this is a basic run down of major 2ts that have been avail in the US for the last 10 yrs. i tried to find as many reviews as i could to go along with each bit. perhaps this could be made a sticky
09- present 250s
YZ is still around and the probably the most popular. this bike has only been getting new graphics the past few years. not even new plastics. scratch that you have to call UFO for those. still a great bike you cant go wrong with unless you pay full retail....
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/17773f27-3222-4817-a333-9e9ac26d4edb.aspxktm: the austrians remembered how to make powerful bikes once more. and they finally figured out how to make the handle. ktm has been dumpin R&D in their program especially after adding the GP KING EVERTS and the THE MAN to the family. ktm once again redesigned the frame in 2010. then they finally adding a linkage system in 2011. this year they added a bunch of HP to the tune of 53. and it gets better if you add a PC pipe as much as 7hp in some parts and 2-3 on top.WOW.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/1310c0fc-8f7a-4d92-86b3-78a6cabf37fa.aspxTM2012
the eye-ties have been missing from the moto war here in the states for some time but they are back. the exotic bikes come with the factory works look already and the a price to match. but power is as good as the yz if not a little softer and they actually handle well.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Reviews/News/MXAS-2012-TM-MX2502T-MOTOCROSS-TEST-THERE-IS-NO-TW-8760.aspx125s/150s
YZ125/144(kit) the small yz shares the same social security plan as the older one which means its not getting paid more these days. but thats ok cuz like it has been the pass 6 yrs its still a solid bet. itd be like betting against pastrana to NOT crash in a race. Yamaha has tried to spruce it up with its GYTR KIT 144 which is just an Athena kit which has been available for years. this does require case clearing and will give a little more power. with the 144 your looking at a 2-3 hp bump across the whole powerband which is good.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/aa1d8c42-5553-4579-ab1b-a937a5a6c704.aspxhttp://www.dirtrider.com/tests/motocross-bikes/141_0904_fun_machines_small_bore_two_stroke_comparison/KTM 125/150
a few years ago ktm thought Honda, suzuki, and kawi were on to something when they stopped building 125s. then someone kicked em in the head and they let Ken Roczen race one in his last GP to which he placed 5th in the first moto.( he wadded up hard in the 2nd) ktms 125 is back on top once again. but its different. last time the 125 was here it boasted a healthy 38 hp. it has since been dropped down the levels of the YZ @34.5..ish. but dont be fooled the ktms motor may put out the same peak the it has way more bottom the yz could hope to achieve due to stunted growth. It has the new frame susp and linkage that the rest of KTM handed out making this the best 125 available to market. the 150 is much the same without the drop in power.( in fact it makes more power that all but the 2013 ktm 250f which now marks 43hp?)its pumpin out about 40-41 hp but for 2012 it dropped to 38. its speculated that the new intake to accomdate the shock is the culprit. the engine is an old school mid to top power and it loves to pull. next to the old ktm 200sx this is the best balance between a 250 and a 125 to date. my suggestion find a prelinkage 150 for 2 extra hp.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/329f5a15-9261-4f46-baeb-74f78ea46165.aspxhttp://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/847e5965-b94b-4b20-aade-83377f4d8891.aspxTM 144 only 2012
i havent seen a test on the 125 so no comment. but i do have info on the 144. simliar to the ktm the eye ties figured out how to make the bike handle better. the engine unlike the YZ144 is not a kit but was a purpose design like the KTM. The engine holds pace with the KTM150 all the way to 10k then flattens at 34
while the ktm continues onto 4-6 more and the usable power is quite narrow so learn to tap dance. a quick fix is to drop the long narrow silencer for a shorty to get a little more power.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/8336.aspxHusqvarna CR125/144
Husky coming back strong especially with this one. the engine is good for its class most of its power is up top and it needs to be held on till the brink a bigger rear sproket and pipe system should fix it. the chassis is very nuetral which is good( like what yamaha does) so you wont be shocked or afraid. it also has good susp thanks to using the KYB SSS forks and a Sachs shock. the biggest selling point of this bike is you buy a 125 at a price cheaper $5999 than an outdated yz125$ 6300. then you get a free 144 kit! an athena for comparision is roughly $650. so your looking at $6000 CR144> $7000 yz144 so youd be able to still get the susp done and get a pipe before you spent the same.
