Posts
402
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Uppsala, SE
Edited Date/Time
1/24/2012 8:19pm
Well, as the headline says, I would like to get some input from you guys on how to make a late model ('06 and up) 2-stroker easier to ride...
You see, I'm about to start riding big bikes again and earlier it was all about moto on 125's. But during the last couple of years, I've gotten more and more interested in woods riding (maybe it's an age thing, uh?) and as I live in Northern US/Canada type climate, I love to ride ice during the winter months ('cept moto and enduro).
Sure I can do all of that on a 125, I could even get an old KX500 just for the ice and still get me a '06-'07 YZ125 for moto/woods. But I would really like a more 'do-it-all' bike, meaning a little bigger engine volume. I'm not going to buy a 4-stroke, to afraid of engine failure costs (even though I would probably go 'faster' on a 250F).
Still I can't get a '06 YZ250 or RM250 out of my head, problem is they are a handful for my less than 140pounds (!) and as I said, I want to be able to do some enduro/woods riding too.
Do anyone of you have any good advice as far as mellow out [the low end] on a 250 and do it more woods friendly? Gearing is one thing, flywheel weight is of course another. Have anyone of you experience of taking away the spacerplate between intake/carb (to change the comp)?
There's also a pretty cool bike for sale not long from me, a '06 KTM SXS 250. 60hrs, very well maintained, bought new buy a Toyota carsales owner, not ridden by anyone with a Pro licence and on sale for 1/4 of the new price (which, as you may know, is almost double the price of a SX250). I've never owned a KTM, have heard some negative stuff, read a lot about this and that type of handling, suspension etc.
The reason for getting that type of 'exotic machinery' would mostly be the suspension, but at the same time, an YZ250 (with the SSS suspension and springs/revalve etc), is probably just as good for me (I would ofcourse have to buy new expensive springs front and back on the SXS too).
Or should I just go for a 200/250/300 Enduro bike instead?
You see, I'm about to start riding big bikes again and earlier it was all about moto on 125's. But during the last couple of years, I've gotten more and more interested in woods riding (maybe it's an age thing, uh?) and as I live in Northern US/Canada type climate, I love to ride ice during the winter months ('cept moto and enduro).
Sure I can do all of that on a 125, I could even get an old KX500 just for the ice and still get me a '06-'07 YZ125 for moto/woods. But I would really like a more 'do-it-all' bike, meaning a little bigger engine volume. I'm not going to buy a 4-stroke, to afraid of engine failure costs (even though I would probably go 'faster' on a 250F).
Still I can't get a '06 YZ250 or RM250 out of my head, problem is they are a handful for my less than 140pounds (!) and as I said, I want to be able to do some enduro/woods riding too.
Do anyone of you have any good advice as far as mellow out [the low end] on a 250 and do it more woods friendly? Gearing is one thing, flywheel weight is of course another. Have anyone of you experience of taking away the spacerplate between intake/carb (to change the comp)?
There's also a pretty cool bike for sale not long from me, a '06 KTM SXS 250. 60hrs, very well maintained, bought new buy a Toyota carsales owner, not ridden by anyone with a Pro licence and on sale for 1/4 of the new price (which, as you may know, is almost double the price of a SX250). I've never owned a KTM, have heard some negative stuff, read a lot about this and that type of handling, suspension etc.
The reason for getting that type of 'exotic machinery' would mostly be the suspension, but at the same time, an YZ250 (with the SSS suspension and springs/revalve etc), is probably just as good for me (I would ofcourse have to buy new expensive springs front and back on the SXS too).
Or should I just go for a 200/250/300 Enduro bike instead?
The Shop
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The '06 SXS 250 comes 'stock' (if you can say that about a semi-factory bike), with a VForce cage.
The 200 in any form is a great bike.
P.S. There is nothing wrong with being interested in woods riding/racing. It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
Also, some simple tricks: run a heavy o-ring (or x-ring) chain. They take some of the bite off the power. If the bike has aluminum clutch plates, put all steel ones in. Same as a flywheel weight. Also, running your jetting on the rich side also tames down the snap. Have to be careful though as this also makes the bike more prone to load up and foul the plug in tight woods sections.
Just as an FYI...the Gas Gas map switch will work on the KTM and it's fairly inexpensive (about $20 US).
I went from YZ250Fs to a KTM200 and absolutely love the bike. It has all the torque of the four stroke, but is a lot more snappy to ride and I don't have to go through the kick, kick, kick, kick routine that I routinely did on each ride with the YZF. For comparison purposes, I have been riding more woods than moto lately.
As others have said, a flywheel weight is an easy way to tame the bike. There are also aftermarket heads that "detune" the power. I have been told that the Yamaha GNCC team riders all use the detuned heads on their YZ250s.
BTW...a buddy of mine who has a Gas Gas 300 rode my bike once and now wants to buy it from me. I think that's a pretty good testament for how much fun the KTM200 is. Good luck with the new bike.
Pit Row
The more you ride, the easier it gets to ride!
Adjust your power valve to get more low end and take off some top. It will be like a different bike.
aside from the throttle tube that is my EXACT setup.
Post a reply to: Tech Quest: How to make your 250 2-stroke mellower/easier to ride?