Long time 2 stroke rider considering 21 yzf250

Skerby
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Skerby
Edited Date/Time 3/11/2021 6:58am
Has any member of the 2 stroke taliban made the switch and actually stayed with the 4 stroke? I have weighed the pros & cons of the Yz250 vs. Yzf250 and the 4 stroke keeps making more sense for me (almost 30 vet int, ride like 30 hrs a yr), but something is telling me I won't get along with it long term.

Rode a yz250 most of my life and got pretty good at it but always took me multiple days to really learn a track and ride it fast, also hard slick dirt was always a bummer. Quit riding it when I bought a yz125 because I could ride such longer motos on the little bike and ultimately have more fun. If the dirt is soft though I often find my 125 is barely powerful enough to get me over jumps, and that's why im looking for a new bike.

*should note that I don't ride very much, so the chances of my skills improving from where they are right now is fairly low lol
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dedi684
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dedi684 3/8/2021 12:39pm
3/8/2021 12:39pm Edited Date/Time 3/8/2021 12:41pm
Me too. Yz 125s then 250s since 02. Tried the 21 250f dodnt like it all that much but im going to get some brand of 250f maybe yamaha. 40b vet here the 2 strokes working me lately.although i did win a championship on it.
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Skerby
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Skerby 3/8/2021 1:18pm
3/8/2021 1:18pm
Yea it's a lil weird for me too. Depending on track/conditions I will prob go fastest on the 250 2 stroke, but I don't have much sand to ride in my area and don't ride near as much as I used to, 250f looks so good on paper.
Last Braaap
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Last Braaap 3/8/2021 1:22pm
3/8/2021 1:22pm
Dear OP, let me conclude the the most common response from vitards towards your topic in one simple jpeg.

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gregyou
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gregyou 3/8/2021 1:28pm
3/8/2021 1:28pm
You might not like the width and heavier feeling going from 2 stroke other than that it will be 10 times better than the yz.
I’ve had a few yz250’s and hated them the ergos make you feel like you sit in the bike rather than on the bike and like you said horrible on dry hard tracks.

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seth505
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seth505 3/8/2021 1:32pm
3/8/2021 1:32pm
I'm a forever 250/125 2-stroke rider and I just sold my 250sx and got a 21 RMZ 250. I just felt like I needed something way different for a change and would just sell it if I hated it. Anyway, I like everything about it other than missing the power of the 2smoke sometimes and the extra weight. I also don't get to ride a ton so having a fun/nimble bike without a bunch of power is probably a good decision for me.
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tobz
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tobz 3/8/2021 1:50pm
3/8/2021 1:50pm
I made the switch from a yz250 to the 250f.

You won’t regret it. The 250f is a planted, nimble scalpel with plenty of power to get you into trouble, and is a faster bike in more broad track conditions. The yz250 only really had the nostalgic noise and smell going for it.

