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Riding my new bike

Reply from: JayC
Date: 27 May 2008, 18:51
Riding my new bike

I took my 250X out this weekend for a few hours. Man, what a nice
bike. As most of you know, I am a devout 2-stroke aficionado, but
after this weekend, I'm considering a shift to the other camp.

Riding in the tight and rocky as I do, I generally short shift. When
ridden in this manner, the 250X feels like a small-bore XR. Although
the motor can surely be considered a revver, it has a suprising amount
of low end grunt. Not as grunty as a XR400, but I'd say it has as
much or more oomph than a XR250. I screwed up a hill-climb at one
point and just about came to a stop in second gear - I just kept the
throttle open and the bike continued to klank its way up at all of
about 100RPM, keeping itself running until I could get myself re-
positioned enough to give the clutch a stab and downshift. I think my
400 might've even stalled there (not to mention pounding me into the
ground afterwards). I did stall the 250X once when I got stuck across
a root at the top of a nasty climb, but was able to re-start with an
awkward push of "the button". The 25 pounds devoted to the e-start is
worth it's weight in GasGas parts. The urge to shift comes in the
midrange after the power builds to a reasonable level, but the bike
really isn't even close to ready at that point - just keep holding the
throttle open and the motor makes more and more power, with the RPMS
continuing to build seemingly forever, or at least for another solid
gear worth of speed. Power is impressive when the RPMs are up. Rev
speed is also impressive - the motor spins up like a two-stroke with
instant RPMs, while still retaining some degree of throttle-RPM
relationship, unlike a stinkwheels. I was entering a rock bed and did
a quick clutch stab to get a burst of oomph to hop over the leading
rock and clear the next few - the bike stood up and almost looped out
in the air. Didn't see that coming. The bike did seem to run a
little hot though while in technical terrain (which is all of it),
although that might've felt worse than normal because my pilot mix was
tuned a little on the rich side.

I rode the suspension box-stock w/o even turning a clicker. It's
pretty good - the forks aren't as good as my XR, although they are
pretty smooth. They do spike and deflect a bit on fast hits, but that
might go away once I start running with the clickers wide-open. I'm
keeping the stock springs on the bike, even though the spring rate is
low for my weight - the lighter springs ease low-speed rock-eating,
and the additional sag is in the range of only about 1/4"-3/8" on both
ends. Front to rear balance is maintained, and I truly doubt I'll
notice a difference in suspension action due to riding 3/8" lower in
the stroke. Even better, I can touch the ground with a toe while
keeping my butt on the seat, which is a new thing for me.

I didn't kiss the pavement all day, but came extremely close once - I
had wicked it up on a powerline trail that was covered with somewhat
loose rocks. The front end suddenly kicked out and bike layed down to
the low side. I think I pretty much froze and I stayed on the gas, or
maybe I had a smattering of divine intervention, but the bike went off
the trail sideways with the handlebars no more than a foot off the
ground. The surrounding brush had recently been mowed down by the
power company, so I slid into a field covered with 1' high pungi
sticks. A foot or two off the trail, my front wheel hit some of this
brush and hooked up, and the bike stood up. I steered back onto the
trail and kept on going. I'll be needing a new seatcover though, as
mine is now soiled.

The road manners of the bike are good. We ran into an impassable mud
hole, and had to do a couple of miles of illegal road riding to
circumvent the hole. One of the guys riding was on a Banshee - we
couldn't risk him getting stuck because he has no legs, and I wasn't
about to ruin my brand-new Gaerne SG10s pushing him out of a goo
pile. Anyhow, I was pleasantly suprised at how well-behaved and
stable the bike felt at 45-50MPH road speeds.

There were really only two things I didn't like about the bike. The
first was the sound of the engine at lower RPMs. Both of the other
guys I was with complained about the "weird" sound the motor makes.
It's really klangy - lugging the bike sounds like "klank-klank-klank"
instead of "blub-blub-blub". Maybe it's the auto decomp clattering
around or something. Once it opens up though, it sounds like a sewing
machine on steriods. The other complaint is a function of all the
crap they pack into the bike. Not only is it a nightmare to work on,
but all of those little nooks and crannies trap gunk, so the bike is
even hard to wash. I spent 45 minutes on it, removing such PITA
pieces as the front sprocket guard and bash plate, and I STILL found
two big globs of mud that were hiding in the bike once I put it away.
The sprocket guard is dumpster bound, but trying to clean up the bike
is something I'm not going to look forward too.

