YZ250 2 stroke converts

[ATAZ]

I'm currently on a YZ250F and am concidering doing the jump to the YZ250 for many reasons similar to joe. I bought my bike june04, and have loved every minute on it. Maintenance has never been a handfull for my valves have never needed shimming. The bike now is coming up on 2 hard ridden seasons and I'm starting to beat this little quarter liter wonder bike into an early grave. I am almost always pinned now, especialy in long straights, its literaly bouncing off the revlimiter to keep up with the bigger bikes. The YZ250 to me, in a nut shell is as follows: Faster, cheaper and more reliable. I was going to slap on some cams, porting and an exhaust to pep up my little 4, but figured it would be much cheaper to jump to the 250. When I'm at the track tacking a break I never jump up to see who's ripping by, but once I hear that crisp sound of a 250 stabbing the clutch out of a tight corner I jump up and look at my brother who is also looking at me with a huge grin on his face. He is currently on a cr125 and he was going to switch over to the YZ250F, but with the fact of school and part time work he could never afford the maintenance on his bike a couple of years down the road. He is looking into the RM250. I must agree that this whole experience will bring back the fun, with learning how to ride all over again. I'm excited, and I can always go back to the 4 down the road.

Joe, keep the updates coming, this thread is awsome, glad to see everyone supporting each other's decsitions with out flaming

[gonzo]

I see your in Ontario. Mine is for sale if your interested.

[ATAZ]

PM me all the details with pics (if any). I work part time at a shop and I'm hoping I can get a discount on something brand new but since its a 2stroke I will concider used.

[Motocrash]

After riding 4s for the last 4 years, I rode a friends '05 YZ250 this summer. I'm buying an '06 YZ250 (2s) this week. Feels like going back to a 125 (handling wise). Goodby maintenance issues. That is one sweet 2s motor yammie is building.

[gonzo]

Motocrash, look up 2 posts ahead of yours. I'm in Michigan if your interested.

[joe346cbmx]

Hey Guys,

just a note to say I am enjoying this bike as much or more than anything I've ever ridden. I hope they keep making them as long as I ride.

It is so light, agile and quick. After being on a 450 for 2 solid years I can't get over the fun factor of this bike. I recently rode and raced at Casey,Il a tighter more technical track with lots of turns,some sweet berms to rail, big whoops and some ruts. I played it somewhat conservative with the new bike and finished 4th, but had a blast learning how to ride it on this track. Once i get used to it I think I can be up front there. I was no where near all out.

Check this out, the guy who won, was on a YZ250. he has raced them more than I but it goes to show in the right hands the 250's can win. We raced some 450's and a 525.

The yz handled the big whoops better that the heavier 450. I thought the CRF handled well until I got on the YZ. It feels like a 125. If you want to rejuvenate your riding, I highly recommend it. My next ride will be at South Fork a more open track with longer straights. I'll let you know how it goes there.

I am relieved about not having the stress of keeping a close eye on the valve cleareances and the lower cost of rebuilds in the future. I can't speak for all 2 strokes but I am loving the YZ.

On a side note I talked to a friend at Casey who still rides a CRF450. he just blew it up 2 weeks before and spent over $800 to get it going again. I don't think anyone can argue that during the life of a bike you will spend more to keep the 450's going than the 2 smokes. They may be fast and easy to ride from a power standpoint, but there is a price to pay.

Catch ya later, Joe

[gonzo]

On a side note I talked to a friend at Casey who still rides a CRF450. he just blew it up 2 weeks before and spent over $800 to get it going again. I don't think anyone can argue that during the life of a bike you will spend more to keep the 450's going than the 2 smokes. They may be fast and easy to ride from a power standpoint, but there is a price to pay.

Unless you smoke a clutch or 2 every month to the tune of 180 bucks each. Glad you like the bike though, they are very fun to ride.

[MotoBilly]

Went from a Crf450 to 03 YZ250. Loving it. I only weigh 155lb and the weight does make a diff. Esp coming from 520mxc and 2 previous wr's. Much more verstile than I thought. I did put a skid plate and v-force on the 05yz250. The 05 RM250 was real nice too. I would like the 06 now after reading your link.

[techmc]

Hey Joe, thats exactly what I found out on my the downside of my 06, the throttle is sooooooo sensitive, I'm gonna try to fix it someway, just going thru breaking bumps coming into a corner, the throttle jumped a little and the bike jumped over the corner, wasn't ready for the burst, just bearly touch the throttle and the bike will lurch forward, my 03 450 didn't do that. Oh yea, cover that hugh drain area In bottom of your airbox, if you ride in light sand (silt), the filter will definately pull dust in there instead of under seat/fender area. Filling up air filter verrrrry quickly, Yamaha is taking care of the problem that it caused on my bike right Now. Again 450 didn't have that problem.

