450 back to 2 stroke

Rickyisms 8/2/2020 8:53pm
8/2/2020 8:53pm
Wow! 7 consecutive posts. Eddy must be paying him real good lately.
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dmoore611
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dmoore611 8/2/2020 10:03pm
8/2/2020 10:03pm
Depends on your objective. If you’re going out to have the most fun out of everyone on the track -250 2-stroke. If you’re going out to win - 4-stoke is the weapon of choice. Personally, I’d rather have more fun. But I’m sure that’s what all us slow guys say to justify the change. I made the switch 7 years ago and I don’t plan on ever going back. Only problem I’ve had is I rode a 125 and now I want one of those too.
Markee
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Markee 8/3/2020 3:34am
8/3/2020 3:34am
-MAVERICK- wrote:
There it is...
The Karen of 2 strokes.
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blockhead17 8/3/2020 3:36am
8/3/2020 3:36am
I was over riding and sold my 4 stroke and bought a kx250 because I was sick of working on 4 strokes.
It completely revitalised my love for riding, I’m not as fast (but not far off) but I don’t race much anymore so I don’t care. It is 100000 times more fun and keeps me wanting to ride more!
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JMX82
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JMX82 8/3/2020 5:09am
8/3/2020 5:09am
-MAVERICK- wrote:
There it is...
Markee wrote:
The Karen of 2 strokes.
I wonder if he's getting paid for posting that stuff...
crowe176
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crowe176 8/3/2020 5:10am
8/3/2020 5:10am
I went to 4 strokes in 03. I could ride twice as long, and it allowed me to ride full moto’s. In 07, I went to an RM 250. It was a ton of fun. I was still young and had to build my fitness back that I lost riding 4 strokes for 4 years. I sold the RM in 2010, took a 7 year break from Moto, and planned on buying my buddy’s 07 RM when I decided to start riding again. After a few laps on the RM, I decided to just get a 450. I’ve been riding for 3 years now and the plan is to buy a KTM 125 or 150 as a second bike to satisfy that craving.

My only problem with 2 strokes around here, are most of the tracks I ride are disc’d really deep. Maybe it’s just me, but If the corners are flat, it’s more difficult for me to flow on a 2 stroke. The 4 strokes just seem to cut lines in that are a lot deeper and longer. Back in the early 00’s, a flat corner full of wood chips was heaven on a 2 stroke.
mx_563
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mx_563 8/3/2020 7:34am
8/3/2020 7:34am
I'm 6'2" and about 215 - 220lbs. My last 5 bikes (in chronological order) were:

06' YZ250
08' CRF450
16' KX450
07' YZ250
09' YZ250

If your son wants to go back to a 2-stroke, my advice is to adjust expectations. At the World Vets last year I got great jumps off the gate, only to watch a load of 450s pass me down the straight. I love my 2-stroke but I am not blind to the fact that a 450 will get you around the track faster with less effort. I only race occasionally though so for me it doesn't matter.

Also, you gotta remember that for 99% of us, we are not going to be holding it WIDE on perfectly prepped deep loam like all those pro 2-stroke videos online. So if that's the motivation behind the switch...my advice is to be honest with yourself. Personally I don't think 2-strokes sound so great when sketched out novices (like me) ride them. Grinning

My last piece of advice....Steahly flywheel weight. I can't overstate the benefits, especially for someone switching from a thumper to a smoker.

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KTM Two Stroke 8/3/2020 7:39am
8/3/2020 7:39am


Go back from 350SXF to 300SX cant wait to ride that thing.
The Two Stroke is so much lighter and easy to work on



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seth505
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seth505 8/3/2020 8:11am
8/3/2020 8:11am
TonyESR "A 250 is too small" Grinning Grinning Grinning
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Evoracer
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Evoracer 8/3/2020 9:10am
8/3/2020 9:10am Edited Date/Time 8/3/2020 9:13am
I switched from the 450's about 5 years ago. The 250 is NOT a lazy mans motorcycle, that is if you want to be fast on it.

