New boy - Hare and hounds suitability?

[Pie-eyedpiper]

Hi, I'm new to the site and am considering buying a Mk II for racing hare and hounds.

Are they a suitable bike for racing, and I don't mean ultra competitive, I'm a novice, or they just a very good green lane trail bike?

I currently compete on an XR250, but fancy something lighter(?) with a bit of poke, for some events.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[fallenmikethebike]

Hi, I'm new to the site and am considering buying a Mk II for racing hare and hounds.

Are they a suitable bike for racing, and I don't mean ultra competitive, I'm a novice, or they just a very good green lane trail bike?

I currently compete on an XR250, but fancy something lighter(?) with a bit of poke, for some events.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

There are more suitable, dedicated machines, KDX200, WR250, RMX 250, BUT, they are all not as suitable for road work.
Your choice should be dictated by the balance between Green Laning, and Softduro's.
Mike

[back off road]

Its a strange one to answer ,everyone has there preference on manufacturers for whatever reason personally i prefere suzukis after racing 2 suzuki RM 100s and 3 RM 125s ,but am now riding my second CRM 250 Mk2 ,Why you may ask the CRM suits my needs for a bit of road riding and more greenlaneing ,i would love a ride on a RMX 250 but doubt it would match the on / off road the CRM gives due to it been an out and out off roader ,the funny thing is in 10 years of motocross racing i never rode a honda but would be loathed to sell the CRM to get something else , but im not saying i wouldnt jump at the chance to swap a ride on something else just to compare it .

The other way of looking at it is could you pick me a woman ? not knowing me

[troyleesdad]

Funnily enough, I bought my first CRM in 1999 with a view to doing a bit of competition along side the greenlaning etc. I found the the CRM was just too nice to beat up and a bit too soft when things got a bit heated.

I have subsequently converted dozens of motocross bikes for racing enduro's and competed in around 30 events a year. I have just however bought another CRM, because they are a one of a kind machine that will with a little work, do pretty much everything - I plan to do the Welsh two day on the new one this year for example as well as a handful of trail rides and rallies.

so, here are the things I would think about for competition:

1) are you worried if you dent the tank, rip off the speedo etc - (you should be) - and if so, what else can you fit that wont dent and what would you take off to preserve it?
2) how heavy are you and how aggressively do you ride - if 11 stone plus and 'with gusto' comes to mind, go see Mark Hammond (or some other reputable suspension guru) and get it set up accordingly
3) do you need more power - get another bike, dont ruin this one...(sorry, that sounds much ruder than I intended!)
4) do you care that it is heavier than some of your rivals bikes - take things off or spend a lot of money or see 3) above.

For my money, the best thing about the CRM is that it is not a racing bike and will not spit you off in the blink of and eye; there is also this - my last 'conversion' of a yz 250 two stroke cost around £4,000... the CRM will cost me around £1000 to get in shape...

Cheers
TLD

[fallenmikethebike]

Hi, I'm new to the site and am considering buying a Mk II for racing hare and hounds.

Are they a suitable bike for racing, and I don't mean ultra competitive, I'm a novice, or they just a very good green lane trail bike?

I currently compete on an XR250, but fancy something lighter(?) with a bit of poke, for some events.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Probably not lighter, but more ponies, BUT, TLDs right on the money with his synopsis.
Mike

[CRM3]

Having owned two xr250,s all I can say is, that riding a two stroke is a total different ball game and far more fun.

[Pie-eyedpiper]

Well I bought the bike. A Mk11 '91 model. Bit tatty, but as I only intend using off road it doesn't bother me. I will do it up a bit, but not going to go over board.
Previous owner assurd me of regular maintenance, but on checking tha swing arm bolt (seized!) I am now wondering about the rest. Oil change and service will be first, bearings seem good (Is the front wheel bearing a problem?). And it seems to run ok.
Will be checking adjustment of RC valve and oil pump.
Less important changes will be change rad shrouds for red, and paint fuel tank white. Does anybody know if a CR tank and shrouds will fit?

As for my riding, it will be used for Hare and hounds. I am a nivice so won't be "balls out". Yes there may be more suitable bikes, the option was a CR250 (I'm a Honda guy). But being a 'crosser, I've heard power is fierce and not really ideal for enduros.
I wanted a 2t because that is what I was used to. I still have my XR250 and 4t are easy to ride, with big torque, but reading old TBM mags they say CRMs torque is very good for a 2t.

Heres afew pics to show its current condition pre refurb.
[IMG]http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu20 ... 250004.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu20 ... 250003.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu20 ... 250002.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu20 ... 250001.jpg[/IMG]

[back off road]

Re cr tank look at knacks project as hes a bit further on than me cr tanks can be made to fit but remember there is no reserve without changing the tap