2 Strokes Still Competitive

[alaska450r]

I raced the Yamaha QuadX Series this year on a 1989 250R. I used both a 350PV motor by Arlen Lehman and a 310 motor for backup. With fox floats and a rebuilt stock rear shock, I as able to stay very competitive with the latest and greatest 4 stroke machines out there. Granted, it was the Senior A/B class, but my lap times were still right in there. I didn't win every race, but I was usually pretty close and I did take the overall season win.

I had a blast firing up the two stroke and watching the look on peoples faces. Some of the younger folks didn't even know what it was.

[DoonRider]

Congrats - post a pic of the beast.:)

[SilverLake250R]

Sounds like you did well! Nice job keeping the ol' R on top!

[alaska450r]

Here is one from Glen Helen . .

Its a stock frame, but gussetted with exhaust and engine by Arlen at LED. Shocks are Fox with +3 LT A-arms. Rear shock is custom but still in its stock shock body.

[JoePA]

AWESOME!!! Great job on the overall win! Just something about a 2 stroke out there that its design is over 20 years old and still putting a whooping on the latest and greatest machines!!!

[sand_blaster]

More pics more pics please :)

[alaska450r]

This was also a great opportunity to test the different motors in MX race situations. For what it is worth, the 310 non PV is very smooth and easy to ride but requires more shifting, especially out of the corners. The 350PV is more like a 4 stroke motor. Lots of low end and longer time between shifts.

The powerband on the 350PV hits hard and blowing corners is an issue if you are not careful.

I can take a hole shot against most built 4 strokes on the 350 but not on the 310, but the 310 is easier on the arms. Both are excellent motors though.

[alaska450r]

Here is one from Cahuilla . . . by the way, I really liked the Yamaha QuadX series. Very relaxed and no onerous rules . . not expensive either.

[sand_blaster]

Thanks for the pictures! Glad you had fun

[89trx250r]

Awesome man congrats its great to hear about another 250r whooping on 4 strokes :) And I bet the 310 is much easier on the arms:) The 350 pv is probably a beast on the track, I only ride a 265 and know how tired my forearms get after a few solid laps...

[witech]

We had some high dollar banshees racing on the kart track ovals last year. They seemed very competative . For sure had more power in the straights but would always get beat in the corners because they couldnt get smooth power delivery and had a choppy drift. I think if they had built the engines for more midrange they would have maybe won a few .

[HAYESTRX250R]

Freaking awesome. 1st pic is my new desktop background.

[bholzgen]

I love hearing stuff like this. Nice pics btw!

[alaska450r]

Here is another pic or two of the races . . .

[alaska450r]

Another one . . .

[alaska450r]

And another . .

[alaska450r]

and finally . . .

[alaska450r]

Can't forget the best part . . .

[quad janern]

Cool pictures and nice quad! :)
congratulations!

[ah665]

Congrats on your results. The quad looks awesome. It's really cool that you are still running a 2stroke R.

[alaska450r]

One of the main reasons I am racing it is because it requires almost no maintenance between races other than cleaning it up and changing the air filter. Sometimes I forget how easy it used to be back in the day. I now spend all of my time changing oil and filters on the kids' 4 stroke quads . . no time for my quad.

When I needed a spare motor for a "just in case" backup, I found a nice 310 on craigslist for 500 bucks. You can't do that with a 4 stroke. It worked great.

[ah665]

Ya very true. I race bikes also and I hear a lot of ppl in the 250 class talking about how easy it is running a 250 2stroke, as opposed to the 250 4stroke (which I run). Either way, it is really cool to see a 250R out there racing/winning. It really shows that Honda got it right with these quads, way back when they first released them. Here it is over 20yrs later with a new generation of machines out (450s) and guys can still race a 250R and win.