The end of the 250's

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Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

Discussion Starter
• Apr 25, 2007

• #1

Link

We all knew they are going to ruin it eventually, but it seems things are getting more certain. I am not happy about this at all. I will badly miss the 2-strokes and replacing them with 400cc twins is a really really dull thought. But it'll be tough to make 4 stroke grand prix bikes affordable and exciting so i am expecting to be disappointed.

 

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orrmate

Joined Jul 2006

2K Posts | 0+

earth

• Apr 25, 2007

• #2

I thought it was gonna be a 600 class and the 125's were gonna become a 400 class? Im sure I heard that somewhere.. Oh well.. its a shame to see the two strokes go but it was inevitable really

 

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Captain Snow

Joined Aug 2005

1K Posts | 0+

USA

• Apr 25, 2007

• #3

Wouldnt the similarity between the classes with this 800 600 400cc make the times too close? Maybe even surpassing some motogp times?

 

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The Doctor

Joined Jul 2005

954 Posts | 9+

Philadelphia-suburbs

• Apr 25, 2007

• #4

that's really unfortunate... I was sad to see the 500's go..

 

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phleg

Joined Nov 2006

2K Posts | 0+

North Wales

• Apr 25, 2007

• #5

Yee-haw for technology!

Nay- for costs.

I hope they have strict tuning rules so the costs are kept down.

I think a 400 and 600 and 800 system would rock.

 

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Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

Discussion Starter
• Apr 25, 2007

• #6

600 would be too close to 800. I talked at length with my brother about this and he put forward that even though the technology will have to be regulated to keep costs down, the switch to 4 strokes might bring the japs back into the small classes in force and allow the series' to really thrive. So this could all be very positive provided they get it right. Still gonna miss the two strokes though, nothing compares.

 

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orrmate

Joined Jul 2006

2K Posts | 0+

earth

• Apr 25, 2007

• #7

Yeah I think you have a point there, 600's and 800's would be very close. I actually quite like the idea of a 200's class, maybe that could even have a future on the road? Although I must admit im not 'in the know' about these things.. just seems 200cc could be an obvious replacement for 125s on the road with all the emmisions regulations and stuff

 

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Keefy

Joined Jul 2006

17 Posts | 0+

• Apr 25, 2007

• #8

It would be a total disaster for the sport if they got rid of the 125cc class, The 125cc class has a huge supporter base and in some parts of europe it is the most popular out of the 3 classes.

You can't beat the sound, smell and competitive nature of the 125cc class.

 

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Symon10

Joined Aug 2006

1K Posts | 0+

Fingland

• Apr 25, 2007

• #9

 

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phleg

Joined Nov 2006

2K Posts | 0+

North Wales

• Apr 26, 2007

• #10

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Keefy @ Apr 25 2007, 11:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It would be a total disaster for the sport if they got rid of the 125cc class, The 125cc class has a huge supporter base and in some parts of europe it is the most popular out of the 3 classes.

You can't beat the sound, smell and competitive nature of the 125cc class.

If and I mean IF the new machines will be cheap, they would replace the 125's in club racing...otherwise it would still thrive, but without purpose though.

 

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Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

Discussion Starter
• Apr 26, 2007

• #11

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Apr 26 2007, 08:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If and I mean IF the new machines will be cheap, they would replace the 125's in club racing...otherwise it would still thrive, but without purpose though.

Yes a grand prix four stroke motorbike that needs to be as cheap to run as 125cc 2-stroke, it doesn't sound too promising to me.

 

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phleg

Joined Nov 2006

2K Posts | 0+

North Wales

• Apr 26, 2007

• #12

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Apr 26 2007, 09:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yes a grand prix four stroke motorbike that needs to be as cheap to run as 125cc 2-stroke, it doesn't sound too promising to me.

If is possible, all depending on which way the configuration goes.

If they are 400, then they will be cheap (based on road bikes) and as fast as a 125.

Although 400 bikes stopped production years ago, a modern, up to date 400 would be a potent road AND race bike.

 

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Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

Discussion Starter
• Apr 26, 2007

• #13

This is grand prix racing, so we will get nothing road based.

 

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frosty58

Joined Sep 2005

8K Posts | 1+

washington DC, USA

• Apr 26, 2007

• #14

remember all this is not written in stone yet. if it does happen it 'll take place in 2010, 3 years from now. then with the enevitable delays maybe 2011 or 2012? also remember motocross has already made the transition & quite succesfully also. everybody was shitting on the idea when motox went to the 4s but look at em now. the only thing that worries me is the fact that aprillia will not come in for cost reasons. that would be ashame.

 

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Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

Discussion Starter
• Apr 26, 2007

• #15

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Apr 26 2007, 04:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>the only thing that worries me is the fact that aprillia will not come in for cost reasons. that would be ashame.

I'd get over it if the big four japanese makes and maybe ducati got involved

And yeah its worked ok in moto-x, but they do sound pretty dull!!

 

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frosty58

Joined Sep 2005

8K Posts | 1+

washington DC, USA

• Apr 26, 2007

• #16

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Apr 26 2007, 11:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>but they do sound pretty dull!!
well since we mostly watch the races on the tv/pc that's not going to matter much. as long as the racing stay's like it is now i'm fine with it. anyway if u miss the sounds & smells just get urself a chainsaw & fire it up during the races & imagine!

 

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Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

Discussion Starter
• Apr 26, 2007

• #17

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Apr 26 2007, 06:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>well since we mostly watch the races on the tv/pc that's not going to matter much. as long as the racing stay's like it is now i'm fine with it. anyway if u miss the sounds & smells just get urself a chainsaw & fire it up during the races & imagine!

Screw that, i'm buying an rs250 this summer.

 

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frosty58

Joined Sep 2005

8K Posts | 1+

washington DC, USA

• Apr 26, 2007

• #18

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Apr 26 2007, 12:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Screw that, i'm buying an rs250 this summer.

there ya go! now u just have to fire it up during the races & ur set!

 

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Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

Discussion Starter
• Apr 26, 2007

• #19

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Apr 26 2007, 06:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>

there ya go! now u just have to fire it up during the races & ur set!

Our house already has a policy of not blowing two stroke smoke inside the house, my mum doesn't like it

 

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frosty58

Joined Sep 2005

8K Posts | 1+

washington DC, USA

• Apr 26, 2007

• #20

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Apr 26 2007, 12:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Our house already has a policy of not blowing two stroke smoke inside the house, my mum doesn't like it

bad policy! gonna have to drag the tv outside then.