Posts
44
Joined
1/15/2021
Location
GB
Edited Date/Time
5/24/2021 9:41pm
Hi Guys,
Had my 19" Kx250 for a little while now. Its aprox 30hr on the motor and I'm planning on moving it on.
Two immediate things I've disliked are heavy 4T engine braking, and the weight and inertia.
I'm pretty handy on a bike having been a former Junior pro DH racer. But I can't help but feel I'd be able to ride the bike harder on a two stroke with the weight etc.
The only question is 125 or 250?
In the UK where I am non of our tracks have hills etc, its either hard pack or moderate sand. Fat Cats is the closest and on the 250f I'm mostly 3rd and 4th gear pinned. I am 6ft 2 and 225lbs without kit.
The 250f felt about right power wise but I don't think I'd mind having slightly less if it means I can ride it harder.
So really I want to know the differences in the chassis and handling characteristics of the 125 and 250 2t. Is there a significant feeling of added weight? Or is the 250 as easy to throw around as a 125.
Part of me thinks get a 125, maximise my ability on that even if its slightly underpowered.
The main thing to me is being able to throw the bike around. As long as it's got the power to get me going.
Cheers
Had my 19" Kx250 for a little while now. Its aprox 30hr on the motor and I'm planning on moving it on.
Two immediate things I've disliked are heavy 4T engine braking, and the weight and inertia.
I'm pretty handy on a bike having been a former Junior pro DH racer. But I can't help but feel I'd be able to ride the bike harder on a two stroke with the weight etc.
The only question is 125 or 250?
In the UK where I am non of our tracks have hills etc, its either hard pack or moderate sand. Fat Cats is the closest and on the 250f I'm mostly 3rd and 4th gear pinned. I am 6ft 2 and 225lbs without kit.
The 250f felt about right power wise but I don't think I'd mind having slightly less if it means I can ride it harder.
So really I want to know the differences in the chassis and handling characteristics of the 125 and 250 2t. Is there a significant feeling of added weight? Or is the 250 as easy to throw around as a 125.
Part of me thinks get a 125, maximise my ability on that even if its slightly underpowered.
The main thing to me is being able to throw the bike around. As long as it's got the power to get me going.
Cheers
The power of the 250f was perfect, I never found myself wanting more.
Really all I want is a lighter bike. Not sure if a 250 would be too much or would offset the feeling of lightness/manoeuvrability
If you don't race, grab a 150 and have the time of your life and really push the thing.
If you race and want to compete on a smoker go 250 as it's just leaving power on the table with current class structures. Plus, not saying you need it, but a less strict maintenance schedule may free up cash for more meetings / club fees as the 250 probably wont get worked as hard?
If you race and want to have fun chasing people down on a bike a quarter of the size and appreciate the challenge, we're back to the 150 again.
Worth noting the legend that is Jeff Emig is shredding on a 150 every chance he gets, and that's on big ol' Murica tracks
The Shop
Just the answer I'm after.
The maintenance thing is definitely a factor. I'm kind of aware my weight will be heavy on parts on a small bore.
I've had a look into the 250's and I think you can soften them up with ignition timing etc.
Aim is to have a fun bike, I don't race and if I did then the races I'd enter are definitely more reliant on skill (I was at a race at the weekend spannering and a 125 won in the experts in super heavy rain)
I may see if there any any 150s around for decent money - 250s tend to run cheaper from what I've seen
I get what you say about jumps. In some of the deeper sand tracks I occasionally struggle unless I hit the previous corners etc perfect.
The weight difference seems massive when you ride them back to back, but you’ve got to be on your game constantly on a small bore 2 stroke. If you let the bike dip below it’s tiny power band it falls flat and will take work to keep on the pipe.
Overall, the Kx you’ve got will make life easier and are by far are easier and more consistent to get round a track on. But can’t beat ringing out a tiddler!
Sounds to me like you want a 150. But I don't think you'll like it more than the 250F. You might lose the engine braking, but you going to shift more than you've ever shifted before. It's fine the first few rides, but that shit gets old.
From what I read in the op's post he likes everything about the bike more or less but doesn't like the engine breaking and the heavy not free feeling you get on a 2T. He described it as the feeling of inertia. When you have your ecu reprogrammed or with a new ecu you can reduce a lot of the engine breaking as well as make sure the power is transitioning as smooth as possible which makes the bikes feel lighter and more clickable in corners. YZF owners will understand this best. Read keefers YZF keefer free revving map review to expand on what im talking about. Woth a ecu set up for you it can make the bike feel totally different on the ground and in the air.
If a rider came to me and told me the above the first thing im thinking about is how can i fix this for as little as possible and save the rider money an it makes enough sense to fix it and not buy a whole new bike. Unless the rider really just seems like they want a new bike. Then fresh bikes are great but you might run into the same issue or new issue and still paying more money.
Pit Row
Whilst I love my 250F, I 100% understand where you're coming from, and would also vote a 150, then a 125. I'm a lightweight (maybe 170lbs wet / 77kg) and absolutely love ringing a 125, but for your weight level a 150 would be the ticket. 250 2T is a lot of power that demands a bit more respect, where you can certainly ride and throw the smaller bores around more.
Some good info here. I’m definitely leaning towards getting a 2t instead of modifying my 250f and potentially not liking it.
We’ve not too many great ECU programmers near me that I’d trust with my bike so that is a factor. My general feeling is just a dislike for engine braking.
I may see if I can get a ride on a 150 and 250. Ive ridden 300s a bit on enduro and I ride a 290 trials bike. So I just need to dip my toes to see what I like.
Not too worried about the bikes getting away from me, I’m pretty bike fit and I’d hazard a guess at being significantly stronger than the average rider.
I think the main thing is going out and seeing what I like.
The other argument being that prices in the U.K. for bikes (US too I believe) are higher than ever, I wouldn’t mind making a slight profit on mine and then getting a 2T which may not plummet in price as fast
I don’t mind shifting too much!
My other thoughts with the 250 was that with a flywheel weight and an extended tank I could make my own XC and hit some of the RAW sprint enduros
Do anything possible to get a ride on a 125 before you buy.
I'd only ridden old RM/CR 250's before buying my Husky and was actually worried enough (read; I'm now a pussy) to start a thread here asking if it was gonna be too much of an animal coming from a long time off bikes.
I'd still have gone 150 if I was lighter, my gf's 150 is like a DH bike with a rocket strapped to it, but the modern Euro 250 2 stroke are mega chilled and tractable if you let the motor do the work and short shift until you're used to it, awesome piece of work those engines.
How much are you coming in at? I put my kit on and I'm pretty much 110kg suited and booted.
Absolutely love your bike by the way!
I'm going to have a shop around.
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