Why did I get a 2 stroke it's like a handicap

xplane
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Edited Date/Time 2/19/2020 9:13pm
OK so I am a new rider and I have about 12 hours on a 2005 CR125. I bought this bike ragged out, replaced BOTH wheels, have done a shitload of maintenance and know the mechanicals inside and out. It's really easy to work on compared to a 4 cyl street bike. The 12 hours is basically my entire experience on a motocross track. All my other time was on street bikes. I only had about 2500 miles so you can imagine my level of competence. I'm finally getting to the point where I can go to the track, get a good workout, and not fall off the bike.

Anyway today I rode a 2007 CRF250 w/ pro circuit head and race gas. Why the hell does anyone bother with 2 strokes? This 4 stroke 250 has power everywhere and best of all for a new rider like me you can shift up and still get a good pull without the motor being wound out. For an advanced rider, if it makes the same power as a 2 stroke it's obviously a better choice since the power is more predictable and has way more area under the curve. Obviously the pro ranks have spoken although if F1 is any indication that means next to nothing as far as what's badass or what sucks.

I was easily moving even in deep sand and the bike had so much torque, all the time, that it was easy to get air where the 125 would just be bogging or spinning clutched out and not gripping. On straights, I could just grab a gear, grab the throttle, and go the same speed as I could MAYBE go at max effort on the 125. I know that I'll now be getting a 250, although I'll probably keep the CR since although it's a ridiculously unbalanced bike (great chassis laughably workeable motor) but very collectable.


The problem with the 2 stroke is it is all or nothing and while it does go i have to keep it wound out and I feel like a douchebag doing 11K rpms and riding slow and like a goon. If you drop it off the pipe it just sucks ass. Plus you have to CONSTANTLY shift it which gets old. I mean, this isn't a car where I'm sitting and I have paddles. I have to ride this thing and exert a lot of effort. You'd think I'm already doing enough that I don't need the additional "fun challenge" of shifting every 700 milliseconds.
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chump6784
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3/19/2017 11:52pm
You have probably the most underpowered 125 made. When the 250f's were introduced they were made to run with 125's. These days they are more on par with a 250 2 stroke.

In all but the pro classes the rules are 250 vs 250. I don't feel disadvantaged at all rolling up to the grid on my 250 2 stroke. I know I have one of the most powerful bikes on the grid.

Maybe ride a 250 2 stroke before you decide on the 250f
6
3/19/2017 11:56pm
You have a lot to learn yet.
There's lots of reasons why owning a 2005 CR is better than owning a 2007 CRF. And I'm not talking about performance.
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tobz
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3/19/2017 11:58pm
You'll figure it out one day grasshopper, go and dump some cash on a 250f for a couple of years, learn how to ride, then jump on a 250 twoey. You'll shit your pants on how much more fun they are.

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xplane
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3/20/2017 12:04am Edited Date/Time 3/20/2017 12:05am
OK, more like why did I get a 125. I had a 125 shifter kart and that thing was kickass since it was way easier to keep in the powerband AND it made more power. Not so for MX Honda 125. I wouldn't mind a larger displacement 2 stroke like a 250.

I don't care about the cost of 4 stroke maintenance.

The Shop

mxcolin
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3/20/2017 12:07am
This has to be a troll, talking about shifting paddles in his car and yet riding a 2005 CR125.
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xplane
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3/20/2017 12:09am
Don't misunderstand me, I got a 125 cuz I thought it would be cool. It's cool, but it's really, really laborious to ride compared to a 4 stroke 250.
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mxcolin
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3/20/2017 12:18am
Make sure you have a fresh top end and a good clutch. Learn to slam thru gears and keep up your speed thru corners. You will be having as much fun as you ever could on a fourstroke and be a more skilled rider.
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xplane
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3/20/2017 12:25am
I dunno it was pretty fun twisting that throttle in third and fourth and getting rocketed along without worries of RPM or super narrow powerband.

