I ran the TORN XC race yesterday and am now having a difficult decision to make and would like some help/input from you guys.
I finished 2nd to last in my class yesterday. Only reason was the guy that finished last crashed out. I was almost a full minute behind the rest of the field per lap. But I had fun and the bike felt fast. I was running 3rd out of the holeshot out of 7 and held it through the open switchbacks...until we went into the woods. Then I started dropping like a sack of potatoes. The bike felt great. But it just wore the crap outta me. She was fast in the open, faster than the 450's. But I got my butt handed to me in the woods. I couldn't tuck in behind anyone and hold it for more than 30 seconds before falling back. Please don't say it's the rider. I'm in better shape than I was last year and I got 2nd in the Open class. Now I'm racing with older guys where I theoretically should be in the top 3-4 based on last years lap time comparisons.
So I'm faced with this decision. To keep the 250R and know I'm going to be slower, or sell it and go back to a 450.
What else can be done to the 250 to get it to run better than a 450 in the woods. I've got the open area covered, I just need to be faster in the woods. The bottom end really woke up with the new carb and RAD valve. I've very pleased with it. It'll yank the front tires up even not being on the pipe. Top end still screams and the powerband is fairly smooth and predictable now.
'87 TRX250R - 66mm bore, single thin gasket off trx250r triple head gasket, 193psi cylinder pressure, stock porting, 50/50 AV gas & 93 octane, 36:1 Lucas oil, Boysen RAD valve, 10mm spacer, 38mm PJ carb (48 pilot, DGH needle 4 slot, 170 main) Moose foam filter, FMF Gold Series pipe, Houser +2 front, Fox Podium front shocks, Leager -1 rear, Durablue +1/+4 axle, PEP rear shock, 13/38 gearing, new clutch and top end.
I really need some advice. I don't have a lot to spend on this. I could sell it for $1500-$1800 and I could pick up a stock 450 around here for about that anymore. I really, really don't want to give up on the 250 though but I am almost embarrassing myself out there now as it is. I love this bike but I need to be competitive. Ideas please guys???
I finished 2nd to last in my class yesterday. Only reason was the guy that finished last crashed out. I was almost a full minute behind the rest of the field per lap. But I had fun and the bike felt fast. I was running 3rd out of the holeshot out of 7 and held it through the open switchbacks...until we went into the woods. Then I started dropping like a sack of potatoes. The bike felt great. But it just wore the crap outta me. She was fast in the open, faster than the 450's. But I got my butt handed to me in the woods. I couldn't tuck in behind anyone and hold it for more than 30 seconds before falling back. Please don't say it's the rider. I'm in better shape than I was last year and I got 2nd in the Open class. Now I'm racing with older guys where I theoretically should be in the top 3-4 based on last years lap time comparisons.
So I'm faced with this decision. To keep the 250R and know I'm going to be slower, or sell it and go back to a 450.
What else can be done to the 250 to get it to run better than a 450 in the woods. I've got the open area covered, I just need to be faster in the woods. The bottom end really woke up with the new carb and RAD valve. I've very pleased with it. It'll yank the front tires up even not being on the pipe. Top end still screams and the powerband is fairly smooth and predictable now.
'87 TRX250R - 66mm bore, single thin gasket off trx250r triple head gasket, 193psi cylinder pressure, stock porting, 50/50 AV gas & 93 octane, 36:1 Lucas oil, Boysen RAD valve, 10mm spacer, 38mm PJ carb (48 pilot, DGH needle 4 slot, 170 main) Moose foam filter, FMF Gold Series pipe, Houser +2 front, Fox Podium front shocks, Leager -1 rear, Durablue +1/+4 axle, PEP rear shock, 13/38 gearing, new clutch and top end.
I really need some advice. I don't have a lot to spend on this. I could sell it for $1500-$1800 and I could pick up a stock 450 around here for about that anymore. I really, really don't want to give up on the 250 though but I am almost embarrassing myself out there now as it is. I love this bike but I need to be competitive. Ideas please guys???