And please, do not show anymore pics of that ESR YZ on the web. Just a public service announcement.
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Dirtydeeds 8/3/2020 9:20am
8/3/2020 9:20am
Just switched from 4’s to 2’s after 16 years of nothin but 4’s. Definitely a different animal! Such a blast and I realized how lazy I was on the 4’s.
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Moto520
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Moto520 8/3/2020 9:35am
8/3/2020 9:35am
I've had my YZ250 sitting in my garage for the last couple of months while i rode my YZ450F. This weekend....i pulled the YZ out and had the best time ever!
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Silas444
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Silas444 8/3/2020 10:00am
8/3/2020 10:00am
I'm by no means an authority on the subject, but I think it's a matter of what the terrain is on the tracks you ride. If your track(s) is/are really hilly and loamy, a four-stroke would likely be a better idea, in part because of the torque available, in part because fuel injection makes that torque available instantaneously, and in part because of engine braking. On the other hand, if the track is mostly flat with hard-pack manmade jumps and nicely bermed corners, a two-stroke might be a better choice, because of it's light weight, easy flickIbility, fun factor, and low operating costs.

Cheers.
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Markee
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Markee 8/3/2020 10:07am
8/3/2020 10:07am
There is no authority, ride what you want.
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gt80rider
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gt80rider 8/3/2020 11:03am
8/3/2020 11:03am
SDTony YZ ESR 325 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/08/02/441820/s1200_MEC_Race_2_Start_10_19_2019.jpg[/img]

7 posts in a row??? Seriously???? Dude... put the pipe Down...
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Teej317
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Teej317 8/3/2020 11:23am
8/3/2020 11:23am
Falcon wrote:
Most people will be faster and far happier on a modern 4-stroke.
I am not such a person. I'll never own another 4-banger.
I agree with this. I had a 450 for the first time earlier this year and it was amazing power. It made life easy just put it in 3rd gear and don't worry about shifting all day! I had to be honest with myself...it was more power than I would ever use and late in motos that power was getting me in trouble. It's a lot to hang onto and I noticed my arm pump increased despite concsious efforts to grip with my legs.

I came back home to 250 two stroke life. Good power, demands good technique...it's just a richer motocross experience imo.
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Johnny Ringo
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Johnny Ringo 8/3/2020 12:06pm
8/3/2020 12:06pm
The ideal situation is a 250 two stroke as a second bike. Break it out every now and then for some refreshment, then back to the 450. Keeps it fresh
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Spudnut
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Spudnut 8/3/2020 12:52pm
8/3/2020 12:52pm
Teej317 wrote:
I agree with this. I had a 450 for the first time earlier this year and it was amazing power. It made life easy just put...
I agree with this. I had a 450 for the first time earlier this year and it was amazing power. It made life easy just put it in 3rd gear and don't worry about shifting all day! I had to be honest with myself...it was more power than I would ever use and late in motos that power was getting me in trouble. It's a lot to hang onto and I noticed my arm pump increased despite concsious efforts to grip with my legs.

I came back home to 250 two stroke life. Good power, demands good technique...it's just a richer motocross experience imo.
Damn good way of explaining it. I’m not gonna lie though I feel way faster in the 450 and that’s what keeps me getting back on it here and there (it’s technically my dads 450 but we share)

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queen of spodes 8/3/2020 2:52pm
8/3/2020 2:52pm
blockhead17 wrote:
I was over riding and sold my 4 stroke and bought a kx250 because I was sick of working on 4 strokes. It completely revitalised my...
I was over riding and sold my 4 stroke and bought a kx250 because I was sick of working on 4 strokes.
It completely revitalised my love for riding, I’m not as fast (but not far off) but I don’t race much anymore so I don’t care. It is 100000 times more fun and keeps me wanting to ride more!
I loved my 350SX it really changed my perspective on four strokes. Bike was perfect in every way, and not so fast that I could get myself in a lot of trouble real quick.

Then I got my '07 KX250R7 completely rebuilt with an actual brand new OEM engine from Kawasaki (all individual components replaced, down to centercases and crankshaft assembly with OEM parts). Had A1 suspension in Atlanta revalve my shock and forks, and installed the PC links.

My KX250 smoker is even more fun to ride than the 350SX was. I'm probably not quite as fast but it feels like I'm going much faster. Bike is a lot lighter to stand where I had a little trouble lifting the 350SX it was noticeably heavier.

