Could we go back to 125’s and 250’s?

blockhead17
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No no not 2 strokes (in a perfect world yes)

the current 250F bikes are better and faster than the 250 smokers ever were.. it seems 450 is too much indoors, what if we had the premiere class back to 250 and the manufacturers started making 125 4 strokes as the “lites” or whatever you wanna call that class?

I miss the days when not everyone could jump everything and getting sections perfect was more important..

 

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MxAddic
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7/8/2023 6:11am

The 4 strokes where a bait and switch by the EPA to begin with. Can you imagine an outdoor national with all E bikes. Why not force NASCAR to go electric?

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vdrsnk04
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7/8/2023 6:47am

Everyone can jump everything? You must not have been to a race live or something. Many tracks not everyone can jump everything, especially in the 250 class.

Just look at Redbud last weekend alone. Not even all the 450 guys were jumping the leap.

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72bu
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7/8/2023 7:06am

 125 four strokes on an outdoor track, would be like watching your grass grow. 

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R66
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7/8/2023 7:11am

A full race 125 4 stroke would cost a fortune to build and maintain. That’s the problem with 250 4 strokes. They are great race bikes but at the pro level way too expensive.  250 2-strokes should be allowed to race with 250 4 strokes at the nationals. 

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The Shop

Gravel
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7/8/2023 7:19am

Maybe 175s and 350s? 

Totally agree that current bikes are way faster than the “equal” bikes they replaced, and there’s nothing at the races today anything like the 125 class. JMO, the two classes should have about 35hp and 50hp, and something like an RPM limit to keep longevity decent. 

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early
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7/8/2023 7:48am

Small displacement 4 strokes aren't cost effective in a performance environment. 

The best chance to slow down the sport is with slower electric bikes like a rc 17.5 class.

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7/8/2023 7:56am
early wrote:
Small displacement 4 strokes aren't cost effective in a performance environment.  The best chance to slow down the sport is with slower electric bikes like a...

Small displacement 4 strokes aren't cost effective in a performance environment. 

The best chance to slow down the sport is with slower electric bikes like a rc 17.5 class.

e.g. CRF150R

Nairb#70
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7/8/2023 8:00am Edited Date/Time 7/8/2023 8:01am

It's a false sense of security, what makes anyone think everyone would suddenly be safer and at a lower risk if displacement was less, tracks and obstacles would simply become more technical and consequently more dangerous. Is a 250 really that much safer than a 450?

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aledei
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7/8/2023 8:03am
MxAddic wrote:
The 4 strokes where a bait and switch by the EPA to begin with. Can you imagine an outdoor national with all E bikes. Why not...

The 4 strokes where a bait and switch by the EPA to begin with. Can you imagine an outdoor national with all E bikes. Why not force NASCAR to go electric?

Nascar eletric Dizzy OMG wath a scary nightmore 😱😱😱

Speeddemon73
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Grand Rapids, MI, USA
7/8/2023 8:09am

I think a more logical approach would be to have the lites class be 125cc two stroke and the 250 class be 250f's. Listening to PULPmx over the years some pros have proposed similar sentiments in terms of bike displacement. Not that I am a die hard two stroke guy, but having a 125cc two stroke pro class would not only make things cheaper for factory teams, but also privateers. I see more and more 125cc two strokes at the practice tracks not exclusively being ridden by young guns, but by vets and some ex pros. We have a total of (6) manufacturers that make a competitive 125cc two stroke (Yamaha, Fantic, GasGas, KTM, Husqvarna, TM) so the excuse that there aren't enough manufacturers making them is not valid. I could see local racing bumping up as well if 125's were brought back at the pro level. Cheap bikes to race and maintain, plus doesn't take a rocket scientist or a mortgage to do a top end rebuild. 

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KTM47
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7/8/2023 8:17am
No no not 2 strokes (in a perfect world yes) the current 250F bikes are better and faster than the 250 smokers ever were.. it seems...

No no not 2 strokes (in a perfect world yes)

the current 250F bikes are better and faster than the 250 smokers ever were.. it seems 450 is too much indoors, what if we had the premiere class back to 250 and the manufacturers started making 125 4 strokes as the “lites” or whatever you wanna call that class?

