01 cr250 vs newer 4 strokes

Edited Date/Time 8/31/2018 8:41am
Hey guys, so i recently have been thinking about a newer 4 stroke and wanted some opinions. First of all, how does the ol cr's cornering match up to a newer (2012 and up) 250f or 450f. I have been leaning towards a yz250f of yz450f, but dont wanna make the switch if its not raelly worth it bc i do really like the cr, its just a hard bike to ride fast
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H4L
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8/16/2018 8:13am Edited Date/Time 8/16/2018 8:19am
The 01 CR2 was not a good turning bike (owned one). If you get a chance ride a newer 12 + 4t to compare. The YZF450 is not the best turning bike so it wouldn't be a good example. The CRF or RMZ 450 is a better choice.
8/16/2018 8:21am
Thats actually the thing, i like how my cr corners. The only time it doesnt corner well is when i fall out of form and get lazy. The biggest thing that i dislike about the cr is it bogs pretty bad in deep loam. It seems like all the 4 strokes just power through it
PTECH
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8/16/2018 8:38am
Unless you're a die hard 2 stroke guy a newer 450 will do everything better than a 17 year old bike, its just going to cost you money to get a new bike. What kind of riding are you doing? I rode a 98 cr250 for quite a few years, then switched to a 07 yz250 for a few years and then i went to 4 strokes and I dont think I'll ever go back. I've been riding a 2014 450sxf for the last few years and its an awesome bike. I can ride faster and for longer than my old 2 strokes.
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8/16/2018 8:52am
Does an 01 cr250 even compare to other two strokes within 5 years of it, never mind a brand new four stroke?

The Shop

8/16/2018 9:05am
Kx125rider wrote:
Does an 01 cr250 even compare to other two strokes within 5 years of it, never mind a brand new four stroke?
I know i like my 01 cr2 more than i liked my 04 cr2, but thats just my experience. My 04 had very little bottom end and then exploded into a never ending mid and top end pull. I guess i went to the 01 for more of the 4 stroke like power. It would be nice to own a 2 stroke amd a 4 stroke, but expences are limited rn so its decision time
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kage173
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8/16/2018 1:16pm
Your question is how does it match up to 2012 + 4 strokes. The answer is - poorly. They are far superior motorcycles in every way. It was a decent bike for its time, but it's not competitive anymore.
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b_kowalsk
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8/16/2018 1:54pm
To be fair the new gen KTM/Husky 2 strokes will outperform a 2001 cr250 in every aspect as well. The Honda wasn't the best in its day and is no better now.
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mxracer71
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8/16/2018 3:15pm
i have a 01 cr250 and i love it. I owned one back in the day and i rebuilt this bike from the ground up. I took some time off and came back and built this. I love 2 strokes because you can't be lazy and there super fun to ride. You know how many people can't ride a 2 stroke? If i had the money at the time i would buy a 4 stroke. they are easier to ride and they don't tire you out so fast like a 2 stroke bike. Eventually when my wife is done with nursing school ill get me a 4 stroke. For now im just have fun on the 2stroke
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H4L
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8/16/2018 5:57pm Edited Date/Time 8/16/2018 5:57pm
b_kowalsk wrote:
To be fair the new gen KTM/Husky 2 strokes will outperform a 2001 cr250 in every aspect as well. The Honda wasn't the best in its...
To be fair the new gen KTM/Husky 2 strokes will outperform a 2001 cr250 in every aspect as well. The Honda wasn't the best in its day and is no better now.
I disagree.

This is suppose to be the worst CR engine produced according to many going up against the mighty 17 KTM's & Huskies..

