Posts
194
Joined
3/3/2020
Location
WA
US
Edited Date/Time
1/5/2022 10:03am
Interested to hear peoples thoughts on this era of smokers and what particular bike from that time was/is a stand out to them.
So far in my arm chair scrolling I have read...
The KX chasis changed between the 03/04 models to 05/07 and the bike was bigger?
-The front forks are no good and energy was focused on the 450 for James in its last years
The CR had the best handling but lacked in the power delivery but essentialy the bike was at its peak in 07
The 05 RM was had a schizophrenic head shake but was regardless,according to all reports, one of the best made.
The YZ engine and suspension are best in class but the handling wasn't there.
So far in my arm chair scrolling I have read...
The KX chasis changed between the 03/04 models to 05/07 and the bike was bigger?
-The front forks are no good and energy was focused on the 450 for James in its last years
The CR had the best handling but lacked in the power delivery but essentialy the bike was at its peak in 07
The 05 RM was had a schizophrenic head shake but was regardless,according to all reports, one of the best made.
The YZ engine and suspension are best in class but the handling wasn't there.
Compared to a 2003 Ktm250sx that I owned earlier, the power on the CR was smoother, although much weaker.
Quality on the Honda was excellent.
Rms headshake is definitely off the charts, that can be fixed tho, billett clamps at correct off set and YZ front end.
Yz is honestly a good bike juat a little flat on top unless pinched. Little bouncy in the rear for modern use.
Kx has stinkbuginitus for moden feel.
The Shop
I like my 03 CR. Handles great, Power is smooth and crisp after an Air Striker swap. Would love to have that 92-01 power curve though.
I do like this bike more than my old 06 RM. Personal preference I guess
I’ve had a bunch of aluminum frame YZ’s, love em. With minor tweaks you can race AX one weekend and enduro then next. It’s not the best at any one thing, but it’s pretty damn good at all of them.
to this day no 250 that i owned was faster than that cr 250.
currently own a yz 250x which is basicly a 06 yz 250 with a few tweaks. love that bike. hopefully yamaha updates it for 2023.
the cr250 was a good bike but the motor was lame (i had one) ..if you got the jetting right and did some other light fixes it was okay.
i rate the rm250 in 3rd because suzukis are kind of chinsy and dont age well but they handle/turn better than most and the motor was awesome
the kx250 was fast but it handled like garbage
the ktms of this era were pretty junky from what i gather
Same here, got a lemon ktm -16 and bought a -06 250 instead.
It has zero bottom end with a DPR conepipe and a pc shorty, but atleast it looks cool and the handling is superb
All the brands had their good and bad points, but the Yamaha was easily the best all round bike.
Pit Row
Or do you mean today due to parts?
I loved both these bikes, but I think the 02 CR with a 285 kit and valved suspension was funner then the 05 YZ. The YZ was a good bike except third gear
I have an 04 YZ250, with upgraded suspension. It’s an amazing bike, still competitive with any two stroke 250 made today. Steel frame handles better than the 05+ aluminium.
My 05 YZ250 was for sure my favorite bike I’ve ever owned. That’s the one bike I think I’ll always regret selling. Hoping my buddy that bought it decides to sell it back to me when he’s done with it.
The YZ was to me is better all around. The KX is fun and exciting to ride, but the Yamaha handled better overall, had a more friendly motor(easier to ride) and the Yamaha’s forks were 100x better.
Here’s both my 05 YZ and my dads 05 KX.
Jeez, that was 20 years ago..
Having both the 06 RM and 06 YZ I prefer the Yamaha over the RM. Suspension and motor YZ gets the nod. Cost of ownership, Suzuki parts are expensive compared to the Yamaha.
Both are kickass to ride, but the YZ just has a little more everywhere.
Cases were made out of really brittle casting too.
Post a reply to: 02-07 Japanese 250 2 strokes.