My 15y/o son and his buddy (riding a 250 3-wheeler he just got for
$200) rode the first leg with us, then peeled off to get into mischief
on their own after our first stop. I got to watch my son climb a long
and really nasty rock climb on his CR80E as they were headed off into
the distance. Pretty impressive - the boy is riding surprisingly well
these days. Who says you can't ride New England swill on small-bore
two-strokes? Next out, my other new bike, the CR125 - always wanted
to ride a bike that weighs less than I do.

JayC

Reply from: Andy Waddell
Date: 27 May 2008, 20:51
Re: Riding my new bike

"lugging the bike sounds like "klank-klank-klank"

That's actually chain slap. It's just characteristic of the X. You'll get
used to it.

--
ADW
"JayC" <jwc@sysmatrix,net > wrote in message
news:e2e16e48-4075-47c2-9276-d6da762c72e0@x35g2000hsb.googlegroups,com ...
>I took my 250X out this weekend for a few hours. Man, what a nice
> bike. As most of you know, I am a devout 2-stroke aficionado, but
> after this weekend, I'm considering a shift to the other camp.
>
> Riding in the tight and rocky as I do, I generally short shift. When
> ridden in this manner, the 250X feels like a small-bore XR. Although
> the motor can surely be considered a revver, it has a suprising amount
> of low end grunt. Not as grunty as a XR400, but I'd say it has as
> much or more oomph than a XR250. I screwed up a hill-climb at one
> point and just about came to a stop in second gear - I just kept the
> throttle open and the bike continued to klank its way up at all of
> about 100RPM, keeping itself running until I could get myself re-
> positioned enough to give the clutch a stab and downshift. I think my
> 400 might've even stalled there (not to mention pounding me into the
> ground afterwards). I did stall the 250X once when I got stuck across
> a root at the top of a nasty climb, but was able to re-start with an
> awkward push of "the button". The 25 pounds devoted to the e-start is
> worth it's weight in GasGas parts. The urge to shift comes in the
> midrange after the power builds to a reasonable level, but the bike
> really isn't even close to ready at that point - just keep holding the
> throttle open and the motor makes more and more power, with the RPMS
> continuing to build seemingly forever, or at least for another solid
> gear worth of speed. Power is impressive when the RPMs are up. Rev
> speed is also impressive - the motor spins up like a two-stroke with
> instant RPMs, while still retaining some degree of throttle-RPM
> relationship, unlike a stinkwheels. I was entering a rock bed and did
> a quick clutch stab to get a burst of oomph to hop over the leading
> rock and clear the next few - the bike stood up and almost looped out
> in the air. Didn't see that coming. The bike did seem to run a
> little hot though while in technical terrain (which is all of it),
> although that might've felt worse than normal because my pilot mix was
> tuned a little on the rich side.
>
> I rode the suspension box-stock w/o even turning a clicker. It's
> pretty good - the forks aren't as good as my XR, although they are
> pretty smooth. They do spike and deflect a bit on fast hits, but that
> might go away once I start running with the clickers wide-open. I'm
> keeping the stock springs on the bike, even though the spring rate is
> low for my weight - the lighter springs ease low-speed rock-eating,
> and the additional sag is in the range of only about 1/4"-3/8" on both
> ends. Front to rear balance is maintained, and I truly doubt I'll
> notice a difference in suspension action due to riding 3/8" lower in
> the stroke. Even better, I can touch the ground with a toe while
> keeping my butt on the seat, which is a new thing for me.
>
> I didn't kiss the pavement all day, but came extremely close once - I
> had wicked it up on a powerline trail that was covered with somewhat
> loose rocks. The front end suddenly kicked out and bike layed down to
> the low side. I think I pretty much froze and I stayed on the gas, or
> maybe I had a smattering of divine intervention, but the bike went off
> the trail sideways with the handlebars no more than a foot off the
> ground. The surrounding brush had recently been mowed down by the
> power company, so I slid into a field covered with 1' high pungi
> sticks. A foot or two off the trail, my front wheel hit some of this
> brush and hooked up, and the bike stood up. I steered back onto the
> trail and kept on going. I'll be needing a new seatcover though, as
> mine is now soiled.
>
> The road manners of the bike are good. We ran into an impassable mud
> hole, and had to do a couple of miles of illegal road riding to
> circumvent the hole. One of the guys riding was on a Banshee - we
> couldn't risk him getting stuck because he has no legs, and I wasn't
> about to ruin my brand-new Gaerne SG10s pushing him out of a goo
> pile. Anyhow, I was pleasantly suprised at how well-behaved and
> stable the bike felt at 45-50MPH road speeds.
>
> There were really only two things I didn't like about the bike. The
> first was the sound of the engine at lower RPMs. Both of the other
> guys I was with complained about the "weird" sound the motor makes.
> It's really klangy - lugging the bike sounds like "klank-klank-klank"
> instead of "blub-blub-blub". Maybe it's the auto decomp clattering
> around or something. Once it opens up though, it sounds like a sewing
> machine on steriods. The other complaint is a function of all the
> crap they pack into the bike. Not only is it a nightmare to work on,
> but all of those little nooks and crannies trap gunk, so the bike is
> even hard to wash. I spent 45 minutes on it, removing such PITA
> pieces as the front sprocket guard and bash plate, and I STILL found
> two big globs of mud that were hiding in the bike once I put it away.
> The sprocket guard is dumpster bound, but trying to clean up the bike
> is something I'm not going to look forward too.
>
> My 15y/o son and his buddy (riding a 250 3-wheeler he just got for
> $200) rode the first leg with us, then peeled off to get into mischief
> on their own after our first stop. I got to watch my son climb a long
> and really nasty rock climb on his CR80E as they were headed off into
> the distance. Pretty impressive - the boy is riding surprisingly well
> these days. Who says you can't ride New England swill on small-bore
> two-strokes? Next out, my other new bike, the CR125 - always wanted
> to ride a bike that weighs less than I do.
>
> JayC



