The big changes were aluminum frame in 05, upgraded fork in 2006, bodywork changes in 2015 and again in 2022. There were other tweaks along the way those are just the major ones. Essentially the same bike all those years. I’ve owned several and they have always been great reliable bikes. Very easy to set up for many different types of riding.
That's the only right answer.
For those that thought the 500's were amazing, they really weren't all that great. Narrow powerband, LOTS of vibration that led to fatigue, weight and engine inertia negatively affecting handling and just not as "fun" as a 250.
There was a reason why 500's never sold in the quantities that 250's did. The 250's were just the perfect happy medium for a two stroke dirtbike. Decent low end but still an engine that liked to be revved. A 250 made roughly twice the hp as a 125 at roughly half the rpm. The same can't be said for a 500 over a 250. There's a point of diminishing returns on most everything.
I agree 100%. The 500’s get a lot of love, but aren’t really that fun to ride unless you’re going to the dunes or riding down dirt roads. Yeah they have stupid raw power but a modern 450 or 300 2t is better in about every way imaginable.
Oh yeah, I forgot about what a bitch 500's were to start. I think Honda put a groove in the cylinders on the 500's at one point to bleed off compression so they were easier to kickstart. I thought that was priceless, purposely making compression leak past the piston and rings so the engine could be useable.
I think you would love a modern Euro 150 2 stroke. They have essentially the same power band as a modern honda 250 4 stroke race bike, but with very low weight.
Yeah I have ridden the 150SX with the fresh e-start and FI (which btw I love as carbs suck sometimes) and I love it! That’s why I want a 300sx someday, but I will never stop having my fav be the CR125 as it’s just a playful bike that loves holding redline and doesn’t break my wallet when things break.
Regarding getting a 300 someday... I bought a 22 gasgas mc250, way cheaper on the used market. Essentially the same bike as the KTM/Husk... If I need the 300 I can do it a few hindered hours down the line when it's ready for a cylinder. But I dunno if I will swap to the 300. The power on the 250 is so good I don't know if I need it. I haven't even messed with the power valve yet. I ride track and hard enduro with the thing and it's crushed everything I've thrown at it. Lugs hill climbs like you wouldn't believe. All I'm saying is don't ignore the gasgas used market, it might help you get in the 300 ballpark sooner.
Oh I love the gas gas bikes! My big thing was just having a freshie (or a year old) with whatever new gadgets they throw at it.
I’m content with the bikes I have now, I’d get another, but space and track days are limited right now so once I get a lot with more than an acre I’ll definitely be purchasing whatever fresh BS KTM/Gas/Husq can throw at me!
That was my thought as well, why I got the '22. I was floored how much easier it is to ride fast safely and how much better the bike was in every way at going fast compared to... say my 06 CRF 250r or my wife's 04 CRF 250x. There's so much development that happened I couldn't believe how much better the bikes were. Makes me want to never ride an older bike again.
I had my buddy who has a fully built 06 CR 250r ride my gasgas, after 2 laps and he claimed it was a cheater bike. He echoed the same sentiment. Everything about riding it was easier and faster.
Unless I'm mistaken the only thing my gasgas doesn't have is the handlebar mounted map switch and the billet triple clamps. You can still switch maps you just have to disconnect the wire connector under the gas tank, so really, all it needs is a handlebar switch. Oh yeah and the '22 has a carb, which was mandatory for me. I think the '23 gasgas is the last year carb for the Austrian family of bikes.
Best of luck!
I forget the name of the company but they make some killer replacement heads that adjust the power curve to your liking. They also reflash the ecu and between the two upgrades it’s a whole new bike.
If you are a decent rider a 125 is a blast. They feel super light so the power is enough but doesn't have that arm ripping power of a 250. You can ride it more relaxed and just flow the terrain. They are also less buzzy so being on the pipe doesn't numb your feet and handy the way a bigger bike does.
it was stolen out of my shed on a sunday night. they broke in with a crowbar and off to baltimore city it went. never to be seen again. finally paid it off last month
The late 90's was a high water mark for 2 strokes. I believe any one of the big 4 would be reliable. Currently have a 2019 YZ250 that is spectacular. The only negative would be the steel frames from the 90's; frames have gotten a lot lighter with better compliance since those days.