https://youtu.be/A4eNJop_KC8?t=596
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8/16/2018 6:38pm
mxracer71 wrote:
i have a 01 cr250 and i love it. I owned one back in the day and i rebuilt this bike from the ground up. I...
i have a 01 cr250 and i love it. I owned one back in the day and i rebuilt this bike from the ground up. I took some time off and came back and built this. I love 2 strokes because you can't be lazy and there super fun to ride. You know how many people can't ride a 2 stroke? If i had the money at the time i would buy a 4 stroke. they are easier to ride and they don't tire you out so fast like a 2 stroke bike. Eventually when my wife is done with nursing school ill get me a 4 stroke. For now im just have fun on the 2stroke
x2. eventuallly get a new 4t but happy with my RM currently and she clapped out. Debating a full build or just sell it cheap for some money down on a 4t. the 2502t do well in the woods i ride so im happy.
mxracer71
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8/16/2018 8:18pm
im about to turn 41 im over trying to be fast at the track, Just about having fun, teaching my kid on his 65 the right way to ride and teach him good track ediquiet to keep him safe and others around him. Who cares what you ride as long as it puts a smile o n your face!
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r18b
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8/16/2018 11:06pm
b_kowalsk wrote:
To be fair the new gen KTM/Husky 2 strokes will outperform a 2001 cr250 in every aspect as well. The Honda wasn't the best in its...
To be fair the new gen KTM/Husky 2 strokes will outperform a 2001 cr250 in every aspect as well. The Honda wasn't the best in its day and is no better now.
untill ronnie mac shows up Laughing or neville bradshaw Laughing
Texas Built
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8/17/2018 2:21am
Either youre fast or youre slow. Does not matter what bike you are on. Tomac can whip you no matter what bike you hand him. If youre slow on a 01 CR, you wont be any faster on a brand new 2019 KX450.
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8/17/2018 3:33am
Either youre fast or youre slow. Does not matter what bike you are on. Tomac can whip you no matter what bike you hand him. If...
Either youre fast or youre slow. Does not matter what bike you are on. Tomac can whip you no matter what bike you hand him. If youre slow on a 01 CR, you wont be any faster on a brand new 2019 KX450.
Hmm, yeah, thats a good point. Every time i ride a newer 450 i definitely dont feel faster and i really dont think i am
Flip109
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8/17/2018 3:48am
Either youre fast or youre slow. Does not matter what bike you are on. Tomac can whip you no matter what bike you hand him. If...
Either youre fast or youre slow. Does not matter what bike you are on. Tomac can whip you no matter what bike you hand him. If youre slow on a 01 CR, you wont be any faster on a brand new 2019 KX450.
Hmm, yeah, thats a good point. Every time i ride a newer 450 i definitely dont feel faster and i really dont think i am
However if you are riding a bike you really hate it can take the fun out of it. Esp one that runs like shit or beats you to death. Having a bike you really enjoy riding is everything. No matter how fast or slow you are.
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8/17/2018 7:00am
Flip109 wrote:
However if you are riding a bike you really hate it can take the fun out of it. Esp one that runs like shit or beats...
However if you are riding a bike you really hate it can take the fun out of it. Esp one that runs like shit or beats you to death. Having a bike you really enjoy riding is everything. No matter how fast or slow you are.
I definitely dont hate the cr. I like the fact that i can track and trail ride it all in the same day and it definitely doesnt beat me up like some other bikes
ive ridden. Its light feeling and i can switch lines quickely with it. I honestly wish i could just buy a 4 stroke and keep the cr for a play bike and woods bike. But i definitely realize that the 4 stroke is the bike to have at the track
TJMX947
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8/17/2018 7:27am
Willy Musgrave did a pretty cool article years back for MXA where he got rid of his 450 and bought a 2001 CR250, I believe this was in 2010 or 2011. I owned a 2008 YZ250 for like one season and I went back to a four stroke because I was more comfortable going fast on it and jumping bigger jumps. Took me longer to learn new tracks on the two stroke, but if I had put 50 - 100 hours on it I'm sure I would have been fine.

With that said it takes more talent to go fast on a two stroke, but if you're racing and you can beat guys on the old bike I wouldn't change. A kid on a 1997 CR250 passed me once on my 2009 CRF450R. When he got on a newer 4 stroke he was just that much faster.
8/17/2018 7:42am
TJMX947 wrote:
Willy Musgrave did a pretty cool article years back for MXA where he got rid of his 450 and bought a 2001 CR250, I believe this...
Willy Musgrave did a pretty cool article years back for MXA where he got rid of his 450 and bought a 2001 CR250, I believe this was in 2010 or 2011. I owned a 2008 YZ250 for like one season and I went back to a four stroke because I was more comfortable going fast on it and jumping bigger jumps. Took me longer to learn new tracks on the two stroke, but if I had put 50 - 100 hours on it I'm sure I would have been fine.

