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500 v. 250
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Posted by: gogreen---------------------
I think I want to buy a used (1985-1992) 500cc 2 stroke bike, but I can't find any for sale in Michigan. Is a 250 going to be a decent alternative? I'm 180 lbs. 26 years old. The last time I rode a dirtbike was when I was 15. I had a '86 KDX 200.
Posted by: jharmon---------------------
That's amazing! I am 27 years old, weigh 175 pounds and just started riding about 2 years ago after a 8 year break. And when I was riding, I rode an 81 or 83 KDx 175.
If I were you I would stick with a 250. I have a 93 KX 250 and it is more than enough power for me. In fact, a friend of mine had an 86 KX 500 last year, and he said he had a lot more fun on my bike than his own. The 500 can be too much power, especially if you plan on riding in the woods at all.
Another thing, although my friend's 500 was ungodly fast, I would always stay ahead of him whenever we went riding. He sold it at the end of last year and is not looking for a 250.
So if I were you, look for a 250, you'll have more fun.
Good Luck!
Posted by: jharmon---------------------
I messed up. My friend is NOW looking for a 250.
Posted by: XR400RMan---------------------
GoGreen what type of riding are you going to be doing? if you are going to be riding in the woods, Jharmon is right I think a 500 2-stroke would be way to much power, Big Bore 2-strokes are great for desert riding and wide open fields and stuff but in the tight stuff it would be TO MUCH i think, I would get a 250 if you ride in the woods and a 250 will be more than enough power than you will ever use. Matt
Posted by: EZ-Rider---------------------
I was in the same boat that you are in about a month ago, I wanted a second bike and really wanted a late 80's or early 90's 500 to have a scary fast play / trail bike that didnt cost to much. I had no luck finding a 500 but thanks to DRN I found a kx 250 w/ a Eric Gorr 310cc kit in it. The bike starts, handles, rides, and vibrates like a 250 but has a lot more grunt than any stock 250 I've ridden. Eric can do that mod on any kx250 93 or later or you can get a 265/285 kit for most other 250 cc bikes. I bought this bike to have as an extra and if I didnt like the power it had I was going to sell it, but so far I really like the power it has. The bike will definitely surprise you if you arent paying attention. So if I were you I would buy a 250 and ride it for a while and if you feel you need more power send it to Eric for some porting and a big bore kit.
Posted by: yzeater---------------------
The 500 will be way too much power (in my opinion) for someone just getting back to riding. The 250 should be good
Posted by: The Rock---------------------
Buy a 250. Dont even think about it. A 250 has TONS of power.
I went through the same thing. My last bike was a 1982 YZ80, and took a 19 year break. Im 29, 200 pnds 6 foot.
This bike moves me like a bat out of hell. Its usally to much power for our track and some trail riding. I could not imagine a 500. Plus 500's seem to have older technology stuff and will never handle like the newer 250's. Recommend the YZ's.
Good Luck!!!
Posted by: Ramski---------------------
I had a 18 year layoff from dirt bikes. Had a 81 XR100. Got back into the dirt last year and bought a KX500. I thought I made a big mistake when I first got it, but I am learning it now. I was riding a lot out in California in the deserts, but now I'm hooked on singletrack here in Arizona. It can be a handful in tight stuff, but I find if you ride the bottom end of the gears, it really smooths it out and runs like a tractor. We have a lot of nasty rutted out hills and there's nothing better than a 500. I've put a flywheel weight on it and now it's even smoother. I ride with several other much more experienced riders and they all have 500s and can ride like the wind in tight stuff.
You can and will find many experienced riders that do prefer 500s in tight stuff. A 500 can make you really lazy with the clutch too. Especially with a flywheel weight installed. I think the only other bike I would consider is a Husky WR360 or any of the big bore 4 strokes. I guess I'm a power freak!