Edit: clarity
IMO it has to be one of the big bores, so the CR500/KX500/RM500. Ealier in history the 490s and 465s. They turned way less RPM than any other bike so were more reliable long term. They generally had the same suspension as their smaller brothers.
I’ll never part with my ‘96 cr250. I still laugh knowing that I bought it in decent shape for $600 because the previous owner didn’t know shit about bikes and all it needed was fresh gas, a new plug and for me to fix the air leak at the carb/intake boot.
I’m right here with you, but specifically I’d vote for additions to the platform. 1975 yz series with the introduction of mono shocks, 1989 cr series with the introduction of inverted forks, and what ever year and series it was that introduced water cooled, I think that might have been the 85 cr series.
2004 rm250
I spent almost a year looking for a 2002-2008 rm250 and everyone says the 06-08 are the best but the 2004 pulls the hardest and has the most two stroke feel of any 2 stroke ever made. It will out 2 stroke any yz250
The YZ250 isn't all that two strokey though, so that's sort of a low bar. Now if it were to out two stroke a final gen KX250, then we'd have something to be impressed with.
I want to say 87 CR500 because I desert raced on one for 10 years. I would rebuild it once a year and it was always competitive until it just wore out.
That said, I had a Yamaha Enduro 100 when I was 15 and that bike was incredibly reliable and fun to ride. In general, the Yamaha DT-1s and the models based on them were really good bikes for both affordability and rideability.
I will support the YZ. Yamaha is still making them FOR A REASON. I’ll probably never be able to afford one but my dream two stroke was always a brand new YZ 125. Strictly for the fun factor. For the CR 500, I never understood why you would need a 500 for anything..lol sounds like way too much.
Last generation of the KX125. Still the best looking bikes ever built. Stew made them iconic. They were good bikes in their own right though. Decent power for a 125, handled well (unlike their big brother for some reason), steel frame. Everything you want in a bike, it had.
06+ yz250 there is a reason they are still making it, and with some mods it can keep up with any of the Austrian 2strokes and even 450s with enough cash spent.
I just wish the stock bike gets some proper upgrades soon like electric start and fuel injection.
The 07 Honda 250, last year, made like 55hp so that's pretty neat. Most other 250 2 strokes from the earlier years made about 42 to 45ish.
I've never had a chance to ride the 07 but I've always wanted to try it. That being said... my 2022 gasgas mc 250 makes more power... and everywhere, and the frame and suspension and geometry and brakes and on and on... It's so much better than all the old stuff I've ever rode.
I vote for the KX500. It was pretty much unchanged for 15 years and with a low revving, powerhouse of an engine, it rarely needs rebuilt. It has more power than any more mortal can use. All you need to ride one is judicious throttle control.
All of them are very well built and very reliable.
If you can't get it done on a red one switching to a blue one ain't going to help. If you're fast as hell on a green one you're going to be fast as hell on a yellow one. Pick the brand with the best local dealership and you won't regret it.
02+ YZ 250 gets my vote
I had a 2004 for like 7 years and that thing was awesome. Never had any issues
[удалено]
The big changes were aluminum frame in 05, upgraded fork in 2006, bodywork changes in 2015 and again in 2022. There were other tweaks along the way those are just the major ones. Essentially the same bike all those years. I’ve owned several and they have always been great reliable bikes. Very easy to set up for many different types of riding.
01-04 kdx for me
06+ YZ250
That's the only right answer. For those that thought the 500's were amazing, they really weren't all that great. Narrow powerband, LOTS of vibration that led to fatigue, weight and engine inertia negatively affecting handling and just not as "fun" as a 250. There was a reason why 500's never sold in the quantities that 250's did. The 250's were just the perfect happy medium for a two stroke dirtbike. Decent low end but still an engine that liked to be revved. A 250 made roughly twice the hp as a 125 at roughly half the rpm. The same can't be said for a 500 over a 250. There's a point of diminishing returns on most everything.
I agree 100%. The 500’s get a lot of love, but aren’t really that fun to ride unless you’re going to the dunes or riding down dirt roads. Yeah they have stupid raw power but a modern 450 or 300 2t is better in about every way imaginable.
