Why did I get a 2 stroke it's like a handicap

3/20/2017 10:21am Edited Date/Time 3/20/2017 10:22am
Let me give you the alternate view: I just bought a new leftover 2014 rmz450, and Im seriously about ready to trade it to a 250 2 stroke lol. If youre used to one kind of bike its hard to get used to the other, even if the one youre riding is supposedly better in every way. Youre at a disadvantage in that you have one of the slowest 125's there ever was. Get a good rm or yz250 and youll know what the fuss is about.
flymoto
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3/20/2017 10:27am
Each to there own I guess here. No point in turning 2 v 4 again. I rode a 2 stroke, now ride a 4. Prefer the 4 more. I go quicker, and still have a lot of fun. Some guys like it the others way round. Hell do what makes you happy, and enjoy your riding, that's the main thing. Don't worry about you'll be a better rider on a 2 stroke. So what, does it really matter, aslong as your having fun who cares?
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early
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3/20/2017 10:27am
Another thing is that if the jetting on that bike is too rich down low it will ride with about a 500 rpm powerband.

This dudes motorcycling experience sounds like he bought a cbr1000, rode it on the street for a couple months, scared the shit out of himself, almost killed himself a dozen times, decided thats too dangerous so he took up moto. Now hes disappointed because he has 12 hours of total moto experience and hes pissed because the bike is holding him back. But thats just my take from 1500 miles away.

The Shop

Falcon
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3/20/2017 10:32am
No offense to the OP, but if you have 12 hours on a dirtbike and 2500 miles on a streetbike, you have no skills. This is why a 4-stroke seems so enticing at the moment; it's because you can ride slow very easily on it. "Easy" is what I have a problem with, because you can also go very, very fast on it, also pretty easily.

When people with no skill start getting faster, they get confident. Then they go fast too early in their riding careers, and then they get hurt. That scenario is a lot harder to come by on a 2-stroke (still very possible, of course).
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MMCDan
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3/20/2017 10:36am
I make the same mistake every couple years: been consistently riding 450 four stokes for years, doing well and having fun, but start thinking about a two stroke. I read how much better the new models are and how much fun I am missing and before you know it, I am at the dealer buying a new two stroke. Then I ride it and am reminded of how great four strokes are.

So, once again I have a brand new low-hour two stroke with a bunch of mods ready to list on CL....
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Skidaddle
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3/20/2017 11:04am
How come hotshoes on 85s can cream 90% of guys on 450's at local tracks worldwide?
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Phillip_Lamb
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3/20/2017 11:14am
xplane wrote:
OK so I am a new rider and I have about 12 hours on a 2005 CR125. I bought this bike ragged out, replaced BOTH wheels...
OK so I am a new rider and I have about 12 hours on a 2005 CR125. I bought this bike ragged out, replaced BOTH wheels, have done a shitload of maintenance and know the mechanicals inside and out. It's really easy to work on compared to a 4 cyl street bike. The 12 hours is basically my entire experience on a motocross track. All my other time was on street bikes. I only had about 2500 miles so you can imagine my level of competence. I'm finally getting to the point where I can go to the track, get a good workout, and not fall off the bike.

Anyway today I rode a 2007 CRF250 w/ pro circuit head and race gas. Why the hell does anyone bother with 2 strokes? This 4 stroke 250 has power everywhere and best of all for a new rider like me you can shift up and still get a good pull without the motor being wound out. For an advanced rider, if it makes the same power as a 2 stroke it's obviously a better choice since the power is more predictable and has way more area under the curve. Obviously the pro ranks have spoken although if F1 is any indication that means next to nothing as far as what's badass or what sucks.

I was easily moving even in deep sand and the bike had so much torque, all the time, that it was easy to get air where the 125 would just be bogging or spinning clutched out and not gripping. On straights, I could just grab a gear, grab the throttle, and go the same speed as I could MAYBE go at max effort on the 125. I know that I'll now be getting a 250, although I'll probably keep the CR since although it's a ridiculously unbalanced bike (great chassis laughably workeable motor) but very collectable.