I miss the days when not everyone could jump everything and getting sections perfect was more important..

 

Are the current 250F better than a 250 2stroke, if they were allowed to ride 250 2-strokes in the 250 class everyone would be on one. The only reason they are banned is because thats not what the AMA wants.

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Goldmember
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7/8/2023 8:36am
KTM47 wrote:
Are the current 250F better than a 250 2stroke, if they were allowed to ride 250 2-strokes in the 250 class everyone would be on one...

Are the current 250F better than a 250 2stroke, if they were allowed to ride 250 2-strokes in the 250 class everyone would be on one. The only reason they are banned is because thats not what the AMA wants.

The 250 four strokes are still overwhelmingly favoured over the two strokes in international Pro/Am series where they race head to head.

Even, perhaps, sacrificing a little peak power, the four strokes other benefits outweigh any disadvantages.

 

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Bearuno
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7/8/2023 9:08am
KTM47 wrote:
Are the current 250F better than a 250 2stroke, if they were allowed to ride 250 2-strokes in the 250 class everyone would be on one...

Are the current 250F better than a 250 2stroke, if they were allowed to ride 250 2-strokes in the 250 class everyone would be on one. The only reason they are banned is because thats not what the AMA wants.

The AMA are not the 'one' that is maintaining the Handicap Class rules. Go ahead, contact them, and they will refer you to MX Sports.

It's down to DC - in the Outdoors - and, I'd think,  Feld in SX.

DC could change the rules in an instant - and probably Feld would follow, especially  with the integration of Outdoors and SX into SMX. But that's only if He and Feld ignored the manufacturers 'insistence' on retaining the Handicap Class rules. And that ain't happening anytime soon. 

Same as dropping 250s and 450s, for 125s and 250s - it's not going to happen. Luongo, with KTM backing, tried to force a 350 limit, years ago. And, the Japanese manufacturers said Not effing likely. Around the same time, well earlier, 2009 / 2010 I think, Luongo / FIM put equivalency into MX2 rules - that ' disappeared ' within a couple of months, before the next season. Though, equivalency has remained in EMX250. 

As to current 125 Manufacturers. Well, there's Yamaha, with the FanYam offshoot, The KTM Group - that's 3 'brands', Not 3  Manufacturers - and TM. Sherco and Beta make 125s - Enduro bikes, but they could do MXers if they perceived a demand for them. Rieju don't appear to have continued with the Spanish era Gas Gas 125 engines. 

Just a note, concerning Fantic : I recently read an interview in Enduro21 with David Guarneri, former MXGP rider, Enduro Rider and now chief tester at Fantic. He said that the Minarelli made 300cc EFI, Electric Start ,  Electric Powervalve 300cc engine'd bike - still using the Yamaha chassis - is supposed to be announced / shown as a 2024 model in the next few months. 

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sandman768
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7/8/2023 9:40am

Make 250 2T eligible in 250 class and limit modification to 250 4t”s to keep cost down for privateers… leave 450 class alone, it’s the new affordable/ economy class….

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7/8/2023 10:08am
vdrsnk04 wrote:
Everyone can jump everything? You must not have been to a race live or something. Many tracks not everyone can jump everything, especially in the 250...

Everyone can jump everything? You must not have been to a race live or something. Many tracks not everyone can jump everything, especially in the 250 class.

Just look at Redbud last weekend alone. Not even all the 450 guys were jumping the leap.

One jump a year doesn’t count. 

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OW38B
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7/8/2023 10:24am
No no not 2 strokes (in a perfect world yes) the current 250F bikes are better and faster than the 250 smokers ever were.. it seems...

No no not 2 strokes (in a perfect world yes)

the current 250F bikes are better and faster than the 250 smokers ever were.. it seems 450 is too much indoors, what if we had the premiere class back to 250 and the manufacturers started making 125 4 strokes as the “lites” or whatever you wanna call that class?

I miss the days when not everyone could jump everything and getting sections perfect was more important..

 

KTM47 wrote:
Are the current 250F better than a 250 2stroke, if they were allowed to ride 250 2-strokes in the 250 class everyone would be on one...

