Best 250 2 Stroke race bike

[bskicrash1]

I wouldn't overlook the 2001 cr250. The last year of the great cr's

In my opinion the best 250 2 stroke ever.

my. $0.02

[JayN]

I wouldn't overlook the 2001 cr250. The last year of the great cr's

In my opinion the best 250 2 stroke ever.

my. $0.02

my brother in law rides one on the trails and track. he likes it. hes a novice type rider and has a blast on it. i havent ridden it yet. will give it a rip soon.

[stimps]

Biased but the YZ250 is awesome, love mine and you'd be hard pressed to find a bad review on one. Pretty bomb proof to. Newer the better as they have been continuely updated up to 2009 with small but positive changes. 06 onwards is best bet. There are loads of second hand bits around and pipes fit from 1999 right up to 2010/11 so really cheap to maintain. The RM is also another good bike and handles sweet. I rode a 2009 KTM that had a strong motor but suspension not as good on the real rough stuff as the Yam. If looking in the 2004 onwards don't dismiss the KX either if you can get a nice one. Al good.

[luckyguy19]

I love my 2000 CR250R, but I would trade for a 2011 250sx in a second if I had the funds.

[ricky_h]

Biased but the YZ250 is awesome, love mine and you'd be hard pressed to find a bad review on one. Pretty bomb proof to. Newer the better as they have been continuely updated up to 2009 with small but positive changes. 06 onwards is best bet. There are loads of second hand bits around and pipes fit from 1999 right up to 2010/11 so really cheap to maintain. The RM is also another good bike and handles sweet. I rode a 2009 KTM that had a strong motor but suspension not as good on the real rough stuff as the Yam. If looking in the 2004 onwards don't dismiss the KX either if you can get a nice one. Al good.

You have got such a nice bike there Stimps!

Concur with YZ250 ?

[lathrop]

I had an 08 yz and it was a really middle of the road bike, the one thing i can say is you wont find a better bike with stock suspension its pretty awesome! On the other hand I now own an 02 cr250 and it is by far a more race oriented bike it handles much quicker its motor gets a lot of flak for being weak on bottom and troublesome to jet, well I can 100% atest at a local pro level the motor is to be raced it runs awesome when jetted right. The suspension is amazing for an 02 its not as good as my yz was but still i think for most people stock it plety good enough.

I am not going to say a ktm isnt a good bike but ktm owners will shove them down your throats and talk about what a sad excuse every other bike is.. Its pretty much common knowledge the ktm is a threat to the yz meaning the yz is the dominate 250 being made, kinda sad when ktm trys to improve so much every year...

[hawaiidirtrider]

I figured I'd add this in although I think it's a little slanted . The bikes are all so close but they had to pick something to be #1. I found it funny that the honda is rated lower but had the fastest lap time. I think all the bikes are great . The difference is in what kind of support you get locally and if you want something new or used. To me all the bikes are good. Pick your color and check around for the best deal you could get locally.

http://www.dirtrider.com/reviews/motocross/141_0503_2005_250cc_two_stroke_compared/index.html

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[Swapper265]

The new TM 250MX is amazing if you can afford to go new !!

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[hawaiidirtrider]

http://www.servicehonda.com/honda-2010-models/250af

You can have it set up any way you want....big bore , ported, suspension etc and it would be an unfair advantage to me but expensive. I think there's a kx version of this too if I'm not mistaken.?

[86Yellow7]

the yz is really bullet proof and really good, but the rm is more of an mx'er than the yz, but the highest is probably a 250sx. Overall i would say the rm or yz. ?

[Leardriver]

You can't buy a bad bike. Get the one that is the best deal and condition. Racing is 5% bike, 95% rider.

The KTM crowd cracks me up with their absolutes. Best fit and finish? You haven't worked on them next to a Honda or Yamaha, apparently.

[maximoose]

You can't buy a bad bike. Get the one that is the best deal and condition. Racing is 5% bike, 95% rider.

The KTM crowd cracks me up with their absolutes. Best fit and finish? You haven't worked on them next to a Honda or Yamaha, apparently.

Everyone is going to have a preferred brand, and that is what the OP was asking for. I, apparently one of the "KTM crowd" have owned all 3 brands and still prefer my KTM. Just me though.

[525tom]

525tom, i realize that people are going to i was hoping that people who own some of the bikes would actually chime on, oh and how do you like your yz?

I love my YZ and it isn't even totally set up for me yet. It's the best bike that I have ridden on a mx track. My last bike was an 07 kx250f and I had it for 3 years. My YZ is better and I've only ridden it 4 times on the track so far. Once I get it set up for me, I am sure that it will definately be the best bike for me.

I've also owned an 03 RM250, but it was a roach so I can't honetsly compare it to my YZ. It did turn very nice though but Suzukis are known for their turning so it's no surprise.

The thing that sold me on the YZ was the motor. It is almost "4 stroke like" in the delivery. I use that term loosely but I mean that it can be lugged around and doesn't have to be on the pipe all the time. Now is that the best motocross engine? I guess that would depend on your riding style. It happens to suit my style just fine.

Hopefully that helps you or provides some insight. Good luck with your decision.