The problem with the 2 stroke is it is all or nothing and while it does go i have to keep it wound out and I feel like a douchebag doing 11K rpms and riding slow and like a goon. If you drop it off the pipe it just sucks ass. Plus you have to CONSTANTLY shift it which gets old. I mean, this isn't a car where I'm sitting and I have paddles. I have to ride this thing and exert a lot of effort. You'd think I'm already doing enough that I don't need the additional "fun challenge" of shifting every 700 milliseconds.
you're comparing a MODDED out 250f vs a bone stock 125 with the worst engine.

wonder why you noticed a difference.

not that a modded 125 would be on par with a 250f, but thats why pros dont race them.

but there are other virtues of a 125. cheaper to rebuild lighter, being able to ride w/open (feel anyways)

honestly a 250 2 stroke is the way to go
Skerby
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3/20/2017 11:51am
You should just buy a new 450 for the following reasons:

1.) Cost is no object to you

2.) You seem to appreciate big power.

3.) You will be able to clear the big gaps without actually learning how to ride, just coast around those corners and twist the throttle when you are damn well ready. You don't even need to use the brakes on the big thumpers, compression braking will be enough to slow your ass down.

I see a lot of vet riders using this technique to successfully navigate modern mx tracks, best bang for your buck if time is money and you aren't very good at carrying speed.
3/20/2017 11:56am Edited Date/Time 3/20/2017 11:56am
Skidaddle wrote:
How come hotshoes on 85s can cream 90% of guys on 450's at local tracks worldwide?
The 450 riders probably dont understand fuel injection. You should explain it to them.
JW381
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3/20/2017 11:57am
Skidaddle wrote:
How come hotshoes on 85s can cream 90% of guys on 450's at local tracks worldwide?
The 450 riders probably dont understand fuel injection. You should explain it to them.
They've been on snowmobiles for 20 years. It's pathetic.
defeatist45
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3/20/2017 12:08pm
Skidaddle wrote:
This is why you get a 125.

IDK man. That seems really laborious. He's barely moving in that sand lol
3/20/2017 12:37pm
Let's give it a couple more hours of ride time and see if you're still complaining when you really figure out how to start cornering on that 125. There's no better feeling.
Question
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3/20/2017 12:49pm
That is until the time you see a good 125 rider giving a good run on the top 450 regional guys. Nobody use all the power of 4 strokes. Good thing for you, this 125 will makes you a much better rider, you will learn technique to go fast, no just sitting down and opening the throttle. You will be slower at the beginning but when you crash it is more forgiving.
mattyhamz2
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3/20/2017 1:00pm
OP, I'll take that 125 off your hands!

Seriously though. You only have 12 hours of ride time. Keep riding and learning. 12 hours of riding is not nearly enough time to know how to ride that bike, or any bike for that matter. Give it time. This sport doesn't come to anyone overnight. Keep riding and it will get way better.
reynardfan1
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3/20/2017 2:17pm
xplane wrote:
OK so I am a new rider and I have about 12 hours on a 2005 CR125. I bought this bike ragged out, replaced BOTH wheels...
OK so I am a new rider and I have about 12 hours on a 2005 CR125. I bought this bike ragged out, replaced BOTH wheels, have done a shitload of maintenance and know the mechanicals inside and out. It's really easy to work on compared to a 4 cyl street bike. The 12 hours is basically my entire experience on a motocross track. All my other time was on street bikes. I only had about 2500 miles so you can imagine my level of competence. I'm finally getting to the point where I can go to the track, get a good workout, and not fall off the bike.

Anyway today I rode a 2007 CRF250 w/ pro circuit head and race gas. Why the hell does anyone bother with 2 strokes? This 4 stroke 250 has power everywhere and best of all for a new rider like me you can shift up and still get a good pull without the motor being wound out. For an advanced rider, if it makes the same power as a 2 stroke it's obviously a better choice since the power is more predictable and has way more area under the curve. Obviously the pro ranks have spoken although if F1 is any indication that means next to nothing as far as what's badass or what sucks.