My latest top end is 1 hour old. The clutch is fresh. The engine technology is like spears and shields vs machine guns.
Moto331
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3/20/2017 12:34am
tobz wrote:
You'll figure it out one day grasshopper, go and dump some cash on a 250f for a couple of years, learn how to ride, then jump...
You'll figure it out one day grasshopper, go and dump some cash on a 250f for a couple of years, learn how to ride, then jump on a 250 twoey. You'll shit your pants on how much more fun they are.

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pdub187
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3/20/2017 12:40am
Troll.
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mxcolin
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3/20/2017 12:41am
No doubt the 250F wil be easier to go fast on, but easier isn't always better. The 125 can teach you how to be a better rider without going faster than your skill level may be prepared for.
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racechapman
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3/20/2017 12:42am Edited Date/Time 3/20/2017 12:45am
2 strokes are great 1) for people who grew up in the 90s or before because they are nostalgia-inducing, 2) for people who have a limited budget and therefore need the reduced maintenance, 3) for people who are already really good riders and want a fun play bike to throw ridiculous whips, or 4) for ultra lightweight kids coming off 2 stroke 80s.

I really wouldn't ever recommend a 250 2 stroke for a new rider because they are way too fucking radical. A 250f would be fine but are also a lot of extra expense and will make you a lazier rider. They're also heavier and will tire you out quicker. Instead bore that bitch out to a 144 or something and enjoy your newfound lease on life.

Also, personally I don't care about 2 strokes all that much. They're fun but they're more of a novelty to me. I'd never own one as my only bike.

Edit: I don't understand why people think this guy is a troll? A beginner who has only ridden a 125 and stepped on a modded 250f would probably think it had unlimited power lol
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agn5009
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3/20/2017 12:48am
Buy a CR 500. A 125 just isn't enough power for you.
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agn5009
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3/20/2017 12:50am
Seriously though, ride the 125. You need to learn how to ride before you worry about going fast. A 125 is a bike that many can go very fast on yet it's great to learn on.
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mxcolin
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3/20/2017 12:56am
I only said he may be a troll because he said " I mean, this isn't a car where I'm sitting and I have paddles." Thought it was odd that someone used to a car with paddle shifters would buy a 12 year old CR 125, but it looks like he may have been talking about carts.
tempura
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3/20/2017 1:11am
The 250f is easier to ride fast.
The 125 is fast in the right hands. The more you ride it, the faster you will become on it.
It takes skill to ride a 125 consistently fast around a track.
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Plugga
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3/20/2017 1:26am
You must be mistaken.

They who must be obeyed rule that a 125 is an equal to the 250F. Whistling
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tobz
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3/20/2017 1:57am
Plugga wrote:
You must be mistaken.

They who must be obeyed rule that a 125 is an equal to the 250F. Whistling
Cept in aust, we race 250 2 strokes with 250 4 strokes. Evens Stevens Tongue
Skidaddle
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3/20/2017 1:58am
11
Turbojez
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3/20/2017 2:29am
Give yourself some time. Once you get the hang of a 125 smoker, you'll be able to ride almost any bike fast. A guy that rides only 250f couldn't do shit on a 125. Two really important things that smoker will teach you, and 4 stroke won't, unless you really work on it: Corner entry speed (you don't have to worry about it so much on 4 stroke, it will rip out of the corner anyway), and using brakes. And those two are simply put the keys to become faster. Ride, ride and ride and you'll be beating your buddies on 250fs in no time.
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Plugga
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3/20/2017 2:33am
Plugga wrote:
You must be mistaken.

They who must be obeyed rule that a 125 is an equal to the 250F. Whistling
tobz wrote:
Cept in aust, we race 250 2 strokes with 250 4 strokes. Evens Stevens Tongue
Amen brother! Cool

The rest of the world will catch on....one day. Unsure
Crush
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3/20/2017 2:44am
Plugga wrote:
You must be mistaken.