Reply from: JayC
Date: 27 May 2008, 21:25
Re: Riding my new bike

> "lugging the bike sounds like "klank-klank-klank"
>
> That's actually chain slap. It's just characteristic of the X. You'll get
> used to it.

Do you mean cam chain? It's awfully clattery when it is sitting still
idling.

JayC

Reply from: scrapeNO-Thanks@nc.rr,com
Date: 27 May 2008, 22:30
Re: Riding my new bike

On May 27, 3:25 pm, JayC <j...@sysmatrix,net > wrote:
> > "lugging the bike sounds like "klank-klank-klank"
>
> > That's actually chain slap. It's just characteristic of the X. You'll get
> > used to it.
>
> Do you mean cam chain? It's awfully clattery when it is sitting still
> idling.

Nah, swingarm. I suspect you're just hearing parts you're not used to
having - water pump and the like.

Reply from: JayC
Date: 28 May 2008, 17:55
Re: Riding my new bike

> Nah, swingarm.  I suspect you're just hearing parts you're not used to
> having - water pump and the like.

Water pump. Pfft. Who ever thought to put water cooling in a
dirtbike? Absolutely rediculous.

JayC

Reply from: scrapeNO-Thanks@nc.rr,com
Date: 28 May 2008, 18:40
Re: Riding my new bike

On May 28, 11:55 am, JayC <j...@sysmatrix,net > wrote:
> > Nah, swingarm.  I suspect you're just hearing parts you're not used to
> > having - water pump and the like.
>
> Water pump.  Pfft.  Who ever thought to put water cooling in a
> dirtbike?  Absolutely rediculous.


Make's 'em faster.

Reply from: Andy Waddell
Date: 27 May 2008, 23:10
Re: Riding my new bike

Nope, drive chain. At low revs it hits a bit of a resonant frequency and
slaps against the front portion of the swingarm. Like I said, it's just
something to get used to. They all do it, mine and the three buddies who
have 250x's as well.

