Blaze Reviews: My 250cc Motocross Machines 

All of my experiences during my motocross years with bikes other than 125's, served to remind me that I was more comfortable on the one-two-fives. The first time I ever actually rode a 250 was an amazing story I will never forget. I had just turned 14 years old when my dad announced that we were moving to Japan for a four year contract. It wasn't unusual for my dad to come home and make such an announcement, he worked in the construction of oil refineries. Up until that point we had lived in California, Alaska, Saudi Arabia and Canada; all amazing places for a fledgling dirt bike rider. I was genuinely bummed out that we had moved to Japan, however, because I thought my motocross racing days were over. When we first got there, we lived in a Hotel in Nagoya and all I ever saw was city...everywhere, just city. So I was one depressed kid, sulking around that hotel room, driving my poor parents crazy. After about two weeks of this, one Saturday morning, my father woke me up and told me to get dressed. As we left the hotel room, he grabbed a book I had traveled with: "Motocross, Techniques, Training and Tactics" by Brad Lackey and Len Weed. We went downstairs and hailed a taxi. Understanding not a word of Japanese, my father presented the driver with that book and pointed to it, gesturing to take us to...Motocross! The driver studied it momentarily, looked us over, smiled broadly and began driving. I remember looking over at my father as the greatest hero who ever lived at that moment. After about 15 minutes of weaving through traffic and listening to the driver rattle on in Japanese, understanding only the word "motocross" pronounced in that way they do in Japanese, we pulled up to a motorcycle shop with a massive billboard sized marque that read "Mr. Bike". It was so exciting and my father never really said much during the drive so I had no idea what he had planned. I honestly do not think he had any plan at all, my dad was a "jump out of the plane and figure out how to operate the parachute on the way to the ground" kind of guy. He also loved that I wanted to race motocross, a lot. Walking into that shop, just outside Nagoya that day, completely transformed my experience of Japan and and my life. We entered the showroom and were immediately greeted by a salesman as we looked at the newly released 1982 Motocross Bikes (It was November 1981). After a few minutes of my father trying to convey that we wanted to go motocross racing, the owner of the shop appeared, Mr. Saito, who asked us to "prease wait". About an hour passed when a tall American arrived who had been summoned to translate for us. We sat down for a meeting in the owners office, to talk about this motocross thing. As my dad, Mr. Saito and the translator chain smoked cigarettes, we were asked about my experience racing motocross and how long we would be in Japan...much of the conversation is now a blur to me all these years later, but the end result was decided that I would have a tryout for their motocross team the following day. In a dream like trance I was taken back to the showroom and handed a massive Sinisalo gear bag within which we proceeded to go around the showroom and fill with new gear. Now, its something to consider at this point: I was barely 14 years old and had been riding bikes since I was 7; I had finally started racing in Calgary Canada the year before on a 1980 RM125 in the beginner class. Here I was being treated like a factory rider. It was a dream come true, but also terrifying at the same time as I knew I had to "try out" the following day. While a dreamy kid, I was not stupid or harboring any illusions about how bad I sucked at riding, I found that out during my first race back in Calgary! But yet here I was. The next day, again we got into a taxi, presented him with the address to the shop and off we went. I remember pulling up to the track and the team mechanic wheeled the trickest 1981 RM250 out of the tiny van, it was the coolest bike I had ever seen! This shop ran factory supported race teams throughout the Japanese National Championships, in both amateur and pro classes (American Pro Steve Martin would eventually race for Team Mr. Bike several years later). At this time (1981-1982) they had Suzuki Factory support. The bike was a team race bike from the previous season and had a bunch of factory parts on it. The problem was, it was a 250! And this is the 250 part of the story, I had never ridden one...I had owned a couple YZ80's (1978 and 1979) and that RM125, That is it! We tried to explain this to the interpreter, but they just said they didnt have a 125 available that day, just do the best I could. So, I did the best I could...and that bike was a total BEAST! While I didnt crash it that day, I struggled to feel right on it, short shifting my way around the dry, hard pack track which would later become my home track in the years to come. After the session was finished, a deal was struck between Mr. Saito and my dad: We would buy a 125 and they would keep and maintain it at the shop for me. I could ride at the track any time I wanted and they would work with me to prepare me for the Japanese amateur championships. They told me their other American rider would be coming back to Japan in a few weeks to get ready for the new season and I would work and train with him. It was the start of the greatest experience of my life and just one of many times that my father was an absolute hero to me. During my stay in Japan, racing for Mr. Bike, we went from Suzuki support in 81-82 to Yamaha in 83 and Honda in 1984. While I never was a championship contender, I tried to represent the shop as well as I could and took advantage of the amazing attention I gained just because I was a Gaijin, or foreigner. I did win a lot of local races and even won a big event at Suzuka Circuit one year. I got to test new bikes, especially during the year with Honda. My teammate, Lon Kinder, went on to be a factory pro superstar in Japan. He raced full on factory bikes and his new team mate after I returned to the US was Steve Martin. I never rode another 250 until we returned to the states and my parents opened a Kawasaki dealership in Warrenton, Oregon, appropriately called, Mr. Bike Motorsports, in 1985.

