Top End. How many hours?

My new/used bike has an hour meter (29hrs). Ive never owned a bike with a meter so just curious what people use for maintenance or rebuilds. Ive always used a more rough timeline, like once per season, but have no idea how many hours that really was.

This bike is a KTM 150SX. How many hours of riding would you replace the piston? 10? 50? Average riding, not all racing, not all putting on trails, just average.

What about on a 250F or 450F? Or 250 2 stroke?

Thanks
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cameron96
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3/1/2017 10:56am
I got 120 hours to the top end on my 150sx. Then she let go, wrist pin bearing

The first 100 hours was my sister trail riding and the last 20 was my at the sand track.

It was a 2013
3/1/2017 10:59am
I do the top end on my YZ125 at about 25 hours, that's probably 1/2 practice days, 1/4 racing mx, 1/4 racing woods but I figure any time riding is still time on the engine no matter what kind of riding it is
bsharkey
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3/1/2017 11:09am
I normally go about 30- 40 on a practice bike that I change the oil on every ride. 15-20hrs or less on race bikes. I feel like on the practice bikes I could go longer but... then its just wearing everything else out
Graybeard
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3/1/2017 11:11am
CR250 - About every 10 hours
CRF450 - About every 50 Hours

These times are purely MX practice and race use. I've heard people going to 100 hours on both 2 and 4 strokes, I just can't bring myself to go that long on a race engine. Much cheaper to rebuild the top end regularly that one that has grenaded.

The Shop

tiddlermx23
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3/1/2017 12:51pm
At least 150 hours over 7 years on my 04 CR250. Still kickin..
3/1/2017 1:17pm
To many variables to accurately answer 30 hrs usually max on a small bore 125 / 150 gping longer is pushing it.
BobPA
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3/1/2017 1:31pm
cameron96 wrote:
I got 120 hours to the top end on my 150sx. Then she let go, wrist pin bearing The first 100 hours was my sister trail...
I got 120 hours to the top end on my 150sx. Then she let go, wrist pin bearing

The first 100 hours was my sister trail riding and the last 20 was my at the sand track.

It was a 2013
120 hours? Jesus how did that thing even start? My 125 is starting to feel tired after 15 hours. I do a ring every 15 and a piston and ring every 30.
zookie
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3/1/2017 1:33pm
Beginner on a basic track with clean air, the thing will last forever.

Beginner on a basic track with dirty air, 20-40 hours.

Expert on a sand track with clean air, only 5-10 hours tops.

Expert on a sand track with dirty air, a few laps!

Same story for the bottom end but multiply hour estimates by 3.
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jtiger12
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3/1/2017 2:19pm
cameron96 wrote:
I got 120 hours to the top end on my 150sx. Then she let go, wrist pin bearing The first 100 hours was my sister trail...
I got 120 hours to the top end on my 150sx. Then she let go, wrist pin bearing

The first 100 hours was my sister trail riding and the last 20 was my at the sand track.

It was a 2013
BobPA wrote:
120 hours? Jesus how did that thing even start? My 125 is starting to feel tired after 15 hours. I do a ring every 15 and...
120 hours? Jesus how did that thing even start? My 125 is starting to feel tired after 15 hours. I do a ring every 15 and a piston and ring every 30.
My guess is that he's using the red powerband
cameron96
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3/1/2017 2:30pm
cameron96 wrote:
I got 120 hours to the top end on my 150sx. Then she let go, wrist pin bearing The first 100 hours was my sister trail...
I got 120 hours to the top end on my 150sx. Then she let go, wrist pin bearing

The first 100 hours was my sister trail riding and the last 20 was my at the sand track.

It was a 2013
BobPA wrote:
120 hours? Jesus how did that thing even start? My 125 is starting to feel tired after 15 hours. I do a ring every 15 and...
120 hours? Jesus how did that thing even start? My 125 is starting to feel tired after 15 hours. I do a ring every 15 and a piston and ring every 30.
jtiger12 wrote:
My guess is that he's using the red powerband
Gas and go! Lol bought it used with 40 on it, Let my sister run it for 2 years and never blew up, Then I beat on it.... wasn't even the piston that failed.

