Back to a 2 stroke

[quote="Moto East Mag":1oxz387d]Too bad the only Japanese 250s left are the RM and the YZ.[/quote:1oxz387d]
They were the best two 2-strokes anyway, so at least the best two are still available.

What's Suzuki's plans for the 250? I thought this year was the last.

[quote="Larry":311s6vpe]I have to chime in on the KTM 200. I was looking at 450's 250F's and 250 2smokes but I have wanted one of those 200's since KTM introduced them. I was not sure if it was going to be able to carry my lard ass around.
After my first HS in 22 years I knew I had made the right choice. It is without a doubt the best bike I have ever ridden in off road stuff. It thrives on muddy ruts filled with rocks and roots. Then when I get to an open section I fan the clutch a little bit and it comes on like a 250 2 stroke minus a little arm stretching. When I do stall it it always cranks on the first kick!
One other thing it is a lot of fun on MX tracks as well.
[img:311s6vpe]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/1958Larry/DSC01712.jpg[/img:311s6…]
That is a good looking scoot, but one question, how the hell do you put numbers on those side plates?

[quote="jtomasik":2kuj0xnm]What's Suzuki's plans for the 250? I thought this year was the last.[/quote:2kuj0xnm]
Im hoping they see the light and keep it alive. I mean, this thing is a work of art!
[img:2kuj0xnm]http://204.56.209.7/misc/2005rm250-2.jpg[/img:2kuj0xnm]

well with the ama allowing the kids to run the 250 pinger against the 250f i bet ktm, yamaha and suzuki are making a killing.

[quote="Racer92":lnw0nljx][quote="jtomasik":lnw0nljx] this thing is a work of art!
[img:lnw0nljx]http://204.56.209.7/misc/2005rm250-2.jpg[/img:lnw0nljx][/quote:lnw0nljx…]
and a vision of Beauty

There is a AF CR500 for sale on WisconsinMX .com Good price too.

http://www.wisconsinmx.com/FORUMS/viewtopic.php?t=1971

I switched back to 2S for a few months and thought I was having a ball. I was reconverted til that sumbitch Kicked me on my head like a 4S would never do.

Talk about a pissed off bike. It laid there laughing at me that I would allow myself to trust him. I got up, started it up and rode back to the pits.....real careful like.

Don't fall for it. They remember. It a cult - they network. Just when you think you can trust him.....

[quote="teggers":2hurrwcg]I switched back to 2S for a few months and thought I was having a ball. I was reconverted til that sumbitch Kicked me on my head like a 4S would never do.

Talk about a pissed off bike. It laid there laughing at me that I would allow myself to trust him. I got up, started it up and rode back to the pits.....real careful like.

Don't fall for it. They remember. It a cult - they network. Just when you think you can trust him.....[/quote:2hurrwcg]
Tim,

It was punishing you for your transgressions into the four-stroke arena. You deserved it.

-Steve

[quote="engine32":3o96s0ee][quote="Larry":3o96s0ee]I have to chime in on the KTM 200. I was looking at 450's 250F's and 250 2smokes but I have wanted one of those 200's since KTM introduced them. I was not sure if it was going to be able to carry my lard ass around.
After my first HS in 22 years I knew I had made the right choice. It is without a doubt the best bike I have ever ridden in off road stuff. It thrives on muddy ruts filled with rocks and roots. Then when I get to an open section I fan the clutch a little bit and it comes on like a 250 2 stroke minus a little arm stretching. When I do stall it it always cranks on the first kick!
One other thing it is a lot of fun on MX tracks as well.
[img:3o96s0ee]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/1958Larry/DSC01712.jpg[/img:3o96s…]
That is a good looking scoot, but one question, how the hell do you put numbers on those side plates?[/quote:3o96s0ee]

Like this
[img:3o96s0ee]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/1958Larry/DSC01065.jpg[/img:3o96s…]

I know he has used sevice 500's most all the time, I know personally of a 2003 rode 5 times, (like across the field type deal) and then 2 motos on it. I rode the bike one day when i broke mine. It's for sale.

it's barely broke in.

