Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128023
KAWASAKI KX250 List price Displacement Engine type $5699 249cc liquid-cooled. single-cylinder two-stroke Bore x stroke 66.4 x 120m'll Compression ratio. . . .N/A Carburetion 38mm Keihin Powerjet Ignition .Digital COl Transmission . . . . . . . . . . .. 5-speed Starting system.. .. . .. . .Kick Fuel capacity. . . . . . . . . . . .2.25 gal. Wheelbase . . . . .. . 58.3 in. Rake/trail. . . . .26°/109.2mm Seat height 37.4 in. Front tire 80/100-21 Rear tire . .. 110/90·19 Front-wheel travel 12.0 in. Rear-wheel travel 13.0 in. Front brake .Disc Rear brake Disc Final drive . Chain Claimed dry weight .. " 214 Ibs. KTM250SX List price .... Displacement Engine type . .$5748 .249cc .liquid-cooled, single-cylinder two-stroke Bore x stroke 66.4 x 72mm Compression ratio ...N/A Carburetion ....38m'll Keihin Ignition . . . . . . . . . . .Digital Transmission 5·speed Starting system . . . . Kick Fuel capacity 2.0 gal. Wheelbase. .. . . 58.3 in. Rake/trail N/A Seat height .....•..•... .36.4 in. Front tire 80/100-21 Rear tire 110/90-19 Front-wheel travel . . . . 11.6 in. Rear-wheel travel ... ,... .12.6 in. Front brake .Disc Rear brake .Disc Final drive Chain Claimed dry weight .222.6 Ibs. • • • • • Great over-rev and fast motor • Lightest feeling clutch • Reversible handlebar mounts • Tracks well Hydraulic clutch Stock Excel rims Stock aluminum handlebar Meaty midrange • Notchy shifting • Spongy front brake • Boots get caught on side panels • Feels a bit wide compared to other bikes • Rear brake very touchy • Hydraulic clutch lever too short • Boots catch on radiator shrouds • Motor vibrates YAMAHA YZ2S0 TWO PROS, TWO OPINIONS Name List price Displacement Engine type Chris Sprenkel Weight 170 Ibs. Height 6'2" Age Occupation Riding ability 19 Student Pro I picked the Honda first because it worked really well just about everywhere. It has a great motor, nice suspension characteristics, awesome ergonomics and controls. The only setback I saw was that the bike is still pretty rigid and would beat you up quicker on longer motos. Also, the power is so responsive that on slicker tracks it required a lot more throttle control. I had a three-way tie for third as far as numbers are concerned. The YZ, RM and KX all worked really good, with some areas that were really good and some that weren't. Although they all tied in points (overall in my book), if it came right down to it and I had all three in my garage and I had to choose one to race, I would pick the YZ first, then $5749 249cc liquid-cooled. sin9le-cylinder four-stroke Bore x stroke 66.4 x 72mm Compression ratio 8.8-10.3:1 Carburetion .... 38m'll Keihin Powerjet Ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. COl Transmission 5·speed Starting system Kick Fuel capacity. . . 2.1 9al. Wheelbase. . . 58.3 in. Rake/trail. . ... . .. 27.2°/118mm Seat height. . . ... 38.9 in. Front tire... . . . .80/100-21 Rear tire. . . . 110/90-19 Front-wheel travel. . 11.8 in. Rear-wheel travel. . . .. 12.4 in. Front brake. . .. Disc Rear brake. . . . . Disc Final drive Chain Claimed dry weight ... , 216 Ibs. • Tracks very well • Stock Excel rims • Adjust-while-you-ride clutch perch • Smooth and fast engine • White airbox • Cramped chassis for taller riders • Corner of radiator shroud hangs up on boots HONDA CR250R SUZUKI RM250Y List price .. . Displacement Engine type $5799 249cc liquid-cooled. single-cylinder two-stroke Bore x stroke 66.4 x 72mm Compression ratio 8.7:1 Carburetion . . 38mm Rat-slide Ignition ...Solid-state digital w/3·D map Starting system. . ..Kick Fuel capacity 2.0 gal. Wheelbase 58.5 in. Rake/trail.. . 27.73°/113.8mm Seat height . 37.7 in. Fronttire 80/100-21 Rear tire 110/90·19 Front-wheel travel. . 12.4 in. Rear-wheel. . . . . .. travel 12.5 in. Front brake .. .Disc Rear brake. . . . . . .Disc Final drive . . . . . . . . . . ...Chain Claimed dry weight 213.8 Ibs. List price $5699 Displacement . . . . . . 249cc Engine type . . . . . . . . .liquid-cooled, single-cylinder two·stroke Bore x stroke 66.4 x 72.0mm Compression ratio ....8.9-10.1:1 Carburetion ....38mm Keihin Powerjet Ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . .. , COl Transmission 5·speed Starting system .Kick Fuel capacity . '.' .2.2 gal. Wheelbase. . . . . . ...58.3 in. Rake/trail 27.5°/116.5mm Seat height ...37.4 in. Front tire .....80/100·21 Rear tire .......... .. .. 11 0/90-19 Front-wheel travel. . .12.2 in. Rear-wheel travel 12.6 in. Front brake Disc Rear brake . . . . . . . . . .Disc Final drive. . . . .... . . ...Chain Claimed dry weight ..213Ibs. • • • • Has good midrange Awesome brakes Graphics hold up well Great ergos • • • • • • • • Lacks overrev Heavy clutch pull Still a bit rigid Vibrates more than other bikes • Clutch lever rattles. • Could use more low-end power • Motor vibrates eye I e n e _ S Motor revs to the moon Shifts like butter Nimble handling Roomy chassis • JANUARY 12. 2000 23