250 2 stroke to 4 stroke transition

moto12356999
Edited Date/Time 8/13/2022 6:24am
Hi, I’ve been thinking about moving back to 4 stroke after a couple years racing 250 sx.

Brief history, retired from racing at 30, used to ride at regional expert level, rode all the different bikes over the years, all 450 towards the end. After 9 years totally away from the sport, I came back 2 years ago to grass roots vet racing mainly for fun, I fancied a fresh challenge as hadn’t ridden a smoker at all in 15 years, so got the ktm 250.

In general the 250 sx has been great to me, I’ve been competitive against most fast vets. I am however falling short of some top expert vets, which seem all to be on various modern 4 strokes.

So I’m kinda left wondering that, things could probably be made a bit easier if I switched the dark side, but as I’ve been out for a while I’m really not sure what might the best option in the modern era.

I’ve tested a ktm 350, and wasn’t very impressed but could have been the 14:50 gearing, just seemed mellow.

Has anyone been in a similar position to me, wondering whether it’s better to hammer a 250f , work out a 350 or back to the trusty 450 and the smooth style that goes with it ?

I’m 200lb 40 years old vet expert

Cheers
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SmokinJoe439
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SmokinJoe439 8/12/2022 9:38am
8/12/2022 9:38am
There's always gonna be someone faster than you on a different bike. Just enjoy riding and having fun at 40+ expert. You gain what pride? The bike really holding you back? or is it your physical condition and skill level? All that for a plastic trophy or a dumb plaq.

You might be a little faster on the straight aways or corner exiting on a 450.


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sandman768
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sandman768 8/12/2022 9:42am
8/12/2022 9:42am
Currently if you are not on a new YZ450F, you will not win…
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Falcon
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Falcon 8/12/2022 10:00am
8/12/2022 10:00am
You have 4-stroke experience, so you are likely going to adapt well to any bike you choose. I'm not a thumper guy, but I also did not like the 350. It's not a "light 450," as they say - more like a "heavy 250" IMO.
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FahQ
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FahQ 8/12/2022 10:22am
8/12/2022 10:22am
Go to your local dealer and put a deposit on a 300SX
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kNewc
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kNewc 8/12/2022 10:33am
8/12/2022 10:33am
250f. Unless your hitting everything at the track, then 450f.
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wrc777
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wrc777 8/12/2022 10:33am
8/12/2022 10:33am
I would stick with a 350/450 if you are 200lb and a fairly fast rider. The '23 KTM 350 is supposed to feel a lot faster than the previous ones. You might want to find a test ride on one but if you know you like 450s they are pretty much all pretty good now.
moto12356999 8/12/2022 10:38am
8/12/2022 10:38am
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
There's always gonna be someone faster than you on a different bike. Just enjoy riding and having fun at 40+ expert. You gain what pride? The...
There's always gonna be someone faster than you on a different bike. Just enjoy riding and having fun at 40+ expert. You gain what pride? The bike really holding you back? or is it your physical condition and skill level? All that for a plastic trophy or a dumb plaq.

You might be a little faster on the straight aways or corner exiting on a 450.


I agree with what your saying & said the exact same thing to myself when I got back into the sport 2 years ago.

I guess rather then racing for a plastic trophy, it’s just nice to aim to build some better momentum in results, just feels good knowing you’ve done a bit better.

Guess I’m looking for tech to give me an edge, not sure how much improved skill I can gain I ride 1 - 2 hours per month during the good weather time of year. I mostly just race Nowadays. 3 kids, son that races etc

Even thou I ride very little I still make efforts to improve when I can.

Safest bet is prob 450, but if budget allowed 300sx would be incredible I’m sure.


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Fouled Plug 8/12/2022 11:22am
8/12/2022 11:22am
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
There's always gonna be someone faster than you on a different bike. Just enjoy riding and having fun at 40+ expert. You gain what pride? The...
There's always gonna be someone faster than you on a different bike. Just enjoy riding and having fun at 40+ expert. You gain what pride? The bike really holding you back? or is it your physical condition and skill level? All that for a plastic trophy or a dumb plaq.

You might be a little faster on the straight aways or corner exiting on a 450.


moto12356999 wrote:
I agree with what your saying & said the exact same thing to myself when I got back into the sport 2 years ago. I guess...
I agree with what your saying & said the exact same thing to myself when I got back into the sport 2 years ago.

I guess rather then racing for a plastic trophy, it’s just nice to aim to build some better momentum in results, just feels good knowing you’ve done a bit better.

Guess I’m looking for tech to give me an edge, not sure how much improved skill I can gain I ride 1 - 2 hours per month during the good weather time of year. I mostly just race Nowadays. 3 kids, son that races etc

Even thou I ride very little I still make efforts to improve when I can.

Safest bet is prob 450, but if budget allowed 300sx would be incredible I’m sure.


Fellow vet rider here. I'm fortunate enough to have both a modern 250 two stroke and 250 four stroke.