05-08
this is a quick rundown of changes during this time. it is not thorough but touches on the main parts
YZ was given an aluminum frame in 05 and very good suspension and this was the last major change. The AOSS were good but sagged a little on the initial stroke due to being position sensitive. SSS were even better being speed sensitive and are still the Yamahas current choice on the YZF's. these are very abundant and most arguably the best value as the 2013 model is the same as this period and is considered the best all around 250
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmotocrossactionmag.com%2FMain%2FNews%2F250-TWO-STROKE-SHOOTOUT-YZ250-versus-RM250-versus-1249.aspx&ei=hsVrUOWaIoG1iwKU-oGYBA&usg=AFQjCNFaIJn4RfMIN4qi3ujt1e1o5wXm_g&sig2=tMtJfru3IyKCH_25InDVCQ RM seem to be a little harder to come by. not sure why. It recieved minor improvements over the years. Suzuki went as far as copying the YZ motor. it is snappier though which is cured by a heavier flywheel. RC used this to be the last 2t champion in SX
KX was still getting improvements up till 06. it has a nimble chassis but had a stink bug stance which Pro Circuit cured with a diff linkage and the kayaba stuff was updated. the engine at this time was old school mid-top.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Reviews/News/MXAS-2007-KAWASAKI-KX250-RACE-TEST-1128.aspx CR's are virtually the same all the way back to 02. they handle well are reliable and and criticized for jetting and the motor. it died in 07. this is perhaps why it goes for so much now since its now a "collectible"
KTMs had a rocket engine and a funky chassi until they updated the frame in 07 and it was a lot better handling. the engine however became smoother but was still plagued by susp setup.
125s: YZ was completely overhauled in 05 with new frame new susp and new motor. it got the sss susp in 06 and not much else since. try to buy 06 or newer. you cant go wrong with this much like th 250. it has the broadest 125 powerband. it doesnt do anything wrong but it has no flair. kinda like new car paint jobs it doesnt do anything to offend the masses.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/2008-RACE-TEST-YAMAHA-YZ125-6211.aspxRM the chassis is unchanged through these years receiving minor improvements to susp however it will cut a rug better than anything else. the engine held to the long rod but was tuned to be more mid top over the years. the rider compartment also recieved changes like moving pegs and a lower seat. the RM is still not known for a durable clutch
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/MXAS-2006-SUZUKI-RM125-TEST--5857.aspxKX: 2005 was the last of this generation. it was given a proper showing the year before by James stewart who despite being on a "slower bike" decimated the field even logging leads upwards of a minute. the bike had a bit of a stink bug stance but was very nimble and the kayaba stuff was kinda dated. this was fixed with the PC linkage. the bike had gobs of midrange but top end left wanting.
http://motocross.transworld.net/1000016106/features/2005-kawasaki-kx125/KTM: 125/144. Behold the king of the 125 engine. this engine in 08 was beating at 38/40. its engine was still producing 36 back in 06 as well. i would say the 2012 125 engine was a step back. this engine was helped out by KTM using their Factory 125 specs starting back in 04. it got a new frame in 07 which was much improved but susp sucked. if you can get a 144. but these are hard to come by as they hardly let go of so expect o pay a premium for one.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/2008-RACE-TESTKTM-125SX-VS-KTM-144SX-3026.aspxCR: this breed also had a much storied history but was killed off due to being a lame horse. Honda effectively killed this bike back in 98 when they decided road racing powerband would be good for mx also. it wasnt. the narrow powerband made riding in power robbing dirt a chore but the engine became popular in kart racing for the same reasons. the engine(from what i was told) the cases were too big for a 125. this helps with turning it into a 144 however as it didnt need any clearancing for a bigger piston. when porting/hopping up the engine it seemed to only go all top for mx or all bottom for sx. it did have redeeming qualities it was a very stable bike and the susp was dated but was tuned very well. and with all hondas it is very reliable.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/2006-HONDA-CR125-TEST-3553.aspx.