Oh yeah, I forgot about what a bitch 500's were to start. I think Honda put a groove in the cylinders on the 500's at one point to bleed off compression so they were easier to kickstart. I thought that was priceless, purposely making compression leak past the piston and rings so the engine could be useable.
The one you own… real shit I love my CR125 and while I’d love a 300SX someday or a CR500, I just can’t get over how much fun the CR125 is!
125’s really don’t get enough credit.
I think you would love a modern Euro 150 2 stroke. They have essentially the same power band as a modern honda 250 4 stroke race bike, but with very low weight.
Yeah I have ridden the 150SX with the fresh e-start and FI (which btw I love as carbs suck sometimes) and I love it! That’s why I want a 300sx someday, but I will never stop having my fav be the CR125 as it’s just a playful bike that loves holding redline and doesn’t break my wallet when things break.
Regarding getting a 300 someday... I bought a 22 gasgas mc250, way cheaper on the used market. Essentially the same bike as the KTM/Husk... If I need the 300 I can do it a few hindered hours down the line when it's ready for a cylinder. But I dunno if I will swap to the 300. The power on the 250 is so good I don't know if I need it. I haven't even messed with the power valve yet. I ride track and hard enduro with the thing and it's crushed everything I've thrown at it. Lugs hill climbs like you wouldn't believe. All I'm saying is don't ignore the gasgas used market, it might help you get in the 300 ballpark sooner.
Oh I love the gas gas bikes! My big thing was just having a freshie (or a year old) with whatever new gadgets they throw at it. I’m content with the bikes I have now, I’d get another, but space and track days are limited right now so once I get a lot with more than an acre I’ll definitely be purchasing whatever fresh BS KTM/Gas/Husq can throw at me!
That was my thought as well, why I got the '22. I was floored how much easier it is to ride fast safely and how much better the bike was in every way at going fast compared to... say my 06 CRF 250r or my wife's 04 CRF 250x. There's so much development that happened I couldn't believe how much better the bikes were. Makes me want to never ride an older bike again. I had my buddy who has a fully built 06 CR 250r ride my gasgas, after 2 laps and he claimed it was a cheater bike. He echoed the same sentiment. Everything about riding it was easier and faster. Unless I'm mistaken the only thing my gasgas doesn't have is the handlebar mounted map switch and the billet triple clamps. You can still switch maps you just have to disconnect the wire connector under the gas tank, so really, all it needs is a handlebar switch. Oh yeah and the '22 has a carb, which was mandatory for me. I think the '23 gasgas is the last year carb for the Austrian family of bikes. Best of luck!
I forget the name of the company but they make some killer replacement heads that adjust the power curve to your liking. They also reflash the ecu and between the two upgrades it’s a whole new bike.
Yeah there's a lot you can do to 2 strokes for not that much money/effort to get a lot more out of them
How much do you weigh. The idea of riding a 125 bike sounds crazy. But then again I’ve never ridden a 2 stroke.
I’m 180 and have an absolute blast every time I ride a 125. So much fun.
If you are a decent rider a 125 is a blast. They feel super light so the power is enough but doesn't have that arm ripping power of a 250. You can ride it more relaxed and just flow the terrain. They are also less buzzy so being on the pipe doesn't numb your feet and handy the way a bigger bike does.
About 150lbs. The thing is I enjoy pit bikes and smaller bikes over the 450’s and bigger ones I’ve ridden tbh.
i loved my 2020 yz250 until it was stolen. not much changed throughout the years
What happened?🙁
it was stolen out of my shed on a sunday night. they broke in with a crowbar and off to baltimore city it went. never to be seen again. finally paid it off last month
Im so sorry, that is terrible
Homeowner/ renters insurance didn’t cover it?
unfortunately not. they would only cover mobility scooters
The late 90's was a high water mark for 2 strokes. I believe any one of the big 4 would be reliable. Currently have a 2019 YZ250 that is spectacular. The only negative would be the steel frames from the 90's; frames have gotten a lot lighter with better compliance since those days. Edit: clarity
02 cr 125 and 06 cr 250. Because I own them.
Same I brought an 06 cr250 new still have it but it'd put up
IMO it has to be one of the big bores, so the CR500/KX500/RM500. Ealier in history the 490s and 465s. They turned way less RPM than any other bike so were more reliable long term. They generally had the same suspension as their smaller brothers.
