Start racing on an SV or 125/250??

[x2468]

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??

[spyderchick]

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.  

[davegsxrold929r]

i think the SV is less hassle to start on ...

[x2468]

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.

[Sunny]

2 strokes are dead because there is no market for it to survive (emission regulation).

[x2468]

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.

[tzracer]

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

[Zac]

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.

[Zac]

Check out www.tz250racing.com for info on the 125s and 250s.

-z.

[x2468]

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?

[gpstar1]

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

[spyderchick]

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.