2004-2000: expect to pay 500-2500. add a few hundred for a 250.
250s: YZ250 Chad reed used this bike to win the sx title along with MC back in 2000. the current '13 engine started back in 02 and hasnt been changed much since. the YZ had a plastic change in 2002 and this would be the last aside from front fenders. this generation also had a steel frame which wasnt bad. many ppl claim steel frames have a more forgiving feel. the KYB susp was decent as was helped with revalves.
RM 2001-04 The rm had a complete redesign in 01. It went from Showa to KYB to Showa in 04. the RM was criticized for durability but still praised for its sharp handling. it had a strong broad engine up till 03 but got snappier in 04.
http://www.dirtrider.com/tests/motocross-bikes/2003_suzuki_rm_250/KX 250 00-02 the kx was on a stable platform but turning was a chore. the engine wasnt a fire breather but was smooth. this was also a porker as far 250s. buuut...in 03 KX redesigned the chassis. it became much more nimble but developed a stinkbug stance but still had a good engine. Hey if it was good enough for RC to win the 00/01 MX and 01 sx its good enough for you.
http://www.dirtrider.com/tests/motocross-bikes/2003_kawasaki_kx125/KTM: 00-04 i dont know too much about these except they powerful engines in 03/04. handling was a little funky and susp was poor. i woulndt back farther than 03. Dowd used this to podium at southwick. course hed podium there on a bultaco today.
CR 00/01 was the second gen alum frame. it was pretty rigid but worked. the 01 is considered the best even to its dying day. in 02 it got a new chassis which was much improved and RC famously went 24-0. the engine was criticized for finicky jetting and its case reed engine. power was smooth and its still a crowd favorite. MC was the last to do anything on it in 05 with a huge holeshot to nac-nac
125
yz. chassis was much the same through these years. this plastics were last changed in 02. the engine went through changes in 01 02 03 and 04. it still had its famous yz broad power and it had a 5spd tranny.(i actually prefer this engine and tranny mix vs the 05 newer)
RM was redsigned in 01 with new frame and showa susp. the engine had good mid-top power and overreved well. the bike suffered from low durability mainly the clutch. the head angle was decreased over the next few years to get more stability this did NOT sacrifice turning ability though. the engine went through differen changes as well. in 02 received updates to get more mid. 2004 is kind of a bastard child as they made changes to the rider compartment and went back to a long rod motor hearkening back to the 90s styled engine. this worked well giving it ok bottom solid mid and good top. it won the 2004 Dirt Rider shootout including 250fs.
KX was a suck bag before 2003 out of the box. but it did have potential as proven by Brown and stewart in 2001 and 2002 it could win. it had a stable chassis and the slowest engine. In 03 it was completely redesigned. the engine mimicked the 03 YZs and handling was very agile which aided in the "bubba scrub"in 2004 it gained more mid power and stewart was one moto away from a perfect seaon. if not for clutch failure at red bud. he went 23-1 for motos and won 11 overalls. actually the last race he was on a 250f. so he was 21-1 and 10overalls on it.but hed of won at Glen helen anyways
CR got the second alum from in 00 and 01. in 02 it got another frame which was yards better it was very stable and comfortable. the legendary tiddler never recovered from an engine redesign 98. After Lamsons 96 title the next one came from Travis Preston in the 125 west thanks to a very inconsistent James stewart. this motor was hard to use to its full potential as you had to be a tap dancing star. its still a solid option for big bores and in stock use. and its got honda reliability.
KTM 01-04
in 01 ktm launched their tiddler effort on the pros with there GP start GL. he proved the bike was as good as he was winning a few nationals and losing the title to bad spokes. the bike was fast as holeshots were common with these bikes. they handled funny but could be tuned to be good. in 03 Hughes and Langston duked it out with winner by judges decision going to GL. 04 had a plastic redesign and it got more power from the factory engine specs but susp needed help.
let me know what you guys think. add stuff below to what i have and ill paste it to the original post so the searching is shorter or feel free to correct anyting i put in if its wrong
