better with 7/8. The pro taper and risers feel like they offset the bar position way too drastically. But the newer models don't have 7/8 clamps so that is fixed.

I loved my 08 yz250. The bike soaked up high point rough with ease, cornered beautifully, and neer faltered confidence when coming in heavy to hard packed corners. No front end push ever and I used stock triple clamps. Was planning on keeping it for eternity. Until some asshole decided he was gonna take and it destroy it for all eternity.

You can't go wrong either way. The suzukis handle great as well.
smezmx wrote:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-YZ-NEW-2012-YZ125-2-Stroke-Race-Bike-Tim…
Oh, I thought we were talking yz250. Not 125...
ford832
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ford832 1/22/2014 6:26pm
1/22/2014 6:26pm Edited Date/Time 1/22/2014 6:27pm
My KTM's both had "wood screws" holding the shrouds to the tank.I thought it was great idea.Never seize,strip or back out.They had excellent parts but sometimes maybe not as well engineered in some areas as my Y-which didn't have as nice parts and had a few of it's own issues.Meh,I liked them all-esp the KTM engines and YZ suspension.If I was buying new tomorrow,I'd likely get the KTM,the last steel frame holdout of the big five anyway.

Pit Row

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NorcalVet
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NorcalVet 1/22/2014 8:35pm
1/22/2014 8:35pm Edited Date/Time 1/22/2014 8:35pm
.... out of the box 04+ RM 250 (showa's & strong motor)
revalve, updated rmz plastics, fresh top end, 10oz ffw = major fun factor

Jump for show & corner anywhere you damn well put her

found mine by looking here for a few weeks http://www.bikefinds.com/
malachi177
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malachi177 1/22/2014 9:08pm
1/22/2014 9:08pm
NorcalVet wrote:
.... out of the box 04+ RM 250 (showa's & strong motor) revalve, updated rmz plastics, fresh top end, 10oz ffw = major fun factor Jump...
.... out of the box 04+ RM 250 (showa's & strong motor)
revalve, updated rmz plastics, fresh top end, 10oz ffw = major fun factor

Jump for show & corner anywhere you damn well put her

found mine by looking here for a few weeks http://www.bikefinds.com/
You mean just the front fender/# plate from the RMZ...right?Blink
smezmx
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smezmx 1/23/2014 12:08am
1/23/2014 12:08am
this'!
kzizok
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kzizok 1/23/2014 5:24pm
1/23/2014 5:24pm
KTM's build years ago did seem like their bolts etc were sub-par but that has changed. A new KTM's fit and finish is at a higher level than the YZ's. However, the YZ's are awesome, proven and reliable. The RM 250's are great but of course you can't get new ones. Everyone feels more comfortable on a certain brand than another so finding which you "fit" the best would be first on my list. KTM parts are generally more expensive than both RM's and YZ's, that would be my second factor. Lastly, one thing I really like about the YZ's are the plethora of quality parts on e bay etc. you can get for cheap. These are a couple of factors to consider and really, getting those answers should provide you with your solution. Bottom line, if you gel with one of the three over another, then most of your decision is made. All three are awesome, they all have different aspects to consider, however, a fanboy obsession shouldn't be an aspect to consider. We all like one of the other but the one that fits your criteria the best, is the best one for you.
cr37
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cr37 1/23/2014 7:51pm
1/23/2014 7:51pm
Here is my 2 stroke.
ihatemotocross 1/23/2014 8:03pm
1/23/2014 8:03pm
u guys do realize this was a troll post, right?
Maverick313 1/23/2014 9:46pm
1/23/2014 9:46pm
CamP wrote:
The 05-07 CR250 engine is easy and inexpensive to transform into an excellent engine. It only needs .030" milled off the base of the cylinder. That's...
The 05-07 CR250 engine is easy and inexpensive to transform into an excellent engine. It only needs .030" milled off the base of the cylinder. That's a $40 job. Then install a rejetted 00-up YZ250 carb. Just those two mods transform the engine into a fire breather from bottom to top. C12 required unless you add 2.7cc of volume to the head for pump gas.

The 02-07 CR250 chassis is better than the YZ/RM/SX/KX chassis, and it's a lot harder to improve a chassis than it is to improve an engine.
Well said the 02-07 CR250s are the best handling, best quality and best durability and for a small investment a great engine. I do like the turn in on RMs, but there durability leaves a lot to be desired.
djp2k8
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djp2k8 1/24/2014 2:37pm
1/24/2014 2:37pm Edited Date/Time 1/24/2014 2:38pm
This may not help you but I went from an 04 KX125 to an 07 YZ144 and was literally shocked at how much better the bike was! The power increase was a lot more than I expected and the improvement in handling and suspension was night and day. My KX has revalved suspension too.
SinjinL
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SinjinL 1/24/2014 10:50pm
1/24/2014 10:50pm
ihatemotocross wrote:
u guys do realize this was a troll post, right?
It actually was not a troll post

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