If you are like into winning at all costs and want the easiest bike to ride keep your 450 or better yet get a 350 KTM/Husky. If you race for fun and want max smiles per dollar go find a really well cared for 250 smoker or buy a new Yamaha/KTM/Husky/GasGas. You won't regret it!
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Andy7
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Andy7 8/3/2020 4:19pm
8/3/2020 4:19pm
I can ride twice as long and just as fast on my YZ 250 compared to my previous KX450F. And on the kawi I had the suspension set up for me, Rekluse Core EXP 3.0, Yoshi exhaust, etc. I don't like 450s. I still don't understand how people say 4 strokes are easier to ride and how 2 strokes makes you feel tired faster. Just completely opposite to my experience.
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MotofactioN
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MotofactioN 8/3/2020 4:40pm
8/3/2020 4:40pm
Fuck the ESR Tongue
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crowe176
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crowe176 8/3/2020 6:12pm
8/3/2020 6:12pm
Andy7 wrote:
I can ride twice as long and just as fast on my YZ 250 compared to my previous KX450F. And on the kawi I had the...
I can ride twice as long and just as fast on my YZ 250 compared to my previous KX450F. And on the kawi I had the suspension set up for me, Rekluse Core EXP 3.0, Yoshi exhaust, etc. I don't like 450s. I still don't understand how people say 4 strokes are easier to ride and how 2 strokes makes you feel tired faster. Just completely opposite to my experience.
Track conditions are the biggest thing for me. I can ride woods or hard pack style tracks way longer on a 2 stroke. Riding a deep tilled rutty redbud style track is an entirely different game.
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mx_563
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mx_563 8/3/2020 8:41pm
8/3/2020 8:41pm
Teej317 wrote:
I agree with this. I had a 450 for the first time earlier this year and it was amazing power. It made life easy just put...
I agree with this. I had a 450 for the first time earlier this year and it was amazing power. It made life easy just put it in 3rd gear and don't worry about shifting all day! I had to be honest with myself...it was more power than I would ever use and late in motos that power was getting me in trouble. It's a lot to hang onto and I noticed my arm pump increased despite concsious efforts to grip with my legs.

I came back home to 250 two stroke life. Good power, demands good technique...it's just a richer motocross experience imo.
That last sentence almost gave me chills. It's the perfect description.

And yeah, all my serious injuries came on a 450. They can make you feel like a hero one minute and the next minute you are busted up and having someone load up your bike.
mattyhamz2 8/3/2020 9:37pm
8/3/2020 9:37pm
Johnny Ringo wrote:
The ideal situation is a 250 two stroke as a second bike. Break it out every now and then for some refreshment, then back to the...
The ideal situation is a 250 two stroke as a second bike. Break it out every now and then for some refreshment, then back to the 450. Keeps it fresh
Switch that around. Ideal situation is a 250 smoker as the main bike and a 450 for a second bike.
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mattyhamz2 8/3/2020 9:42pm
8/3/2020 9:42pm
Andy7 wrote:
I can ride twice as long and just as fast on my YZ 250 compared to my previous KX450F. And on the kawi I had the...
I can ride twice as long and just as fast on my YZ 250 compared to my previous KX450F. And on the kawi I had the suspension set up for me, Rekluse Core EXP 3.0, Yoshi exhaust, etc. I don't like 450s. I still don't understand how people say 4 strokes are easier to ride and how 2 strokes makes you feel tired faster. Just completely opposite to my experience.
4 strokes are easier to ride. No need to actually carry momentum or make sure you’re constantly in the right gear. Literally twist the throttle a little more and you’re fine.

With that said, they do wear me out way faster. In order to go near the same speed on a 2 stroke, I do need to ride a lot harder than I would on a 450, but the big difference comes in the fact that the smoker is quite a bit lighter than a 450 and has waaaaay less inertia. Like you, I can ride twice as long and twice as hard on a 250 vs a 450. I come off the track with a way bigger smile when riding the 250 as well.
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Matt Fisher 8/3/2020 10:27pm
8/3/2020 10:27pm
They're all fun.

In the last 2 years I've gone from a CR500, to a YZ450, and now to a 125SX. My YZ250 project build will be finished soon, and next year I'm planning on buying a 250 thumper. A supermini would be a great extra, extra, extra bike to have around, as would a RM400 vintage bike, and a.... Wink
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Tenacious P
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Tenacious P 8/4/2020 3:39pm
8/4/2020 3:39pm
Why not both! 2 stroke 250 is great for the tighter/vet tracks. YZ450 is better for the big jumps on a main track. If I take both to the track, I'll warm up on the 4 stroke and do the second half on the 2 stroke so I am comfortable with speed, distances of jumps, etc. The 450 is a safer bike hands down, but the 250t is a whole different level of fun.

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