2 strokes are great and still have a place in good conditions, but I wouldn’t recommend having one as a main steed.
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Moto520
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Moto520 3/8/2021 1:59pm
3/8/2021 1:59pm
If you were considering a 450 or a different brand of 250F i would say stick with the yz250. But.....the yz250F is so perfect that i would get that bike and never look back. Switch bikes as often as possible because it's fun
DB505
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DB505 3/8/2021 3:07pm
3/8/2021 3:07pm
The biggest or only drawback on the 250f is maintaining it, much more money just to to do a top end !
JohnMatrix
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JohnMatrix 3/8/2021 3:18pm
3/8/2021 3:18pm
I switch between my 19 250sx and 21 KX250. They both have their pros and cons. The 250sx is a faster bike as you'd expect, but I can put in more laps and have more consistency with the 250f. Modern 250f's are incredible bikes and while you feel like you're not going as fast as you would on your yz250, you probably are. The 21 yz250f is an awesome bike and I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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Falcon
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Falcon 3/8/2021 3:27pm
3/8/2021 3:27pm
You know, every now and then, I think I might want to get with the times and ride a 4-stroke. And every time I borrow a buddy's or demo one, I am sorely disappointed. I truly think I will never get used to engine braking. It absolutely RUINS the moto experience for me. Seriously, if I had a choice to ride only a 4-stroke or not ride at all, I'd probably quit riding. It's that bad for me. I even raced a 250F for a year. I was disappointed every single day of ownership.
If you can ride a 4-stroke and not be horrified and disgusted with the handling, then go for it. As for me, I'll be mixing gas forever.
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Jeremy_Watson 3/8/2021 3:28pm
3/8/2021 3:28pm
Well I just back into Mx, had a 2016 Yz250 and loved it back in 2016. Picked up a 2021 Cr450 and like it a lot but I am way out of shape. I had ordered a Beta RX300 back in November and it just came in. 300cc, 2 stroke with electric start, hydraulic clutch, 6 speed trans, big foot pegs, Vforce reeds, and host of other factory sweet parts that the YZ250 doesn't have. The RX is a super light bike but I only put several motos on it but seems really fun. 219 lbs and 300cc. Yz's are nice bikes and you can't go wrong with it.




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tobz
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tobz 3/8/2021 3:45pm
3/8/2021 3:45pm
DB505 wrote:
The biggest or only drawback on the 250f is maintaining it, much more money just to to do a top end !
I found my yz to be more of a hinderance in this respect. Nothing bad but I got sick of pre-mixing and jetting the thing. The 250f is literally get it out of the shed. Push the button and ride that sucker, changing oil every 5-8 hours.
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JBecker 72
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JBecker 72 3/8/2021 5:08pm
3/8/2021 5:08pm Edited Date/Time 3/8/2021 5:14pm
I’m one ride in and so far I love the thing. I had a couple year layover on a 450 after getting off my 250 smoker. Both of those bikes just wore me out too much. I feel like I can ride the 250F harder and for longer. This thing rips and is the best handling bike I’ve ever owned.

The last 5 bikes I’ve owned were 250SXF, then a 250SX, then a YZ250, then KX450F and now this. I’m definitely happier on a 4 stroke.


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JimmyJames 3/8/2021 5:19pm
3/8/2021 5:19pm
Hey Skerby, i was in the exact same position as you a few months ago. Just turned 30, my past 3 bikes have been YZ250 2Ts and was very hesitant to switch to a 450.

All i can say is i made the jump and bought a 2019 YZ450F and all i can say is WOW, it's an awesome bike. It's just such an improvement in every area over the 250 2T (although the 2 stroke is still a great bike). The only area i would say the 2T is better is trails, but on the moto x track there is no comparison, the bikes are in different universes. You will not be disappointed with the 450 !
Spudnut
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Spudnut 3/8/2021 8:36pm
3/8/2021 8:36pm
A friend of mine made the switch to a yz250f from his yz250 last season and is absolutely ripping now. (He already was pretty quick) loving every minute of it, He still busts out the 2 stroke once in a while

I would suggest keeping the 2 stroke as a second bike if you can
chump6784
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chump6784 3/8/2021 8:57pm
3/8/2021 8:57pm
I'm a long term YZ250 owner. A mate who has a private track had a 2019 CRF450 that I rode and liked. He recently got a 21 CRF450 and let me take it for a spin. He hadn't even set the sag and straight away I was 2 seconds per lap quicker on the 450 than my yz.

I ended up buying his 19 CRF but I'm a yamaha man so I just put down a deposit on a 21 YZ450f today. I took one for a spin on sunday and liked it so much more than the CRF.

In short, there may be times where you miss the fun factor of the 2 stroke but turning fast laps with consistency is fun on the 4 stroke
bvm111
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bvm111 3/8/2021 9:09pm
3/8/2021 9:09pm
the newer four strokes have so little engine braking i don’t know why people still complain about that ... it’s not a 2001 426 and you can use it to your advantage if you learn to get along with that character. I love my KX250, it rips and is so much fun but it’s a 15 year old bike and so is the YZ... i really like both two and four strokes so try the 250f and if you just can’t get along with it sell it. It is different so give it a good honest try for a couple months and you might be scratching your head wondering why you didn’t before! if you can keep both do it, i do and it’s great as every 3 rides or so i rip the two stroke and remind myself what it’s like and that i’m really out of shape!!!