[quote="wardy":2csqcd7v]I know he has used sevice 500's most all the time, I know personally of a 2003 rode 5 times, (like across the field type deal) and then 2 motos on it. I rode the bike one day when i broke mine. It's for sale.

it's barely broke in.[/quote:2csqcd7v]

I need to test ride an older model (which is within my budget this year) like the one you spoke of. I gotta figure out if that's the route I'll go. I sent AJ an email asking for contact info of anyone in the Colorado area that might have one. Also, I'm headed out to Cali around the 4th of July, so I'd be available for a test ride if one's in the Hesperia, Lancaster, or Redlands area.

This is an awesome thread.

Here's a challenge to everyone. Come up with multiple links to each of the Big Five. Both for the US branches as well as the honchos back in Japan. Cut and paste this thread to them and request a reply back from them.

For Yami and KTM, I would thank them and encourage them to stay with the smoker. For the others, I would tell them they are missing out on a market.

[size=150:30wdn9j9][u:30wdn9j9]Post any links you come up with for the rest of us to use.[/u:30wdn9j9][/size:30wdn9j9]

I don't have the time at work now but I gave Honda a quick shot - [url:30wdn9j9]http://powersports.honda.com/help/[/url:30wdn9j9] - and don't see an email link. But they must have one somewhere.

[quote="Todder":p6xdj10v]There is a AF CR500 for sale on WisconsinMX .com Good price too.

http://www.wisconsinmx.com/FORUMS/viewtopic.php?t=1971[/quote:p6xdj10v]


Ohhh man....don't do this to me now! I just emptied almost $8k out of my savings...I need to build it back up before I dump more coin!

Good call Race! I just left some feedback athttp://www.kawasaki.com/OurCompany/Co ... px?sub=prd. Give them a shout. Long live the Smoker. BRAAAAAP!

Who's got some more mfgr email links?

Come out, come out wherever you are all you industrie types.

jtomasik-
still trying to find guys with the year models you are interested in testing in Colo..or cali.
not that easy to do..

example:
"hi , listen, i built you a bike a few yeas ago, ,care to let some guy come test ride it?
" title="Wink">
but i'll find someone ..


also, the wisc bike , looks decent for sure,
but to be clear , that isnt a Service Honda bike..
(i never built any 500AF's on 450 chassis)

AJ, yeah, I know I'm asking quite a bit. Sorry 'bout that. But, I'm gonna sell the CRF (which doesn't bother me) and my RM to get the 500AF. I really like my RM, so I'd be bummed if I sold it and got something that wasn't all I expected.

I'm curious...are there any years of the 500AF where the bike's behavior took a substantial leap forward? If so, what was that year?

jtomasik-
Each frame generation certainly improved.
the 97-99 , 00-01, 02-04
,then in 05 -08 i went to the CRF250R chassis.

but with each of honda's refinements,
the amount of improvement lessened over the previous model , as would be expected..?

for example the largest change was 99 to the 00 frame .
head a shoulders different.big time different.

the 01 to new generation 02 was a nice improvement but not earth shaking.,,
and the 04 , to 05 (4th generation of the Honda frames)
was again an improved chassis, but not drastic.

I do like the 08 500AF the best, and not just saying that as marketing hype,,lol
and any of the newere 05 -08 models ..

The 2004 limited edition (on the 125 frame, is great if you can find one(not likely)

and the 02 -04 (based on the CR250) was a very good handling machine.
( i'll probably be riding my 03 this next week,if our weather ever cooperates)

Thanks, AJ. I'll keep that info in preparation for the shopping to begin.

[quote="Racer92":2exzfif8][quote="jtomasik":2exzfif8]What's Suzuki's plans for the 250? I thought this year was the last.[/quote:2exzfif8]
Im hoping they see the light and keep it alive. I mean, this thing is a work of art!
[img:2exzfif8]http://204.56.209.7/misc/2005rm250-2.jpg[/img:2exzfif8][/quote:2exzfif8]

I dig mine too, I don't think I could replace it with another bike. Great do anything bike.
[img:2exzfif8]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/rmz290/117-1765_IMG.jpg[/img:2ex…]

Sold the 05 KX 250f and bought 03 Kaw KDX 220! Ah, the good old days! Now I am trying to buy an 05 KX 250!

Like this
[img:3j2m77af]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/1958Larry/DSC01065.jpg[/img:3j2m7…]

That thing looks bad ass!!