No idea what power band is in it Wink

40:1 amsoil dominator with 91 octane

Me riding it id replace every 50 hours (track abuse)
Paw Paw 271
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3/1/2017 2:51pm
I would do a compression test to see where you are at right now. Then when it drops off do a ring job and retest compression. When the compression drops again then do a complete top end job and do another compression test.
Each bike is different as each rider is different and each ride is different, so let the compression be your guide.

Paw Paw
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Tracktor
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3/1/2017 2:53pm
85's - 15-20 max
125 - same
250f - around 30

I stepped up on these since it's usually my kids riding and I couldn't take it if there was a wreck because I wanted to stretch a few more hours out of a motor. These are also MX race/practice hours. Usually when I pull a piston they still look good which makes me feel ok with my times. If I am in the motor for just about any reason I sually throw a piston in just in case...............
Skidaddle
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3/1/2017 6:47pm
When I was a kd we ran our practice bike 80s till they wouldnt start.
Id say probably 3-400 hours. We never kept track.. We rode all day every day when school was out. We rode to friends, girlfriends, to the store even to school when it was in.
Nobody rode bikes anywhere because it was too far.

We'd have to bump start they would be so worn out. I wore out 4 bikes a year. Completely beat.

1
3/1/2017 7:15pm
Can you put 120 hours on a 2 stroke top end? Sure, the same way you can go 40,000 miles on an oil change. But I wouldn't recommend either.
3/1/2017 7:24pm
Had a 2009 150sx (the bike in my profile pic) i would go 30 to 40 hours on my piston. I was a mid pack novice rider practice probably 3 weekends a month.

The main thing, at least on the older 150's is to get the squish right on the cylinder gaskets. I remember the ktm guys saying that is the quickest way to grenade the motor.
rmoto003
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3/1/2017 7:28pm Edited Date/Time 3/1/2017 7:29pm
Lol seems like its all just personal preference. My old 250F manual said change the piston every 6 hours or something crazy. And my yoshimura exhaust said replace the packing every single moto haha.

However Ive been doing 50 hrs on pistons and 200 on crankshafts for the last few years and been just fine. Ride local A level... I put probably 2-3 hours of time on a bike every weekend so doing pistons at less than 50 would drain my wallet
CarlinoJoeVideo
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3/1/2017 8:24pm
You should be fine with 40 hours on the top end. Are you sure the last owner only put 30hours in it? Could be safe to replace it and start your own schedule.

Bottom end should be fine for 100 hours.
cameron96
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3/1/2017 8:33pm
Can you put 120 hours on a 2 stroke top end? Sure, the same way you can go 40,000 miles on an oil change. But I...
Can you put 120 hours on a 2 stroke top end? Sure, the same way you can go 40,000 miles on an oil change. But I wouldn't recommend either.
I agree.. had to walk it out of the pit...
chump6784
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3/1/2017 8:33pm Edited Date/Time 3/2/2017 12:58am
125's I do rings at 10 - 15 hours, piston and rings at 20 - 30 hours.

250 2 stroke rings at 20 - 25 hours, piston and rings at 40 - 50 hours

Air filter cleaned every ride, oil done around every 5 hours. Used to be fast, now kind of old and slow but never blown up a 125 or 250

Bottom end every 4 pistons

TbonesPop
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3/1/2017 9:20pm
This is one of those threads that everyone will give you a different answer on. I guess I'll throw in my personal experience.

For a "non-racer", 50/50 track/trail average rider that properly maintains their bike - keeps AF cleaned and changes the oil every 5 hours of ride time (or better):

2 Strokes: 50 Hours on top end, Bottom end - as needed if crank has slop or every 200 hours
4 Strokes 100 hours on top end, Bottom end - as needed if crank has slop or every 300 hours

I've seen many people go longer- not that I'm recommending it. It's amazing how much abuse bikes can take these days. 2 Stroke top ends are so easy to do, it's insane not to just do them at least every 50 hours, if not 25 hours - again this is for a non-racer, average rider.
chump6784
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3/2/2017 12:58am
Something else I will add, every second hand bike I have bought, the first thing I did was put a new top end in it.
sgrimmxdad
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3/2/2017 3:46am
We do 2 strokes top ends at 40 hrs unless a noticeable decrease in power or compression. We do our YZ250f's at 50-60 top ends checking valves every 20 hrs or so. Bottom end every other piston change... Has worked so far!
3/2/2017 6:05am
chump6784 wrote:
Something else I will add, every second hand bike I have bought, the first thing I did was put a new top end in it.
Thanks everyone. This is my first couple weeks on a MX forum in my life (Im 36) and Im impressed with all the good info.