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Timo
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Timo 3/8/2021 9:12pm
3/8/2021 9:12pm
DB505 wrote:
The biggest or only drawback on the 250f is maintaining it, much more money just to to do a top end !
$120 YZ250 vs $140 YZ250F is definitely a game changer...
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DB505
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DB505 3/9/2021 4:36am
3/9/2021 4:36am
DB505 wrote:
The biggest or only drawback on the 250f is maintaining it, much more money just to to do a top end !
Timo wrote:
$120 YZ250 vs $140 YZ250F is definitely a game changer...
Yes you can just replace the piston & rings, but what about all the other moving parts that also wear out? If you don’t replace them also your rolling the dice!
Your choice!
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JBecker 72
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JBecker 72 3/9/2021 4:38am
3/9/2021 4:38am
DB505 wrote:
The biggest or only drawback on the 250f is maintaining it, much more money just to to do a top end !
Timo wrote:
$120 YZ250 vs $140 YZ250F is definitely a game changer...
DB505 wrote:
Yes you can just replace the piston & rings, but what about all the other moving parts that also wear out? If you don’t replace them...
Yes you can just replace the piston & rings, but what about all the other moving parts that also wear out? If you don’t replace them also your rolling the dice!
Your choice!
Add a cam chain for another $40. You’ll spend a bit more in gaskets as well. But a top end on a four stroke is easy and doesn’t cost a lot of money.
cloud41
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cloud41 3/9/2021 4:46am
3/9/2021 4:46am Edited Date/Time 3/9/2021 4:47am
Since you’ve been a two stroke guy, you’ll be back on one regardless of what you buy.
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Skerby
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Skerby 3/9/2021 7:13am
3/9/2021 7:13am
I'm keeping my 125 forever regardless.

thanks for the advice guys! I think Im gonna go pick up the 4 stroke tonight



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Falcon
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Falcon 3/9/2021 8:34am
3/9/2021 8:34am
bvm111 wrote:
the newer four strokes have so little engine braking i don’t know why people still complain about that ... it’s not a 2001 426 and you...
the newer four strokes have so little engine braking i don’t know why people still complain about that ... it’s not a 2001 426 and you can use it to your advantage if you learn to get along with that character. I love my KX250, it rips and is so much fun but it’s a 15 year old bike and so is the YZ... i really like both two and four strokes so try the 250f and if you just can’t get along with it sell it. It is different so give it a good honest try for a couple months and you might be scratching your head wondering why you didn’t before! if you can keep both do it, i do and it’s great as every 3 rides or so i rip the two stroke and remind myself what it’s like and that i’m really out of shape!!!
I must not be able to get along with the character, because I certainly notice the engine braking. It is so noticeable, in fact, that I feel in danger of crashing my brains out on every jump. In fact, I very nearly did on lap 1 of the most recent time I rode a 450. It was a 2018 model. I misjudged a small double, came up short, stalled it upon landing, bounced off the 2nd jump, flatlanded, and nearly went over the bars.


Good luck to you, Skerby. Let us know how you like the new machine. New bike day is a great day, no matter what!
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CivBars
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CivBars 3/9/2021 9:09am
3/9/2021 9:09am
Timo wrote:
$120 YZ250 vs $140 YZ250F is definitely a game changer...
DB505 wrote:
Yes you can just replace the piston & rings, but what about all the other moving parts that also wear out? If you don’t replace them...
Yes you can just replace the piston & rings, but what about all the other moving parts that also wear out? If you don’t replace them also your rolling the dice!
Your choice!
JBecker 72 wrote:
Add a cam chain for another $40. You’ll spend a bit more in gaskets as well. But a top end on a four stroke is easy...
Add a cam chain for another $40. You’ll spend a bit more in gaskets as well. But a top end on a four stroke is easy and doesn’t cost a lot of money.
Is it every 15 hours for a cam chain on a 21 YZ250f ?

