Posts
143
Joined
5/31/2013
Location
AU
Edited Date/Time
7/18/2013 2:08am
Hi guys
Thinking about getting back into riding after many years away from the sport. I would be predominantly riding bush/trails with friends socially, but the odd run on my local mx tracks could be an option too, so I don't really want a heavy enduro bike.
I love the idea of getting back into 2 strokes!
How feasible is it to buy a 250CC mx bike (mid-late 00's) and configure it for bush riding? I like the idea of a lightweight bike with the bare minimum of equipment.
Requirements for off road registration in my state are front/rear lights but beyond that, what mods would make a 250 mx'er a competent bush bike?
cheers!
Thinking about getting back into riding after many years away from the sport. I would be predominantly riding bush/trails with friends socially, but the odd run on my local mx tracks could be an option too, so I don't really want a heavy enduro bike.
I love the idea of getting back into 2 strokes!
How feasible is it to buy a 250CC mx bike (mid-late 00's) and configure it for bush riding? I like the idea of a lightweight bike with the bare minimum of equipment.
Requirements for off road registration in my state are front/rear lights but beyond that, what mods would make a 250 mx'er a competent bush bike?
cheers!
If you are set on a Japanese bike and want a two-stroke you don't have much choice but an MX bike, however the two-stroke enduro bikes from KTM, Gas-Gas, TM, Husky etc are very good, barely weigh more than the MX models, and are completely road registrable. Another side advantage of the enduro bikes is the resale is way better.
Mainly lower speed trails and bush riding, as opposed to high speed 'open country' so the mx gearbox might be fine with appropriate sprocket selection?
A KTM 300EXC is the logical choice, but I was just thinking of alternatives and I do like the raw/sparsely equipped feel of an mx bike. It would also give me the flexibility to remove a few items and have a proper mx bike for sessions at my local track, which is quite 'supercross' in its layout.
What would be the best 2000s-era Jap 250CC bike for my purpose? The RM250 from 05 onwards seems to get an awesome rap...
For the year and 2 stroke your looking for I would look into the 00 and 01 cr250r or the 06 and up yz250s
Wouldn't take much to convert to a single track bike but still be able to run mx.
Might even beable to find one set up already on Craigslist.
But i would get a fly wheel weight, change gearing a little bit, big tank, and the guards for off-road.
I race my crf450r in enduro races and love it way more than the KTM 250xcf I use to race..
A late 90s 'last of' WR250 2 stroke has been thrown up as an idea too...
Older/cheaper so it would be a rebuild project...they seem to be a good thing?
The Shop
KTM's give you a wider variety to choose from and are like a asshole, everyone has one at the woods races. Be different and do something else you will be just fine.
In all honesty an MX bike should be fine if you're prepared to do the mods. A KTM EXC would serve just as well if you want a capable bike straight out of the crate, but you'll pay more for it.
Stock, first gear is too tall, so it makes it hard on technical stuff where you don't have room to pick up a bit of speed. Be prepared to abuse the clutch.
And if you put a larger rear sprocket to fix that, it sucks as soon as the trail opens up: You'll be wide open in 5th going nowhere.
03 kx 250
put a different skidplate and handguards on it (barkbusters are too stiff) and a fmf gnarley when i smashed the pro circuit works pipe
got steering dampner, ffw, vforce reeds, pro circut silencer,.suspension is valved/sprung for offroad, ims tank..its fun but after i got a 450 i dont want to ride a two stroke anymore...well actually after i got a suzuki i dont want to ride a kawi anymore..thing just wants to go strait haha
Registrable, Full Slavens Motor work, thing is a beast! Worked suspension, race tech gold valves etc... Good deal!
I am in Melbourne. Your bike sounds ace but my preference is to buy something fairly stock that's been ridden around trails. I don't really need a hot rod.
So....it seems the only thing not easily changed on an mx-er is the close ratio gearbox. How much of an issue is this for low-medium speed trail riding? Where I am it's fairly tight bush tracks and fire trails, as opposed to prolonged high speed running.
-Revalve the suspension
-Desert Tank (you'll want to add at least 1 gallon capacity)
-hand gaurds
-skid plate
-Rekluse clutch (if you get the Core EXP it completely eliminates the gearing problems...you can ride as slow as you want, and the bike will never stall, and you don't have to abuse the clutch to do it).
And YZ250's are incredibly popular in the desert series I race...
http://www.gumtree.com.au/m-my-ad.html?adId=1019078129
A 2008 RM250 has popped up near home and it's in dead stock mint condition. I am a bit excited...
With an IMS tank, flywheel weight, revalved susp and some offroad protection, would this be a good truck?
We don't ride anything super tight - mainly flowing 4x4 tracks and some open country, with the odd gnarly section.
Pit Row
The important thing to note is I am a social rider - I am not looking to build a balls out race weapon.
I anticipate the RM would be more 'lively' than a dedicated 4T enduro bike even with the mods, but I really don't want a complete animal...
Would I need to do a smaller rear wheel/fatter tyre, or would the stocker with a good offroad tyre and HD tube be fine?
What's a good source of oem/reproduction decals and seat covers for these bikes? Does anyone still make plastics for them?
That RM250 was sold unfortunately
I am definitely set on a 2 smoke - it's just a case of what bike. On one hand the idea of 'as new as possible' is good, but I have this desire to get something 'classic' and do a bit of a restoration on it. Decisions.
As you can tell I am circling ideas right now, and really value the input.
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