Stability on 2001 CR250R

RoostyGreg
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RoostyGreg
Edited Date/Time 5/21/2015 8:45pm
I've seen a lot of extremely intelligent folks on here so I wanted to pick your brains for a minute.

I have a 2001 CR250 that is in pristine shape. My only issue with it is how it seems so unstable and unwilling to track as compared to friends 450's that I've ridden. It doesn't feel planted in corners and seems very easily deflected by small bumps and ruts compared with the 450's. While I realize that it won't ever be as good as a modern bike, the gap seems like something that I should be able to close somewhat.

I have the sag at 100mm, valving on both ends done by Shock Therapy, stiffer RaceTech springs on both ends for my weight/ability. The comp/rebound is set to stock on both ends. I have spacers to raise the bars to compensate for my height (6'2"). I have the bars neutrally placed at the same angle as the forks. I've noticed that rotating them too far forward makes for some really bad stability. I race +40B so I'm not exactly fast, though I do every jump on all but a couple of tracks in my area (northern Utah).
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PEPE001
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PEPE001 5/21/2015 1:18pm
5/21/2015 1:18pm Edited Date/Time 5/21/2015 1:19pm
My 2 cents:

Did you try a stabilizer?

I tried it once with my previous ride a CRF250R and rode without the stabilizer was a huge difference.

With stabilizer it was stable I could ride any line I picked.
Once I removed it I had a total different bike.
At the same time I had a CR125 so I had a good comparison.
My impression was the CRF was way better.

But once I added a stabilizer to the CR125 it was on par.


RoostyGreg
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RoostyGreg 5/21/2015 1:45pm
5/21/2015 1:45pm
Dissident wrote:
sounds like you need a 4-stroke
I'm afraid you may be right...But man I love the two-smokes.
PEPE001
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PEPE001 5/21/2015 2:01pm
5/21/2015 2:01pm
It is like 15 years ago when all 2 stroke riders tried to convince 4 stroke riders you need to go 2 stroke.
Now it is vice versa.

15 years ago only "freaks" rode 4 stroke.
Now the 2 stroke riders are the "freaks".

Time changes.

But I am with you, I rode 2 stroke for years converted to 4 stroke and now riding 2 stroke only. Love it! Wink

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Dissident
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Dissident 5/21/2015 2:04pm
5/21/2015 2:04pm Edited Date/Time 5/21/2015 2:17pm
Dissident wrote:
sounds like you need a 4-stroke
RoostyGreg wrote:
I'm afraid you may be right...But man I love the two-smokes.
i had the same bike and thought it tracked pretty good, but it doesnt turn as good as my 03 cr250 ....

perhaps a big bore kit + flywheel weight + steering stablizer would be good enough to tone it down

those motors are good that year but they aren't as meaty as the YZ250 motor and all the clones that came after it
cslacker
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cslacker 5/21/2015 2:55pm
5/21/2015 2:55pm
Try going closer to 105 with race sag. It should take some weight off the front end and make the bike track a bit better. Although it isn't as bad as the 97-98 frame, the 99-01 honda frame was still a bit too rigid for my tastes and that doesn't help your situation.
kingrigger721 5/21/2015 3:19pm
5/21/2015 3:19pm
Try a set of 22mm offset clamps and a 18" rear wheel. Maybe a 9oz flywheel weight to smooth out the power. Or if you have cash to blow put the motor in a 07 chassis.
DMG
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DMG 5/21/2015 6:02pm
5/21/2015 6:02pm
RoostyGreg wrote:
I've seen a lot of extremely intelligent folks on here so I wanted to pick your brains for a minute. I have a 2001 CR250 that...
I've seen a lot of extremely intelligent folks on here so I wanted to pick your brains for a minute.

I have a 2001 CR250 that is in pristine shape. My only issue with it is how it seems so unstable and unwilling to track as compared to friends 450's that I've ridden. It doesn't feel planted in corners and seems very easily deflected by small bumps and ruts compared with the 450's. While I realize that it won't ever be as good as a modern bike, the gap seems like something that I should be able to close somewhat.

I have the sag at 100mm, valving on both ends done by Shock Therapy, stiffer RaceTech springs on both ends for my weight/ability. The comp/rebound is set to stock on both ends. I have spacers to raise the bars to compensate for my height (6'2"). I have the bars neutrally placed at the same angle as the forks. I've noticed that rotating them too far forward makes for some really bad stability. I race +40B so I'm not exactly fast, though I do every jump on all but a couple of tracks in my area (northern Utah).
If you have the right spring rate and your sag is good, try softening your compression a couple clicks to get rid of the shake, then try taking some rebound out, that will help it feel planted. To much rebound will hold it down in the stroke and make it feel like its skipping.
mark_swart
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mark_swart 5/21/2015 6:02pm
5/21/2015 6:02pm
cslacker wrote:
Try going closer to 105 with race sag. It should take some weight off the front end and make the bike track a bit better. Although...
Try going closer to 105 with race sag. It should take some weight off the front end and make the bike track a bit better. Although it isn't as bad as the 97-98 frame, the 99-01 honda frame was still a bit too rigid for my tastes and that doesn't help your situation.
I was thinking the same thing: 105-108.
MHR401
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MHR401 5/21/2015 6:39pm
5/21/2015 6:39pm
The 2001 Honda CR 125 I previously owned was stock and was very stable.....and reliable!
RoostyGreg
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RoostyGreg 5/21/2015 7:47pm
5/21/2015 7:47pm
You guys kick ass. Stabilizer a little expensive right now but I'll definately lessen comp and rebound and lower to 105 on sag and report back. The offset clamp has been on my mind for a while. Thank you for the suggestions!
avidchimp
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avidchimp 5/21/2015 7:53pm
5/21/2015 7:53pm
cslacker wrote:
Try going closer to 105 with race sag. It should take some weight off the front end and make the bike track a bit better. Although...
Try going closer to 105 with race sag. It should take some weight off the front end and make the bike track a bit better. Although it isn't as bad as the 97-98 frame, the 99-01 honda frame was still a bit too rigid for my tastes and that doesn't help your situation.
mark_swart wrote:
I was thinking the same thing: 105-108.
What these guys said. I would try 104-105, it worked best for me (slow intermediate at the time, much slower now). Those gen CR's weren't the best at turning, so anything more than 106 and it really didn't want to turn. I am your height, and was about 200#'s with gear.
Gukamonster
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Gukamonster 5/21/2015 8:45pm
5/21/2015 8:45pm
Give it more sag, 110mm possibly more, not hard to change it back if you don't like it. Also, lowering the forks in the triple clamps will have a very similar effect and might be more important if you have headshake problems at high speeds.

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