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I would suggest a 125 2 stroke. If the KTM is on the table, the 150 is another great bike. On that note, the 150 has been a hit with weekend warriors looking for the biggest smile and ride days.
The reason the 250f is "faster" is because the way they are ridden. 250 2-stroke, as good as the SX250 is, takes a lot of focus to ride properly. Have to be on the pipe, take smart line choices, shift constantly and have a good feeling for that clutch. It's a mental and physical work out.
250F can be ridden lazy, and still go fast. Yeah, the pro guys ring them hard, but I know several quick vet riders who treat theirs well and still go plenty quick.
250 2-stroke is lighter, generally easier to switch lines, but I'd say handling wise it's a draw. The SX250 is just as up to date as the 4 strokes suspension and frame design wise.
the 250T has a narrow powerband but higher hp which makes it easier to make mistakes
there have been multiple magazine tests highlighting these differences. Usually the fastest lap will be on a 250T but the 250f will be more consistent
The Shop
When I was racing to achieve UK ACU expert status, it was open class. Many guys were on 250f & I was one of them for a while. You have to be top 4 to score the experts points. Anyway only when I switched from 250f to 250 2 stroke I made it.
Yes you got to be smarter. But then again if I got a bit of a gap, I would enter a corner wide miss the deep ruts, square it off & unleash the power. They are great for that style or cornering. The 250f too heavy & slow to do it so they having to ride the deep ruts which can cause you to get bogged down.
Not for everyone but it worked for me at the time.
Also throughout my racing life witnessed 250 2 strokes having the wheels ridden off them many times. I know nowadays 450 are the pro choice, but at certain tracks a 250 2 stroke could still win, great power to weight ratio.
Pit Row
The 250Fs are getting better each year though, but recently so is the KTM 2 stroke. One thing you might want to consider, depending on the class rules you plan to race, is getting the 300cc motocross cylinder kit for the 2 stroke. It makes the 250SX a lot more like a 450 where you don't have to do everything absolutely perfect in the corner to get enough speed to clear the jumps. It allows the rider to get away with more "micro-mistakes" without killing your lap time.
Would it be like someone whose never drove before being giving the keys to a Mustang or Porsche?
250 2 stroke brought me successes. Most of my most scary moments happened on one. If your prone to armpump then you easily loop out.
I got a huge table top wrong on one once at a GP circuit. Came up short, the bike somehow ended up the other side of this massive bowl turn, upside down caught on the chestnut fencing revving its nuts off lol.
I think if your prepared to experiment with gearing & have a good attitide to lines & riding techniques on the right track they are good enough to win.
If I came back to racing It would be my bike of choice. Would make the sport a bit more special for me.
I just came off of a 250 smoker and built a 270 sxf with some head work. I think its way easier to go fast on than the smoker.
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