I’m so glad I never sold my 2005 RM250. It’s the best bike I’ve ever owned and it’s going to stay in my stable until I’m 6 feet under. Both my sons call it the Yellow Rhino because it’s power is a real monster. We joke that Suzuki didn’t need to put a front wheel on it because it never touches the ground.

Still love watching this video every once and a while. I enjoy hearing the personal anecdotes about each bike. Seems like you were most comfortable on the YZs, much like myself. I’ve had a few CR’s and RMs over the years, many of which I loved, but I never feel better than when I’m on a blue YZ.

Another quality video bringing back fond memories of my youth. Looking forward to the off road bikes recap.

“But one time I had a 125,250 & 500 a couple of times”

Growing up I had an 04 CRF 80f and that little thing as sick. My first bike and got one alongside all the neighborhood friends as our parents were colluding. My dad grew up fixing bikes and started a passion for me from a super young age. Now I have a mint DRZ250 that I got for a steal and fixed up and I’m restoring a 94 KDX200 (my second one, I had a 92 previously). Super cool video, you’ve had a ton of bikes and it’s neat to hear about them throughout the years

Kawis for years known as rear steer, dives quick, in the power the rear swings around and points you where you go,

love your vids!! First bike was a 91 kx 250 when I was 13 bought it not even knowing how to start it lol 😆 then 97 YZ 250 2 years later a 96 YZ 125 then 97 cr 250 witch I still own with a 98 cr 125 at the same time lol I've had over 15 bikes! I only really miss my 01 MXC 200 And my 00 RM 250

Another great video. Thanks for putting these out.

Grate insight , love the reviews , good job keep it up .

Love your videos man. Keep up the great work!

I love your videos! The bikes you show are ones I was around growing up either mine or friends. I plan to get some suzuki t shirts from you again THANKS YOUR AWESOME!!

Love your channel Tony.... I will be 55 in June. Just got a 2020 YZ 250 X. I hear you on feeling beat up after riding for a couple hours. But I refuse to stop riding! I don't ride a lot. But I love to put around the trails! Keep up the great content man!

I’m surprised that you never own a kawaski kx 500 that’s has always been my favorite dirt bike I truly love the vintage bikes keep up your great work

Great vid. My 09 RMZ250 was the best handling bike I’ve owned. Loved it.

Thank you, loved watching this.

1978 CR250R really needed another gear.

Another great video 📹 👏 keep em coming bro 👌🏼

The Motocross Vault is cool bro, keep it up! 😎 My bikes owned in order where... 84’ XR 100, 89’ CR 125, 90’ CR 125 and my last bike was an 96 CR 250 which I really should have kept ✊

I love your videos..I had a 1990 cr125 lot's of power..but terrible suspension.. lot's of oil contamination in the forks..I had race tech do the forks..as long as the oil was fresh they were good..but the oil contamination problem continued..I bought a 1995 RM 250 new ..it wasn't as fast as my brother's 95 cr 250 .but I loved the bike..the forks we're wonderful the handling was similar to the cr..i beat that RM into the ground..it never broke really anything..I should have kept it..I bought a New 1998 kx 250 the motor was incredible but i never came to terms with the handling it was just to wide for me..I never could get it to turn the way I liked

Some good riding on the CR Tony B!