They who must be obeyed rule that a 125 is an equal to the 250F. Whistling
tobz wrote:
Cept in aust, we race 250 2 strokes with 250 4 strokes. Evens Stevens Tongue
Plugga wrote:
Amen brother! Cool

The rest of the world will catch on....one day. Unsure
They won't. They're scared that dirtbikes will be pulled out the manufacturing line, despite being a highly specialised vehicle, with no way to test except the R&D of racing and billions invested.

Muppets.
3/20/2017 3:50am
xplane wrote:
Don't misunderstand me, I got a 125 cuz I thought it would be cool. It's cool, but it's really, really laborious to ride compared to a...
Don't misunderstand me, I got a 125 cuz I thought it would be cool. It's cool, but it's really, really laborious to ride compared to a 4 stroke 250.
No shit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gee tell us more Mr Wizard. you are either a troll or Tyler's retarded little brother.
305FC250
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Miami, FL US
3/20/2017 4:40am
1. you got the slowest 125 ever
2. Its supposed to be harder to ride fast. Its supposed to make you learn to control the throttle, brakes, and clutch better. It's supposed to make you develop skills that aren't as critical on a 4 stroke, but will make you a better rider when you do transition to a 4 stroke.

This sport is a lot more about rider skill than the bike. And two strokes generally require more skill. Put the right person on your 125 and it will completely change your opinion of the smokers capability.
3
526
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3/20/2017 4:59am
xplane wrote:
OK so I am a new rider and I have about 12 hours on a 2005 CR125. I bought this bike ragged out, replaced BOTH wheels...
OK so I am a new rider and I have about 12 hours on a 2005 CR125. I bought this bike ragged out, replaced BOTH wheels, have done a shitload of maintenance and know the mechanicals inside and out. It's really easy to work on compared to a 4 cyl street bike. The 12 hours is basically my entire experience on a motocross track. All my other time was on street bikes. I only had about 2500 miles so you can imagine my level of competence. I'm finally getting to the point where I can go to the track, get a good workout, and not fall off the bike.

Anyway today I rode a 2007 CRF250 w/ pro circuit head and race gas. Why the hell does anyone bother with 2 strokes? This 4 stroke 250 has power everywhere and best of all for a new rider like me you can shift up and still get a good pull without the motor being wound out. For an advanced rider, if it makes the same power as a 2 stroke it's obviously a better choice since the power is more predictable and has way more area under the curve. Obviously the pro ranks have spoken although if F1 is any indication that means next to nothing as far as what's badass or what sucks.

I was easily moving even in deep sand and the bike had so much torque, all the time, that it was easy to get air where the 125 would just be bogging or spinning clutched out and not gripping. On straights, I could just grab a gear, grab the throttle, and go the same speed as I could MAYBE go at max effort on the 125. I know that I'll now be getting a 250, although I'll probably keep the CR since although it's a ridiculously unbalanced bike (great chassis laughably workeable motor) but very collectable.


The problem with the 2 stroke is it is all or nothing and while it does go i have to keep it wound out and I feel like a douchebag doing 11K rpms and riding slow and like a goon. If you drop it off the pipe it just sucks ass. Plus you have to CONSTANTLY shift it which gets old. I mean, this isn't a car where I'm sitting and I have paddles. I have to ride this thing and exert a lot of effort. You'd think I'm already doing enough that I don't need the additional "fun challenge" of shifting every 700 milliseconds.
Agreed but the bright side after ringing that thing out all day it only costs $65 to rebuild not really sure how thats a good thing?

Let The 2 Strokes goooooooooo
Markee
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3/20/2017 5:07am
Get a Alta.
3/20/2017 5:14am
OP can't ride a 125 because he isn't any good. If you ride a 4 stroke only at this point you will never expand your skills and always suck. That's the whole problem, you can't ride for shit.
4
early
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3/20/2017 5:24am
If you think shifting a car means slamming paddles while on the gas maybe you arent cut out for a 2 stroke.
3/20/2017 5:32am
Yea it is unfair. It is almost as if there should be three separate classes. 125 250 and 450 sounds about right.
1

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