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Looking for a few opinions from folks who have or have ridden both of these bikes. I currently have a 14 250sx and am looking at adding an FC350. I'm 28 race once a month maybe, mid pack Vet speed mx. Been riding awhile but haven't had any 4 strokes besides a 2011 250sxf which I didn't love. I don't think I need a 450 at all but sounds like the 350 has a 250 2t like powerband. I love my 250sx and won't get rid of it but would like to try a smooth 4t out. Basically my question is are the 350 and 250 two stroke similar power wise? Looking for some validation from anyone with similar skill and some experience with these 350s that it's a good choice for a guy who loves 250 two strokes. Thanks
The bottom end is pretty soft, more so than the SX 250 and of course it builds revs a lot slower than the 250, but that makes it corner better. I have dropped a tooth on the front so as to get to the power a bit quicker, and can pretty much leave it in 2nd or 3rd and just rev it. Without the gear change it would take forever to get to the heart of the power band and I guess I would say I preferred the 2s power. But I do find myself going faster and the power is a bit deceiving, you don't really realize how fast you are going. Seems to me like I am coming into the corners a lot faster on the 350. Actually I love the handling of the 350 so far and feel like I can turn just about anywhere I want to.
I don't really notice too much weight difference and when I first rode a 16 350, it seemed that the mass of the motor was a negative, but thats probably cause I swapped pretty hard on it and high sided. I think in the same situation on my 250 that I would have been able to save it.
Imo for serious racing, get the 350 as it is a bit easier to ride. I am a 40a rider, in good shape but don't ride quite as often as I used to. I think you will find, like dedi684 said, that the 350 will allow you to focus more on the track than shifting, braking, clutching etc.
I am also pretty happy with the AER thus far, but it hasn't really broken in yet, so not sure how it will be longer term. I imagine the new smokers are better handling than the older models because of the forks too.
The Shop
The 350 is all I could ask for. Went to a 50 tooth rear sprocket and can run 3rd gear just about every where.
Super easy to ride and I feel like I can ride it a lot longer. I got the ECU remapped and it's even better.
I say go 350 and have fun!!
I've had them all and currently have:
-13 250SX
-14 150Sx
Get the 350F and race it, and ride it as much as possible. They are WONDERFUL bikes.
So there you have it, 2stroke guy just told you to buy and live the 350F.
Truth
I don't think you'll be disappointed. If I could add anything else to my arsenal of bikes I'd get an early 1980s YZ125 and a current generation YZ250 and call it a day.
The 250 stroker is just the opposite with power now. No waiting for 8000rpm.
That wins for me.
Having raced against dudes on 350s, they have a definite advantage in they seem to stay hooked up and have less shifting to do overall AND have power similar to a 450.
Also as was stated, there is a significant benefit to the 16+ bikes over the older ones.
There was a very clean used 17 FC350 in the classifieds.
Pit Row
Part of the reason I haven't picked up 1 yet is I don't like to pay tax and mostly buy in nh.
On the other hand, since you're keeping your 14' 2 stroke, I'd probably go with the 350..
Try to ride both, and flip a coin.
I had a 13 350sxf and loved the pulling power, the weight was an issue for me...I punted it and bot a 250sx, I believe my corner speed has improved dramatically while speed down the straights definitely suffers....However, I have looked @ lap times, I generally run about a 2:30 @ crowhill on the 350f, I was running 2:22-2:25 on Tuesday. AT southwick my laptimes were about the same on both bikes...I think on a track w/multiple tight turns (wareham, crowhill) the 250 Is faster I believe @ a place like southwick which is less predicated on corner speed the 350f is equal or faster. Again, fwiw I am a slow vet over 50.
Also, if anyone has some good setup tips for the 250sx lmk...currently running jd jet kit (32 pilot, 420 main) blue needle 4 clip down w/a PC 204 silencer
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