Which is the most bulletproof 250 two stroke MX bike?

**TS185** · 10th September 2009, 19:24

Hi everyone - new to the site and I am after a bit of help. I am looking at getting a 250 two stroke (the magazines reckon they're quite a bit cheaper than the four strokes to run). Probably will be at least a couple of years old. Is any make significantly more bullet-proof or less maintenance hassle than the others?

**flyingcr250** · 10th September 2009, 19:36

Originally Posted by TS185

Hi everyone - new to the site and I am after a bit of help. I am looking at getting a 250 two stroke (the magazines reckon they're quite a bit cheaper than the four strokes to run). Probably will be at least a couple of years old. Is any make significantly more bullet-proof or less maintenance hassle than the others?

should be some interesting post in this one ha ha ha

my old cr250 was a good bike it just went and went with no problems. BUT i have also had a good run out of my ktm300 at the moment so im gunna say KTM!!!

**green machine** · 10th September 2009, 19:41

Wait for it................be between KTM and Honda of course

**barty5** · 10th September 2009, 19:43

if it was me i would go for the jappers as the ktms etc etc you are restricted to buyin a lot of genuine only parts. personal choice order would be yami honda kawasaki suzuki

**bogan** · 10th September 2009, 19:52

maintaining it properly is probably far more important than the brand you get.

**flyingcr250** · 10th September 2009, 19:54

Originally Posted by barty5

if it was me i would go for the jappers as the ktms etc etc you are restricted to buyin a lot of genuine only parts. personal choice order would be yami honda kawasaki suzuki

never.........KTM! KTM! KTM! ha ha ha

**B0000M** · 10th September 2009, 20:28

my pick would be the cr of yz the cr has alloy frame, and handles sweet as well as looking the best. also tend to hold their value well and look good even after youve crashed a heap of times. the yz on the other hand is a good bike, seem to be cheaper, but dont look as cool and will look like youve crashed it more than you have.

by all accounts RM's seem to fall apart in one way or another.... and i just dont like kawasakis lol.

i wouldnt buy euro if you're after cheap trouble free riding.

**t595** · 10th September 2009, 20:28

just depends what colour you like best....... blues the fastest!!!!!
and NUTHING beats the sound of a 2stroke at full noise!!!!!

**vazza** · 10th September 2009, 20:33

KTM for enduro machines

If I had to pick a MXer it would be a YZ250, or an RM250.

**Reckless** · 10th September 2009, 20:52

OK my opinion only! I don't want to debate the pros & cons, take it or leave it!
I've been doing 2 stroke engines for my karts etc for quite a few years then a break then into MX bikes over the last 3 years or so. I had McCulloch, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Cajiva, Racket & Rotax engines some on petrol, avgas & methanol.

Impressions: MX bike build quality??

Kawasaki: built OK! Not High high quality but not el-cheapo. But you can tell the finesse and the extra thickness are a bit behind the Honda.
PS I'm a Kwaka man at heart as well!

Suzuki: had no contact. Never been a suzi man but the rm100, kx 85 came from the same factory, when I was looking for a 250 2smoker 3 years ago they seemed to be warning against the same problems between these two makes even then. So I guess the ideology is similar but no real grounds for this judgement.

Yamaha. Never had a yammy MX bike but their 2 stroke engines when I was karting where good! Well designed lasted well and manufacturing standard was tops. You never hear to much bad about their bikes so I guess that's still the same. Yamaha would be in my must see top 3 choices if they still had 2 smokers.

Honda: my 01 Cr was built like a brick shithouse. Great build quality, everything built thicker and better than they could have gotten away with!
Typical good Honda engineering!

My Ktm200 03 and 08 bikes! How can I say this, like a BMW compared to a chev! Where the Honda had 12mm bolts the Ktm has 10mm. Still great build quality, everything machined like the euros do, nothing rattles of or breaks, built heavy enough for the purpose and light enough to be fast, with all the good shit like braided lines and brembo brakes etc! Parts are priced not to bad I have found a piston kit was only a few dollars more than the Honda. Things like brake pads, side stands, bars etc buy aftermarket just as good 1/3 of the price!

So,
Good and reliable Yamaha,
Thoroughbred with all the fruit KTM,
Well built to take a pounding Honda.
other brands I'm not well enough informed to comment!

PS I like the look of the new Husquverna's!

**oldguy** · 10th September 2009, 21:05

It comes's down to how you ride, and maintenance.

**barty5** · 10th September 2009, 21:12

Originally Posted by Reckless

My Ktm200 03 and 08 bikes! How can I say this, like a BMW compared to a chev! with all the good shit like braided lines and brembo brakes etc!

And there lies the reason they cost so much more in general and for parts.

**scott411** · 10th September 2009, 21:13

Originally Posted by oldguy

It comes's down to how you ride, and maintenance.

well said, does not matter what brand you ride, it is how it is maintained,

**Henk** · 10th September 2009, 21:23

You're looking at a several year old dirt bike. 2 or 4 stroke isn't going to make a difference at this stage and neither is the colour of the plastics, it will all be down to general condition and how well it has been looked after.