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The best 250 motocrosser in the last 5 years?

Direct Injection Two Strokes. As clean as the the 4ts.... while still being simpler and lighter than their 4t counterparts. The technology is there and being used extensively in the marine world already. :shocker Blow up a modern 4t mx bike and you might as well throw it away. Ridiculous costs to rebuild.
 
Been pretty happy with my KTM XCF-W 250. A touch heavier than the MX bikes, but equal power and much lighter than the trail bikes. LOVE the starter. Maintenance has been pretty chill. Did the first valve check and they were exactly where they should be, no adjustment necessary.

Definitely needs suspension work though. Super stiff/harsh, especially for a trail bike. The new ones with a link should be much better.
 
CockyRooster said:
I do all of own injun work on my bikes but...*looks in garage at unfinished projects*...low maintenance has its advantages.
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Agreed. I do all my own work too. I'm ok with that, but I have come to the conclusion that every minute spent wrenching is a minute not spent riding!
 
ohio said:
Been pretty happy with my KTM XCF-W 250. A touch heavier than the MX bikes, but equal power and much lighter than the trail bikes. LOVE the starter. Maintenance has been pretty chill. Did the first valve check and they were exactly where they should be, no adjustment necessary.

Definitely needs suspension work though. Super stiff/harsh, especially for a trail bike. The new ones with a link should be much better.
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I've heard really good things about the newest KTM's. Really can't decide whether I want a YZ or a KTM :p

Though, if I go two-smoke it'll probably have to be a YZ, I can't stomach the idea of a red sticker so I'd have to buy '03 or older.
 
sliverstorm said:
I've heard really good things about the newest KTM's. Really can't decide whether I want a YZ or a KTM :p

Though, if I go two-smoke it'll probably have to be a YZ, I can't stomach the idea of a red sticker so I'd have to buy '03 or older.
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I kinda felt the same way as you. The state already heavily regulates where I can ride my dirtbike. No way in hell was I going to let the state tell me when I could ride it, too. Well, I bought a new `09 Husky WR125 that is red sticker and the only time I couldn't ride it when/where I wanted was when getting together with some BARF'rs at Hollister last September. I rode my Honda and GasGas instead, but I don't regret buying a new red-sticker 2-stroke at all. I can ride Stonyford, Middle Creek and a few other NF areas all year round. They're cheaper to buy, cheaper/easier to maintain, more fun to ride and I think they make better trail machines (for someone my size, anyway) what with the power:weight thing. I paid $200 less for my Husky than my brand new 1997 CR125 in the end of 1996, and we got a brand new leftover `09 Husky WR250 for $4595 out the door 4 months ago :party




WoodsChick
 
sliverstorm said:
I've heard really good things about the newest KTM's. Really can't decide whether I want a YZ or a KTM :p

Though, if I go two-smoke it'll probably have to be a YZ, I can't stomach the idea of a red sticker so I'd have to buy '03 or older.
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I think you need a 2002 model for a green sticker. Fortunately, the 2002 YZ250 engine and bodywork remain unchanged through today. And wheels are interchangeable, including 18" WR four stroke rears up to 2008 or so.
 
So I find myself leaning towards the CRF just for the sake of novelty, for better or worse. The '08s seem to be going for ~$3k, but there are some '05s in good shape as a bargain. Is there much difference between the models?
 
sliverstorm said:
I've heard really good things about the newest KTM's. Really can't decide whether I want a YZ or a KTM :p
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There's 2 XCF-W 250s and 1 SXF 250 in my riding crew and they have all been bulletproof. Mine is the only one without suspension work, and that's the big failing. The other two are butter with help from James Siddal at SPS.

I'm bummed I missed the demo day at Hollister, as the new XC bikes with links and the lighter SX chassis seem perfect, though they're still running stiffer springs than the SX bikes. But mines only a year old, so I shouldn't be hunting for a replacement anyway.

------

All of that said, here's a not so subtle hint that there will be a new lites class MX bike from an as-yet-unknown local company that will be announced this summer. Should be a very interesting addition to the mix.
 
I just bought an '05 YZ250 with a few goodies:thumbup. I haven't picked it up yet, but I'm pretty stoked about the deal. :ride

I was searching out an '06, but people were asking about an extra $600+ on average for it over the '05, and since always redo the boingers anyways I found this to be a great deal for me. Besides - I totally dig the black Excel rims.:cool
 
First off Vintage is not a 08 CR250 nor is it Retro under the guidelines of AHRMA

I know its apples and oranges but the terminology should be understood. Vintage and Retro are defined as Bikes 15 to 20 years of age with specifics such as length of travel, drum or disc brakes. Maybe in a couple years a CR will be Retro as define by Front and Rear Disc Brakes. Those rules will change soon enough.

For the year your looking at, 08 any Thumper in its class will be a great bike, the CR, KX, RM all good choices all very competitive. In the age of technology the only difference was the rider all these bikes are created equal.

Pretty much your choice goes to your choice of Color and Which Manufacture you like the most or loyal too. With regards to bikes starting badly, maintenance and so on, well welcome to the world of Two Strokes, you can either have a rat bike or you can have a bike that purrs. There are plenty of websites for smokers that have plenty of tips on tunning, jettings Gas/Oil mix and so on.

CockyRooster said:
I've been looking at getting a dirt bike for some good times and cross training, but trying to catch up to speed on the technology and reviews is a bit dodgy as the info is pretty scattered. I'm looking at bikes around the '08 vintage and would appreciate any thoughts on what to get, or most importantly - what to avoid.

I'm looking at an '08 CRF250 but hear that you have to rebuild the head every half hour or something like that.

Which bike has been the most durable? Which bike gives riders fits (I hear the Honda is a pain to start but the Kawi will start by hand:dunno)? How often do these things need to be rebuilt? Or should I just say to hell with these sheep consumers and their tractor bikes and go buy a YZ250 two smoker?

TIA

:Port
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CockyRooster said:
I just bought an '05 YZ250 with a few goodies:thumbup. I haven't picked it up yet, but I'm pretty stoked about the deal. :ride

I was searching out an '06, but people were asking about an extra $600+ on average for it over the '05, and since always redo the boingers anyways I found this to be a great deal for me. Besides - I totally dig the black Excel rims.:cool
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awesome...!! congrats..:cool
 
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