Hey guys, i just saw that there is an american 125/250 GP series. I never new there was one I was going to start racing an SV and work my way up from there, but would it be better to start in the 125/250 class??
125/250s are 2 stroke GP bikes, and you ought to have the mechanical basics to keep them running properly. They need regular attention in the pits. They are a hoot to ride, however.
The SV needs some mechanical attention as well, but if you've got a decent motor and good suspension, they will be less time intensive at the track, unless you crash or have a gremlin. They can run competitively in a number of classes, and might be your best bet for a first bike.
i think the SV is less hassle to start on ...
Would a racer racing in the 125/250 class be taken more seriously than a an SV racer??
Also, do you think the USGP will switch to 4-strokes in 2007 like Motogp? If so, i wont waste my money on getting a ring-a-ding for only 2 years before they are done.
2 strokes are dead because there is no market for it to survive (emission regulation).
yeah thats what im thinking.
But wow, i cant beleive there are a few 15 year olds already in MotoGP 125. goddamn. I never would have thought about racing a year ago cuz i thought it would be impossible to race under 16.
As an owner of a SV, TZ250, and a TZ125, I think you should start on an SV (especially if you have little 2 stroke experience). A 125 or a 250 is less forgiving (power wise) than the SV, this could lead to frustration.
That being said, the 125 and the 250 are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more fun to ride than any SV ever could be. For club racing they are not really that much work (for national level racing, you have to really stay on top of tuning). They are much easier to work on, way easier. The biggest difference is that the GP bikes require that you do maintenance to them, street based bikes are designed to put up with negligent owners, GP bikes are not. Pistons and cranks do not last forever and need to be replaced before they fail. The cost is about the same as a PROPERLY maintained 4 stroke. Ask someone like Ed Key how often his engines are rebuilt (at least once per year).
GP bikes are great fun, easy to ride, and handle better than any bike most racers will ever ride. Unfortunately for larger riders they are designed around average sized humans such as myself :D
The problem with starting on a GP bike is sometimes it can take so much work getting the bike set up and working right that it can take away from the time spend learning how to ride. Just getting the right jetting and changing as the weather changes is a challenge.
That said, I think a 125 is an awesome place to start. If you get a bike with a decent setup and notes, and find someone to help you out learning how to tune it (and there are plenty of people willing to help) it won't be much trouble. The 125 will teach corner speed, throttle control, and the effects of body position. The 125 is also very adjustable, so you can learn how to set up gearing (external and internal), compression, timing, etc.
125s are also cheap to run - a lot of amatuer 125 riders will only use 2 sets of tires a season and the little tires are cheap. No need to buy any race parts, the bikes are ready to race. Top ends will need to be replaced every 300 miles or so, but it is an easy job and around $100-$150 in parts.
The 250 is a lot more work. The engine is basically 2 125s on a single crank. Twice as much parts cost, twice as much labor, twice as many carbs to jet. Twice as much power to bite you. They also eat tires a whole lot quicker. I ride the 250 because I don't fit on a 125 (I don't really fit on the 250 either) and it's fun to pass SVs on power in LWGP ;D
-z.
Check out www.tz250racing.com for info on the 125s and 250s.
-z.
hmmm, i dont know if i'll fit on a 125/250 now that i think of it. im 6'1 190lbs. what do you think?
Dude, stay with the SV. I'm not saying that because I have one, its just that if your not too familiar with two strokes they can take some time to learn to race competitivly. The two stroke national classes are serious classes to run in, and being a buck 90 you might want to stay with the SV anyways. ;D
At your height and weight, you'd be better off on the SV. Call me when you are ready to order your leathers so I can set you in the right direction on gear. It's a big investment, but it's your safety equipment, you need to get the best you can afford.
Hey I'm 6'9 and 265lbs and I fit my TZ250 just fine! 8)
My friend Sean Wyatt is a very intelligent and meticulous guy. He ran 2-strokes for a while, but switched to 4-strokes. It was just easier. The learning curve on making a 2-stroke work perfectly is tough, especially for someone who's also learning how to race at the same time.
On an SV, you'll be surrounded by other SVs. Friends, competition, spare parts, and advice will be easy to come by. Many older experienced racers (like me, for instance) are switching to the SV for cost, huge fields of friendly competition, and of course cost. The big stuff is fun, but tires and parts wear out way too quickly.
Just get an SV. Perferably one that's race prepped. We can teach you what to look for when you go out to buy.
QuoteHey I'm 6'9 and 265lbs and I fit my TZ250 just fine! 8)
Oooh child, I didn't know they thtacked thexthiness that high! :-*
Alright, thanx for all the help guys. Now i need to get to saving lol. I dont want to enter races any later than 17.
The first USGPRU event of the year, one of the top runners in 125 was 6'0" 240lbs. This past weekend Boyd won 125gp by almost a minute and he's 185lbs. Tom Swager who won 125gp overall last year is 6'1". A 125 will teach you to be a better rider, so you have to ask yourself what your goals are as a racer? As far as maintance on a 125 they're so easy to work on its ridiculous. Jet change >5min, top end rebuilt >1 hour, Body removal >1 min, gas tank remover >1min. Everything is QUICK release. I wasted many years on a 600 and not getting any faster so I made the switch this year. I felt as one with the bike within minutes, the power delievry was the only thing that took getting use too. They make zero power below 9,500rpm, you drop below that and it starts slowing down, and then you shift at 12,500, 13,00 if you really want to rev it out. Either way your smart enought to atless start out on a lightweight.
Racing an SV....
Gas and go! ;D
The 125 has unbelieved feel!! The 125 gives you complete confidence. Mid corner braking, shifting, trail braking, all things I never did on a big bike but are easily done on the 125.
I think what im going to do is start with an SV, because i need it to be my car and commuter bike as well. and if i feel its nesacary, down the line i'll look for a 125 as a hobby bike. If the budget allows of course. how much do 125s go on the used market?
Start out on the SV. Then when you have learned the tracks and a little about riding, buy a 125. You won't regret it. I put off riding one because I knew how much fun it would be (I have had a 250 since 1994) and that I would then have to get one. Rode one last fall at Jennings GP. What a blast, most fun I have ever had on a motorcycle (been riding for over 27 years). Ended up buying one. Incredibly easy to work on, incredibly fun to ride.
Here is what Michael Barnes said about riding a 125.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcmail/interviews/barnes.html
I say start on an SV too. You don't need the additional headache of running a GP bike when you're first starting out and besides, those who can ride a GP bike properly are far and few in between. They ain't easy to ride fast.
QuoteOooh child, I didn't know they thtacked thexthiness that high! :-*
Whats happenin sucka! How you healing up my good man? Did ya git hitched yet? I'm going to ignore your statement because it's wrong for a grown man to talk like that.
I think you've got the right idea. A 2-stroke may be easy to work on, but you have to know how. 2 stroke guys are few and far between at most events. SV guys are tripping over each other. You're young, so you haven't had much experience yet. You'll need all the help you can get. Better to race what everyone else is racing. For someone in your position, the SV is a better deal.