I would say I go the same on both. They both have their advantages, but at the end of the day I don't think I'm faster on one over the other.

I feel more seat time would give you the edge you are looking for.
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SmokinJoe439
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SmokinJoe439 8/12/2022 11:23am
8/12/2022 11:23am
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
There's always gonna be someone faster than you on a different bike. Just enjoy riding and having fun at 40+ expert. You gain what pride? The...
There's always gonna be someone faster than you on a different bike. Just enjoy riding and having fun at 40+ expert. You gain what pride? The bike really holding you back? or is it your physical condition and skill level? All that for a plastic trophy or a dumb plaq.

You might be a little faster on the straight aways or corner exiting on a 450.


moto12356999 wrote:
I agree with what your saying & said the exact same thing to myself when I got back into the sport 2 years ago. I guess...
I agree with what your saying & said the exact same thing to myself when I got back into the sport 2 years ago.

I guess rather then racing for a plastic trophy, it’s just nice to aim to build some better momentum in results, just feels good knowing you’ve done a bit better.

Guess I’m looking for tech to give me an edge, not sure how much improved skill I can gain I ride 1 - 2 hours per month during the good weather time of year. I mostly just race Nowadays. 3 kids, son that races etc

Even thou I ride very little I still make efforts to improve when I can.

Safest bet is prob 450, but if budget allowed 300sx would be incredible I’m sure.


Get what you want that makes you happy. Just don't be disappointed when the stop watch and results don't share the same results.

Just like I've had friends for similar reasons drop 5k plus on like showa A kit suspension or ohlins kyb's.
Not any faster than they were on stock.

Or maybe consider you've peaked skill wise and you're not gonna get any faster regardless. At 44 I know where my limit is and I like to stay within that nowadays, no need for unessasary ambulance rides.
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bite_the_curb 8/12/2022 11:35am
8/12/2022 11:35am
ridde the 250 smoker harder

you aint racin for money
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Cayden Thompson 8/12/2022 2:33pm
8/12/2022 2:33pm
Yes, a 4 stroke is easier to ride. But a 2 stroke is more fun (for most ppl).
Are you faster on one or the other? That's up to you, Tomac could whip our asses on an 85.
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rmracer289
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rmracer289 8/12/2022 4:46pm
8/12/2022 4:46pm
Build the 250 two stroke… send the motor out to a reputable engine builder… still would be cheaper than a 450. Obviously us old riders are just riding/racing for the fun of it and I honestly like the challenge of showing up the track on the “disadvantaged” two stroke against the modern four strokes.
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Dirt.Squirt
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Dirt.Squirt 8/12/2022 6:34pm
8/12/2022 6:34pm
Ride what you have the most fun on

You’re obviously not a trophy hunter being in the vet expert class so just have fun!
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NeedMoto
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NeedMoto 8/12/2022 6:43pm
8/12/2022 6:43pm
FahQ wrote:
Go to your local dealer and put a deposit on a 300SX
Good luck finding one that isn't spoken for already.

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183Matt
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183Matt 8/12/2022 8:49pm
8/12/2022 8:49pm
FahQ wrote:
Go to your local dealer and put a deposit on a 300SX
NeedMoto wrote:
Good luck finding one that isn't spoken for already.

And if you can, ride one before you buy one. I’ll take a 350/450 any day over one of those. Good bike, but not my cup of tea.
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moto12356999 8/12/2022 11:46pm
8/12/2022 11:46pm
Cayden Thompson wrote:
Yes, a 4 stroke is easier to ride. But a 2 stroke is more fun (for most ppl). Are you faster on one or the other...
Yes, a 4 stroke is easier to ride. But a 2 stroke is more fun (for most ppl).
Are you faster on one or the other? That's up to you, Tomac could whip our asses on an 85.
I’ve not really been able to compare. My 4 stroke riding experience is from 10 years ago now, I just get the feeling I’ve reached my talent limit on the 2 stroke. I don’t feel I’m riding that bad on it, just the top guys are bloody fast and I’m struggling at that point. I really have no clue how much if any a modern 4 banger will improve. Guess sometimes you can only try a season.

Those saying just have fun, I get it, but fun to me is getting best results aswell, I’ve always been a competitive person at any sport, that’s fun too.
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chump6784
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chump6784 8/13/2022 5:07am
8/13/2022 5:07am
I used to ride a pretty dialled yz250 2 stroke. I was at a mates track spinning laps and my mate rocks up with a brand new 21 model crf450 and told me to take it for a spin. He hadn't even set the sag on it, I was 2 seconds per lap quicker on his bike than mine straight away. I sold that yz250 and bought a 21 yz450f and have not looked back. Vet expert, 180lbs
GoldenKTM
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GoldenKTM 8/13/2022 6:24am
8/13/2022 6:24am
I went from a 250 2 stroke to a 250 4 stroke and had an initial jump in overall results at my hare scramble races but went back to slow progress after because it’s still more about the rider.

My 4t is more fun and suits me better though so I’m sticking with it! Find what’s best for you.

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