Another 2 stroke vs 4 stroke thread.

ArmPumped
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ArmPumped
Debating this winter between pouring money into my 2012 YZ250 or trading it for a 2015 YZ250f. No matter how I price out doing suspension work, exhaust, v-force reeds I feel like I’ll still just simply be faster on a thumper. I’ve never gone to the dark side of 4 strokes before full time but I’ve tried friends here and there and I’m just straight up faster on them. The pros and cons of maintenance time and costs compared to overall riding and speed is something I’m sure has been discussed to death on here. Anyone here been in my situation? Regrets? Thanks for the help.
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jamiechapman418 10/13/2021 11:19am
10/13/2021 11:19am
I've tried doing full time on both. 4 stroke was much easier for me to ride longer without getting tired. my 125 2 stroke was a lot of work. Continually shifts up and down and lots of clutch work. I rarely race anymore and ride majority for fun. Whenever I was at the track with the 4 stroke I continually felt the need to keep up with the Jones's and didn't really have as much fun as on my 125. That bike I was just out there to ride and have fun and I never felt any pressure to do anything more than that but was sure satisfied when I'd buzz by a thumper. All depends on your situation. Now I have a 250 thumper and a 125 vintage so I can get a little of both worlds.
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kb228
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kb228 10/13/2021 11:23am
10/13/2021 11:23am
Just get the bike you like to ride. Theyre expensive either way you go.
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Teejay
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Teejay 10/13/2021 12:30pm
10/13/2021 12:30pm
250f’s are by far the easiest bike to ride, be consistent on, be efficient on, ride without getting tired and don’t have the earth shattering torque of a 450 to get away from you when you’re tired.

That said, having owned a 250f in the past, yes they do all of those things but to me are kind of soulless and un exciting. If you’re racing at a top level obviously most guys are on 4 strokes, I just found it kind of sucked the excitement from riding so went back to the old faithful 2 strokes. I’ll happily have a go on a 4 stroke again but not interested in owning another.

Have fun whichever way you go mate! We’re all different and enjoy different things.
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Ryan625
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Ryan625 10/13/2021 1:04pm
10/13/2021 1:04pm
Plain and simple, I have more fun on two strokes.

I have a 2004 RM125, 2003 RM250, and soon a 22 MC350. But I’ll never not have a premix one the garage 🤷🏻‍♂️
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Falcon
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Falcon 10/13/2021 1:19pm
10/13/2021 1:19pm
You say you feel like you'll be faster on a thumper... have you ridden one? If so, more power to ya and go get one. The reason I ask, however, is because I had a 250F for a full season and couldn't come to terms with it. I must be an outlier, but I am 100% convinced that I'm faster on a 2-stroke. My race results and laptimes prove it, too.

If you like thumpers, then buy one and be happy. There's nothing like new bike day!
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ArmPumped
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ArmPumped 10/13/2021 1:54pm
10/13/2021 1:54pm
Falcon wrote:
You say you feel like you'll be faster on a thumper... have you ridden one? If so, more power to ya and go get one. The...
You say you feel like you'll be faster on a thumper... have you ridden one? If so, more power to ya and go get one. The reason I ask, however, is because I had a 250F for a full season and couldn't come to terms with it. I must be an outlier, but I am 100% convinced that I'm faster on a 2-stroke. My race results and laptimes prove it, too.

If you like thumpers, then buy one and be happy. There's nothing like new bike day!
I rode my buddy's 450 getting ready to go ride with AJ Catanzaro when I won the trip to train with him. Within about 6 hours of seat time on it I was consistently 5 seconds faster per lap at my local track while barely revving out 3rd gear. Southern Alberta is crazy slick and dry so having that planted rear wheel is an insane advantage.

I feel like I’m only 28, I have time to switch back and forth. Why not give a thumper a go for a few years.
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MPJC
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MPJC 10/13/2021 2:45pm
10/13/2021 2:45pm
It kind of sounds like you already know what you want to do. I have the most fun on my 144 2 stroke but if I really cared about going as fast as possible I'd be on a 4 stroke - 250 or 350. I'd say a 350 has comparable power to your YZ while the 250f may have you wanting more, given what you're used to. Whatever you do, try to keep a smoker around. If you're anything like me, you'll miss it if you don't have one!
250 cross
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250 cross 10/13/2021 3:35pm
10/13/2021 3:35pm
Teejay wrote:
250f’s are by far the easiest bike to ride, be consistent on, be efficient on, ride without getting tired and don’t have the earth shattering torque...
250f’s are by far the easiest bike to ride, be consistent on, be efficient on, ride without getting tired and don’t have the earth shattering torque of a 450 to get away from you when you’re tired.

