YZ250 2 stroke converts

[Satch0922]

I have the Vforce 3. It makes throttle response crisper for sure.

[Wooded]

I dont know about the yz250, but I have put a power now on a cr250 a couple of years ago and barley noticed a difference!! I think they work better on four strokes but the performance gain there is even questionable (cost vs. performance).

I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure out if I should get the 06 yz250 or a rmz450. I keep going back and forth. I know, lifes rough.

chris

[ry0ken]

i cant believe i forgot to mention the buttery smooth transmission in the 06 two fiddy. the tranny is the smoothest, most easily shifting tranny ive ever had. just a tap on the shifter and it positively hits the next gear. ive been riding this bike since august and i havent missed a shift on it yet. compared to my 04 450, (which was much more notchy) this thing shifts like a dream.

[joe346cbmx]

Hey guys, just a quick update on the YZ250. I've raced on a tight track last weekend, and this weekend on a more open fast track on the YZ250 so far. My placings are down 1-2 spots from what I did on the 450, but some of the faster guys in the area were at these races who I had trouble beating before the switch. Also I have not hit 2 big triples yet I did on the 450, just because I am still feeling it out as far as how it flies and getting the clickers set right as the suspension breaks in. I also am working on getting starts down and don't ha ve the clutch/throttle down yet where I want to be.

Remember, I am adjusting to the new bike and learning to ride a 2 stroke for the first time after 3 1/2 years of racing 4 strokes. Right now I am finding I am working harder to try to go fast. According to some old 2 stroke riding friends I have to change the way I ride, shift more, use the clutch more. I am working on it but it's a different style for sure. Overall I have to say I'm really enjoying the bike but still riding it a little tight and too much like a 4 stroke. On the tighter track I don't lose much but on the more open track with less corners and technical stuff I am having a hard time beating guys I beat before on 450's.

The good news is I am finding the bike turns so much sharper and easier. I did pass a few 450 4 strokes late in the races by diving into tight inside ruts and exiting quicker. I was able to quickly choose different lines and lean the bike in there easier with more confidence as the weekend progressed. I'll get back to you as I get more seat time. I got to go. later.

[GENE426]

go for it

atleast you will be on a yamaha

[joe346cbmx]

yep, good point. back where I started, and likely where I'll finish. whether my next YZ has an F on it or not remains to be seen. But if it does i think this experience was worth it, it's a blast. I'm anxious to see if the YZ450F's are as great as they sound. For Reed to ride one in SX, they must turn well. I'm looking forward to the magazine bike tests.

JP

[CTinCT]

My thinking about bike choice goes like this.....If the 06 YZ250 isn't the right bike for me, then next year I'll get a different one. I don't get all worked up because I plan to ride for many years to come. Heck maybe I'll buy a 125 one of these years.

[Satch0922]

Joe, if you find yourself wanting to mod the bike I have a tip for you.

Before you buy a pipe (ProCircuit of course) , install the R304 Pro Circuit silencer on the stock pipe. I went with the long R-304 and it gives the bike more over-rev with no loss of low/mid. I have ridden the 05 with a full PC pipe and R304 silencer and could not tell any difference. The silencer really does give you the over-rev.

And of course I had to dress the stock pipe up while I was at it!

[joe346cbmx]

Satch thanks for the tip.

Funny you mention that. After this last race I was looking at FMF (fatty) and Pro Circuit pipes. I was trying to decide if it would help me keep up with the 450's in the more open tracks. Some say they just move the power around but the fatty is supposed to improve power all the way through the range.

So far I have only added a skid plate, rad braces, and went up a tooth on the rear to get out of corners better. I saw you mentioned a v force in another post I think. What are the best bangs for my bucks?

By the way, your bike looks awesome. You are one of those guys who takes great care of your stuff I can see. You will get top dollar for them later I'm sure. What kind of pipe guard is that, carbon fiber works?

JP

[cms_austx]

I owned an '03 CRF450 and '04 CRF250 prior to my '05 YZ250. The adjustment was difficult - I realized that I needed to leave my 250F home and ride nothing but the YZ, or I'd always revert to the path of least resistance. I thought it was a mistake at first, but once I got it down after about a month, it's been nirvana ever since. It starts first kick, is reliable as an anvil (at 110 hrs.), handles like a dream, and never is short of power. What more could I want (other than '06 forks)?

[Satch0922]

What more could I want (other than '06 forks)?

I hear ya! Get a revalve though if you haven't....the 05 forks need it badly.

[cms_austx]

My forks have been revalved, resprung, and have the Reactive mod (anti-topout springs). They're very sweet, but I still wouldn't mind having an upgraded base fork.

