250 2 stroke gp bikes

[catch2otwo]

so i have an idea dancing around in my head. a 250 2 stroke for a track bike. good idea, bad idea? aprilia or honda? etc etc etc input? wut about a 125? they seem easier to come by, but does it have enough motor? i remember some saying my rm125 if converted to a motard would not stand a chance at loudon, same hold true for something like an rs125?

[Evil_Weasel]

i'm pretty sure there are 87 threads about this floating around the pit area.

to sum it up...honda 125>all.

[catch2otwo]

i'm pretty sure there are 87 threads about this floating around the pit area.

to sum it up...honda 125>all.

my bad ill take a gander over there. thanks

[TTD]

My personal opinion would be a 250 for a track bike.

This will give you a little extra oomph needed to pass those less than courteous big bike riders.

If I wasn't running the trackdays, I would have kept my 250. But with all the other stuff I have to deal with at trackdays, I needed something that was gas and go.

With 40 minutes between sessions, a 2stroke bike will be just fine. On average, plan on one jetting change per day. (in other words, set it before the first session... then you'll have to adjust one time after that).

Figure on a top end every 4th trackday or so. Bottom end every 10 to 15. Misc items like clutches, reeds, etc a couple of times per year.

The newer the bike, with the most spares, and the better maintenance routine... is the best way to buy.

[catch2otwo]

would you punt the 125 out of consideration for fear of it being too small of a bike to be mixed in with the 600s and liters?

[KillBill]

PM - Dynotune
He's got an Aprilia 125 i think. Maybe a 250

[catch2otwo]

cool, pm'ed thanks for the tip

[Awesome]

They a dream and a challenge. A 125 GP is nothing like a 125 dirtbike. Ones made for dirt, one's made for road, they're not interchangable ya know?

honda and yamaha are leagues above aprillia.

[catch2otwo]

They a dream and a challenge.

and by that you mean hard to obtain or hard to ride

[TTD]

would you punt the 125 out of consideration for fear of it being too small of a bike to be mixed in with the 600s and liters?

yes...and no.

I raced my 250 against 600's and it was often frustrating. Especially at a track like loudon that has a lot of stop/go. It would be better at Thunderbolt as you can carry more speed.

In other words, a 250 is tough enough... I think a 125 would really make you work to get in smooth laps... without resorting to late braking moves, etc... that are going to draw you negative attention from the cornerworkers.

[catch2otwo]

yes...and no.

I raced my 250 against 600's and it was often frustrating. Especially at a track like loudon that has a lot of stop/go. It would be better at Thunderbolt as you can carry more speed.

In other words, a 250 is tough enough... I think a 125 would really make you work to get in smooth laps... without resorting to late braking moves, etc... that are going to draw you negative attention from the cornerworkers.

i see what your sayin. dont think im going to be passing anyone if any but would be nice to be able to progress on the bike and not have to worry about it later.

[Awesome]

and by that you mean hard to obtain or hard to ride

Both. They're not cheap or plentifull by any means. I got on a 125 in jersey and adapted real quick to a very fast pace, but I tend to adapt easy to new tracks and bikes. The 250 will have a dangerous power curve, especially at loudon. I was amazed at the power that got put out by the 125 and I'm around 215lbs. I'm hoping to get a 125 or 250, but it's going to cost me a lot. If i get the 250, I fully expect to have some painfull crashes from the power kick especially at loudon.

Oh, and I was really cramped on the 125, it's small. I'll need to do more yoga. Both will be fun, but like tony said, they're not gas and go.

[TTD]

With a 125, and to some extent, a 250... you must be able to carry entry and corner speed.

These bikes LOVE to be leaned fully over on the gas, and will reward you with a solid feeling.

Whenever I was in a race against fast 600's, it was a constant "sling shot" type of thing. They'd slow down too much entering a corner, but not enough for me to pass. They'd pull me coming out of the corner and I'd make it all up on the brakes at the other end.

Now, at a track day, you don't HAVE to get by that person. So, you might be able to find some open track and then you could actually run the bike as it wants to be ridden.

PS... if you get one... I call dibs on a session or two.

[catch2otwo]

cool, appreciate the input. not afraid to wrench on a bike by any means, just usually need a little guidence but thats easy to find. what is yamahas offering in this genre? im assuming if the honda and yamis are a cut above the apes, then the pricing will reflect that as well?

ps. it will be a trackday only bike, no time or funds for racing.

[TTD]

The 250 will have a dangerous power curve, especially at loudon.

This only happens at first, when you try to ride it like a 600 or 1000.

Ridden properly, you never drop below the power curve, so you never get "the hit".

For instance, rolling down hot pit road in 2nd gear, if you just continue to roll on the gas, the front end will automatically come up when you hit the power curve. On the track, however, you learn to come out of the corner at the power curve point, so all you get is smooth, hard acceleration... with no noticeable "hit" that could break the rear end loose.

[catch2otwo]

This only happens at first, when you try to ride it like a 600 or 1000.

Ridden properly, you never drop below the power curve, so you never get "the hit".

For instance, rolling down hot pit road in 2nd gear, if you just continue to roll on the gas, the front end will automatically come up when you hit the power curve. On the track, however, you learn to come out of the corner at the power curve point, so all you get is smooth, hard acceleration... with no noticeable "hit" that could break the rear end loose.

this makes me want one, alot...

[Awesome]

This only happens at first, when you try to ride it like a 600 or 1000.

Ridden properly, you never drop below the power curve, so you never get "the hit".

For instance, rolling down hot pit road in 2nd gear, if you just continue to roll on the gas, the front end will automatically come up when you hit the power curve. On the track, however, you learn to come out of the corner at the power curve point, so all you get is smooth, hard acceleration... with no noticeable "hit" that could break the rear end loose.

absolutely. I'm sure it will be much easier at a track like jersey to set your speed to your gear, loudon will take some learning. When you're out of that power you'd just have to know to not try to hammer it on to get back. that kindof kick is where the danger will be. I want one so bad....

[TTD]

Some memories...

[catch2otwo]

gah i need to win that freakin lottery

[nt650hawk]

I was behind Jay at NJ. He looked like he was having a blast eating everyone on the brakes, in the turns and was slowed down but the big bikes and did not have the power coming out. I sat behind him for 3 laps and I could tell he loved it but was frustrated at the same time. Frustration was not directed towards the bike.

[Awesome]

I was behind Jay at NJ. He looked like he was having a blast eating everyone on the brakes, in the turns and was slowed down but the big bikes and did not have the power coming out. I sat behind him for 3 laps and I could tell he loved it but was frustrated at the same time. Frustration was not directed towards the bike.

Yeah, it was really hard to pass coming out of corners. You had to accelerate on different line and even though I was carrying much more speed my line would end up blocked on the exit and I'd lose enough momentum to not be able to make the pass under power. Mid corner passing would have been easy but i don't do that at trackdays. The thing is so small I felt like i could have gone under peoples knees. But what a blast. WHAT - A - BLAST.

[CEO]

Some memories...

How long ago did you stop racing T?

[TTD]

How long ago did you stop racing T?

Basically, 2002... when I won the championship.

I came back in 03, but my heart wasn't in it. Did one weekend and quit.

Sucks too because the champion gets free race entries in that class... and pole position all year.

I felt that if my head/heart wasn't in the game, I would end up getting hurt.

[FTMS]

How does something like a RD400 do on the track?

[TTD]

How does something like a RD400 do on the track?

It runs over people's heads!




(sorry Ken... )