Posts
138
Joined
10/8/2014
Location
CA
Edited Date/Time
10/17/2014 3:08pm
I'm in a dialemna because both of these options are blind for me (never rode either). I'd like to pick up one of these bikes this weekend. I'm 40 now, and a professional practice track rider. I ride on a deep sand track 90% of the time. I just sold a yz250 smoker. I've been riding 250 2 strokes my hole life. The yz was a great bike, and i went good on it, but I can't help but wonder if life would be easier with a LITTLE less power - if i would be a little less tired and get a little less arm pump. I don't feel like i need a drastic cut in the power delivery of the yamaha, just a trim. But what the hell do i know riding the same kind of machine forever?
On the 250sx i can unplug a wire, and put a soft spring it it. I can't get an idea of how much of an effect this is going to have. Would it be fair to say that it would be like the yz with the edge taken off and be a little smoother and easier to manage? If so, thats all i'm looking for.
On the 150sx i can't find a negative review. Everybody seems to love them. Example : "I'm a 420lb sumo wrestler and i normally ride an 800cc bultaco, and the 150 hauled my sumo diaper around the track fine". But these reviews don't help when you're paranoid, indecisive, and buying blind. I haven't even ridden a 125 in 2 decades so i can't even compare that. I'm not the kind of rider that lugs it around in a higher gear so screaming the bike is not an issue. But i'm concerned about the small bore/sand combo. Is 11,000 rpm in the sand going to lead to grenades and top ends every 15 hours? Is this the kind of bike that you need to do starts in 1st gear on? will i be shifting like mad? The 150 in question has an FMF pipe combo on it if that helps.
Does this thing need race gas? I know they would like it, but does it need it? My YZ worked with octane boost, but my honda's had to have C12 or they sounded like a diesel.
Being an old bastard now I'm not good at relearning things. Everybody says how easy 4strokes are to ride but I just can't adapt. I'm not even sure i can adapt to the sound of a 150 sounding like a bee's nest over the 250 angry barking dog note.
On the 250sx i can unplug a wire, and put a soft spring it it. I can't get an idea of how much of an effect this is going to have. Would it be fair to say that it would be like the yz with the edge taken off and be a little smoother and easier to manage? If so, thats all i'm looking for.
On the 150sx i can't find a negative review. Everybody seems to love them. Example : "I'm a 420lb sumo wrestler and i normally ride an 800cc bultaco, and the 150 hauled my sumo diaper around the track fine". But these reviews don't help when you're paranoid, indecisive, and buying blind. I haven't even ridden a 125 in 2 decades so i can't even compare that. I'm not the kind of rider that lugs it around in a higher gear so screaming the bike is not an issue. But i'm concerned about the small bore/sand combo. Is 11,000 rpm in the sand going to lead to grenades and top ends every 15 hours? Is this the kind of bike that you need to do starts in 1st gear on? will i be shifting like mad? The 150 in question has an FMF pipe combo on it if that helps.
Does this thing need race gas? I know they would like it, but does it need it? My YZ worked with octane boost, but my honda's had to have C12 or they sounded like a diesel.
Being an old bastard now I'm not good at relearning things. Everybody says how easy 4strokes are to ride but I just can't adapt. I'm not even sure i can adapt to the sound of a 150 sounding like a bee's nest over the 250 angry barking dog note.
yes and yes. You will have to ride a 150 like you stole it to go anywhere quickly, but it will teach you to carry momentum in turns. and in turn make you a better rider. If you are saying that at times the yz was too much, don't consider the sx 250. Race gas will make it run a bit better, but jetting correctly to temp with a premium oil and gas will be more noticeable.
sorry but racing at 40 is not old bastard. I know guys in the vet expert class that are 55+
Buy one and rip it, don't like it? sell it. They sell used everyday.
Buy a nice used 150 to ride for a while and make sure it will be enough to satisfy you, since you mostly ride deep sand. That way if you regret it you won't lose money on it, providing you get it for a good price.
I LOVED my 150s, but contrary to what many people say, you do have to ride them like a maniac in order to go fast on it, unless you weigh 140 pounds, ESPECIALLY in the sand. A 250SX can be set-up the way you want it. You can make it into a fire-breathing monster (Red PV spring, larger carb, shorty silencer,...) or you can make it as calm as can be (green PV spring, unplug wire, gearing,...)
Plus the powerband is SO broad for a 2-stroke that you don't half to shift half as much as you would on a 150. I ride 90% of all tracks in one gear (3rd) and they are all sand tracks. You can almost come to a dead stop and accelerate out of 3rd without missing a beat if you have the correct jetting.
You can't go wrong on either of these bikes, but from what you wrote, I feel like the 250 would be a way better option.
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
I have always ridden small two strokes and absolutely love the 150sx, but the bike is not for everybody
If you must get a new bike, these mods will work for a 250SX just the same.
The verdict is another two hundred and fifty.
Done dilio.
I went with an '11. I realized I don't necessarily need less power; I just have to move it around a bit. I'll post more pitchers and report the decrease in arm pump after a ride
Post a reply to: 150sx or detuned 250sx?