Awesome video. Just ordered a T

Thanks Tony, I was looking forward to this one. Great job. I’d love to hear a list of the off-road bikes you’ve owned.

Been watching a lot of your channel and really enjoy it. I have an 06 kx250 with the chevy trucks graphics and I would agree with pretty much everything you said. I think its one of the fastest 250's made, its huals the mail for sure. Mine has a port job and a decked head and it gives 450's a run for their money in a straight line. The clutch is very agressive but I never had an issue with the pull. It's probably one of the easiest cable clutchs I've used. The rear end sits way to high stock and they pretty much need to have a 1 inch lowering link to bring them down to where they should be from the factory. makes the handling way better. Fun bike but they are a handfull for sure. I'm amazed you tried using it in the woods, though I can't say much, having raced the glen helen 6 hour endurance race on mine.

I think you’ve owned more bikes than I have owned toothbrushes! Damn bro. You’ve had a shit ton of bikes. And really good vid. Keep ‘em coming. Love them.

....gee, the difference between your 85 YZ250N and my 85 KX250 is world's apart....I loved nearly everything about the 85 KX.

I know this is an older vid at this point, but I had to second something you said. I'm about your age (maybe 5 years your junior), so I grew up with the same machines. I too have had, and still have, several off and on road bikes. I had a 95 RM250 in 98-99. I had some minor motor work done, otherwise it was stock. That bike ran like a beast. It was possibly, to this day, the quickest bike I've owned... and it handled like a school bus with four flat tires. It was awful. I was scared of corners when riding it. So, I know exactly how you feel about it. Great channel.

Love your videos

My buddy had the same orange AXO outfit. We found one the gloves last year. lol I had a 98 RM250 (same as the 96) that was like a 125 on steroids (had to use the clutch a lot, to keep it on pipe and tracking). I rode that thing into the ground for like 6 years, on cheap oil changes and used tires, and it never complained. It just turned into a normal 125. I wanted to keep the old school forks (for my 93 KX500) when I put it on the market. They were awesome (and this was in 2015)! But I ended up with an 04 KX500 front end, and I still have the blue ones, too. That Suzuki was awesome though. I just didn't want to do all of the work it needed, by this point. Nobody even wanted to buy it for a grand, so I finally traded it for a GMC Jimmy. I traded the Jimmy for an 05 CRF450R with a bunch of upgrades (including a Baja kit and street credentials). I still have it. It's a WAY better bike than the 03 450r that I had. The only thing it didn't come with is a power band. So if anybody can tell me where to get one for it... -APRIL FOOLS

Buddy, that ONE MORE LAP thing, will get you every time. I’ve known so many guys that had to take one more rip, myself included,and didn’t turn out well.

Fantastic channel. Thank you for your video's, i can relate to so much as im the same age.

Love these videos. Your hip sounds like mine when I go bowling. I bowl for an hour or two and then I can't walk for three days so I quit bowling.

Funny you said that about your 04 250r Honda. I had a 15 450r Honda I felt the same way about . That cracked me up lol

Man starting to worry about the 1999 cr125 I just bought and rebuilt ground up this winter. Seem to be either loved or hated.

Ha. That 06 rm250 is a bit of a handful. I've had someone give mine back to me after riding it a few hundred metres. It quickly launched him into a tree. Compared to the 02 rm250 the 06 is pretty tame.

Dude you one of the cool 😎 ones great vid

Good video AND HAVE A GOOD DAY

I owned and raced the 1985 YZ250 to moderate success as an amateur. You are right. The suspension was horrible and not suited for racing. The fix was well known at the time and consisted of the Simmons anti-cavitator fork mod and Ohlins rear shock replacement. PLUSH and fast though any terrain. Hole shot machine and winner!

Excellent job great thanks so much for sending me back to my youth... Class of 1986.. I had a 1987--88--and 89 Ktm 250 exc then swapped to the Ktm 300 exc in 1991.. Man your channel is getting better all the time keep up the good work..

