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I'm in limbo about what direction to take for my son's 2nd bike. Currently, he is on a KTM 125 and he is a fast C racer. He is very comfortable on the bike and would have no problem handling more power. And since he has Lorretta dreams, I want to maximize his opportunities to make the big show and so I'm thinking about another bike. Currently he races 125C, 125B/C and Schoolboy 1 with the 125. We are thinking of trying for another class, such as 250C Jr limited, which his current 125 is not legal to compete because of the mods we have made. One of my concerns is jumping from a 250 4s back to a 125 2s in the course of the day. Since the two bike's power delivery and engine braking are so different, is this a drawback? Is that a difficult transition between bikes on race day? Would a 250 2s be a better second bike since it may feel closer to the 125?
So my question is do we buy another 125 or a 250 2s or do we go with the 250 4s?
So my question is do we buy another 125 or a 250 2s or do we go with the 250 4s?
Son is 16 also.
250 2 stroke is an animal. All his buddies have tested one and said not for me.
We have had both a 125 two stroke and a 250F for a few years and never had an issue switching between the two bikes.
Hope this helps.
KC
I'd find it really difficult to switch from a thumper to a smoker in one day - as in, I'd probably be slower on both bikes because of the difference. Others can do it without any trouble. Has your son ever ridden a buddy's 250F? Did he like it? Try to find out what he's most comfortable with and go that route.
The Shop
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He has a friend that recently started riding both the 125 and a new 250f, and in our opinion, got slower on the 125. And even made the comment about finding it hard to race both bikes on the same day.
My son has ridden my 350 and loves it, but there's a difference between playing on dad's 350 and trying to race two different bikes in the same day. Granted, no pro aspirations here, we are just trying to make Lorettas, so not having a 250f isn't a big deal in regards to that career path. Just wanting some opinions on switching between the two bikes. Sounds like a 250 2s might be too much of a bike since he is not really a big kid. Possibly a 150 2s in the 250C Jr class might be an option too, but I would have to clarify that with the rules. The Loretta regional in our area is going to be on a sand track so power is important.
Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Too your point, if you want to make a serious run at LL's I would say for 250f....
As far as a 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke in racing, in C class its going to come down to the rider as I doubt any of them are able to use the full potential of any of the bikes, 2 or 4 stoke. Remember, McGrath got the holeshot on a whole field of factory 450's on a two stroke.
When I turned 16 I got a 250 2 stroke and raced A class, but I was pretty much fully grown at 16 (6'2 and 180lbs or so), then went to a KTM 520 at 18, which was ok, but nowhere near as much fun (purely because the amount of power made it hard to ride on all but the most open tracks). The next year I raced 125 and 250F on the same day, often finishing one race while my dad waited on the start line for the next race holding my bike. This was probably the most fun I ever had racing bikes as a kid - switching between 125 and 250F will be easy, and if you're going to be running multiple classes in one day, you'll want to be riding something that tires you out the least.... and I found 250Fs easier and more fun to ride than 250 2 strokes.
"Been there, my son had a problem riding both in the same day when we first moved up to 250F's. Once he got used to the bigger bikes he could switch between the two pretty easily. We are blessed enough to have all the different bikes in the garage and my son rides them all decently.
Too your point, if you want to make a serious run at LL's I would say for 250f...."
Luckily my boy is pretty strong so I don't think he will have a problem with the weight of the 250f but my main concern is with the power delivery and engine braking differences and being able to deal with that with back to back motos on the two different bikes.
"If you guys were closer I'd swap bikes with him and let him ride my 250 on a practice day. When I was racing both bikes I only weighed about 150, so don't let weight/size fool you on handling a bike. "
Thanks for the offer! He has ridden my 350 and handled it very well (the only time the bike has seen the rev limiter lol) so I'm sure he can handle the 250f.
ahhh now that is interesting. If we don't make a move by the next ATX trip, I may hit you up.
Pit Row
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