150's

[thorns]

Hey all, first post here and after some opinions on 150s.
Currently riding a 2008 RM250, love the bike, but it is quite the handful for me as I am a late starter (30th birthday present to myself), and dont get a lot of track time due to family/work commitments etc.

Just be interested on what people think of the 150s these days?   Have local dealers for both the Husky Cr144, and KTM 150sx's.
I am a heavier rider, would be 110kgs in my riding gear and about 6ft3, so that would be main concern, wether they would be enough to haul my ass round the track.

Has anyone gone from a 250 to a 150 and thought it was teh best move ever? or should I stick it out with the RM as it would be the better option long term because of my size.   I really am just after a fun track toy, and the occasional trail/woods ride.

Any thoughts?

[rm250guy]

hey, your are a kid still at 30... some of us (like yours truly) have more that 20 years on you!   yeah I know my profile says that I am a junior but that was about 40 years ago!

at 110 kg you should stick to the 250.  I have two 2008 Rms and they are great for both mx and offroad.  If you want to tame it down a little bit I have had good luck by adding a flywheel weight.  This really helps the hook up on hard pack.  Give it a try and see what you think.

[vetman]

Fully agree with rmguy ,the rms are really user freindly and going to a 150 although lighter is going to have you workin more especially once you get a bit tired neat bikes though

[evo550]

I'm going out on a limb here and say that the 110kgs your haulin' around isn't all muscle bulk and your not spending an hour every day in the gym working on your aerobic fitness...correct?
If so then I would suggest a KTM 300.
I'm 15 yrs your senior and up until this year was still racing 250sx's, which where beating me to death (and I'm fairly fit) just acquired a 300 this year and it's something I should have done 5 years ago. Easy to ride power like a fourstroke, but maintenance free and light as.
It can plod along on single trails all day and moto with the best.
Quite simply the best dirtbike ever made, adios Maico 490.

[rm250guy]

for playing offroad (and MX) you can also put in heavier springs and reduce the oil in the forks.  That will make it feel a little more plush upfront when riding rocks and roots.  I am 6'2" and 105 kg and run .46's upfront and 5.6's in the back.  I reduced the oil quantity in the fork by 10-15ml... (to 130 ml total I think).  It works for me...

[Stusmoke]

What evo said. Atleast the first line. Eat better and hit the gym. Either that or eat better and change your training to focus on endurance rather than strength.

As for the 150 vs 250 conundrum, if fun is all you want, there is no question you are better off on the 150. A 150 is really just a beefed up 125 and 125s are just ridiculously fun to ride. Seriously your face gets the workout of its life from smiling. Not to mention a 125/150 will make you a better rider. It will be very difficult at first but you will pick it up quickly I promise. You could always keep the 250 for races and get a 125/150 for training.

[eprovenzano]

I agree with the above but for a different reason...  At times I am a cheap SOB     so I try to make your current bike work for you before moving onto something else.. I do have a few suggestions,

First is a flywheel weight.  I had a KX 250, to which I added a flywheel weight.  At 1st I really didn't notice it, but the more I road it the more it shined.  It doesn't reduce the "hit" by a lot, but make the bike easier to ride, less prone to stalling, with more tractable power.  Second is jetting..  you can "richen" up your jetting just a tad and gain a little more bottom end.  Then there's suspension...  it makes a world of difference with the boingers set properly.  Proper suspension will allow you to gain confidence in the bike and its ability to save your arse when you make a mistake. (Let's face it we all make riding mistakes)

A 150 is a fun bike, it requires some more input to go fast, but it really does reward the rider for its hard work.  No matter your weight, either bike will put t huge smile on your face.

One last thought, what are your true expectations when riding / racing...  I like many others have a few (20) years on you...  I know my days of being a MX star are behind me.  I also know that I am a B-, C+ rider in the Cross Country races.  At this point I ride for the fun, and the thrill.  I have no grand illusions of where my talent (or lack there of) will take me, and ride for fun, not to mention beating the crap out of my body. 

[VintageBlueSmoke]

I have a KTM 144. I have had (several) Yamaha 139's and 144's.

The 144 can be fun but you have to ride it like you stole it. All the time. Everytime. There is no forgivness. No love. Just pain and heart break. When you win, you feel like a hero. You feel like you are conquering the world. But more often than not, you are just screaming around mid-pack and not going anywhere.

Stick with the RM and put a flywheel weight on it.

[eprovenzano]

Nothing wrong with a project bike, especially a 125... that is the proper way to "scratch" that itch.

[LGA67]

I started on 2001 yz250 last Fall I have learned a lot. Started working out and eating good food.  Just started ridding MX track last weekend Stay with it you will get use to it some days it still hurts but its fun.

[Stusmoke]

Thanks for the replies.

WIll stick with the 250 then, and spend a little to make it easier to ride.
May also look at getting a cheap 125 just to scratch that itch as well, maybe a little project bike for winter.

Take it out to the track once in a while. Hell if your local track is big enough, it might have a 125 only class. Look into it! I honestly believe there is nothing more awesome than raw 125 racing. Bunch of kids with more testosterone than sense on a bike that needs to be wrung out. Does it get better? Why yes it does, when you're actually on the gate with them

[msmola2002]

I honestly believe there is nothing more awesome than raw 125 racing. Bunch of kids with more testosterone than sense on a bike that needs to be wrung out. Does it get better? Why yes it does, when you're actually on the gate with them

To watch, yeah. To be out there with a bunch out out of control kids whose mummy and daddy pay their medical bills is a good way to get injured and when you have to go to work the next day that ain't fun.

[gpnewhouse7]

I honestly believe there is nothing more awesome than raw 125 racing. Bunch of kids with more testosterone than sense on a bike that needs to be wrung out. Does it get better? Why yes it does, when you're actually on the gate with them

To watch, yeah. To be out there with a bunch out out of control kids whose mummy and daddy pay their medical bills is a good way to get injured and when you have to go to work the next day that ain't fun.

I have a boss at one of the companies I work for that used to race motocross on cr 500s back in the day and his advice to me was that the safest way to ride was to get in front and stay there.
 I`ve had many crashes since just trying to get to the front.

[Lolerbabop]

150s ER FER FAGITS!!!

[_X_]

loler has spoken.