04 KX250F clutch...wtf

[dricked]

I mostly only do trail riding. I don't.want to ever hit the clutch. ha

I only ride in single track in the ganny. Most guys who ride single track prefer the 2 stroke over the larger 4 stroke. The only time I use my clutch is to stop me from launching myself into the woods, it tractors quite nicely up rough hills and would be even better with a flywheel weight. Most guys haven't even ridden a modern 2 stroke but still think they have a narrow/peaky powerband but that is not the case. And your rebuilds will be every other year most likely especially doing single track where your not revving the bike.

 

[kellen]

i think I've decided on a yami 250f. talking and reading they seem like the most reliable motors. i know that's like being the tallest midget and may or may not be true but i have to get something!

anyone know what years i should look it for or anything?

 

[01cbr]

i think I've decided on a yami 250f. talking and reading they seem like the most reliable motors. i know that's like being the tallest midget and may or may not be true but i have to get something!

anyone know what years i should look it for or anything?

YZ or WR?

 

[JoeRider]

Someone hasnt ridden a newer 2stroke lately.

I only ride in single track in the ganny. Most guys who ride single track prefer the 2 stroke over the larger 4 stroke. The only time I use my clutch is to stop me from launching myself into the woods, it tractors quite nicely up rough hills and would be even better with a flywheel weight. Most guys haven't even ridden a modern 2 stroke but still think they have a narrow/peaky powerband but that is not the case. And your rebuilds will be every other year most likely especially doing single track where your not revving the bike.

IMO, the 450 is much much easier to ride than the 250 2/s; I didn't need to be in the top of second/third gear to make it up a hill (ie. raglan sand pits) and the four stroke could be ridden at any pace and have power everywhere.

I must admit i am taking more breaks on the 450 than I did before, but that could be due to age....

Your right about not riding a modern 2-stroke (last i rode was a 02 cr250r), i imagine the newer bikes are lighter and have a bit more top end but still have the same peak power up top.

Kellen, hop onto a two stroke and see if you like the power band, but you can't compare the power of a 250 4/s to a 250 2/s, the two stroke will win.

 

[kellen]

YZ or WR?

likely a YZ, would like a WR but hard to find and overpriced

 

[dricked]

IMO, the 450 is much much easier to ride than the 250 2/s; I didn't need to be in the top of second/third gear to make it up a hill (ie. raglan sand pits) and the four stroke could be ridden at any pace and have power everywhere.

I must admit i am taking more breaks on the 450 than I did before, but that could be due to age....

Your right about not riding a modern 2-stroke (last i rode was a 02 cr250r), i imagine the newer bikes are lighter and have a bit more top end but still have the same peak power up top.

Kellen, hop onto a two stroke and see if you like the power band, but you can't compare the power of a 250 4/s to a 250 2/s, the two stroke will win.

My 04 rm250 falls flat on its face in the upper rpm and I guarntee it's much less work to ride in single track than muscling around a 450. With a flywheel weight and the proper gearing a 2 stroke is a much more potent weapon in tight trails.

 

[canuckwr250]

i think I've decided on a yami 250f. talking and reading they seem like the most reliable motors. i know that's like being the tallest midget and may or may not be true but i have to get something!

anyone know what years i should look it for or anything?

2003 and up most changes were in suspension,wr is detuned and more heavy but can be modified to yz spec pretty easy.Whats nice about the wr is that it has electric start, overflow recovery bottle,bigger rads,18'' wheel and tranny is wide ratio.Get the newest 4stroke you can afford.Yamaha or other.

 

[JoeRider]

My 04 rm250 falls flat on its face in the upper rpm and I guarantee it's much less work to ride in single track than muscling around a 450. With a flywheel weight and the proper gearing a 2 stroke is a much more potent weapon in tight trails.

I agree with those two statements 100%.

What I meant by "easier to ride" was the fact that the 4/s has a tame power band compared to a 2/s and torque everywhere, so there is no need to be in second or third gear for steep hill climb. But as you mentioned, perhaps that could be corrected with proper gearing mods.

I am not trying to start a debate on whats better 4/s vs 2/s, but just that the OP has experience with a 4/s and switching to the 2/s may be a drastic change.

 

[rmemedic]

i think I've decided on a yami 250f. talking and reading they seem like the most reliable motors. i know that's like being the tallest midget and may or may not be true but i have to get something!

anyone know what years i should look it for or anything?

I just had my motor rebuilt. 2010 YZ250F that I bought new. I had about 140 hours on it. It never even needed a valve adjustment. We were expecting to replace the crank, it was so good that we threw new bearings on it and it went back in the bike. Of course everything else in it is new aftermarket stuff.
The YZFs aren't the fastest stock motors. However, they are the most reliable, and the bikes as a package through the years tended to be the best all around package. I was pulling holeshots on my 04 yz250F in 2009 against new 250s and 450s.
The big changes in the YZFs was the frames going to aluminum in 06 (could have been 05, but pretty sure on 06) and then again in 2010 to the current frame. They had little changes here and there in the motor as to valve and carb set ups and some minor suspension tweaks year to year.
I heard that 2014 will be the year of FI on the 250F as well, and if you're willing to spend a little more cash, I might be able to get you a steal on a brand new 2013...

I agree with those two statements 100%.

What I meant by "easier to ride" was the fact that the 4/s has a tame power band compared to a 2/s and torque everywhere, so there is no need to be in second or third gear for steep hill climb. But as you mentioned, perhaps that could be corrected with proper gearing mods.

I am not trying to start a debate on whats better 4/s vs 2/s, but just that the OP has experience with a 4/s and switching to the 2/s may be a drastic change.

So many of my buddies are switching it up to 250 2 strokes. This past weekend, in our expert class they took 1st and 2nd in a field with 450s.
When it comes time for my next bike when I'm ready for more power, it will be a 250 2 stroke. Sure, I'll throw in a piston every 10-15 hours, but I won't be paying anyone else to do it due to concerns of setting up valve train timing and it's something I can do in 30 minutes at the track.

Have a buddy racing full on CMRC pro on a 250 2 stroke this year, and he will be up there.

 

[EOL]

The new 2 stroke bikes are absolutely potent. If you're looking at trail riding I highly recommend the KTM XC line of bikes. I just picked up a leftover 2012 250XC in the fall and the bike has really impressed me. KTM also has there powervalve tech really down allowing you to change the powerband hit from mild to wild with just the change of a spring and the only tool required is a 1/4" drive socket wrench. With the tamer spring in the power will come on more gradually and if you switch all the way up to the red spring it comes on like a light switch. Really allows riders to personalize the poer delivery to whatever they like.

One more bit of info, I also have a 2008 WR450. Hands down I would take the KTM over the WR on the trails any day. Don't get me wrong the WR is a beautiful bike but it feels like a pig after riding my slim, trim KTM. If you're looking for a bike with similar power to your 250f check out the KTM 150XC, if you're looking for more power try the 200XC, 250XC, or 300XC.