Are the current 250F better than a 250 2stroke, if they were allowed to ride 250 2-strokes in the 250 class everyone would be on one. The only reason they are banned is because thats not what the AMA wants.

See the AMA displacement rule........you will find your answer.Whistling

Magoofan
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Shadow Glen (for those who remember), CA, USA
7/8/2023 10:49am

In a perfect world we would go back to 2-strokes.     But sadly, the powers that be are going to keep running this sport into the ground and making the sport more and more unaffordable. 

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Landonious217
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Grapevine, TX, USA
7/8/2023 11:07am

They had it perfect to begin with when it was 125/250. Just go back to that and we're perfect. Or even real old school 125/250/open 

 

Run whatever stroke you want just has to be limited to those displacements. 

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7/8/2023 12:32pm Edited Date/Time 7/8/2023 12:33pm

I love 2 strokes, but that ship has sailed for big time MX. I actually laughed at the thought of a 125 four stroke...can you even fathom the cost of racing one of those, let alone the snooze factor. Haters can hate, but the 250F is pretty great all around. 

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7/8/2023 1:16pm
KTM47 wrote:
Are the current 250F better than a 250 2stroke, if they were allowed to ride 250 2-strokes in the 250 class everyone would be on one...

Are the current 250F better than a 250 2stroke, if they were allowed to ride 250 2-strokes in the 250 class everyone would be on one. The only reason they are banned is because thats not what the AMA wants.

Bearuno wrote:
The AMA are not the 'one' that is maintaining the Handicap Class rules. Go ahead, contact them, and they will refer you to MX Sports. It's...

The AMA are not the 'one' that is maintaining the Handicap Class rules. Go ahead, contact them, and they will refer you to MX Sports.

It's down to DC - in the Outdoors - and, I'd think,  Feld in SX.

DC could change the rules in an instant - and probably Feld would follow, especially  with the integration of Outdoors and SX into SMX. But that's only if He and Feld ignored the manufacturers 'insistence' on retaining the Handicap Class rules. And that ain't happening anytime soon. 

Same as dropping 250s and 450s, for 125s and 250s - it's not going to happen. Luongo, with KTM backing, tried to force a 350 limit, years ago. And, the Japanese manufacturers said Not effing likely. Around the same time, well earlier, 2009 / 2010 I think, Luongo / FIM put equivalency into MX2 rules - that ' disappeared ' within a couple of months, before the next season. Though, equivalency has remained in EMX250. 

As to current 125 Manufacturers. Well, there's Yamaha, with the FanYam offshoot, The KTM Group - that's 3 'brands', Not 3  Manufacturers - and TM. Sherco and Beta make 125s - Enduro bikes, but they could do MXers if they perceived a demand for them. Rieju don't appear to have continued with the Spanish era Gas Gas 125 engines. 

Just a note, concerning Fantic : I recently read an interview in Enduro21 with David Guarneri, former MXGP rider, Enduro Rider and now chief tester at Fantic. He said that the Minarelli made 300cc EFI, Electric Start ,  Electric Powervalve 300cc engine'd bike - still using the Yamaha chassis - is supposed to be announced / shown as a 2024 model in the next few months. 

DC is a career politician beholden to his deep state masters. None of this will change.

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SoCalMX70
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Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
7/8/2023 4:07pm
R66 wrote:
A full race 125 4 stroke would cost a fortune to build and maintain. That’s the problem with 250 4 strokes. They are great race bikes...

A full race 125 4 stroke would cost a fortune to build and maintain. That’s the problem with 250 4 strokes. They are great race bikes but at the pro level way too expensive.  250 2-strokes should be allowed to race with 250 4 strokes at the nationals. 

The best part is this sentiment is unanimously agreed with... but... NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE BECUASE THOSE IN CHARGE HAVE BEEN SUCKING THE TEET OF THE MANUFACTURERS FOR YEARS.

250 (any type) Class and Open Class is the answer outdoors.

Indoors needs more limitation imo becuase the 250s run just as fast (or faster) lap times, but it would just be a headache to make any real change there.