If your unliking these videos why not leave the channel, this is quality info

That splitfire kawa in garage..cool ;) So here the deal i always been interesting of a rm250 ´95 .. but now after this video.. hehe XD..but how about a rm125 in that era 93-95?. i really like the look of those bikes. I felt it when you talked about that Yamaha yzf starting problem.. i laughed when you said u had enough and u went straight to the shop XD Im from Finland and raced with a Yama yz125 couple years.. after that no more yamahas for me even thou i was on podiums.

Cool!

I have a 2004 RMZ 250 I got oversized radiators and a boyesen super cooler to fix the overheating it is my favorite bike I've ever owned the power is there in every gear it doesn't care what year you were in almost like a little 450

I bought a gently used '99 cr125 now i was only 13 yrs old but i loved it!!

I know the feeling my step dad never really like me he made me get a lame bike when all the kids were on RMs and YZs finally I was able to work a deal on my own for a worn out 76 RM 125 it took 175 dollars into it to get it ride able.

Very interesting videos wondering if you can make one on the TS Suzuki's 250 savages They started in 69

That's one of the best descriptions I've heard of the 90' and 91' 250 engines....Those early Honda motors were amazing....Ergos were perfect too...I remember just sitting on them how solid they felt...fit and finish was better than anything available at the time too...They were so good back then..Ahhhh those were the days..Thanks for the video!

Interesting. I was always a Suzuki and Honda man. You seem to have owned a lot of Yamahas along with your Hondas. I always lusted after the Kawasakis.

90 91 CR 250's were awesome . .cept the forks . .

Can you find parts for the 90s 2 strokes pretty easily now days?

I love the colors of the 90s

My lord you don’t look any older than me but obviously you must be being you was riding 250 Elsinores. 47 here and starting to feel it for sure.

Yamahop (shock under the gas tank) = on the pipe the rear end was fine. Off the pipe a rear end square-edged bump could throw you straight up and off and/or forward. Yamaha 250s = great midrange Power. YZ125 was underpowered, but not as bad as an RM125.

I found your channel a few weeks ago and have really been enjoying all the technical details and aspects. You narrate really well and avoid all the BS. I didn’t own a motorcycle until I was 23. Like you, my parents would not allow a motorcycle. I got back to PA from my first 4 years in the Army and bought a BMW F650 a few days later. Since then, Ive been totally addicted. Within a few months, I started working at Bob Logue Honda while attending college and got an awesome history lesson in Japanese motorcycles. I loved that job! My history of bikes now is over 30 units but pales in comparison to your collection, Im sure. I saw you mention the trail 90 and I was curious what you thought about the new Hunter Cub and if you might try to at least ride one and check it out. What do you think of the CRF450L? I recently picked one up and really like it. I also owned one of those 06 KX250s. That thing was fast as hell but was too hard to ride in the woods.

What was the best 90's RM250???

i recognize those 80s kawasaki kdx side panels newhere!!! lol....or was it off the kx..???......on your 78 cr250 that is..... pretty ingenuitive for a youngin to make em work...id imagine u had to make your own screw holes to match up to the hondas frame or maybe they did line up....neways i had a chance to get one of these a month ago needed full restoration but it did run..and he wanted 1500 which was actually pretty fair for what it was but i didnt act fast enough....oh well...lots of barn finds yet to come and plenty of mx bikes in florida where i live since year round riding is do able...so alot of bikes to choose from on marketplace where i live......just missed out on an all original unresdtored yamaha yz250 1994...last year of the old motor and bike was a dime piece but yet again some dude beat me too the punch and offered more than the guy was asking just so he could get it....bastards........i really wanted the 95 neway with the new motor and resonance chamber addition to the variable exhaust valve..and the mid valve forks where better than 94

1967 Ducati 250 Scrambler. Also 350 and 450. 1983 Honda 250xl, 1994 Yama 250, I owned but never drove a c.1969 Hodaka 250 dual sport. Can't recall the model name... Cute names. Had a bunch of Hodaka 100 's.

The good bikes that we need to come back are the torquey, quick handling, cheap to buy, ez to work on and fun bikes to ride like the KDX200/220 and the RD400/RZ350 street bikes. Why deny the people of such great machines?