The 29 hrs seems legit to me on this second hand bike, original chain and sprockets and tires and reflect about 29 hrs of easy riding. I think Ill order one up today, but maybe will buy a compression tester so I can get a feel for it myself. Back in the day I remember a 125 I could feel right away when a single ring setup was in need of replacing. Ive haven't found an obvious power drop in 4 strokes or 250 2 strokes so those I just did once per season usually, maybe 30 ish hours anyway also.
buzzlight52
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3/2/2017 6:54am
BobPA wrote:
120 hours? Jesus how did that thing even start? My 125 is starting to feel tired after 15 hours. I do a ring every 15 and...
120 hours? Jesus how did that thing even start? My 125 is starting to feel tired after 15 hours. I do a ring every 15 and a piston and ring every 30.
jtiger12 wrote:
My guess is that he's using the red powerband
cameron96 wrote:
Gas and go! Lol bought it used with 40 on it, Let my sister run it for 2 years and never blew up, Then I beat...
Gas and go! Lol bought it used with 40 on it, Let my sister run it for 2 years and never blew up, Then I beat on it.... wasn't even the piston that failed.

No idea what power band is in it Wink

40:1 amsoil dominator with 91 octane

Me riding it id replace every 50 hours (track abuse)
I'm at about 100 now on my 04 cr125. Track, sand, desert, ramps, whatever we feel like riding. Gonna put a new ring in it soon and hopefully it'll hold up.
Mx286
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3/2/2017 7:40am
Lol after reading a lot of these responses I know now why the majority of stuff on Craigslist turns out to be junk.
3/2/2017 7:54am
I'm trying to figure out why everyone says to do 4 strokes less often. I get why on a 450, but a 250f should be at least the same as a 250 2 stroke if not more often. Just because it costs more doesn't mean it needs it any less.
mikejones202
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3/2/2017 8:14am
I'm trying to figure out why everyone says to do 4 strokes less often. I get why on a 450, but a 250f should be at...
I'm trying to figure out why everyone says to do 4 strokes less often. I get why on a 450, but a 250f should be at least the same as a 250 2 stroke if not more often. Just because it costs more doesn't mean it needs it any less.
I agree with you. I'm doing a complete motor (top end, bottom end, and tranny bearings) at 60 hours on my 13 rmz250. Top end was done at 30. The 250f's need top ends probably just as much as a 125 with the amount of abuse they can receive.
Angel_Rico
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2/24/2018 3:46pm
My new/used bike has an hour meter (29hrs). Ive never owned a bike with a meter so just curious what people use for maintenance or rebuilds...
My new/used bike has an hour meter (29hrs). Ive never owned a bike with a meter so just curious what people use for maintenance or rebuilds. Ive always used a more rough timeline, like once per season, but have no idea how many hours that really was.

This bike is a KTM 150SX. How many hours of riding would you replace the piston? 10? 50? Average riding, not all racing, not all putting on trails, just average.

What about on a 250F or 450F? Or 250 2 stroke?

Thanks
I’m looking at buying a 2017 kx250f with a new hinston clutch and top end at 68 hours and the bike has 74 hours race tech suspention looks clean how does that sounds with the new top end is it a good deal? Would I get a lot of life out of the bike ? Anyone got any comments
ML512
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2/24/2018 4:51pm
I'm trying to figure out why everyone says to do 4 strokes less often. I get why on a 450, but a 250f should be at...
I'm trying to figure out why everyone says to do 4 strokes less often. I get why on a 450, but a 250f should be at least the same as a 250 2 stroke if not more often. Just because it costs more doesn't mean it needs it any less.
250Fs tend to have less power loss/compression loss then a 125 or 250 2-stroke. Just dyno'd one of our 250F test bikes at 42 hours and it had barely a 2% loss of power from when the bike was dyno'd at 2 hours. I regularly run our test 250Fs 40-50 hours before a top end if I'm not taking them apart earlier for a project.

Did a dyno test on a 125 when we set it up for a project and checked it at 16 hours, we had a 7.5% power loss.

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