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mnoble0902
8/14/2017 4:14pm
8/14/2017 4:14pm
Hi everyone,
I need some suggestions on a thought I have. I recently got back into motocross after about 18 years. I bought a
'15 YZ 125. I'm really enjoying it, but I'm actually beginning to wonder if I'm too big for it; I'm 6 foot and weigh about 195lbs. The bike moves me, but I can tell I'm weighing it down. I'm wondering if I should trade it for a 250f? In most cases, the answer is probably yes. However, in my case I'm basically a new rider, which is why I got the 125. 125s are great learning bikes.
So, I'm trying to decide if I should stick it out with my 125 until maybe next year, or get a 250f now. My thought was that if I moved up now, I could ride the 250f for a few years and maybe move up to a 450. I'm just wondering if the 125 is actually preventing me from learning because of my size.
I need some suggestions on a thought I have. I recently got back into motocross after about 18 years. I bought a
'15 YZ 125. I'm really enjoying it, but I'm actually beginning to wonder if I'm too big for it; I'm 6 foot and weigh about 195lbs. The bike moves me, but I can tell I'm weighing it down. I'm wondering if I should trade it for a 250f? In most cases, the answer is probably yes. However, in my case I'm basically a new rider, which is why I got the 125. 125s are great learning bikes.
So, I'm trying to decide if I should stick it out with my 125 until maybe next year, or get a 250f now. My thought was that if I moved up now, I could ride the 250f for a few years and maybe move up to a 450. I'm just wondering if the 125 is actually preventing me from learning because of my size.
Now is the time of year to get a left over 2016 or '17 250F on sale. Don't buy a used 250f if you can help it, you never know what the previous owner did to abuse the thing.
The Shop
If you intend to race, the 250F is going to suit you much better, especially at 190 pounds. The extra torque will make it easier for you to go fast on. Also, since the racing world is all about 4 strokes, you'll develop the correct power management skills on that kind of bike. You can also move up to a 450 without much adjustment because the whole experience will be very similar; just with more power.
Another way to look at it is the opposite: The 125cc 2-stroke is the finest skills building motorcycle on the planet! Great suspension & brakes, assuming your 2015 is in working order, and the relative lack of power can help you learn to maintain momentum and maximize traction. Your cornering skills benefit greatly from trying to keep that thing WFO in the turns.
So, basically: just using the machine as a playbike? Keep the 125. Want to get as fast as you can, as soon as you can? Move your skills over to the 250F and start practicing.
If you have the 125 already why not get the 250F and see how you like it. Sounds like your already leaning toward that anyways. My bet is that you will love it.
GL
I'm about same size/weigh as you and sold my 125 and bought a 15' KX 250F. I regret it. 125 was more work, but was way more fun. If I was racing and serious about it, yeah I would go with 250F simply because its less work to ride. No other reason. My opinion of 250F....higher maintenance and boring to ride. Mine won't start for reason unknown, is collecting dust and I could care less about it.
This is a bit unrelated but captain obvious tells me racing (sx esp) would be WAY more entertaining if 125's came back. the 250fs make every obstacle on the track easily and I dont want to say the current guys arent skilled cause thats a lie but shees, you can watch them botch a section then almost go from zero momentum and seat bounce a triple with their feet off the pegs and make it easily. you wouldnt get away with that on a 125. /end rant
the 2T would allow me to have as much fun as a 4T. Some folks call it lazy, but the fact is that I could just
have more fun on the 250F. Isn't that what it's all about? We are close in size for what it's worth.
TM
Moving up to a 250F after two seasons on a 125 was a game changer for me. I was similar weight to you but the 250F improved my confidence considerably. I could keep a 125 on the pipe enough to avoid the splooge you get from bogging it but I struggled with confidence with jumping. The 250F seemed to make my riding more consistent so I could focus on improving. I went from approximately 200lbs to 170lbs back up to 220lbs in the span of about 5 years of riding 250Fs and I was still able to jump everything at most tracks albeit at 220lbs I was seat bouncing the shit out of stuff a lot.
A 250 Two Stroke on a deep sand track is the most fun I've had on a motorcycle period. To me you ride them similarly to a 250F, its 5 gears, and you try to keep momentum just the same. My issue with a 250 T was jumping - It was not confidence inspiring. To get comfortable on it and make it work would require me to put more time into practicing and gelling with the bike than I could at the time. The 250 T is a beast however and can get away from you as you get tired.
I would advocate that you ride a 250F before you drop the cash. Heck ride a 250 two stroke too. Most guys on two strokes are trying to lobby for their cause and convert people to two stroke diehards so I'm sure you can find someone who would be more than happy to let you tag team their bike for a few motos.
You just got to get used to jump things wfo
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