[ziegler408]

there's a reason yami hasn't changed the yz engine in years..for one it's rock solid reliable, very versatile for mx and easily adaptable to trail ridden bike..and 2 they are putting all their R&D into 4 strokes...this is where i think yami has faulted, they should of continued to progress the 2stroke while still developing the 4t as well. ktm has done a very good job of marketing, building a bike for both trails, mx, and whatever you might want to ride..and continue to R&D their 2t...what i don't understand is the big 4 see how sucessfull ktm is at their 2t bikes..wouldn't you want to get back into the game seeing how much money they are making on their 2 stroke bikes???? seems the big 4 has dropped the ball and ktm is running with it!!!!

[fender bender 59]

You can't buy a bad bike. Get the one that is the best deal and condition. Racing is 5% bike, 95% rider.

The KTM crowd cracks me up with their absolutes. Best fit and finish? You haven't worked on them next to a Honda or Yamaha, apparently.

Apparently you'd be wrong, but I'm sure you've heard that before....

I'd bet just about every KTM owner over the age of 30 has owned a honda and or yamaha... I know I have... and do. And so far the KTM is best fit hands down. Yamaha is a good bike but the only thing thats changed from 06 up is the year stamped on the title...... And anyone that says yamaha has the 4 stroke luging power has never rode a KTM 250/300....

One should spend some time on a bike before saying their bike is BEST!!!!!

[525tom]

And anyone that says yamaha has the 4 stroke luging power has never rode a KTM 250/300....

One should spend some time on a bike before saying their bike is BEST!!!!!

Keep drinking your orange kool aid.

I will assume that this statement pertains to me since I stated something like this in my post above. I have ridden a KTM 2 stroke, it was a 380. While that bike does have a "4 stroke" like powerband, it is actually more of an enduro bike and does not rev out like a true mxer. Same with your reference to the KTM 300 comment, it's an enduro bike. The OP specifically said best MX bike.

I haven't had the pleasure of riding a KTM 250 (assuming you meant 250sx) so I won't comment on that. By the way, I have owned many KTMs and their quality is great. However, I would say that it is not far superior to the japanese brands. Maybe KTM comes with some higher end components but people like to mod their bikes to their liking anyways.

[lathrop]

Orange Kool aid lol

This guy wants an awesome MX 2 stroke, please go to any track and take a survey of 2 strokes being raced Ill damn near bet its under 20%

Theres one ktm team in the AMA I think? Why do you think no satelite teams use them? I know they wouldnt use the 250 but still it kinda means something..

[ricky_h]

Apparently you'd be wrong, but I'm sure you've heard that before....

I'd bet just about every KTM owner over the age of 30 has owned a honda and or yamaha... I know I have... and do. And so far the KTM is best fit hands down. Yamaha is a good bike but the only thing thats changed from 06 up is the year stamped on the title...... And anyone that says yamaha has the 4 stroke luging power has never rode a KTM 250/300....

One should spend some time on a bike before saying their bike is BEST!!!!!

While I agree with you in what you're saying, however, I have had different bikes too, and yes have had KTM's.

KTM's are bit "spastic" when it comes to power IMHO. The 300 is an enduro bike not MX bike to even start with.

You can't buy a bad bike. Get the one that is the best deal and condition. Racing is 5% bike, 95% rider.

The KTM crowd cracks me up with their absolutes. Best fit and finish? You haven't worked on them next to a Honda or Yamaha, apparently.

+1. All bikes are good. It's just a matter of preference.

Keep drinking your orange kool aid.

I will assume that this statement pertains to me since I stated something like this in my post above. I have ridden a KTM 2 stroke, it was a 380. While that bike does have a "4 stroke" like powerband, it is actually more of an enduro bike and does not rev out like a true mxer. Same with your reference to the KTM 300 comment, it's an enduro bike. The OP specifically said best MX bike.

I haven't had the pleasure of riding a KTM 250 (assuming you meant 250sx) so I won't comment on that. By the way, I have owned many KTMs and their quality is great. However, I would say that it is not far superior to the japanese brands. Maybe KTM comes with some higher end components but people like to mod their bikes to their liking anyways.

+1. All bikes are equally good and have their own strengths and weaknesses. It's just a matter of rider's preference.

[stimps]

Apparently you'd be wrong, but I'm sure you've heard that before....

I'd bet just about every KTM owner over the age of 30 has owned a honda and or yamaha... I know I have... and do. And so far the KTM is best fit hands down. Yamaha is a good bike but the only thing thats changed from 06 up is the year stamped on the title...... And anyone that says yamaha has the 4 stroke luging power has never rode a KTM 250/300....

One should spend some time on a bike before saying their bike is BEST!!!!!

The Yamaha has changed the forks and brakes in that period and more importantly the front brake line clamp and the graphics:thumbsup:. Have also worked on a few KTM's and there is nothing wrong with them at all. Would be very hard pressed to say they are better built though or more reliable in any way. I like the the hardware such as Brembo brakes and the hydraulic clutch (fitted one on the YZ) but no better than Nissin stuff for example. Have ridden both the KTM 250 and 300 but not a YZ295. None of them lug like a large fourstroke.

[fivepointnine]

The Yamaha has changed the forks and brakes in that period and more importantly the front brake line clamp and the graphics:thumbsup:. Have also worked on a few KTM's and there is nothing wrong with them at all. Would be very hard pressed to say they are better built though or more reliable in any way. I like the the hardware such as Brembo brakes and the hydraulic clutch (fitted one on the YZ) but no better than Nissin stuff for example. Have ridden both the KTM 250 and 300 but not a YZ295. None of them lug like a large fourstroke.

so if you get a pre 06 (02-05) just get a suspension revalve, Braking 270mm front brake kit and a new graphics setup and call it good ?