With that said it takes more talent to go fast on a two stroke, but if you're racing and you can beat guys on the old bike I wouldn't change. A kid on a 1997 CR250 passed me once on my 2009 CRF450R. When he got on a newer 4 stroke he was just that much faster.
Ive read that article and its pretty cool. Im usually the oldest bike at the starting gate, but i can do pretty well on the old bike. Me and a buddy are pretty much the same skill level(he actually has a small edge on me) and i usually finish 1 to 2 seconds behing him and he's on a 2017 250f. I think i need more time on a 4 stroke to really make a decision
omalley
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8/17/2018 7:52am
PTECH wrote:
Unless you're a die hard 2 stroke guy a newer 450 will do everything better than a 17 year old bike, its just going to cost...
Unless you're a die hard 2 stroke guy a newer 450 will do everything better than a 17 year old bike, its just going to cost you money to get a new bike. What kind of riding are you doing? I rode a 98 cr250 for quite a few years, then switched to a 07 yz250 for a few years and then i went to 4 strokes and I dont think I'll ever go back. I've been riding a 2014 450sxf for the last few years and its an awesome bike. I can ride faster and for longer than my old 2 strokes.
I disagree. Ride a 2002-2007 CR250R with good suspension. I love my modern four stroke 450 but that bike will out-handle any of them. When you get used to four strokes you don’t realize it, but if you try a good two-stroke afterwards you’ll realize what a truck they are.
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PTECH
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8/26/2018 9:20pm
PTECH wrote:
Unless you're a die hard 2 stroke guy a newer 450 will do everything better than a 17 year old bike, its just going to cost...
Unless you're a die hard 2 stroke guy a newer 450 will do everything better than a 17 year old bike, its just going to cost you money to get a new bike. What kind of riding are you doing? I rode a 98 cr250 for quite a few years, then switched to a 07 yz250 for a few years and then i went to 4 strokes and I dont think I'll ever go back. I've been riding a 2014 450sxf for the last few years and its an awesome bike. I can ride faster and for longer than my old 2 strokes.
omalley wrote:
I disagree. Ride a 2002-2007 CR250R with good suspension. I love my modern four stroke 450 but that bike will out-handle any of them. When you...
I disagree. Ride a 2002-2007 CR250R with good suspension. I love my modern four stroke 450 but that bike will out-handle any of them. When you get used to four strokes you don’t realize it, but if you try a good two-stroke afterwards you’ll realize what a truck they are.
So you’re saying a 2007 yz250 isn’t a good 2 stroke? Lol ok. I guess the third gen cr was the only good one ever!
Jrewing
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8/27/2018 1:56am
PTECH wrote:
Unless you're a die hard 2 stroke guy a newer 450 will do everything better than a 17 year old bike, its just going to cost...
Unless you're a die hard 2 stroke guy a newer 450 will do everything better than a 17 year old bike, its just going to cost you money to get a new bike. What kind of riding are you doing? I rode a 98 cr250 for quite a few years, then switched to a 07 yz250 for a few years and then i went to 4 strokes and I dont think I'll ever go back. I've been riding a 2014 450sxf for the last few years and its an awesome bike. I can ride faster and for longer than my old 2 strokes.
omalley wrote:
I disagree. Ride a 2002-2007 CR250R with good suspension. I love my modern four stroke 450 but that bike will out-handle any of them. When you...
I disagree. Ride a 2002-2007 CR250R with good suspension. I love my modern four stroke 450 but that bike will out-handle any of them. When you get used to four strokes you don’t realize it, but if you try a good two-stroke afterwards you’ll realize what a truck they are.
This ^^^^
Got a 99 cr125 with 6mm less offest courtesy of my crf front end. It struggles off the pipe with my 85kg but fuck me does it handle !! Had my first race this weekend gone on it and was last to the first corner but thats where the fun started! I'm selling my 450 and buying a 300 banger to complement the 125. Backed up 2 races later on the 450 and kept blowing all the corners..

8/27/2018 2:48am
The stock fork valving on the 01 CR250 sucks, but once that is fixed, it does everything just as well as a modern 4 stroke for the average rider. It does turn and handle very well and I have never ridden another 2T engine that has the power in just the right amounts in just the right places for me. I often ride my 218lb CRF450 back to back with my 01 CR250 and I feel that neither has anything that holds me back in any way, but I have 3X more fun riding the 01 CR250 than the modern 4 stroke. The 2T feels more flickable and nimble. The power band and the sound is more appealing/ fun too.
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TJMX947
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8/27/2018 6:54am
The stock fork valving on the 01 CR250 sucks, but once that is fixed, it does everything just as well as a modern 4 stroke for...
The stock fork valving on the 01 CR250 sucks, but once that is fixed, it does everything just as well as a modern 4 stroke for the average rider. It does turn and handle very well and I have never ridden another 2T engine that has the power in just the right amounts in just the right places for me. I often ride my 218lb CRF450 back to back with my 01 CR250 and I feel that neither has anything that holds me back in any way, but I have 3X more fun riding the 01 CR250 than the modern 4 stroke. The 2T feels more flickable and nimble. The power band and the sound is more appealing/ fun too.
Did you mean 2018 CRF450, or you did in fact say you have a 218lb CRF450R?

I haven't really ridden a bike that I felt held me back. My woes with two strokes was my inconsistency with jumping them...which if I rode once a week, every week would have gotten worked out. I actually felt super comfortable from a cornering stand point except in the most slick conditions.

