I'm looking to get something to play around with on the weekends on the trails and to take to croom once in a while. I would really hate to get a 4 stroke, I'd miss powerband too much. And that brings me to the question of what is the most reliable 2stroke 125 or 250cc. bike on the market. I honestly can't afford a newer KTM. Was thinking probably in the year ranges of '95 - 2001 and spending around $1400 - $1900.

 

My friend who I ride with is selling his 97 or 98 Rm 250. Bike runs great and is very quick. Im not sure how much he wants but ill find out and tell you. And to answer your question, a 250 by far is the most reliable.

 

so you are saying that a 250cc of the same make and and model would be more reliable than its 125cc model? That's interesting, I'd like to know if that is true... And yeah, find out if he is selling it.

 

125's are more rev happy, they get all there power in top end!! You'll have to replace the top end every 3 months or so. 250's are low reving and get there power all in the low end. I have had 50's, 80's, 125's, and 250's and out of all of them My 2003 RM 250 is the most reliable.

 

would you say almost as reliable as a 4 stroke?

 

I would get a yz250f, although its a 4 stroke, its at the top of its class and is really fast.

 

I'll take a look at them. As far as 4 strokes, my original considerations were either an XR200R or a TTR225. I heard that the hondas own the yamahas as far as quality comparison between those two bikes...

 

I had a honda XR650L, was happy with it on the trails, about even if not slightly faster than a CR250 until about 75, then I would pull it. But heavy.

 

I bet that XR650 would be a bitch to ride in soft sand. The best bike I've owned was an older DR100. Bought it used, had it for three years and hardly spent a dime on it.

 

That it was, cause I had the street legal tires, if anything, ironically the hardest thing for me to do with it was climb steep hills, all it wanted to do is backflip, and with it being so tall, you put your feet down and are tippie toed on a steep hill..pretty funny to see actually.