250GP Class?

**Bishy** · 7th July 2008, 17:02

Hi guys and girls.
Must be some kind of mid-life crisis but I'm thinking of throwing my leg over a race bike again for a bit of fun - track days/club racing etc.
Now, production bikes kind of don't do it for me anymore and the most satisfying bikes I have ever raced were purpose built 125 and 250GP bikes.
I'm looking at an imaculate 99 Honda RS250R and was wondering what class it would be eligible to run in, and what kind of numbers of 250's are still being ridden?
Are they eligible for pro-twins? how do they go against a hot SV650?
Pardon my ignorance but I haven't been to a modern meeting over here in years...
Cheers!

**madkeenandy** · 7th July 2008, 17:08

you'd end up running with with the superbikes and 600s, as the 250gp class in NZ is pretty much dead.

It would be competitive if you're a talented rider

But its a two stroke, so its awesome (and sexy)
so BUY IT

**k14** · 7th July 2008, 17:11

A 250GP bike would crap all over a SV650 in any state of tune , a 250GP is closer to a 600 in terms of laptimes. In world championships (I know its not really applicable to nz racing) but a 250GP bike is faster than a world supersport bike.

In NZ, a 250GP bike is eligible for F2, which is predominately 600's. With a decent rider they are capable of top 5 pace but depends on which track you're on. No they are not allowed in the pro twin class, that is solely for four strokes. I don't think there is anywhere that has a class just for 250GP anymore, but there may be the odd event where they are allowed.

**Kevin G** · 8th July 2008, 15:51

I think it would be great to see the 250GP class return to NZ road racing, just look how good the 125's are with so many young guns in the class.
Certainly would get my support, I am waaaay too big for my 125 and I would be into a 250 like a pig in shit.

**Badjelly** · 8th July 2008, 16:11

Originally Posted by k14

I don't think there is anywhere that has a class just for 250GP anymore...

Why did this class wither away? Whereas 125GP still seems very healthy.

**Kevin G** · 8th July 2008, 16:59

It was killed off due to low numbers in the last nationals it was run at and the rule makers killed it.

**Maido** · 8th July 2008, 17:05

It was a fair call to can it at national level, I recall one grid having 5 bikes starting the year before it was canned.
Having peddled one round for about a year and a half I can agree that they were certainly good fun and easy to ride. What I found was neat was that as long as you had the suspension in "the ball park" you could cut competitive lap times, where as on a 600 suspension is paramount. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing.
The way you can just biff them into the corners is outstanding, they are so light to muscle around!

John got the NZ 250 cc flying 1/4 record a few years back on a tz, i think he clocked 264km which is certianly right up there with the national level 600's at the same time (they are most probably faster now, I haven't done a flying 1/4 in a while)

**Crasherfromwayback** · 8th July 2008, 17:06

I've owned and raced an RS250. Buy it, you'll wet yourself. I did.

**malcy25** · 8th July 2008, 17:13

Originally Posted by madkeenandy

It would be competitive if you're a talented rider

Haha!! Hey Nige (Bishy), how fast did you go around The Isle of Man again?

250GP unfortunately not much happening....mostly club stuff these days.

Talk to MDL he may have some good contacts for getting one somewhere, he turns up with that sort stuff out of the blue.

Al

**koba** · 8th July 2008, 18:22

Moto Acedemy are running one in F2 (and F1 cross entry) ridden by sketchy racer on this forum.

The first time he rode the bike he did damn well dicing with some thous in F1 so its not like you would be totally without a place to race one if you got it.

**k14** · 8th July 2008, 19:25

Originally Posted by Badjelly

Why did this class wither away? Whereas 125GP still seems very healthy.

The big disincentive seems to be the running costs. The increase from a 125 to a 250 is more than double. They go through engine components just as fast, and there is 2 pistons to deal with (one of the most consumable parts) and add to that the tyres don't last as long. Along with chains etc due to the extra hp just adds up to a big bill. Still cheaper than 600's by a long shot though. It is a real big pity, I'd love to have a go on one. Being 6 foot tall doesn't really make me idea for the 125 class but I make do.

**Badjelly** · 9th July 2008, 17:18

Originally Posted by Kevin G

It was killed off due to low numbers in the last nationals it was run at and the rule makers killed it.

Originally Posted by Maido

It was a fair call to can it at national level, I recall one grid having 5 bikes starting the year before it was canned.

Originally Posted by k14

The big disincentive seems to be the running costs. ... Still cheaper than 600's by a long shot though. It is a real big pity, I'd love to have a go on one.

So, a lot of people seem to like them but few people were willing to actually race them, in the last few years at least. Odd.

I believe the Aussie series went the same way. Is there anywhere in the world they're raced, other than MotoGP?

**k14** · 9th July 2008, 17:35

Originally Posted by Badjelly

So, a lot of people seem to like them but few people were willing to actually race them, in the last few years at least. Odd.

I believe the Aussie series went the same way. Is there anywhere in the world they're raced, other than MotoGP?

They are still raced in limited numbers in europe. The series nearly went belly up last year in the uk but there is now a new british championship which I believe has been getting good attendance. I think that in the last 3 or 4 years the leaps and bounds made in the standard 600's have pushed the 250's out of the market. From a maintenance point of view the 600's are easier for the less mechanically inclined people to jump on and run. They certainly aren't cheaper in the long run though, crashing costs more (the 250's are lighter so dont do as much damage in a drop) and the tyres are a lot more.

**steveyb** · 10th July 2008, 00:23

Hey everyone, this guy knows his racing, he has done it a fair bit!! Hey Nige, don't know you but know of you. You survived the nut house that is the Isle!!! I think we may have raced together back in the early 90s in 250Proddy days, not sure.

I own and am running Moto Academy NZ (www.motoacademy.co.nz). Given that I still have my 95/98/02 RS250 we are using it in Moto Academy for a rider that has a bit of experience already and is pretty flash with it (not to give him a big head or anything). Maybe you might be keen to come and give the lads some inspiration????

At the moment in NZ 250GP can run with the clubs in their "F2/Supersport" classes, VMCC, AMCC etc and in "F1/Superbike/Formula Twin/Formula Auckland" classes.
We have lost the 250GP national class due to poor numbers. Even though there are plenty of bikes out there, many are a bit old now and the riders much older, hehehehe. But really 250GP will now be consigned to the annals of history and the enthusiasts clubs.
The Post Classic Assoc in Australia have special classes for them (New Era 4/5 or something of the sort). Early 250's up to 1989/90 eligible for Posties here.
We will hopefully have at least one more 250GP Grand Prix at Ruapuna in January, but we will have to wait and see. When you see the call for interest please get in and let them know so that they will have an idea of numbers.
Glen did really well at Taupo on the RS against mid pack SBK's, 600's and was with most of the 650s on a bike he had ridden for 5 laps previous, had no susp development and a VERY mildly tuned engine.
Blew it up in lap 2 at Manfeild due to my assembly error but this time round we will be all set with a new engine and good cyl heads, so look out all youse fullas.
Be great to meet you at Manfeild 18/19 July of you can make it down if just to say gidday. Be great to have another 250 around, we are currently one of only 2 running (young fulla in Clubbies on a great TZ).
Cheers
Steve Bagshaw