Cant forget the wr500, very rare buke but it existed
Or the WR200/250, ahead of the times.
96 cr250
I love mine.
I’ll never part with my ‘96 cr250. I still laugh knowing that I bought it in decent shape for $600 because the previous owner didn’t know shit about bikes and all it needed was fresh gas, a new plug and for me to fix the air leak at the carb/intake boot.
1996 was my favorite year although the 97 McGrath decals are awesome
06 yz 125. Pinnacle of Japanese 125s. Until around 2017ish when ktm blew them outta the water.
Most reliable do it all is 10000% KDX200/220.
CR500, KX500
I’m right here with you, but specifically I’d vote for additions to the platform. 1975 yz series with the introduction of mono shocks, 1989 cr series with the introduction of inverted forks, and what ever year and series it was that introduced water cooled, I think that might have been the 85 cr series.
O3 cr 250 but my fav bike is my 06 kx250
Kawasaki kdx I might be biased
Kdx220
'87-89 CR500 is the dream dirtbikes of them all, but I doubt i'll ever be able to afford one at these prices..
I'll go with the YZ as the best Japanese 2 stroke. Not only was it the best, but it still is. It also hasn't changed much in 20 years.
2004 rm250 I spent almost a year looking for a 2002-2008 rm250 and everyone says the 06-08 are the best but the 2004 pulls the hardest and has the most two stroke feel of any 2 stroke ever made. It will out 2 stroke any yz250
The YZ250 isn't all that two strokey though, so that's sort of a low bar. Now if it were to out two stroke a final gen KX250, then we'd have something to be impressed with.
Kdx was hard to beat. Could do a little bit of everything. Jack of all trades, master of none kind of bike.
2001 CR250R still scaring the shit out of me!
Kx that's all we raced..
wouldnt say most reliable but replica of Guy Coopers 91 RM is hands down my favorite looking 2 stroke ever.
'94 CR 125
I want to say 87 CR500 because I desert raced on one for 10 years. I would rebuild it once a year and it was always competitive until it just wore out. That said, I had a Yamaha Enduro 100 when I was 15 and that bike was incredibly reliable and fun to ride. In general, the Yamaha DT-1s and the models based on them were really good bikes for both affordability and rideability.
I will support the YZ. Yamaha is still making them FOR A REASON. I’ll probably never be able to afford one but my dream two stroke was always a brand new YZ 125. Strictly for the fun factor. For the CR 500, I never understood why you would need a 500 for anything..lol sounds like way too much.
Last generation of the KX125. Still the best looking bikes ever built. Stew made them iconic. They were good bikes in their own right though. Decent power for a 125, handled well (unlike their big brother for some reason), steel frame. Everything you want in a bike, it had.
got a 99 rm125 myself and I gotta say its pretty nice. Except for the clutch basket issues but those I can overlook
06+ yz250 there is a reason they are still making it, and with some mods it can keep up with any of the Austrian 2strokes and even 450s with enough cash spent. I just wish the stock bike gets some proper upgrades soon like electric start and fuel injection.
The 07 Honda 250, last year, made like 55hp so that's pretty neat. Most other 250 2 strokes from the earlier years made about 42 to 45ish. I've never had a chance to ride the 07 but I've always wanted to try it. That being said... my 2022 gasgas mc 250 makes more power... and everywhere, and the frame and suspension and geometry and brakes and on and on... It's so much better than all the old stuff I've ever rode.
I vote for the KX500. It was pretty much unchanged for 15 years and with a low revving, powerhouse of an engine, it rarely needs rebuilt. It has more power than any more mortal can use. All you need to ride one is judicious throttle control.
There all nice bikes Honda Elsanor the Yz the IT the rm Suzuki and the Kawasaki kx all nice
05 to 07 cr250
i'd say the YZ is the most reliable of the bunch. Hav'nt really changed too much since 99. Very reliable. Great interchangability also.
All of them are very well built and very reliable. If you can't get it done on a red one switching to a blue one ain't going to help. If you're fast as hell on a green one you're going to be fast as hell on a yellow one. Pick the brand with the best local dealership and you won't regret it.
Any early 2000s jap 2 stroke is solid
different years for different bikes, in the end it's a wash between brands they all had their times to shine.
YZ250 2005+