And don't bother trying the 'net fix of siliconing the chain
slider/protector on the front of the swingarm to reduce the noise. It does
nothing but reduce the amount of silicone you have in the tube in your
toolbox. <g>

You're right that she's clattery at idle. Again, it's just the way she is.
Nothing wrong with it, just file it away in your "normal 250x sounds" folder
in your head.

--
ADW
"JayC" <jwc@sysmatrix,net > wrote in message
news:a4f3c135-ca7f-4f4a-be1c-c4237383cdb2@x35g2000hsb.googlegroups,com ...
>> "lugging the bike sounds like "klank-klank-klank"
>>
>> That's actually chain slap. It's just characteristic of the X. You'll get
>> used to it.
>
> Do you mean cam chain? It's awfully clattery when it is sitting still
> idling.
>
> JayC




Reply from: Tim H
Date: 28 May 2008, 05:44
Re: Riding my new bike

"Andy Waddell" <andywaddell@comcast,net > wrote in message
news:pbKdnXpbO4tD6qHVnZ2dnUVZ rzinZ2d@comcast,com ...
> Nope, drive chain. At low revs it hits a bit of a resonant frequency and
> slaps against the front portion of the swingarm. Like I said, it's just
> something to get used to. They all do it, mine and the three buddies who
> have 250x's as well.
>
> And don't bother trying the 'net fix of siliconing the chain
> slider/protector on the front of the swingarm to reduce the noise. It does
> nothing but reduce the amount of silicone you have in the tube in your
> toolbox. <g>
>
> You're right that she's clattery at idle. Again, it's just the way she is.
> Nothing wrong with it, just file it away in your "normal 250x sounds"
> folder in your head.

I'll bet you could fix all of these problems with the right jetting, Jay.

Tim H


Reply from: JayC
Date: 28 May 2008, 17:39
Re: Riding my new bike

> I'll bet you could fix all of these problems with the right jetting, Jay.

That goes without saying. The X makes way more sense than my CR.
From what my butt tells me, I'm a 1/2 needle clip shim and a 1/4 turn
on the air screw away from being perfect.

JayC

Reply from: JayC
Date: 28 May 2008, 17:38
Re: Riding my new bike

> You're right that she's clattery at idle. Again, it's just the way she is.
> Nothing wrong with it, just file it away in your "normal 250x sounds" folder
> in your head.

I had forgotten about the reported idle racket on the 'X'es.
According to forum reports, apparently the carb slide plate clatters
around until the revs get high enough to suck it tight against the
carb body. Supposidly, the carb noise gets significantly louder if
you chop up the air box, which I did. Maybe it's just the chain, who
knows. I'm not worring about it.

JayC

Reply from: JayC
Date: 28 May 2008, 17:52
Re: Riding my new bike

Incidentally, I didn't follow the well-travelled road and put in an
aftermarket air screw. I did, however, find a perfect pen-sized mini
screwdriver that I bashed into a 70 degree angle with a hammer. The
bend is just right such that I can get right into the pilot screw and
adjust it easily. Its at least as easy as trying to get my fat
fingers into that teeny gap to push around an aftermarket "T" screw.

I also spent over an hour trying to change the main jet by leaning the
carb over like so many say they can do - which proved impossible. I
ended up pulling the bike apart, and found a vent tube that was
restricting the movement of the carb. I repositioned the tube and was
able to then rotate the carb far enough that I could almost see the
jet if I layed on the floor, but there was no way to get even my
smallest wrench under and into the carb, thanks to the clutch actuator
being in the way. I ended up taking an old allen wrench, cutting down
the short end, then welded it to a 6mm socket - that gives me a 6mm
socket wrench that is only 1/4" deeper than the socket itself. Works
like a charm.

So, armed with my two new custom specialty tools, non-invasive carb
work is actually possible.

