Some opinions for a transition to woods...

GeorgiePorgie
Recently been doing Grand Prix races that involve MX grass and woods. Having a lot of fun. Considering transitioning from straight Moto to a harescramble/Moto hybrid. Love the seat time you get. Love racing the course as hard as I'm racin the riders. Never thought I'd say this but I like this woods stuff.

Want to start doing 2 hour harescrambles. Was thinking about picking up a yz250fx. What do you woodsy Moto guys suggest. Just don't wanna spend 10 grand on a husky tx300. Well I do. But damn the 10k price tag. Sick

Ugh. Electric start 300tx just makes my heart ache for one. But the practical side of me says to buy a yz250 and over size tank it and save the money.


Your suggestions ?

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GeorgiePorgie 10/14/2016 5:49pm
10/14/2016 5:49pm Edited Date/Time 10/14/2016 5:51pm
Eroc series motoXcountry

These races like really reminded me why i ride a dirtbike. Just so much fun and love for the sport.
450
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450 10/14/2016 5:54pm
10/14/2016 5:54pm
I raced enduros for years before moto. Now when I occasionally run a woods race I really enjoy my YZ250. I run a Recluse on my 450 for moto and after putting one on that 2 stroke I've never had more fun on the trails. I am usually on pretty tight single track so that helps from stalling. E start would be awesome though. Last enduro I did with the clutch though I only stalled it once in a 6 hour race and that's because the bike was upside down on top of me.
Spooner
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Spooner 10/14/2016 5:55pm
10/14/2016 5:55pm
Does your series have dead engine starts? My 250xc is quite a weapon and I picked it up used for half of new..
Katoomey
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Katoomey 10/14/2016 6:08pm
10/14/2016 6:08pm
GeorgiePorgie wrote:
Recently been doing Grand Prix races that involve MX grass and woods. Having a lot of fun. Considering transitioning from straight Moto to a harescramble/Moto hybrid...
Recently been doing Grand Prix races that involve MX grass and woods. Having a lot of fun. Considering transitioning from straight Moto to a harescramble/Moto hybrid. Love the seat time you get. Love racing the course as hard as I'm racin the riders. Never thought I'd say this but I like this woods stuff.

Want to start doing 2 hour harescrambles. Was thinking about picking up a yz250fx. What do you woodsy Moto guys suggest. Just don't wanna spend 10 grand on a husky tx300. Well I do. But damn the 10k price tag. Sick

Ugh. Electric start 300tx just makes my heart ache for one. But the practical side of me says to buy a yz250 and over size tank it and save the money.


Your suggestions ?

then just get a YZ250X, not the "F", put a big tank on it and go at it. Thats a great bike. The KTM/Husky are great bikes, and have a ton of grunt down low, but with a few little things you can make the YZ a stump puller too. You'll never think about an electric starter if the bike is tuned well (an ignorance is bliss sort of thing)

Your gonna get monkey butt, and sore hands, so make sure you have good riding shorts, well fitting gloves, and soft grips. A lot of off-road guys like doughnuts too. Personally I don't like them.

wrap around handguards are a good idea too, or at least sturdy handshields like Cycra's Recoil. Wrap-arounds are good because they will protect your throttle tube and levers in a get-off.

The Shop

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Steadman
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Steadman 10/14/2016 6:44pm
10/14/2016 6:44pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2016 9:31am
GeorgiePorgie wrote:
Recently been doing Grand Prix races that involve MX grass and woods. Having a lot of fun. Considering transitioning from straight Moto to a harescramble/Moto hybrid...
Recently been doing Grand Prix races that involve MX grass and woods. Having a lot of fun. Considering transitioning from straight Moto to a harescramble/Moto hybrid. Love the seat time you get. Love racing the course as hard as I'm racin the riders. Never thought I'd say this but I like this woods stuff.

Want to start doing 2 hour harescrambles. Was thinking about picking up a yz250fx. What do you woodsy Moto guys suggest. Just don't wanna spend 10 grand on a husky tx300. Well I do. But damn the 10k price tag. Sick

Ugh. Electric start 300tx just makes my heart ache for one. But the practical side of me says to buy a yz250 and over size tank it and save the money.


Your suggestions ?

Awesome. Hare scramble/cross country racing is the cats ass my man! I've been racing off road for years, and ride motocross to train and have fun. You sure get your money's worth and seat time racing hare scrambles.

Bike selection. I've been at this for many years and it still keeps me up at night thinking about it haha. I have both a 250F with revalved suspension and a two stroke XC model. I enjoy both thoroughly. It comes down to this (for me anyway) The tighter more technical/rough terrain is where I feel best on the two stroke. It's lighter, feels more nimble. If it's more open terrain (thinking atv width, flowing, wider trails) grass tracks and such I prefer my 250F because it gets the power down and feels more planted.