My first bike was yard sale 78 RM 250 in 1989 lol

I heard somewhere that the reason that RM got a bad rap from Jeremy McGrath was he had a shitty mechanic I heard he only put one of the clutch bearings in instead of both On the actuator and he use the Honda throttle cable that he adapted wouldn’t allow the slide to open all the way on the carb

Couldn't agree more on the handling of early 80s Yamahas. Mine routinely tried to kill me. Luckily i was too young and dumb to know any better😃

Very interesting, I remember back in 2004 I was riding a YZ 85 2002 model and my dad had just bought the same Honda you rode, the 250 4 stroke, the sound was very smooth and cool I remember, and I loved the colors of the bike. Do you know where I can find all time record time laps of different tracks in the US? I am curious if Ricky Carmicheal got faster times on their old 2 strokes compared to modern pros with their 450 4 strokes on the same track. I havent been able to find this on Google or anywhere. I live in Sweden so Im probably not looking or writing the correct things...... If you know and can redirect me I would appreciate it. And what is your personal experience, do the early 00 250 2 stroke have more power than modern 450 4 strokes? What about weight?

We aren’t old, we are seasoned. Love your vids brother. If you ever get the chance, could you do some two strokes with lights(enduro bike) reviews?

What's the deal with some of the bolts on the 2005 YZ250? The heads are circles with circles around the outside.

95 Yz motor was excellent

Not to be an idiot..... but is head shake a more technical term for a death wobble, or tank slapper?

CR250R ruled late 90s - early 00.. before Yamaha YZ450 dominated a decade+ (2-strokes only). Tho RM250 was excellent early mid 00s - discontinued.

For the '06 bikes from fastest to slowest, is it blue, green, yellow?

You mentioned owning the CRF450R but then show and speak on the CRF250R.?

The question is: Do you still have the Fatcat?? Been looking for a nice one for a long time. Great video.

....I bought an 02 RM250 back in 2014 in my late 40s...... I was warned. It's too mental...🤤...I'd rather my 88 CR500 in terms of stuffing around 😎

Have you done 00’s oneal gear yet?

wasnt 1989 the year all 4 japan mx bikes had usd for the first time? unless they actually put it in 1989 to 1990 bikes... i dont remember, great video though!!!

I had an 85 yz 250/and yes they were crazy fast

I went from a 87 yz125 to a 88 YZ490 wow talk about a beast. That bike made me fast come 94 got a new yz250 and I was way faster.

I work in leesburg va do you know anyone that has a 92 cr250 for sale I have a 99 I’m restoring

Love the channel. New sub here! Do you still have any bikes to this day?

If I send you a pic of my bike in truck, what would cost be to make a t shirt out of it? It’s a KLX 300 in a current Toyota Tacoma long bed.

Helleva crash Tony!! We're you okay? Looks like you tweaked your knee or ankle?

Do an offroad video about ur atvs these videos are easy watch thanks for the content

1st the greatcr i had the mr 50 my dads brother was back from Nam bought that bike for me and hi made me climb a huge hill before he allowed me to have it by the time i made the hill my new bike wasn't new anymore that first day made me different looking back now he truly done a noble thing for my riding days yet to come when i saddled the cr 5oo that bike shot out of my arms like a rocket all i could see was plastic flying apart while the bike flew 4o feet through the air in fast summersaults all the while i was partaking them two in slow motion that day my noble uncle that guided my way wasn't there to save my day this was the day i knew that JESUS LOVES MOTORCYCLES ...........................................

Man... Imagine how much money this guy could've saved if he had test rode more bikes before buying them! Great video though

They all gave u YAMATHUMB!!!

How mumble rappers have 1 million subscribers and you don’t is crazy to me

I like 125s better lol

Moral of the story.. Never buy a Suzuki.

I watch your videos and you are doing great videos wise but in this video you are complaining too much. Watch it yourself and I'm sure you will agree

nice opinion too long actually actually you say actually a lot cant make it through

Every bike , every class, every year, every manufacturer all " something didn't feel right " maybe it was time to look in the mirror. Kinda like if you think everyone is a jerk it's probably you lol, any how I just like to see all the bike you talk about.