Rode a YZ 250 today...

I bought an ‘18 KTM 150. I kept my 450 and my 250 2-stroke, but if I had to choose one bike, it would be the 150. Hands down the funnest bike I own.

My ideal is having a 250 and a 125, the only negative I will mention is once in a while you will find a track with a big jump right out of a turn or something and you need more torque than the 125er can put down and you might not be able to do a jump here and there. Pretty rare though.

If you don’t care how you place at races and just wanna have fun a 125 is a great bike.

Welcome to the enlightened side

We've been thinking about getting mini's. Just because we remember how much fun we had riding them long ago. Crazy. Were getting older and are not serious riders anymore. Just wanna have (safe) fun.

A 125 as your only bike is not ideal. You will get fast on it and that means you'll be ringing it out all the time. That leads to lots of maintenance. Unless you don't mind doing top ends pretty regularly.

I converted to 2 stroke. 18 TC250. I love it. No regrets.

Thanks guys! Yeah, I also like the 250 and know that the maintenance is going to be a lot less, but it scared me a bit. Believe it or not, it felt even faster than my 450

Andy7 wrote:

Thanks guys! Yeah, I also like the 250 and know that the maintenance is going to be a lot less, but it scared me a bit. Believe it or not, it felt even faster than my 450

The YZ250 is light in the front end and 2-strokes in general fly front end high off jumps due to the lack of engine braking. You learn to chop the throttle a little earlier on the face of the jump than you would on a 4-stroke. Takes no time at all to get used to it. Same with feeling faster. It's just the explosive delivery of the power. You learn to be more delicate with the throttle. This is why lots of people put flywheel weights on the YZ250.

Get the 125! Isn’t having fun what it’s all about? Safer, more fun, what’s not to like?

Andy7 wrote:

Thanks guys! Yeah, I also like the 250 and know that the maintenance is going to be a lot less, but it scared me a bit. Believe it or not, it felt even faster than my 450

FGR01 wrote:

The YZ250 is light in the front end and 2-strokes in general fly front end high off jumps due to the lack of engine braking. You learn to chop the throttle a little earlier on the face of the jump than you would on a 4-stroke. Takes no time at all to get used to it. Same with feeling faster. It's just the explosive delivery of the power. You learn to be more delicate with the throttle. This is why lots of people put flywheel weights on the YZ250.

This. Chop the throttle at the lip to keep the front end down and a fly wheel weight really helps to tame the hit. It still feels like a 2 stroke but just helps it hook up a little better. I run a 9oz on mine and there are times where i would like something heavier

If ya like the 250 then sure, get it. The 125 is a fun bike but you may miss having some toque and top end speed on occasion. Dont forget the constant shifting and rev range management required as well. You liked the 250 enough to comment on it so think it through. Either way a two stroke is still immensely satisfying and agile. Good luck on your decision!

125s are fun, but no way I would give up my 250 as my only ride. Personally I enjoy riding the 250 more, but it is a different kind of fun though.

As far as going faster, you may have been, but it is just as likely that you FEEL fast on the two-stroke. Back in 02 I borrowed my dads CRF450 and took it and my CR250 (also an 02) to a track I rode quite a bit. I went out and did a moto on my two-stroke which I was totally comfortable with, then did a moto on my dads 450. Unbeknownst to me the track owner was timing me. He asked me which bike I was faster on. I told him my 250, hands down. I felt like I was flying on my 250 and like I was on a trail ride on the 450. Turns out I was several seconds a lap faster on this 450. It was a fast track, but still...

I have owned my 2005 Yamaha YZ-125 since new. It is the most fun, safe and reliable motorcycle I have ever owned. It will make you a better rider and lots of aftermarket stuff is available too. WFO on a 125 is real motocross.

I'm looking at grabbing a second hand YZ250 towards Christmas/New Year. I want back on a big two stroke after spending the last year ignoring my 450 and riding my 125 instead. I just can't bring myself to pay the premium for a KTM or Husky when I know I can get a bike that's very competitive and has amazing suspension. Being able to race the 250 class on a 250 2T here just sweetens the deal for me.

Thanks guys!

Currently I have a 13 YZ250 I bought new and a 16 KX450F I also bought new. Since I got the Kawi, I’ve put about 14 hours on the Yamaha. It just sits now. The four stroke is better everywhere. I’m faster and can ride longer on the 450. Now, that doesn’t mean I’m ever going to sell my YZ, because I won’t.

Also, I disagree about chopping the throttle on the face of jumps with a 2 stroke vs a 4 stroke. I hopped on my buddies YZ250 a couple weeks ago for a session, and first lap I was sailing every jump smooth and consistent without going nose high. In my opinion, if you’re on the gas and in the meat of the power, both bikes jump the same. The only place it feels different to me is the short run up jumps out of a corner you hit in 2nd as you’re still building power up the face. That can pitch the smokers nose a bit high. But otherwise they jump the same to me.

I think a YZ250 will provide more value for the money than a 125. The YZ250 needs less maintenance, is easy to jet, and runs fine stock with a flywheel weight. Go for a RAD VALVE with Power Wing and lose the torque spacer to get a more exciting powerband. Slide the forks up 3mm, put an MX32 up front, and she is good to go.

7.5K OTD for such a great bike. And $250 to rebuild after 40 hours. No regrets!

