Posts
3
Joined
8/17/2017
Location
Dallas, TX
US
lachupacabrablanca
8/17/2017 1:36pm
8/17/2017 1:36pm
Edited Date/Time
8/18/2017 10:32am
Alright so I'm 25 and am going to be getting a bike and working my way back towards racing.. Little backround: I rode and raced from age 7 to about 17 and had to quit due to school/work/travel. I've only ever rode two strokes 65, 85, 125 and would say I was at front of 125 beginner class/ midpack in supermini & advanced 85 classes when I had to quit. I'm in good shape (6'1, 170) and have had occasional opportunities to ride- no tracks though.
Will I be able to be competitive on a 250 two stroke?
Are guys racing them in 250f classes at the amateur level (I'm in Texas)?
From my memory it seemed like, for the most part, guys at amateur level can't really make enough use of the 4 stroke power/ delviery/etc. to be faster than a slightly more or equally talented rider on a two stroke. It's not really a money issue either, less maintenance would be nice though. I enjoy riding the smokers, but am not willing to give up too much speed to be sentimental. Let me know what y'all think.
Will I be able to be competitive on a 250 two stroke?
Are guys racing them in 250f classes at the amateur level (I'm in Texas)?
From my memory it seemed like, for the most part, guys at amateur level can't really make enough use of the 4 stroke power/ delviery/etc. to be faster than a slightly more or equally talented rider on a two stroke. It's not really a money issue either, less maintenance would be nice though. I enjoy riding the smokers, but am not willing to give up too much speed to be sentimental. Let me know what y'all think.
I must admit though, i was only competitive until the first corner, then lack of fitness and 10 years of declining skill caught up. It took me a while to regain the skills
Both bikes have their pro's and cons. The 250 will have more power out of the corners and off the line and be better in loamy soil. The 250f will be more consistent lap to lap.
250f's have come a long way over the years. When i first got back into racing there was a clear power advantage to the 250, now the gap has closed a lot. The biggest advantage the 2 stroke has is off the line, getting a good start is half the battle and i find it easier to hold a position rather than work my way through the pack
I don't think you can go wrong either way, at 33 i race for fun and the 250 2 stroke gives me that but i have been tempted of late to at least test a 4 stroke
All of that being said, the modern 4 strokes are more competetive without a doubt so if lap times and local race results is what you're chasing then buy a thumper. If you're looking for some fun though I'd suggest a two stroke. You can easily be competetive on a 250 two stroke, too, but it'll take a little more skill and effort.
What part of Texas are you from?
Short answer, at an amateur level you can be competitive on any of those bikes.
The Shop
How long will it take you to catch up? Who knows it's double the bike you used to race.
" I think " I could get even longer moto's in on a 250F , but I don't have much ride time at all on one. I would love to spend a day on one and see how she works.
It's not the bike. Its the rider.
That said, I will say the 250F is less tiring to ride. But that does not mean you will be faster.
https://youtu.be/b3pOQW_7VMQ
IMHO it really depends on how much you ride. If you're really going to be hitting the tracks week in and week out you'll be fine on a 250 two stroke. It will give you ample time to stay comfortable on the bike. When I was in college I could ride once every three weeks and I was still pretty fast. I tried a 250 two stroke a few years ago after taking almost a year off and it was a difficult transition for me except in deep sand (where that two stroke power totally rips).
To me nothing is more frustrating than showing up to ride when you get the opportunity and feeling uncomfortable on the bike and feeling like you can't go out and ride the track to its potential. I didn't and still don't have the time to put in on a two stroke to get to that level of comfort. I ride a KTM 350 and its a pretty decent blend of both worlds. Way faster than a 250F up top but more mellow off the bottom than a 250 two stroke.
Post a reply to: Getting back in.. competitive on a 250?