That said, having owned a 250f in the past, yes they do all of those things but to me are kind of soulless and un exciting. If you’re racing at a top level obviously most guys are on 4 strokes, I just found it kind of sucked the excitement from riding so went back to the old faithful 2 strokes. I’ll happily have a go on a 4 stroke again but not interested in owning another.

Have fun whichever way you go mate! We’re all different and enjoy different things.
"soulless and un exciting" is a pretty accurate description of a four stroke. They may be brutally effective but when you are riding just for the fun factor? I routinely ride three different 250s, two four strokes and a two stroke. The two stroke gives you way more "wow" moments for sure.
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Falcon
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Falcon 10/13/2021 4:03pm
10/13/2021 4:03pm
Falcon wrote:
You say you feel like you'll be faster on a thumper... have you ridden one? If so, more power to ya and go get one. The...
You say you feel like you'll be faster on a thumper... have you ridden one? If so, more power to ya and go get one. The reason I ask, however, is because I had a 250F for a full season and couldn't come to terms with it. I must be an outlier, but I am 100% convinced that I'm faster on a 2-stroke. My race results and laptimes prove it, too.

If you like thumpers, then buy one and be happy. There's nothing like new bike day!
ArmPumped wrote:
I rode my buddy's 450 getting ready to go ride with AJ Catanzaro when I won the trip to train with him. Within about 6 hours...
I rode my buddy's 450 getting ready to go ride with AJ Catanzaro when I won the trip to train with him. Within about 6 hours of seat time on it I was consistently 5 seconds faster per lap at my local track while barely revving out 3rd gear. Southern Alberta is crazy slick and dry so having that planted rear wheel is an insane advantage.

I feel like I’m only 28, I have time to switch back and forth. Why not give a thumper a go for a few years.
Oh yeah, slippery dirt is for sure 4-stroke territory.
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Darrin Willis
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Darrin Willis 10/13/2021 4:54pm
10/13/2021 4:54pm
As a current owner of a 350xcf.150sx and a 300 ex gagas I say keep your bike. I have had several 250fs. My last one was a 15 yz250f. Broke a rod at 60hrs. Didnt really like the bike anyways. I have owned to yz250 2 strks over the last 13 years. Much funner.
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Chippy
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Chippy 10/13/2021 10:31pm
10/13/2021 10:31pm
Ditched my YZ250 and went to a 350.

So glad I did. now about this engine breaking side affect...
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blockhead17 10/14/2021 12:51am
10/14/2021 12:51am
It honestly depends on if you plan to race or just ride for fun..
I was burnt out on riding and racing, sold my 4 strokes and got a kx250 last gen and it COMPLETELY rejuvenated my love for riding. I might not be as fast, but that isn’t as important to me anymore, I have soooo much fun on it.
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tobz
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tobz 10/14/2021 12:53am
10/14/2021 12:53am
Chippy wrote:
Ditched my YZ250 and went to a 350.

So glad I did. now about this engine breaking side affect...
Yup, I tried to force myself to enjoy my yz250, was glad to get rid of it and jump on a 250f.
They sound great, smell great, that’s about it.
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ArmPumped
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ArmPumped 11/23/2021 7:43am
11/23/2021 7:43am


Small update. I ended up finding someone willing to do straight trade. His 2016 250F for my ‘12 250. Hours were similar but he rode all single track around his farm. Supposed to be 14 degrees here in southern Alberta Friday so I might be able to get some seat time before the long winter wait.
wrc777
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wrc777 11/23/2021 7:51am
11/23/2021 7:51am
I wish Yamaha would bring back that yellow instead of the Monster plastic.
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RCMXracing
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RCMXracing 11/23/2021 7:58am
11/23/2021 7:58am
450 rip your soul right da fuk out ❤️
250 smokers cool too
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ArmPumped
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ArmPumped 11/23/2021 8:05am
11/23/2021 8:05am
wrc777 wrote:
I wish Yamaha would bring back that yellow instead of the Monster plastic.
I don’t hate the monster version. But I definitely feel that the design of it is fairly lazy. I think they could do better with it.
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wrc777
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wrc777 11/23/2021 8:16am
11/23/2021 8:16am
wrc777 wrote:
I wish Yamaha would bring back that yellow instead of the Monster plastic.
ArmPumped wrote:
I don’t hate the monster version. But I definitely feel that the design of it is fairly lazy. I think they could do better with it.
I don’t hate it either I just liked the other alternate color versions better. Of course they didn’t charge extra for those.
Moto520
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Moto520 11/23/2021 8:18am
11/23/2021 8:18am
The tracks around my area have become too safe and on a 4 stroke the jumps are super easy. When i ride my 125 or 250....i have to rail the outside of turns to make some of the jumps. On my 4 stroke....i can just ride up to the jump and easily blip my way over pretty much anything local. The 2 strokes are harder to keep up momentum and make an easier track more fun.
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