I love my yz450f when im racing motocross. but its a little much for the back yard practice track and when im stuck in first or second gear riding arenacross stuff. I want to pick up a used 250 on the cheap. any ideas?? the last ts i had was a 1985 cr 80. i was thinking an 02 or newer yz250. good bike??

02 YZ250 is a great bike, and in CA that particular year is quite desireable (no communist sticker). The YZ250 motor has seen minimal changes since 99. In 02 they changed the plastic. 04 new forks. 05 aluminum frame and new forks. 06 new forks. That's highly simplified, but you get the idea.

If you want a wide ratio transmission, WR400/426 gears drop in. Either all 5 of them, or 3rd-5th. Big tanks, 18" rear wheels, etc, etc.

Contacting the mfgrs on this:

Kawasaki ( They have an easy email link ) - [url:289ahl3s]http://www.kawasaki.com/OurCompany/ContactUsForm.aspx?sub=prd[/url:289a…]

Honda ( no email link, but the 800 number there is 24/7 so you can easily speak to someone at all hours ) - [url:289ahl3s]http://powersports.honda.com/help/[/url:289ahl3s]

Yamaha ( no email link, but the 800 number there is 24/7 so you can easily speak to someone at all hours ) - [url:289ahl3s]http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/contactus/home.aspx[/url:289ahl3s]

Suzuki ( no email link and I don't even see an 800 number ) - [url:289ahl3s]http://www.suzukicycles.com/Inside_Suzuki/ContactUs.aspx#CUSTOMERSERVIC…]

KTM ( no email link and I don't see any USA phone number ) - [url:289ahl3s]http://www.ktm.com/Contact.97.20.html[/url:289ahl3s]

I didn't spend too much time searching each site so there may be an email or phone squirreled away somewhere. And no doubt, some of you industrie insiders could always drop a link for the rest of us.

Anyhoo, all you smoker drivers, give them a call or pass it around. The Kawi link is easy and I urged them to stay with the two-stroke. The 800 numbers at Yami and Honda picked up on a Sunday afternoon pretty quick. I thanked the Yami rep for their continued support of the YZ250 and suggested they continue the 125 as a 144 or whatever the rules end up at. When I spoke to the Honda rep I urged them to get back on the two-stroke as there is still demand and reminded him of the rule changes in amateur racing, which he didn't seem to know about. I also suggested to Honda and Yamaha that they need to have an easy email link on their sites for customer feedback and to check the MX message boards around the country to gauge two-stroke demand.

For KTM and Suzuki, I am hoping someone coughs up a link or 800 number.

Might not make a difference but who knows? For all the thumper drivers either support it or don't but save your negative comments. We've already been there/done that.

Or one of these :
IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w29/motogeeze/Maico-500-MXweb.jpg[/I…]

[img:d8lail5o]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w29/motogeeze/Maico-500-MXweb.jpg[/i…]

[quote="mikey":3ms5tfaz]I just bought a slightly used 04 ktm 200exc. First 2 stroke I've had for a few years. I still have three 4 strokes, but I forgot how much fun the 2 smoke is to ride. Think I got caught up in "the craze" of the last few years. If you enjoy riding and not doing time consuming and sometimes expensive maintenance buy a 2 smoke! (especially for harescrambles n enduros) Anyone else slowly returning to the 2 stroke out there? Or maybe some of you were smart enough not to switch in the 1st place!?[/quote:3ms5tfaz]


I just got back from riding my 01 RM250...kind of pre-running for a death ride next weekend. Jesus...after riding the 4-smoke all winter...that bike kicked my ass today. Had to spray starter fluid in the filter to get it fired up...kicking it over killed whatever momentum I had this morning. Then riding it...arm-pump was a killer the first half-hour. But once I settled in...it reminded me why I bought it. Screw tractability...I just coasted up most of the and rode it like I was one a track.

I like them in the desert because they're more forgiving when the unknown pops up at high speeds. I've had many saves that I don't know would of be savable on a 4-smoke. But again...I'm not an expert...and that's just how it feels.

i love my 98 KX 250 and whenever my CRF450 grenades ill be looking to get a 500AF built [b:3hccpl9v] but ultimately id rather have a KX500AF...[/b:3hccpl9v]