I have noticed that my 250r does not have smooth power any more. I had it since 2006 and have been riding it hard ever since. Just last year I got my carbs and pistons cleaned out. I ride at glamis sand dunes the most, and want to get into racing. What can I do to my bike to make it a little bit smoother. Or is it time for me to by a new bike to race with?

I have a White Brothers Pipe on it and used it for 5 years.

You've had the bike since '06 and have only "has the carbs and pistons cleaned out" ?

Most people are buying a whole new piston kit each year, cleaning the piston really does nothing at all.

Have you ever changed you're oil and air filter ?

no offence but if you want to get in to racing you're going to need to learn how to maintain you bike better. The crf250 is a mantainence whore the valves need to be checked frequently, the oil needs to be change often, the air filter needs to be cleaned at least everyother ride. The fork oil needs to be changed ever 7 hours, the chain needs to be lubed every ride. The piston needs to be changed every year, The rod and crank everyother year depending on how hard you ride.

I personally have a 04 crf250r and race it. The bike is race ready off the showroom floor. You would just need to have the suspension set for your weight. But in your case I am honestly surprised the bike is still running if that s all the maintainence you have done.

I do new piston at around 20-25hrs and crank around 50.  Oil change every race and every 2 trail rides.  Filter every ride. I still haven't had to put a clutch in my 05 (had since 07) but its about time....im nice on the clutch.

Like the above post said cleaning your piston does not do anything...Im sure after all this time and only dune riding that you are farely close to some sort of failure.  At the very least I would get a shop manual and start checking on everything.  Pull the valve cover check your valves....it's gotta be hard to start? Your valves are probably tight, probably need a piston and would venture to say a new bottom end too.  I would get the head rebuilt by a local builder or send it to crfsonly or a reputable place.....check your cylinder for any scoring...if its good and you can still see hone marks then you can scotchbrite it.....buy a Pro-X "B" piston and a new OEM crank assembly.  Get new bearing for your bottom end....and take it somewhere to be dissassembled and re-assembled correctly with the new crank piston and head.


Or just keep riding it and one day it will make really bad noises and lock up on you...hopefully close to camp....and then you will have to do everything I said above plus replace anything else that got damaged....

mwroolie, on 09 April 2012 - 07:52 AM, said:

I race my 05.  Its a fun bike.  But like I said above you should get into maintenance especially if you plan on racing.  You can still be competitive on that bike especially since you will be Beginner/Novice class.  I'm in Novice now and have no problem catching some of the guys on the 450 novice line in front of me....its the rider not the bike.

Hhahhaha yes!  I have changed my air filter and oil before. After every ride to be exact. I check spokes' handle bars' clutch' and whole transmission system every ride. But I don't know if it go beat up in the sand to much. Idk if it's too hard on the bike especially the way I ride I listen to the bike. But going up hills and big dunes I push it a little too far. Idk. Thats why am asking you what you think

mwroolie, on 09 April 2012 - 07:25 PM, said:

Read again what was posted.
Yes the sand kills the bikes' engine. If you rode a bike with a fresh motor you would see just how down on power yours is.
I can break your bike with a new motor in 20 hours ride time as a track bike.  

Sounds like you think your riding it hard, but have no clue.

"whole transmission system"  "carbs and pistons cleaned out" man that's funny!
Your bike has 1 carb and 1 piston.
Sorry dude but you asked for it.
You need to stop going to Glamis. Your in SoCal where some of the best tracks are. You need to meet a new group of friends that you can learn from.
Good luck

limp1969, on 09 April 2012 - 10:36 PM, said:

I don't think him going to a track would be a good idea, i certainly wouldn't be riding a bike that has been poorly maintained like that.

Sounds like the engine is about to explode !

limp1969, on 09 April 2012 - 10:36 PM, said:

My thoughts exactly....I have some friends who think riding their Banshee at El Mirage is hard and intense....it's all a perspective thing..

My suggestion is that since you "check" the transmission system(you split cases after every ride??) you should be mechanically inclined to do a full rebuild.  If you aren't then I would take the motor to someone who know what they are doing...if you are in SOCAL their are alot of good builder here.  Then go to the track for a eye opening experience.

OR you could go to the track before re-doing the bike....racetown/GlenHelen/Comp Edge/Perris etc....and take a few laps around the Vet track first then get on the main and ride it...you will know immediatley that you need to rebuild the bike.

i race my 04, and i'm about done with the whole 4stroke scene, it's a great bike don't get me wrong, but a 2stroke is easier to work on and alot cheaper, i change oil the instant it turns black (if i'm just going to screw around on it once or twice for a month or so with no serious ride time i'll let it stay(I'm not the wealthiest...)  , and filter every two to three changes ($ factor) air filters whenever i have the seat off, so alot. i'm just doing my first fork oil change this year because i need new seals, i shimmed the valves a month ago and i can tell they're getting sucked in.
in my mind to race this, it's too much of an attention whore for my liking. i can handle pulling a piston and rings and honing every few races and fork oil etc but once you throw head work and shit on there it goes way out of my pricerange..


to answer your question though your bike is easy raceable, just give it some love... the clutch has a bit of a short throw for me but it's not worth my time to fix it