06 Yz250V?

03 Yz450R

[OHVrider]

How about try a Steahly Fly wheel weight, maybe 6-8oz? I have a 12oz on my girl friends KX100 and it was too tame, had to put a fatty on it to wake it back up. Now its too fast for her. Still tinkering, but besides softening the hit they make the bikes easer to start, and harder to stall.

I'd seen the 05 YZ and the 06 RM. I'm 99% sure the YZ is a better all around bike, but I really like the way the RM looks and it does feel better just sitting in the lot than past RM's (probably new bars??) I know my next bike will be one of those two unless someone lets me ride a KTM300 and its worlds better than my 2001 KTM300 was. The KTM just did not turn, The RM out turns anything and the YZ is just all around good at everthing.

For me it would be a full time cross country bike. I'm thinking the nimbleness of the RM might be an advantage?

I wish I could find a place that rented RM's and YZ's instead of just CRF's.

One piece of advice that an A rider buddy of mine gave me a while ago was to buy a 125 (85/100 if your under 5'6") and go find the nastest hills that you can find and practice climbing them til there is not a hil you can't climb. If you running a FWW try removing it and climbing the hill. The idea is to make it was hard as you can on yourself. Then when you go back to your 250/300/450 you'll notice a huge improvement in your riding skills.

If I had room in my garage, I'd pickup a used 125 for 6 months to test this out. I guess the weakest one would be the Honda CR125, but I bet the cheapest would be the Husky CR125 ($3,000 new) for a 2004.

Cheers,

[walent215]

Hey Joe, thats exactly what I found out on my the downside of my 06, the throttle is sooooooo sensitive, I'm gonna try to fix it someway, just going thru breaking bumps coming into a corner, the throttle jumped a little and the bike jumped over the corner, wasn't ready for the burst, just bearly touch the throttle and the bike will lurch forward, my 03 450 didn't do that. Oh yea, cover that hugh drain area In bottom of your airbox, if you ride in light sand (silt), the filter will definately pull dust in there instead of under seat/fender area. Filling up air filter verrrrry quickly, Yamaha is taking care of the problem that it caused on my bike right Now. Again 450 didn't have that problem.

06 Yz250V?

03 Yz450R

i had an 03 yz250 with the same prob.i moved the needle down one pos. and that helped it alot.

[Satch0922]

Hey Joe, thats exactly what I found out on my the downside of my 06, the throttle is sooooooo sensitive, I'm gonna try to fix it someway, just going thru breaking bumps coming into a corner, the throttle jumped a little and the bike jumped over the corner, wasn't ready for the burst, just bearly touch the throttle and the bike will lurch forward, my 03 450 didn't do that. Oh yea, cover that hugh drain area In bottom of your airbox, if you ride in light sand (silt), the filter will definately pull dust in there instead of under seat/fender area. Filling up air filter verrrrry quickly, Yamaha is taking care of the problem that it caused on my bike right Now. Again 450 didn't have that problem.

06 Yz250V?

03 Yz450R

I had to adjust my throttle cable to allow for more slack...they are way too tight from the factory and give you that "runaway" feeling at times. Loosen the cable a little and you will be more comfortable.

__________________

[joe346cbmx]

I have not adjusted anything on the throttle yet but have talked to some guys who add a fly wheel weight to slow the responsiveness. I will do what Satch said and get just a little slack in it, but I don't like too much. I like the YZ response when I'm going faster just fine, but at low speed is when it seems to be most twitchy. For moto x it's not to bad but I think if i rode lower speed tight trails more it could be a bigger issue. Anyway I am nit picking, everything else is excellent and I have not had it get away from me but I sure recognize it can and deserves my respect and full attention. Like my buddy Nick says, keep a finger or 2 covering the clutch lever, it is your friend.

I have not ridden the RM but it must be awesome to from what you guys said. I also chose the yamaha because it has been at the top of the 2 stroke shootouts of most mags for several years now. I think he RM won TWMX last year and YZ was a close 2nd. They must be close. I think I feel more confident in YZ relaiability though.

[ATAZ]

Yep those YZ250's are bullet proof. My bro is picking one up soon He's only 16 @ 130lbs..hahaha (coming off a CR125) he's gonna rip on that thing!!