There was a kid who hadn't been riding super long at my local spot and was jumping a huge table top on a YZ250 that I wasn't doing on my modern four stroke. The bike isn't the problem, its me that's the problem.
8/27/2018 10:21am
The stock fork valving on the 01 CR250 sucks, but once that is fixed, it does everything just as well as a modern 4 stroke for...
The stock fork valving on the 01 CR250 sucks, but once that is fixed, it does everything just as well as a modern 4 stroke for the average rider. It does turn and handle very well and I have never ridden another 2T engine that has the power in just the right amounts in just the right places for me. I often ride my 218lb CRF450 back to back with my 01 CR250 and I feel that neither has anything that holds me back in any way, but I have 3X more fun riding the 01 CR250 than the modern 4 stroke. The 2T feels more flickable and nimble. The power band and the sound is more appealing/ fun too.
TJMX947 wrote:
Did you mean 2018 CRF450, or you did in fact say you have a 218lb CRF450R? I haven't really ridden a bike that I felt held...
Did you mean 2018 CRF450, or you did in fact say you have a 218lb CRF450R?

I haven't really ridden a bike that I felt held me back. My woes with two strokes was my inconsistency with jumping them...which if I rode once a week, every week would have gotten worked out. I actually felt super comfortable from a cornering stand point except in the most slick conditions.

There was a kid who hadn't been riding super long at my local spot and was jumping a huge table top on a YZ250 that I wasn't doing on my modern four stroke. The bike isn't the problem, its me that's the problem.
It is a 2012 CRF450 that weights 218lbs that I did a build thread for on Vitalmx about 3+ years ago. The bike cost me about $26k to build, not including some new HRC parts that I got for free. All fasteners, axles, swingarm pivot are titanium or aluminum. Lots of carbon fiber including the fuel tank.

I wanted to see if I would like the 4T as much as my 2T if I got the weight down to almost the same level. It is a great bike to ride, but I still enjoy the 2T more.
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TJMX947
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8/27/2018 11:20am
It is a 2012 CRF450 that weights 218lbs that I did a build thread for on Vitalmx about 3+ years ago. The bike cost me about...
It is a 2012 CRF450 that weights 218lbs that I did a build thread for on Vitalmx about 3+ years ago. The bike cost me about $26k to build, not including some new HRC parts that I got for free. All fasteners, axles, swingarm pivot are titanium or aluminum. Lots of carbon fiber including the fuel tank.

I wanted to see if I would like the 4T as much as my 2T if I got the weight down to almost the same level. It is a great bike to ride, but I still enjoy the 2T more.
Wow that speaks volumes!
mark_swart
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8/27/2018 12:33pm
Hey guys, so i recently have been thinking about a newer 4 stroke and wanted some opinions. First of all, how does the ol cr's cornering...
Hey guys, so i recently have been thinking about a newer 4 stroke and wanted some opinions. First of all, how does the ol cr's cornering match up to a newer (2012 and up) 250f or 450f. I have been leaning towards a yz250f of yz450f, but dont wanna make the switch if its not raelly worth it bc i do really like the cr, its just a hard bike to ride fast
Here's your answer on if the bike itself can still be competitive:

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crowe176
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8/27/2018 12:55pm
Out of all my 250's (00, 01, 03 CR's and 07 RM) my 01 CR was by far my favorite. What stands out, was when I switched from my 03 CR to a 03 CRF450, I could ride that 450 twice as long and not feel tired.
8/27/2018 2:16pm
Wow..that video was quite something. It was 450 Pro Class, too. What we saw there was a superior rider not being held back by a 10+ year old 2T in a field of modern 450s.

Regarding riding longer w/o getting tired on the 450's, I agree in general, but with caveats. After racing 2Ts for many years, while I find the 4Ts less tiring on acceleration, I had a problem getting more tired on the 4Ts due to engine braking and having to use my arms to push back every time I let off the gas. I had to relearn to ride the 4T a gear higher and install a Rekluse clutch to minimize that problem.

As for the 01 CR250 engine, it did not hit as hard as some of my former RM 250s which could be a light switch at times, but with the stock pipe there is a very noticeable midrange hit and a killer top end that does pull on the arms a bit. This can be completely addressed by a switch to an FMF pipe and a power valve cover spacer.. smooths out entire power band and redistributes the power by adding a bit more to the bottom. This is why I liked this engine so much.. with a few tweaks, it is so smooth and easy to ride, but still strong enough to gain the upper hand in any drag race with other 2T motors. I have not felt this way about any other 2T 250 motor. I feel that it is smooth enough that the 4T motor didn't have that much of an edge for me. The Gen 3 CR motor is smoother still but is does it while sacrificing some of the low end response and torque the 01 engine has.

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