A YZ250X or YZ250FX would both be great choices. I guess is comes down to which motor style you prefer. I rode a YZ250X a few weeks ago and was very impressed with it (stock trim)

Oh and dreams of overpriced Husky's haunt me as well haha. Someday…someday.
rohleder644
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rohleder644 10/14/2016 7:06pm
10/14/2016 7:06pm
You should definitely buy an 06 (sss suspension) yz250 with a flywheel weight.


I know a guy with one for sale.....
Caseclosed713 10/14/2016 7:28pm
10/14/2016 7:28pm Edited Date/Time 10/14/2016 7:30pm
Offroad racing is awesome, i never thought id be into it either. It sure beats sitting around all day at the mx track waiting for your 5 lap moto.

I picked up a kdx200 for $1300 and the bike is a blast in the woods.
woodsrider427
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woodsrider427 10/14/2016 7:38pm
10/14/2016 7:38pm

Buy a used bike, I picked up this 2013 300XC for $5,500 with less than 10 hours on it, and it included some extras. I don't know that I'll ever buy a new bike again.
Haven't raced a Harescramble since 2008, been too busy playing moto Dad. Definitely miss it though and plan to do some more soon.

GeorgiePorgie 10/14/2016 8:04pm
10/14/2016 8:04pm
Spooner wrote:
Does your series have dead engine starts? My 250xc is quite a weapon and I picked it up used for half of new..
Did someone say dead engine start?!?!?

Cool

Grand Prix holey
F150Motocrosser 10/14/2016 8:10pm
10/14/2016 8:10pm


Age is merely a number. '92 Husky 360 WXC.. Chugs through the trail and quick to satisfy any desire for more power.
GeorgiePorgie 10/14/2016 8:10pm
10/14/2016 8:10pm Edited Date/Time 10/14/2016 8:14pm
Crow canyon motoXCountry EROC


Siiick husky f150....


Pretty sure I should just piss on the four strokes. My heart is fully dedicated to 2....why change something that works right ?
Sir Roostsalot 10/14/2016 8:16pm
10/14/2016 8:16pm
I raced MX for 25 years before switching to Hare Scrambles. Did them for 4 years and then really started to miss MX again so I went back. I became "claustrophobic" in the woods and longed for the WFO feeling of MX, really missed the main jet and the aggresion that you only get from MX.
resetjet
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resetjet 10/14/2016 9:03pm
10/14/2016 9:03pm
YZ250fx is a great bike. You probably will need a bigger tank if you are on the gas. I have ridden that bike at demo's and when I can find one for $4000 it is mine. I am currently on a 13 ktm 250 sxf and weigh 225 lbs. Its just alot more fun and you can push and ride the bike instead of the bike riding you. 1. Don't be afraid of the trees. Its a mindset that has no basis in reality. 2. 2 hours requires some stamina. Just being able to haul the mail is not enough. 3. Your moto skills will go a along way and once you get used to the environment you will move up fast.
WTaylor7
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WTaylor7 10/14/2016 9:28pm
10/14/2016 9:28pm
I'd put a bigger tank on it minus the bike some good tips coming for a guy who has raced woods for a long time drink water and no pop starting mid week before a race try to ride 3 nights a week for at least an hour get your suspension done before you try a woods race and don't go out and go all out try to save energy
SeaClassExpert 10/14/2016 9:45pm
10/14/2016 9:45pm
Buy a YZ250, any aluminum frame year will do.

Buy a big tank for said YZ250.

Tune the suspension for your weight and skill level.

This should not cost more than $3500, and if you decide that you don't like hare scrambles, you don't have that much invested in the bike.
Niloz
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Niloz 10/14/2016 11:25pm
10/14/2016 11:25pm
When I was still in Ohio I rode a 2006 yz250 with an 8 oz flywheel weight and fmf gnarly pipe and suspension done by Bob Harrington at Pro Action Suspension in Warren for woods racing and it was almost perfect. Raced CRA harescrambles, AWRCS and GNCC.

Then I picked up a KTM 200 XCW and never looked back. Most fun and best woods bike I've ever owned. It's as light as a 125 and almost the power of a 250 with lots of low end. You can lug it or rip it depending on the conditions. Totally stock with Pro Action suspension and a total blast in the woods.
Iridereallyslow 10/15/2016 2:52am
10/15/2016 2:52am
It started for me when I would get so frustrated going to the local MX track and having to wait my turn to only ride 15-20min per hour. I have been doing the hare scrambles and enduros in Florida now for about 15 years now. I always have more fun and get more seat time in the woods, then when riding MX.