JayC

Reply from: scrapeNO-Thanks@nc.rr,com
Date: 28 May 2008, 18:39
Re: Riding my new bike

On May 28, 11:52 am, JayC <j...@sysmatrix,net > wrote:
> Incidentally, I didn't follow the well-travelled road and put in an
> aftermarket air screw.  I did, however, find a perfect pen-sized mini
> screwdriver that I bashed into a 70 degree angle with a hammer.  The
> bend is just right such that I can get right into the pilot screw and
> adjust it easily.  Its at least as easy as trying to get my fat
> fingers into that teeny gap to push around an aftermarket "T" screw.

Pffffffttttt.


> I also spent over an hour trying to change the main jet by leaning the
> carb over like so many say they can do - which proved impossible.  I
> ended up pulling the bike apart, and found a vent tube that was
> restricting the movement of the carb.  I repositioned the tube and was
> able to then rotate the carb far enough that I could almost see the
> jet if I layed on the floor, but there was no way to get even my
> smallest wrench under and into the carb, thanks to the clutch actuator
> being in the way.  I ended up taking an old allen wrench, cutting down
> the short end, then welded it to a 6mm socket - that gives me a 6mm
> socket wrench that is only 1/4" deeper than the socket itself.  Works
> like a charm.
>
> So, armed with my two new custom specialty tools, non-invasive carb
> work is actually possible.

Bite the bullet. Pull the subframe and the top shock bolt. Pain in
the ass, but far easier to work on it when you can see it from all
angles. You just can't rotate it (Honda, Yamaha, whatever) with the
aluminum frame.

Reply from: JayC
Date: 28 May 2008, 20:51
Re: Riding my new bike

> Bite the bullet.  Pull the subframe and the top shock bolt.  Pain in
> the ass, but far easier to work on it when you can see it from all
> angles.  You just can't rotate it (Honda, Yamaha, whatever) with the
> aluminum frame.

Pffft to you too.

I'll tell ya - I can do the main and screw easy with my specialty
custom tools. What drove me to make them WAS pulling the subframe, or
at least trying to. With all that shit in there, I had half the bike
apart and still couldn't get the subframe to move. The carb boot
refused to budge, and I could tell it just needed an unholy yank - but
I was afraid to reef on it with all of the stupid tubes and wires that
go through there. That's when I said "fuck it", put the bike back
together, pulled out the grinder and welder and made what I needed.

I've been spending so much time playing with my CR125, that I forgot
what an unholy nightmare the CRF is to work on. Unfortunately, I've
been forever spoiled by my CR -- THAT bike is thought out so well, its
a pleasure to tear apart. I can have the plastic tank and subframe
off, shock on my bench, and carb sitting in my hand in 5 minutes.
It's truly a work of art - I can stare at if for hours.

JayC

Reply from: dennisbk@gmail,com
Date: 29 May 2008, 00:55
Re: Riding my new bike

On May 28, 11:51 am, JayC <j...@sysmatrix,net > wrote:
> > Bite the bullet. Pull the subframe and the top shock bolt. Pain in
> > the ass, but far easier to work on it when you can see it from all
> > angles. You just can't rotate it (Honda, Yamaha, whatever) with the
> > aluminum frame.
>
> Pffft to you too.
>
> I'll tell ya - I can do the main and screw easy with my specialty
> custom tools. What drove me to make them WAS pulling the subframe, or
> at least trying to. With all that shit in there, I had half the bike
> apart and still couldn't get the subframe to move. The carb boot
> refused to budge, and I could tell it just needed an unholy yank - but
> I was afraid to reef on it with all of the stupid tubes and wires that
> go through there. That's when I said "fuck it", put the bike back
> together, pulled out the grinder and welder and made what I needed.
>
> I've been spending so much time playing with my CR125, that I forgot
> what an unholy nightmare the CRF is to work on. Unfortunately, I've
> been forever spoiled by my CR -- THAT bike is thought out so well, its
> a pleasure to tear apart. I can have the plastic tank and subframe
> off, shock on my bench, and carb sitting in my hand in 5 minutes.
> It's truly a work of art - I can stare at if for hours.
>
> JayC

The local dealer has a left over for $4300. It's those quad chamber
forks that scare me off.

Dennis Kennedy

Reply from: -- messaggio eliminato --
Date: 29 May 2008, 19:45
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