OK, here's the deal. My last hare scramble just sealed the fate of my 01WR. I practiced on doing dead engine starts and got the procedure down to perfection. When the flag dropped I got it started on the first kick and was off in the middle of the pack. By about the 5th corner I was battling for the lead. Then disaster struck. I went into the corner too hot and locked up the rear tire and killed the motor. I was still rolling at a good pace so I tried to bump start it, no luck. Well as I watched the pack ride off into the sunset a revelation came to me. This sucks. Yea sure if I took my time and got it re-fired in a couple of kicks I would have still been in the chase, but im not cool enoght to get that done. I was able to get it fired up again in about 30 seconds, and fight my way back up to the middle of the pack, but I burnt myself out doing it. I did kill it again in the middle of the woods but I didn't lose any places then because the trail was too narrow for anyone to get around me. It only took about 8 kicks to get it started that time Talk about some happy riders behind me!! I dont even know how I finished the race, but it wasnt in the top 3 for sure.

So here is my delima. I love the way my 01 runs and handles. It only has about 500-700 miles on it and is in prime shape. Not even crashed hard enough to bend the stock bars. All the free mods have been done and converted to YZ trim. Should I dump it for an unproven 03? or put an 03 cam in it (for auto compression release) and also maybe an auto clutch? Or should I get an 03 after they are proven and put an auto clutch in that?

Mike 01WR250F

imho, the '03 cam and an autoclutch and you are good as gold.
the only thing that an '03 wr would have on you is a battery and e-start.
not saying that the magic button would be a bad thing.
the e-start is a BIG consideration.
of course, price on a new bike vs sale/tradein might sway you too.
what i have found so far with my efm -> it is only gonna die in 2 situations. out of gas or i pressed the red button.
tough choice for sure, but i know exactly where you are coming from. every poor finish i had last year was because i crashed/stalled and it took forever to re-start. i even came up with a montra "no falls, no stalls" just to get my mind ready for riding smart.

The crazy thing is, that I seldom crash during a race now cause I ride so carefully knowing that if I go down it will be a major restart prodedure. The worst thing about restarting for me is that it drains my energy.

An e-start and auto clutch for a harescramble sounds like a killer combonation. Think about those mud holes where everyone is backed up slipping their clutch trying to get out. With the auto clutch it would seem like you could pick and change your low speed lines much easier. On this race I had to clutch it several times to wiggle the bike through the trees. It was a very narrow course in many places and I still have the wide bars, with NO bark busters. A couple of times I about crashed from the trees applying the front brake for me I have my bike running so good now I'm also concerned that I will be dissapointed by an 03

Mike 01WR250F

where was there a harscramble in Ks i would really like to race one

I let the desion be put on your walet If u have money for 03 then do that if not stick with 01

Go find an 03, kick it over. It will tell you whether to buy the cam and do the mod or not. Other than than that (besides being lighter and faster than the 02) there isnt much to persuade you with.

The reason I bought the 03 was too move my kid off the TTR, and let him ride the 02. That said, I really like the feel of the 03 over the 02. It just seems easier to ride somehow, not as clunky.

Mike, Where in Kansas? I am a hayseed from KS. Born in Pratt, lived in Wichita and Manhattan. Used to race KSMA motocross a million years ago. Rode tracks in Hutch, Garden City, Dodge, Pratt, Kingman, Wichita Jeeps, Wichita Sprockets, Newton, Salina, the old national track at Baldwin, etc. I know they don't all exist anymore. If you were riding scrambles in the trees it must have been eastern or SE Kansas?

From what you say about your '01, I'd keep it, put on one of the clutchs, the '03 cam.

The auto decomp. is a must if you are racing, trail riding, having fun, etc. etc. I rode an01 the other day and stalled it in a tight corner. Took forever to get it started. Thank GOD I have an 03. A new bike is a lot of money. But can you get the investment return by modifying your 01? They are hot items.

Although there has been skeptism, the Power Now divider plate has been stated (by TT members, MIND YOU!) to aid in starting. It is also the "product of the year" from Dirt Bike rag.

It MAY be your ticket.

The theory behind it's operation is very basic from a mechanical engineering - fluid dynamics point of view.

I am running a DSP carbon fibre airbox and this mod would help me greatly, IMHO, due to decreased velocities at low throttle settings due to the enlarged DSP airbox manifold diameter.

I will be taking care of my own machining for my own insert, however.

I will be taking care of my own machining for my own insert, however.

Why?

ksmike,

I had the exact same thing happen to me last weekend at the Topeka(Heartland Park) HS. I was running first until the last mile of the first lap when I got T-boned and then watched the whole field go by while I was trying to refire. I can't wait to get the 03' cam. I am seriously considering the EFM clutch now also.

Where were you racing and when?

Hey nopremix, Thats the race I was in!!! What class was you in? I didn't see too many 250F's there, except maybe the one that was right beside me at the line. I was in the +35 250C class. When my bike started the first kick on the line, I thought I had it made. It was such a rookie mistake for me to kill it in a corner. The wfo high gear straigts where great! Im basicly a MX kind of guy so I loved the riding out of the woods. Me and trees dont get along well. For those of you asking, the race was in Topeka, KS. If you want to know where the local races are go to:

www.kansasoffroad.com

Mike 01WR250F

Had a similar problem with my 01 last weekend at the Monkey Butt H.S. I practiced my starts at least 20 times prior to the drop of the green flag. We had some guys jump the flag so I started to kick then stoped... big mistake. The flag dropped and because I was out of sink with "The Drill" it took me 15 seconds to get the thing fired. This is the third race in a row that I have had problems off the line on dead engine starts. I have gone from holeshoting 7 of 10 races last year to being dead last into the first turn 3 for 3. I have already ordered my 03 cam / gear combo which is expected to be here next week. (we'll see about that) If that dosen't work then I am going to give my wife this bike and buy an 03.
Best of luck and let us know what you decide.

Quote

The DSP airbox w/ the velocity stack has it's own (aluminum)intake manifold that replaces the OEM (aluminum) manifold.

That is why.