Andy7 wrote:

Thanks guys! Yeah, I also like the 250 and know that the maintenance is going to be a lot less, but it scared me a bit. Believe it or not, it felt even faster than my 450

FGR01 wrote:

The YZ250 is light in the front end and 2-strokes in general fly front end high off jumps due to the lack of engine braking. You learn to chop the throttle a little earlier on the face of the jump than you would on a 4-stroke. Takes no time at all to get used to it. Same with feeling faster. It's just the explosive delivery of the power. You learn to be more delicate with the throttle. This is why lots of people put flywheel weights on the YZ250.

chump6784 wrote:

This. Chop the throttle at the lip to keep the front end down and a fly wheel weight really helps to tame the hit. It still feels like a 2 stroke but just helps it hook up a little better. I run a 9oz on mine and there are times where i would like something heavier

Interesting. I’ve always been told chopping the throttle at the top of a jump is a big no no unless you’re into endoing. One of the training videos I’m referring to(the MX factory) the trainer was even on a 2-stroke.

RM Mike wrote:

We've been thinking about getting mini's. Just because we remember how much fun we had riding them long ago. Crazy. Were getting older and are not serious riders anymore. Just wanna have (safe) fun.

If you aren't too big get a 110L. That's what we did in my family and we have a blast.

We got the small bikes because even if you are riding the rails off of it it won't go crazy fast and fairly safe because of that.

I'm 5'8", 140. My tallest brother is 6'2" around 170 and heaviest i's probably my dad at around 180 lbs.

So I did this. I never started on a 125 but 250f's, ran YZ250F's from 2012-2016. On a whim decided to pick up an extra bike a new YZ125 for practice days/fun. I loved the 125 so much more than my 250F (both 16's) I sold the 16 and just rode my 125. I'll admit they are so much fun, lightweight, amazing handling, the only problem is they do suck in tight sections where you need that 4 stroke torque, I often found it more difficult to clear jumps right out of corners on the 125 that 250F's had no problem with. I ended up back on a CRF250R. Both options are great and have their ups and downs. Don't think you can go wrong.

It will all feel so right and natural after about 3-5 motos, I picked up a yz250 and haven’t hardly touched the 250f or 450 since

It's really a personal taste question. Got a 250 YZ a few years ago after being on 4 strokes for about ten years, getting used to a smoker again was quite easy but I never really enjoyed it that much and sold it after a few months.

HusqFan3 wrote:

Interesting. I’ve always been told chopping the throttle at the top of a jump is a big no no unless you’re into endoing. One of the training videos I’m referring to(the MX factory) the trainer was even on a 2-stroke.

Depends on the jump. Maybe chop was the wrong word, I roll off the throttle on the up ramp unless I need to hit the jump on the gas to clear it. In that case it's usually a rear brake tap in the air.
I remember my first time riding a yz250 after being on 125's for years, it was definitely a different technique to jumping

Andy7 wrote:

Hi guys, today I was at the track and had the chance to ride a YZ 250. I only have a 2012 KXF 450, and haven´t ridden a two stroke in a couple years. My first impression is WOW. This bike is so nice that I´m really thinking of selling my 450 and buying a YZ, but a 125. Have anyone done this and regretted it? I know I will have to adapt, the biggest difference is the lack of engine branking (that I hate, so that´s a plus), but when jupping the front end likes to stand up a lot more than a 4 stroke. So, will you sell a 450 and keep a 125 as your only bike? I only ride moto and don´t race, just like to have the most fun I can.

Try this Kit!

http://www.eddie-sanders-racing.com

You will have a close to 32/33 Foot LBS of Torque to pull you out of a "Corner", like your 450 but not as broad of a pull. Then you get the best of both worlds on what is a LIGHT WEIGHT pure FUN 250 made into a 325!


Try this, $150 top end rebuilds, 40 hours on my first Piston.

Eddie Sanders Racing (ESR) (Pismo Beach, Ca.) makes a $900 YZ 325 with a Cylinder, Power Valve, Weisco Piston, Machined Head & Gaskets to fit.

Rejetting your Keihin Carb (170 to165 Main & 48 to 42/40 Pilot makes your YZ 250 (now YZ 325) the Best Value Bike on the Market!! Torque down low and a nice after burner hit in the last 2K RPM!

Best all around bikes are 300/325 cc 2-Strokes!

If Yamaha only made an Electrics Start, Transfer Port Injected 350/400 cc 2-Stroke.........sigh.......

SDTony YZ ESR 325 wrote:

Try this Kit!

http://www.eddie-sanders-racing.com

You will have a close to 32/33 Foot LBS of Torque to pull you out of a "Corner", like your 450 but not as broad of a pull. Then you get the best of both worlds on what is a LIGHT WEIGHT pure FUN 250 made into a 325!


Try this, $150 top end rebuilds, 40 hours on my first Piston.

Eddie Sanders Racing (ESR) (Pismo Beach, Ca.) makes a $900 YZ 325 with a Cylinder, Power Valve, Weisco Piston, Machined Head & Gaskets to fit.

Rejetting your Keihin Carb (170 to165 Main & 48 to 42/40 Pilot makes your YZ 250 (now YZ 325) the Best Value Bike on the Market!! Torque down low and a nice after burner hit in the last 2K RPM!

I hear that the 325 kit runs out of power into the top end pretty bad since there’s not enough crankcase volume ? Were you able to overcome that problem? Would the STIC carb setup help that problem? Thanks...

You hear? Sounds like bullshit info since you haven't ridden a ESR 325!

Did you read the post? It says there is an Afterburner hit, it will pull with a 450, but not as long of a pull.

Unless your a Pro who cares! It's the most fun all around bike in the World! The Rekluse Clutch makes it an Off-Road wonder.