I've had many bikes over the years, but for woods.....I've got an RM125 and a KX250 (w/fly wheel weight), both have big tanks and Cycra pro-bend hand-guards (allow you to get your hand off bike easier in a crash), and spark arrestors. The two-stroke is just the better bike for this type of riding IMO. I've got less into both these bikes than what any new bike costs and if one breaks I have another to ride. Plus my woods bikes are really not depreciating in value. This is the best bang-for-your-buck I've found in this sport.

BobPA
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BobPA 10/15/2016 4:42am
10/15/2016 4:42am
2006 KX 250 with a gnarly pipe, regular hand guards, and a big tank is all I use.....and it also works pretty well on the track.

250f's are awesome woods machines, as are 350's

There are times that I wish I had the magic button..

If you really want to have some fun do some harescrambles on a 125

Pit Row

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mxer512
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mxer512 10/15/2016 4:46am
10/15/2016 4:46am
honestly think suspension is one of the key components to make or break you in woods riding. its needs to be subtle and compliant. but not too compliant. if your suspension isn't dialed you are going to be a tired mofo by the end of two hours.
EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 10/15/2016 5:33am
10/15/2016 5:33am
2012+ KTM 300 XC, enough said...
resetjet
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resetjet 10/15/2016 6:00am
10/15/2016 6:00am
Suspension is key for sure. Dont discount a magic button, especially on a four stroke. It is normal to fall two or three times in a race and still win. But usually you are so winded having to kick it can be too much. Plus it helps big time on the dead engine starts and real big on the run to bike starts.
GeorgiePorgie 10/15/2016 7:41am
10/15/2016 7:41am
I've been doing these on a yz 125 /144. ligh and I can still ride them dog tired with little worry of getting ground walloped.
mxer512
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mxer512 10/15/2016 7:48am
10/15/2016 7:48am
resetjet wrote:
Suspension is key for sure. Dont discount a magic button, especially on a four stroke. It is normal to fall two or three times in a...
Suspension is key for sure. Dont discount a magic button, especially on a four stroke. It is normal to fall two or three times in a race and still win. But usually you are so winded having to kick it can be too much. Plus it helps big time on the dead engine starts and real big on the run to bike starts.
Its actually faster to kick start a bike on dead engine start then it is to hit the "magic button" ask Destry Abbott.
DC323
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DC323 10/15/2016 8:50am
10/15/2016 8:50am Edited Date/Time 10/15/2016 8:51am
I'm a big fan of YZ250's for offroad. They are cheap, easy to work on, and very versatile. I currently own a 2006 YZ250. It has an 11oz flywheel, FMF gnarly, full wrap handguards, skid plate, and springs for my weight. It could use a revalve to make it more compliant offroad. Since I sometimes do motocross and I'm not a serious racer, I've left it stock. A lot can be done with the clickers on the KYB SSS suspension.
Spooner
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Spooner 10/15/2016 9:20am
10/15/2016 9:20am
I highly recommend a rekluse too.
Dialledforlife 10/15/2016 10:29am
10/15/2016 10:29am
I would recommend a 200 or 300 EXC/XC-W dependant on whether you are doing more technical or more flat out terrain. Have a 200 myself and use it for hare scrambles/enduro and MX tracks and it is incredible fun (even though the suspension is way too soft for MX) and I won't go back to a 4 stroke now. The 4 strokes smooth power is great but the power on these 2 stroke enduro bikes is nothing to sniff at and they are just so light and flickable!
harescrambled 10/15/2016 5:08pm
10/15/2016 5:08pm
resetjet wrote:
Suspension is key for sure. Dont discount a magic button, especially on a four stroke. It is normal to fall two or three times in a...
Suspension is key for sure. Dont discount a magic button, especially on a four stroke. It is normal to fall two or three times in a race and still win. But usually you are so winded having to kick it can be too much. Plus it helps big time on the dead engine starts and real big on the run to bike starts.
mxer512 wrote:
Its actually faster to kick start a bike on dead engine start then it is to hit the "magic button" ask Destry Abbott.
Depends on whether you have a 24v start kit installed...
harescrambled 10/15/2016 5:10pm
10/15/2016 5:10pm
I'd stay away from 4 strokes unless it has a button...
DYE
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DYE 10/15/2016 5:47pm
10/15/2016 5:47pm
EastFlorida wrote:
2012+ KTM 300 XC, enough said...
I was about to type the same thing. I picked up a 13 250xc last year. Been racing woods for 6 years with occasional day at the track here and there. Hands down best bike I have ever owned! Does it all
rallendude
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rallendude 10/15/2016 6:39pm
10/15/2016 6:39pm
Get you a good used 2012 or so KTM250. Doesn't matter EXC, SX, XC. Then make it work for you. Suspension set-up, tune the power valve and carb for woods, 18" rear for the SX, big tank, bark busters, steering damper, pipe guard, brake and shifter snake. You should be able to do all that for $6k.

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