I was easily moving even in deep sand and the bike had so much torque, all the time, that it was easy to get air where the 125 would just be bogging or spinning clutched out and not gripping. On straights, I could just grab a gear, grab the throttle, and go the same speed as I could MAYBE go at max effort on the 125. I know that I'll now be getting a 250, although I'll probably keep the CR since although it's a ridiculously unbalanced bike (great chassis laughably workeable motor) but very collectable.


The problem with the 2 stroke is it is all or nothing and while it does go i have to keep it wound out and I feel like a douchebag doing 11K rpms and riding slow and like a goon. If you drop it off the pipe it just sucks ass. Plus you have to CONSTANTLY shift it which gets old. I mean, this isn't a car where I'm sitting and I have paddles. I have to ride this thing and exert a lot of effort. You'd think I'm already doing enough that I don't need the additional "fun challenge" of shifting every 700 milliseconds.
Learn to make a 125 go fast… And if you know how to ride you can do it. Anyone can make it 450 go fast
BobPA
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3/20/2017 2:25pm
Learn to make a 125 go fast… And if you know how to ride you can do it. Anyone can make it 450 go fast
"Anyone can make a 450 go fast"

Lol
reynardfan1
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3/20/2017 2:48pm
Learn to make a 125 go fast… And if you know how to ride you can do it. Anyone can make it 450 go fast
BobPA wrote:
"Anyone can make a 450 go fast"

Lol
I didn't say they could hang on to it...just said it ain't hard with that much horse power.

2nd gear sx
3/20/2017 2:55pm
I passed some 450s today on my inferior "125." I was so jealous when I would watch them hit the big booters with just a blip of the throttle.
doghouse
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3/20/2017 3:11pm
BobPA wrote:
"Anyone can make a 450 go fast"

Lol
In a straight line.
Turbojez
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3/20/2017 3:31pm
You don't like it? Sell it and get a 250f. It's all about fun, isn't it? Fun is the reason I put my 250F up for sale and I'm looking for a 2 stroke right now, but we are all different. Different strokes for different folks.
agn5009
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3/20/2017 4:54pm
You can always do what the pros do and get yourself an aftermarket power band .
This. I heard motosport.com is having 75% off all aftermarket power bands. Now is the time to buy.

holeshot413
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3/20/2017 5:35pm
Seriously ? Just drop as much money into performance mods as the 250f you rode
JMR1976
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3/20/2017 5:46pm
I have always had more fun riding a 250f. Sorry if this upsets anyone.
Skidaddle
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3/20/2017 5:57pm
Skidaddle wrote:
How come hotshoes on 85s can cream 90% of guys on 450's at local tracks worldwide?
The 450 riders probably dont understand fuel injection. You should explain it to them.
JW381 wrote:
They've been on snowmobiles for 20 years. It's pathetic.
Well, Sled guys go ten times bigger than bike guys, and most moto too, so there is that. And watching someone come close to suicide is pretty gnarly.
Rockinar
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3/20/2017 6:04pm Edited Date/Time 3/20/2017 6:08pm
If at all possible I'd advise you to try a different 125, even if it's just a friend's bike so you can see the difference. As...
If at all possible I'd advise you to try a different 125, even if it's just a friend's bike so you can see the difference. As others have said, you got by far the slowest of the bunch. I've only ridden an RM and a CR, but the Honda motor was laughable compared to the Suzuki.
He's not complaining that the bike is slow. HE is slow. He's complaining because the bike is forcing him to learn to ride it. The OP wants to roll around on the track like it's an XR200 and be lazy, but be rewarded. The 125 does not allow that.

That 125, not matter what year, or model, is fully capable of hang with 450s with a skilled rider.

I'm Vet age, and I ride a 125. They're a blast. Great exercise, fun to ride, and THE SOUND. It's like listening to a full auto AK-47. Pure bliss.

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