17-18 250 SX / TC 250

Richy
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I know there's a good bit of euro 250 experience here.

So coming back to riding after a good break, I thought I'd be keen for a four stroke, got some great advice here, much appreciated... anyway, nothing against them, the engine braking / initial throttle response / general feeling is a little too alien for me, not gonna happen just yet.

So the question, I've ridden a TC250 and it was okay taking it steady but still a bit gnarly being honest, but was setup to be by an owner muuuch faster than me.

At 245lbs now in gear, would it be stupid to get a 150sx with a pipe, STIC and suspension to get back into the swing of things or can you calm the 250's down enough with playing with the power valve, dropping a tooth on the back and pulling the grey wire?

Granted I used to be much lighter, but I was never at a skill level where I could use a 250 2 Stroke on a track without a pretty constant sense of "pay attention and be f__ing careful".

Again, I don't ride big wide open Cali tracks so may be a little different.
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seth505
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2/5/2021 2:42pm Edited Date/Time 2/5/2021 2:45pm
I can say with pretty good confidence that by playing with gearing/jetting/power valve that you can get it to a setting that doesn't feel like it's too gnarly. The 17+ motor already feels way linear and manageable than the previous generation due to the counter balancer and almost no vibration compared to the 2016 and earlier.

When I first got my 17 I played with aggressive power valve spring/setting and it was fun but wheelied out of every corner and made me ride a little erratic. If you use the green (soft) spring and play with the screw, you'll get a feeling that is quite linear and no arm ripping moments.

Personally, I hated the less aggressive map with the wire pulled but that is an option as well that you should experiment with.
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cwel11
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2/6/2021 3:35am
Set the 250 up for you and keep riding it. Gearing changes, soft or aggressive switch, power valve spring, etc will let you get it suited to you pretty well. Then ride, ride, ride. The biggest factor in riding better and being more comfortable is to actually ride 😁
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Richy
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2/6/2021 4:06am
You guys are heroes, thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to hear! I've seen the awesome jetting thread here, and with what Seth said I'll probably leave the wire plugged in so at least it behaves as it should and just tone it down with the powervale and a 49t and maybe go a touch rich when playing with brass.

Thank you both for your help, it's much appreciated, and I'll get on the hunt for a two fiddy asap.
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Mikey150
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2/6/2021 5:45am
I had a reasonably modded 17 250sx for a couple of years.

Absolutely fine to ride around within your skill level if you can resist the temptation twist the throttle to the stops, just gets a little overwhelming from time to time if you try to ride it wide open like a 125/250f.

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The Shop

Richy
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2/6/2021 7:11am Edited Date/Time 2/6/2021 7:12am
Thanks Mikey, I've always been pretty sensible (or boring maybe) and build up to things rather than just hit it and pray, so I'll absolutely respect it and get a feel for it rather than thinking I'm a badass and trying to make it sing straight away.

It was just that most people I ask say similar to you guys, they're pretty smooth and linear for a 2 Stroke and very tuneable, which I trust 100% and was what I was hoping for. But then you see MXA or similar saying "it's almost too fast..." or claiming it hits like an 80's 250 lol, which just sounded insane to me, and I couldn't see it unless it was intentionally set up that way on the day.

You folks have cleared it right up and I am grateful, thanks.
Mikey150
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2/6/2021 1:48pm
That’s the media for you, just a little hyped up.

Would you consider stretching the budget the 19 model? Updated slimmer ergos on the 19 has a better cockpit feel imo.


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FGR01
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2/6/2021 7:21pm
Tamer throttle tube/cam is also an option to mellow the bike out.
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Richy
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2/7/2021 6:25am
I've seen the throttle cam in the past now you mention it, usually in relation to 450s so makes sense, good shout man thank you. I always used to stick an alloy throttle tube on my bikes anyway (I always plan to fall off a lot) so maybe two birds one stone.

Mikey, would like to get a 19/20 for sure, but comes down to what's around in budget I guess, got other priorities so can only justify spending so much for a toy that wont be used to its potential anyway haha. Will be starting to look seriously this week so hopefully I'll find something.

It'll be a clean '18 (all about the factory orange frame) or a '19 I expect unless a '17 too good to pass up comes along. Will all be much the same as far as I could tell I'm sure.

Shock spring, throttle cam, slightly lower foot pegs, 49t rear, should be good to go.
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Mikey150
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2/7/2021 12:19pm
Also if you’re going to spend a little bit of money down the line the best bang for your buck mod is the Pro Circuit standard length silencer.

Bike in stock form falls of a cliff in the higher revs which isn’t fun if you have to change gears just before a jump, silencer allows you to wind it out.
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Richy
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2/7/2021 2:05pm
Awesome, thanks, sounds worthwhile then. The one thing that was pulling me toward Yamaha was the over rev but honestly I always loved my old steel framed CR more than any newer alu framed bike I had and being older and working with my hands all week the no vibration sounds like an additional deal maker for the KTM. Plus I'm so used to working with Euro cars nowadays that all the torx bolts and general design feels kinda familiar.

Thanks again for your help, will definitely try and grab one of the long pro circuit silencers the next time I have a good month.
Bruce372
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2/7/2021 4:37pm
I was riding mx on 150sx today, setup like you said snd I am same weight... the bike is really fast, but you have to ride it fast so once you are gassed and when you can cruise with a bigger engine the 150 gets sketchy. I find the 150 more scary than a 450 lol
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Richy
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2/8/2021 12:02am
Haha that was a concern Bruce, nowhere near bike-fit at the moment after such a layout so I figure at my size I'd be way worse on a small bore. Thanks!
YZed250
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2/9/2021 8:06am
250F is a bit easier to ride.
But either one can spit you off if you're not careful. Sounds like you're going about it the right way by being realistic about your ability. Best of luck.
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Richy
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2/10/2021 2:57am
Thanks bro, I hear you, I'd love a 250f or 350 and I see the appeal, but I can't quite afford new, I don't do credit for toys, and it seems a little dicey to buy something that could take me a couple of months to rebuild if the worst happens... which it would do with my luck haha.

Thanks again man!
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BikePilot
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Golden, CO US
2/11/2021 8:27pm
It will never feel like a 150, which runs like a strong 125, but they are pretty easy to ride by 250 two stroke standards and quite tuneable. Put the stiffer power valve spring in and wind it in a little and that should take a lot of the hit out. I went the other way on my 300—head, moved the ports up, Pv adjuster most of the way out, and it rips, but is still pretty easy to ride. The lack of vibration on these bikes is also awesome.

The 19 model feels a little slimmer and with a touch more precise handling. Not a huge change at all, but it’s there. 19 also got an upgraded transmission, forks and probably a few other things I’m forgetting.

The forks should be somewhat workable for you with lots of air pressure. You’ll need a stiffer spring for the shock. Even at 180lbs the stocker was too soft for me.
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riv187
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2/13/2021 12:30pm
I have both a 18 TC125 that has some mods,, and a 17 TC250 with carb mods,reeds,and longer PC silencer. The 250 is a torquey ride and would be fine with the stiffer PV spring ,turned in 4 turns or so,and good jetting. Good jetting smooths out the delivery. I would also suggest a RK head insert. I had a custom made one for the 125,,and it really smoothed out the lower delivery and made the whole powerband feel wider. I bet his mod on a 250 would further make the bike more friendly.
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