[mcgvr86]

Joe, You are killing me...... I had no idea you had so much trouble with your crf. Ive spent so much time whinning about not getting my 03 yz450 to corner that I never realized it has never had ANY reliablility issuses. Ive spent alot of time and money changing stuff to make it suit me better, but Ive never had a stock part fail. (The chain thing was all my fault and I learned a valuable lesson on that one.) I check the valves once a year and keep the oil changed and the filters clean, and ride! I was all set to go and get the honda so I could corner, but after all that I have read about crf troubles..... Im waiting to see the new YZ450. I like to work on my bikes but not because something broke. Tinkering in the garage is supposed to be fun, not stressfull.

I hope the new yz250 is awesome for you, but I am going to have to start hitting you with the 2 stroke jokes, and hopefully alot of roost!! ?

seeya

dave

[joe346cbmx]

Hey Dave,

It's about time you got on here and gave me some static. My biggest fear of going to the 2 smoke is having to put up with that roost off your 450 even more than I did on the Honda. I always go home spotted with bruises looking like I was peppered with bird shot, I thought we were buds, man.

I may just have to do something crazy to pass you like bump you off the track or jump over you on the uphill 100 ft double. Oh wait, that's how you pass me. ha ha ha. It may be a while before I beat you again, that's going to stink, but I'm sure you won't rub it in, right?

maybe you should get a 250 just to make my adjustment period easier to take. My only hope is the 16 or 17 turns at South Fork and the whoops. By the way if you see a guy doing a superman thru the whoops screaming for dear life, stay inside, I may not make the corner.

I like the 2 smoke but if you did not you should have plenty of choices in a month or 2.

I hope to see you Saturday. later.

Joe

[MXrider101]

yeah, i just sgot a 05' yz250. coming off a 05' yz250f its a LOT of bike. I'm having a little trouble just like some of you with the bikes sensitivity with the throttle. going over small bumps or in the whoops is really hard because of the throttle sensitivity for me.

any ideas??

ether way i love the bike and glad i got a 2-stroke 250 instead of a 450.

it handles great! has SOO much power. great suspension. great bike over all.

[CTinCT]

I just took the leap. I have a YZ167 and a YZ302F. My plan was to buy the new 250F and build a 315. I figured the 250F was gonna be $6,000, the engine $3,000, pipe, susp, ect, ect....it would be a $10-12,000 bike. Then I saw an ad for a USED 06 YZ250. I thought about it for a couple minutes and saw the light! The bike is as light(or lighter) more reliable, and would still be faster than the 315. I had Factory Connection revalve and lower the suspension, mooched a bunch of parts from a friend, and I'm buying a $40 used flywheel weight. The bike is all set up and I'm still under $5,000. It's a NO BRAINER.

[Satch0922]

yeah, i just sgot a 05' yz250. coming off a 05' yz250f its a LOT of bike. I'm having a little trouble just like some of you with the bikes sensitivity with the throttle. going over small bumps or in the whoops is really hard because of the throttle sensitivity for me.

any ideas??

ether way i love the bike and glad i got a 2-stroke 250 instead of a 450.

it handles great! has SOO much power. great suspension. great bike over all.

ok...for the third time....loosen the throttle cable to give it a little slack. They come with ZERO slack from the factory. Very easy to do.

[ry0ken]

i also recently switched from a 04' YZ 450 back to a 06' YZ 250. i gotta say that im totally in love with this new 2-smoker! this bike flies! it feels so light and nimble, i can throw it around all day and it doesnt wear me out like the 450 would. the suspension awe inspiring! 3 weeks ago i was doing some desert riding, came over a small rise tapped in 4th and before i know it im a-hole deep in a gnarly whoops section! all i could think of was the impending doom i was in for.....but the bike ate it up! the suspension soaked up every whoop like they were nothing. when i got thru the section i skidded to a stop and gave the bike a nice pat and said my thanks. i think that the forks are a mojor reason for this, they just work fantastic. i rode it at the washougal national track 2 weeks ago and the bike was just so smooth. you can stuff the nose right into the face of anything and it doesnt even blink. i just cannot say enuff about the handling of this machine.

the motor is probably the best all around 2 stroke motor ive ever twisted the throttle on. it just has great useable power from right off the bottom clear thru to overrev. i put an FMF SST pipe and a turbinecore 2 silencer on it and it livened it up even a bit more. i noticed the most gains from the pipe in the mid range and also a bit right off the bottom. im thinking of getting the v-force reeds and the power now and power now plus system for it. anyone have these yet???

bottom line for me....its more fun to ride than my 450 was.