looking at getting into racing...rs 250 or 125r

[potts1]

Hey guys. looking at getting into racing; mostly track days at first, and then racing i suppose. can anybody tell me a good place to look for a 95 and up rs 250r? what do i look for (other than the obvious frame, welds, etc). any personality traits i should not buy from? thanks a lot for your help and hope to see you on the track!

[Mantis]

I'd look in the classified section of roadracing world to start. I see a lot of them in there. 125's are great starter bikes, but do require more maintenence than something like an EX or SV, but I'm sure you already know this. I'm no expert on 2-strokes so unfortunately I can't give you specifics to look for except how fresh the motor is. What track(s) are you looking to go to?

[kz2zx]

Doesn't USGPRU have a website? I bet you'd find the biggest selection in classifieds there, and is probably a good website for you to be on if you're racing 2-smokes.

[th12t33n]

fuck man ive been looking for a good palce in the us to get a cheaper nc30/35 but its almost nonexistant im all over like 20 boards looking, 400 greybikes is great but its outta the country if you do find a place let me know in a pm.

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

Almost any 2-stroke sportbike will get increasingly more difficult to find parts for as time goes on since the EPA has pressured manufacturers into reducing or even eliminating their production or importing into the USA. Another issue is the number of race classes 2-strokes are allowed to compete in that they would actually be competative, not saying you wouldn't be competative, just saying the other bikes in those classes may have power advantages. A 125 is great for learning corner speed, but it has limited acceleration compared to the 4-stroke bikes in the classes you would probably race against. For that reason you would probably find you would catch up to and get held up in the turns by alot of bikes with more HP, then they would accelerate away from you on the straight's (which is very frustrating). A freind of mine tried racing a 125 at our last race event and said that even though it was alot of work it was a fun bike to race.

A 250 2-stroke is a bit different because they have more power. On a 125 you have to maintain corner speed or it will take you a while to get your momentum back, on a 250 you'll be able to recover your momentum quicker. A 125 requires that you help it get going at the start of the race (as in a bit of Fred Flintstone action), on a 250 that need is greatly reduced. I have only seen a handfull of 250's (even less 125's) being raced in our region, but the guys that have learned how to ride them do pretty good.

Be prepared ahead of time that these bikes are very finicky, need to be rebuilt somewhat often to stay competative, and can be a bear to start sometimes. With progressively less and less people racing 2-strokes today their will be far less people at the track able to offer good advice or help with them, definitely something to consider. Also be prepared to find there may be a limited amount of choices of race tires for these bikes (especially the 125) if their tire size is not the same size as a more commonly raced bike.

I'm not trying to talk you out of a 2-stroke, I just want you to be aware that there may be some unexpected challenges your going to encounter just trying to keep one running good and racing one.