Posted by: crankin355---------------------
A KX500 is only 9 pounds heavier than a KX250 and it has a much wider powerband, allowing you to actually use the lower R.P.M.'s. Lot's of low end power and scary midrange-topend make it better than a 250 for trail riding. You will find the engine to be more controllable than a 250 and the rear knobby will spray a fire-hose-like jet of dirt, rocks, mud, or whatever you're driving on all over your buddies behind you on 250's at will. 500 2-strokes rule!
Posted by: michigan---------------------
I'm 25, and just got back into dirt riding a couple years ago. I was riding a cr250 up until a few weeks ago, when I bought a brand new leftover 01 kx500.
500's are the way to go, especially for sandy michigan trails! It weighs weighs the same as my 250, but has no hit, just endless smooth power off idle. The motor revs slowly, so I feel that its more easy to ride than a 250. I have no desire to buy a flywheel weight for this bike.
The suspension is ok for the woods (michigan woods) without making any changes, it turns well, and it has a huuuuuge comfy seat.
The downsides are...
Styling (although its growing on me).
Fuel consumption.
The price of that massive 19inch rear Dunlop.
Bar position (easily fixed with high bars and forward mounts).
Others will whine that the bike hasn't changed in the last 10 years.
good luck with whatever you choose!
Posted by: tigerowner---------------------
This is the only criteria you need to make your decision. If you are riding in the desert take your pick. They both have plenty of power. Anywhere else buy a 250 if you want to be fast. I was much faster on my 200 than my 500.
500s do tend to be very reliable though.
Posted by: michigan---------------------
To each his own.
I'm faster on my 500 than I was on my 250, and I'm no where near the desert.
Posted by: nephron---------------------
Quote:
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The 500 will be way too much power (in my opinion) for someone just getting back to riding. The 250 should be good
|
Really? This one's my first bike back into the scene.
I can't imagine riding anything smaller--esp. one of those little minibike 250's. 
Posted by: Ramski---------------------
I know my brothers 250 felt like a minibike after riding my 500. The only other bike I really considered going down to is a Husky 360. As much as I like the handling of the smaller bikes, I can't get used to not having that power. We've got a lot of steep rutted rocky hills here and I think there is no other bike I'd rather have for that stuff than my 500. The more I ride it, the more I love it.
Posted by: Birken Vogt---------------------
I want to put my plug in for the 500 here as well. I had only ridden other peoples bikes when I bought my 500 and I thought it was going to kill me at first, however that wore off and now as you may notice even my new XR600 I feel is a bit sluggish. I wonder if having the 500 has taught me bad habits, like powering my way out of situations which I do a lot, and never paying attention to what gear I am in. Up till now it was my only bike and I ride woods, desert, and sand. Never motocross though. I just like all the torque and power, it is a very easy riding bike, but all it takes is a flick of the wrist to turn it up a notch or two....
Birken
'92 XR600
'88 CR500
Posted by: Lorin---------------------
Ditto on the 500's. Ride a gear high and chug or lug through the trails. Mine has smooth, seamlesss power delivery with torque everywhere. Minimal clutching needed and power on tap in the technical sections. The 250's that I have ridden I have to be much more aggressive (read: tiring) to maintain the same speed I ride on my 500. Until they get the weight of the new 4-strokes a little lower (come on YZF's), I have no intention of riding anything else.
Posted by: LongTime---------------------
You guys have all of a sudden given me the yang-yangs to get a 500! Like I didnt' have enough problems! 
Oh well, I think my 300 is a pretty sweet alternative. GG300ec
Posted by: JPIVEY---------------------
Lt, next time out you should try mine.....I think you'd like it
Posted by: michigan---------------------
Just to add a little fuel to the fire-
We had a group of six riding in Wolverine, Michigan this past weekend. The trails are some of the tighest in Michigan ( and they're also my new favorite), with sandy soil and a lot of tight trees.
In our group, there was a guy who has the good fortune to own two bikes, a 200 cr500 and a 1999 cr250. He takes the 250 on trips as a spare bike. Anyway, about 30 miles into the ride his cr500 locked up, and he had to ride the 250. He went from riding in the front half of the pack to consistently LAST when he switched to the 250.
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