250 2 stroke gp bikes

[CEO]

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.

Was probably a smart move. You know yourself best. Same as if you're out for a session and you start to feel your head getting out of it a bit... just pit in.

The free race entries and pole position are certainly a tough ticket to pass up

And you can always go back later, they do have formula 40 and 50

[nt650hawk]

How does something like a RD400 do on the track?

My budy had his on the track for the first time on Sept 29 and he was railing around people in the Red group. A couple of more TTD and he will be in the Yellow group. He just picked up a race prepped 350 fo TTD's

[TTD]

And you can always go back later, they do have formula 40 and 50

Ouch!

To be honest, as long as I can do trackdays, I don't need to race. In fact, if trackdays were around when I started racing... I may have never raced.

I could care less if I "beat" the other guy. I just enjoy being able to ride a bike as fast as I can... legally.

[CEO]

At least you went out on top

For me I want to get into it for the competition, I think it will make me improve much more and I enjoy competitive things

[tig720]

I have a 2001 Aprilia RS250 that was raced only one time this year and sat in the basement the remainder. This would make a great track bike and it should be used more than once a year. If anyone is interested drop me a line.

[GixerJockey]

At least you went out on top

For me I want to get into it for the competition, I think it will make me improve much more and I enjoy competitive things

That basketball career didn't really work out huh?

[FTMS]

My budy had his on the track for the first time on Sept 29 and he was railing around people in the Red group. A couple of more TTD and he will be in the Yellow group. He just picked up a race prepped 350 fo TTD's

I was at that track day and talked to him about the bike. It sound like he was having fun with it. I have been toying with the the idea of getting my 400 out and turning it into a cafe style racer.

[Paul_E_D]

Mmmm... GP bikes are my favorite topic How I miss railing that 125...

[catch2otwo]

so while we're on the topic and looks like theres a few guys with experience here. What makes these 125s and 250s different from a 125 and 250 dirty? was told my 125 dirt toy would hack up its lung if put on the track as a sumo, but never told why. (for sale btw )

[Evil_Weasel]

dirt bike engines are not designed for constant high RPM use. the GP 125 and 250 engine is a whole differant animal. comparing a 2 stroke dirt bike and a GP bike is like comparing apples to porcupines

[catch2otwo]

dirt bike engines are not designed for constant high RPM use. the GP 125 and 250 engine is a whole differant animal. comparing a 2 stroke dirt bike and a GP bike is like comparing apples to porcupines

cool, just wondering, ive gotten over the idea of turning my dirty into a sumo. needs to go to make room for a track bike. cant really decide what i want, a sumo or one of these things.

[Kurlon]

Catch, I basically found the same thing when I started researching. It's not so much that the motor will die, you can jet it for sustained high RPM, just ask SEMRA, you just don't have the HP to be competitive. The 'idea' setup would be an 85 chassis with a 125 motor, which would get you close weight wise, dunno how the geometry would compare. Power wise you'd be down a good 10 to 15hp on a proper 125GP bike. It's basically like trying to race a street Aprilia RS125 vs a Honda RS125, they aren't in the same league as the other.

[Paul_E_D]

A 250gp bike is one of the greatest machines ever built. It's not cheap trackday fun. These bikes are factory developed handmedowns. A bit dated compared to the world level bikes, but still...

Nothing you try to build from a different platform will ever come close. If you think you can build something similar, you are delusional.

Getting the most out of the bike would require a 10 year racing career IMO. The same can be said of a 600, but they do not require anywhere near as precise technique to get going reasonably quick.

When I was riding my 125 at trackdays, it was really silly. I had to use so much more entry speed/mid corner speed than everyone else just to run a decent lap. If I had backed it off, I would have been really messing up my technique and practicing going slowly. Not an ideal situation. I was trying to be safe, but I'm sure I spooked more than a few riders.

Anyway, the issues would be different for a recreational rider, but eventually you'd hit the same problem. It's a little frustrating to ride the bike in a style that is not in agreement with it's design parameters.

[catch2otwo]

so wut your saying is, you need to ride it all out or it wont ride well? if thats true, would it not be an ideal candidate for a trackday esp being a red group rider with the strict passing rules etc?

[Paul_E_D]

Bingo!

[catch2otwo]

gotcha. interesting

[RavenHawk]

Isn't the point not to have the best laptimes, but just for a fun bike for trackdays? Seems to me like a bike like this might be the slowest one out there, but probably the most fun too.
My SRX250 that I'm rebuilding is just for that reason (well, and the fun of rebuilding it with my son). For what it's worth, the engine in that was from Yamaha's 250 dirt bike, just retuned slightly for the street.

[Evil_Weasel]

Isn't the point not to have the best laptimes, but just for a fun bike for trackdays?

true...but if you are consatantly dropping out of the power on a GP bike because you are running up on other bikes in the corners. you won't be having much fun as you melt your clutch trying to get back "on pipe"

on a 125 i'd imagine it's frustrating...on a 250 your going to need a parachute for re entry after the power comes back on and you highside yourself to space. my biggest crash on the NSR250 was when i was trying to go slowly and carefully. i let it drop out of the power and when i rolled on my maint. throttle it was right at the point of the big power hit. bike went from making 3 HP to 60 within a 500 RPM window and flicked me off like a vanson clad booger.

[patricia929]

How about one of these?

[CEO]

How about one of these?

essentially a european street bike.

[Awesome]

How about one of these?

I hear they're nothing to the Honda and Yammy, but out of curiosity...how much? Is it a race bike or a street bike?

[Evil_Weasel]

for racing, honda RS and yamaha TZ are the way to go...real GP bikes not converted streetbikes. ofcourse that has it's down sides to, as they are way more expensive and require more frequent wrenching.

[Paul_E_D]

Isn't the point not to have the best laptimes, but just for a fun bike for trackdays? Seems to me like a bike like this might be the slowest one out there, but probably the most fun too.
My SRX250 that I'm rebuilding is just for that reason (well, and the fun of rebuilding it with my son). For what it's worth, the engine in that was from Yamaha's 250 dirt bike, just retuned slightly for the street.

Yes, you could enjoy the bike, no question. but given my experience and knowledge of these bikes (well, the 125 specifically and just a few rides on 250s) I think there are other bikes that are more suited to recreational track riding.

[TTD]

I think there are other bikes that are more suited to recreational track riding.

Yep... I'd have to agree.

And this is with the knowledge that I had the most fun ever riding my TZ... when I was able to ride it "full on".

And cost has to come into play. With a 600 or other common streetbike, buying the bike is basically the cost of riding. With the 2stroke racers, it is just the beginning.

It's a tough call. At least you have all the info now... so you can make an informed decision.

[catch2otwo]

its a good thing i ask, def wasnt expecting what i learned here. guess a motard would be my next in line. but i guess thats a whole other discussion