[id250f]

I switched to the 05 yz250 last year .... just recently landed an 05 crf450 ... while i've been looking for reasons to keep the yz ... the main reasons I'm deciding to switch to the crf450 are:

1) Tractibility (less rear wheel spin, etc. in corners) ... just a simple 2 vs. 4 thing.

2) The crf turns awesome (i have off-set clamps on it).

3) The torque gives me a huge advantage. I've ridden my 250 and 450 back to back on a local track (out door type track ... hard pack and sand sections) .... the crf wins hands down. The 250 will spin and bog in the sand ... where the 450 will just power thru.

What I'll miss about the 250:

1) Lightness ... feels like nothing.

2) Coasts through bumps / hard landings / flub-ups ... where the 4-stroke will want to stop cold and throw you over the bars.

3) Maintenance ease.

I'm still trying to figure out how to keep my 250 .... but probably won't be able to hang on to both.

[muddza]

I ride the '05' 450F and love it for it's braarrp!!! but after riding my mates '05' YZ250 a bit this year I will definately be laying down some hard earned for the '06' YZ250 with the yellow plastics, just wont be till end of season when the '07' is due to be released (always cheaper this way). I always seem to be riding that bike of his more than the 450 is riding me, I defineatly ride it much harder and faster and yeah find myself much more lazyer on the bigger four stroke, I am much more focused on the two stroke and seem to always get off his bike feeling like I have had a wicked ride where as on the 450 I am a little more just compelled with my ride. On the other side I get more kick out of a ride on the trails in my area on my 450 so I guess you could say it depends on what suits your style.

[walent215]

I ride the '05' 450F and love it for it's braarrp!!! but after riding my mates '05' YZ250 a bit this year I will definately be laying down some hard earned for the '06' YZ250 with the yellow plastics, just wont be till end of season when the '07' is due to be released (always cheaper this way). I always seem to be riding that bike of his more than the 450 is riding me, I defineatly ride it much harder and faster and yeah find myself much more lazyer on the bigger four stroke, I am much more focused on the two stroke and seem to always get off his bike feeling like I have had a wicked ride where as on the 450 I am a little more just compelled with my ride. On the other side I get more kick out of a ride on the trails in my area on my 450 so I guess you could say it depends on what suits your style.

no yellow for the pingers

[muddza]

no yellow for the pingers

I guess I won't be getting a yellow bike then, have to settle with tha blue, not too worried........

[rockcrawlerdude]

no yellow for the pingers

that really sucks... i really love the retro job on those 4s bikes... when (if ever) i get my 400/426 ill definately be looking to put the yellow plastics on it...nath

[YamahaSteve]

I have the 05 YZ250 and have not ridden my thumper for months... I absolutely love it. the aluminum frame is nice and the bike is very responsive. Also, it is very light... yes it is only 5 or 10 pound slighter than a new 450f but the weight is carried lower and it feels to me alot lighter than all the 450s I have ridden... and it is WAAAAAY ligter than my WR450.

I am happy with my switch to 2 stroke and it is much simpler and easier to maintain. I have had my 250 since Dec 04 and I still have not had to pop open the motor yet for any maintenance and it is still running good. Of course I do not track ride or race the bike. It is a purely offroad bike for me and it does that job very well... I have no problems in even the tightest and trickiest trails becasue, believ it or not, it actually lugs pretty well with the stock pipe on it; which has numerous dents and bashes on it from those stationary objects on the trail. A slightly heavier flywheel might help it out a bit in any situations where the clutch work becomes tedious to keep the motor goin...

Basically, i love it and it has been a great bike; and like others have pointed out, it is alot cheaper than its big brothers, i.e. the 450f bikes. Cheaper not only out the door, but in the long run.

[JBM]

This is a great thread. Good information. I'm about to get an 06 YZ 250 myself. I now have an 04 CRF450, and had a 00 YZ426F before that. I love the 4 strokes but I think they've helped me to have a few bad habits, laziness on my part. They are also heavier and heavier feeling and there's no way around that. I've only ridden an 01 CR250 before and didn't ride it enough for much of an impression, but it felt about 50 pounds lighter. The CRF seems to tire me out pretty quick as well. I don't know if the YZ will be any different but I'm ready to find that out.

I'm looking forward to the change and the maintenance required by the 2 stroke rather than the 4, and can't wait to get it on the track and have some fun.

Thanks for all the posts on this.

[bedell99]

In the 125 class I would recommend a 250f, but I have to say I really love my 05 yz250. It has been such a fun bike. I will continue to buy 250 2 strokes in the future. I just love the ease of maintence and the fun factor.

Erik