At this point the sad reality is we are in a holding pattern until electrics take over. A separate group of folks would need to start their own series with better rules and competitive pay to give people what they want for ICE racing. I don't even have a problem with electrics other than a full gate of them would just seem boring to me.

slotsquid
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Lowell, AR, USA
7/8/2023 4:18pm
sandman768 wrote:
Make 250 2T eligible in 250 class and limit modification to 250 4t”s to keep cost down for privateers… leave 450 class alone, it’s the new...

Make 250 2T eligible in 250 class and limit modification to 250 4t”s to keep cost down for privateers… leave 450 class alone, it’s the new affordable/ economy class….

Allow 300 2T's to go up against 250 four strokes...

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vdrsnk04
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7/8/2023 5:34pm
vdrsnk04 wrote:
Everyone can jump everything? You must not have been to a race live or something. Many tracks not everyone can jump everything, especially in the 250...

Everyone can jump everything? You must not have been to a race live or something. Many tracks not everyone can jump everything, especially in the 250 class.

Just look at Redbud last weekend alone. Not even all the 450 guys were jumping the leap.

UpTiTe wrote:

One jump a year doesn’t count. 

Go back and watch supercross this past season. There were many rhythms only your top 3 or so guys were able to hit consistently at different races.

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7/8/2023 5:41pm

Why don’t they all race old Polini’s and Cobra 50’s and everyone has to start backwards! Halfway through the race they should stop and mechanics should have to perform an engine swap. While engines are being swapped riders should have to compete in a CrossFit competition and should shotgun and venti iced black coffee from Starbucks and then finish the last half of the race blindfolded. 
 

The direction some people want to move this sport and what they recommend is ridiculous and need to touch grass. 

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Tyler D
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7/8/2023 6:09pm Edited Date/Time 7/8/2023 6:10pm

need a max stroke and rpm limit on the 250/lites class for reliability's sake. make it more equal.  or maybe minimum main bearing width/size. something like that. 

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sandtrack315
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Philadelphia, PA, USA
7/8/2023 7:21pm

The 250 is great for average riders and the top riders look perfect on a 450. I don’t see the problem. 

MxAddic
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USA
7/8/2023 7:25pm
Nairb#70 wrote:
It's a false sense of security, what makes anyone think everyone would suddenly be safer and at a lower risk if displacement was less, tracks and...

It's a false sense of security, what makes anyone think everyone would suddenly be safer and at a lower risk if displacement was less, tracks and obstacles would simply become more technical and consequently more dangerous. Is a 250 really that much safer than a 450?

You make some great points. Seems these days the bikes are so good everybody is just sending it and ending up on the coach.

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blockhead17
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Tokyo, JP
7/8/2023 11:35pm
vdrsnk04 wrote:
Go back and watch supercross this past season. There were many rhythms only your top 3 or so guys were able to hit consistently at different...

Go back and watch supercross this past season. There were many rhythms only your top 3 or so guys were able to hit consistently at different races.

I would argue that’s a skills / balls thing over having the power to do it..

Goldmember
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Tel Aviv, IL
7/9/2023 1:52am
SoCalMX70 wrote:
The best part is this sentiment is unanimously agreed with... but... NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE BECUASE THOSE IN CHARGE HAVE BEEN SUCKING THE TEET OF THE...

The best part is this sentiment is unanimously agreed with... but... NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE BECUASE THOSE IN CHARGE HAVE BEEN SUCKING THE TEET OF THE MANUFACTURERS FOR YEARS.

250 (any type) Class and Open Class is the answer outdoors.

Indoors needs more limitation imo becuase the 250s run just as fast (or faster) lap times, but it would just be a headache to make any real change there.

At this point the sad reality is we are in a holding pattern until electrics take over. A separate group of folks would need to start their own series with better rules and competitive pay to give people what they want for ICE racing. I don't even have a problem with electrics other than a full gate of them would just seem boring to me.

Where is the evidence that  'we are in a holding pattern until electrics take over'?

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7/9/2023 7:57am Edited Date/Time 7/9/2023 7:58am

150 open cc = lites class and 250 open cc = premier division.  That is enough umph considering where the technology and chassis/suspension is in the current state. Stop the bleeding.

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