I put on chain lube less than that.

Long Live The YZ250! Smile

OP, Are you selling your 250? Do you mind giving some details on it?
JBecker 72
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JBecker 72 3/9/2021 9:35am
3/9/2021 9:35am
DB505 wrote:
Yes you can just replace the piston & rings, but what about all the other moving parts that also wear out? If you don’t replace them...
Yes you can just replace the piston & rings, but what about all the other moving parts that also wear out? If you don’t replace them also your rolling the dice!
Your choice!
JBecker 72 wrote:
Add a cam chain for another $40. You’ll spend a bit more in gaskets as well. But a top end on a four stroke is easy...
Add a cam chain for another $40. You’ll spend a bit more in gaskets as well. But a top end on a four stroke is easy and doesn’t cost a lot of money.
CivBars wrote:
Is it every 15 hours for a cam chain on a 21 YZ250f ? I put on chain lube less than that. Long Live The YZ250...
Is it every 15 hours for a cam chain on a 21 YZ250f ?

I put on chain lube less than that.

Long Live The YZ250! Smile

OP, Are you selling your 250? Do you mind giving some details on it?
I’ll do a piston and cam chain around 50 hours. Unless you are a pro and the bike stays at 14k rpm all the time you don’t need to follow the maintenance like that. The YZ250 two stroke manual says to replace the piston every 12.5 hours. I don’t know anyone who does that.
CivBars
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CivBars 3/9/2021 9:47am
3/9/2021 9:47am
Hell yeah. I just remember ML mentioning it and was a deal breaker for me lol I went with a YZ450. Never at 14k RPM
Andy7
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Andy7 3/9/2021 10:26am
3/9/2021 10:26am
Falcon wrote:
You know, every now and then, I think I might want to get with the times and ride a 4-stroke. And every time I borrow a...
You know, every now and then, I think I might want to get with the times and ride a 4-stroke. And every time I borrow a buddy's or demo one, I am sorely disappointed. I truly think I will never get used to engine braking. It absolutely RUINS the moto experience for me. Seriously, if I had a choice to ride only a 4-stroke or not ride at all, I'd probably quit riding. It's that bad for me. I even raced a 250F for a year. I was disappointed every single day of ownership.
If you can ride a 4-stroke and not be horrified and disgusted with the handling, then go for it. As for me, I'll be mixing gas forever.
Nothing to add. Excatly what I felt when I had a 2012 KX450F. Curious to see if the new 450's or 250 F's are different, but I didn't know how much I hated that bike until I rode a YZ 250. Sold it, bought a YZ 250 and have never looked back.
AH387
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AH387 3/9/2021 10:47am
3/9/2021 10:47am Edited Date/Time 3/9/2021 5:10pm
I have a '19 YZ125 and recently just sold my FC350 to get a '21 YZ250F. I really wanted to get a YZ250 2stroke just to be on 2 strokes full-time. But as much as I wanted to do that, I feel like I'm more comfortable on 4strokes in racing situations. The 125 is fun and I am certainly keeping that so I have a 2stroke to rip around on, but I just couldn't pull the trigger on the YZ250 as my main race bike, because the 250F / 350s are just so good. Only drawback is it is a bit of an adjustment in riding style, going back and forth, at least for me.
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Skerby
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Skerby 3/10/2021 8:04am
3/10/2021 8:04am
Bike feels pretty sick in the driveway lol. It's like a choppered out YZ 2 stroke, with wide radiator shrouds.

I think it'll work out! I should mention that I own a big bore Superjet as well, and as much as I wanted to open a yamaha 2 stroke museum; I probably spent 1500 dollars on VP 110 last summer, lol.
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