Stepping stone to 250f?

[gagegassmann22]

I recently heard a theory that 125's are just stepping stones from 85 to 250f. I believe that this is a pretty stupid thing to say because if you think about equalities, 2 strokes are like x2, they run twice as fast, they are half of 4 stroke engine size but have an even better power delivery and all around better performance. And at my local dealership thay have 4 big bikes in a line, 125, 250, 250f, 450f, and the 125 is the tallest of them all! just because the number is bigger doesn't mean anything. Just thought I would see what you guys thought about this.

[EJ]

They say it at every press launch, it's a marketing scandal.
They want everybody riding a 4 stroke.. eventually....

[factoryX]

Should make the word "250f" into a smiley of a picture of an old xr250r. Getting tired of hearing about the rev-limiter super bikes.

[VintageBlueSmoke]

They say it at every press launch, it's a marketing scandal.
They want everybody riding a 4 stroke.. eventually

Well...sort of. The modern 250F is a technological marvel and it is better (faster around the average track) than a 125 2T, but only just. However, that is enough that if you want to compete at the top level, you have to ride one. Even taking the 2T out to 150cc, doesn't swing the advantage to the 2T. And THAT is the marketing scandal. By controlling the rules of organized competition, we are given just what the manufacturers want to give us, not what we want or even ask for.

By controlling competition, the Big 4+1 have eliminated the small specialty and boutique manufacturers (remember Husqvarna is now owned by auto giant BMW, Husaberg by KTM and you can't race a TM or Maico in AMA Pro Racing), raised the purchase price by 1.5 over the 2T, raised the cost of ownership at least that much, shortened the lifespan of the products you do own (thus forcing you to buy more) and have almost completely wiped out the resale value of those products.

So really, the 125 2T is just a stepping stone - and one that is often skipped as young riders are always striving for the next level and parents are looking to invest wisely ("If the kid is just going to move to the 250F anyway, might as well start now" line of thinking.)

I have to comment that the 125 is wasted on the young though. I went up from the 75, 100, 125, 250, to the 390 and 500 ranks and every step of the way, I wanted the next bigger and faster class. My father rode his 400 and 250 but would once a weekend, take Mom's 125 out and come back happy as hell and full of bench racing enthusiasm. I didn't appreciate it until I was in my 30's and dropped down to the 125 and started having fun again.

[EJ]

We all know that the mainstream media must hype up the 4strokes and belittle the 2 strokes,
in every slightest chance they get. Also the tv-commentary at the Nationals...

Those who have already descided for themselves to stay on 2 strokes,
can ignore most of what mainstream commentators or journalists say.

In the past, a rider would hone his skills and sharpen his teeth in the 125 class.
I agree that the step from a 85 to a 250F is too much of a gap for youngsters.

I have ridden 80-125 small bores for almost 10 years, road and offroad, but now i really am
looking for a 250-380cc. Just because i rode small bores foe so long, i want a change now.
But i can fully imagine when 50 year old men turn into youngsters when riding a smallbore again.
I am almost 30 now, but i already know for sure i will probably want a smaller bore again
just to feel young again when I'm about 50yrs of age.  

It's very natural, for 50 year old men, to drool over a Husaberg TE125,
nothing wrong with that. It's a perfectly normal reaction. 

Some people switch to bigger bikes, only to find out that the smaller bore bike was more fun, or that they actually were faster on them...

[shortshort]

i really enjoy my 125 and im 38 bout 75kgs  ive just got back into dirtbikes in the last year coming from having a 06 zx10r road bike  had a rmz 250 it was shit but loving the 125 still havnt got it going from having it big bored but they are fun to ride

[burn1986]

Actually an XR200 or CRF230 would be the logical choice for the transition to a 250f. A 125 will seem faster than a 250F at first, just like a 250 seems faster than a 450F. Man, that is some fun power, though. The 250 2-stroke was probably the best motorcycle ever made.

[Norlubremomop]

awesome share

[eprovenzano]

I hate to agree with the statement, but its true...  If junior is moving up, a 125 will teach him throttle control and clutch control.  He will learn how to ride the bike as 125 needs to be "ridden" hard to go fast.  He'll learn how to pick lines, how to make the bike turn, etc.  After learning how to make a 125 go fast, his skills will be that much better when transferring to a 250F (turd).

At least that's how I see it.... 

[ACMX]

Yes it is a learning bike but it doesnt have to be a stepping stone to a 250f, rather a 250.

[Super Trucker]

A 125 specialist was considered the best rider of all the displacements, back when everyone was on 2,st,s. The riders that wanted to be on 250,s  could not get to the top of the 125 class, so they wanted a 250 ride. The 125 class was all rider, getting everything out of the bike. At the nationals the riders never let off, wideopen everywhere, using crazy body english to clear the big gaps, the best racing ever. Some riders wanted to get on a 250, because you didn,t have to be super aggressive and be on it everywhere.

[snook620]

A 125 specialist was considered the best rider of all the displacements, back when everyone was on 2,st,s. The riders that wanted to be on 250,s  could not get to the top of the 125 class, so they wanted a 250 ride. The 125 class was all rider, getting everything out of the bike. At the nationals the riders never let off, wideopen everywhere, using crazy body english to clear the big gaps, the best racing ever. Some riders wanted to get on a 250, because you didn,t have to be super aggressive and be on it everywhere.

Good post.

[VintageBlueSmoke]

The thing, to give advice, you have to know who you are giving advice too.

If he is an A rider, he needs to be on the 250F to ensure he is not passed up for future sponsorships or be left behind by his peers (in age group). The window of opportunity is very small. No one is going to hire you if you are old and just starting out.

B or C riders would greatly benifit from the 125 experience and would progress faster to the eventual 250F A ranks.