2000 VS. 2002 CR250

[GASIT426]

I currently own an '02 YZ426 and am wanting to get rid of it for a 2-stroker. I've always been a 4 stroke guy but here recently I've just like riding my buddy's CR a whole lot better. I like the way it handles, rides, ect. Anyways my question is, I was wanting an '02 like his but a guy has offered to trade a clean '00 model for mine. What are the main differences if any between a 2000 CR250 and a 2002 CR250?

[mynewcr250]

just get the 00.

2002 had some issues. case reed engine, suppose to be pretty low on the bottom end, and had air box leaks which caused them to suck in dirt. i have an 00, so im a little biased, but i would honestly just take the 2000. great carb too.

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[dogger315]

I have both. The '00 has the HPP valve engine that started with the '92
CR. It is fairly stout in stock form. The '02 has the RC valve engine
(first year) and was a giant step backward, power and powerband wise.

The '00 has a gen 2 frame which is only marginally better than the crap
gen 1 (97-99) frame while the '02 has a gen 3 frame which turns better,
is less stiff and easier to setup.

Everything else is fairly equal between the two.

If you want to race, you'll need to spend some money to make either
bike competitive against the easier-to-ride-fast four strokes.

dogger

[Beans]

Road a 00 and didn't like it compaired to my 02 the power was a little better on the 00 but hated how wide the frame was compaired to my 02. If u have road an 02 get one u will like the frame a lot better. Not as stiff and as wide.

[ctroger24]

I have a 00 myself and have ridden my buddys 03 and didnt care for as much. I did not like the way the powerband hit and it seemed to lack power compared to my 00. It was narrower and easier too handle, but nothing I couldn't get used to on my 00. I do only ride trails mostly, so it may be different for me than others. But if you do reading, ther do say the 00-01 engine was the best cr engine ever made. My suggestion would be ride them both to compare yourself before making your decision. Its like buying a car only by reading reviews and not test driving it first. Probably not the best idea.

[cr2504life]

I had a 97 cr250 which has basically the same motor as the 00 and the thing was a beast! It felt way faster than my 02. However I am positive that I can ride alot faster on the 02 due to better suspension. IMO the 02 just seems way more controllable.

[KKXR400R]

Get both and drop the 00 motor in the 02 frame....perfect set up.

-Kevin-

[dogger315]

Good idea but very difficult for the avearge rider/racer to accomplish.
When Honda redesigned the motor in '02, they changed the case
width at the rear mounting point (swingarm bolt) and moved every
other mounting boss on the engine in an effort to lower the CG.

It would require quite a bit of fabrication and some decent TIG welding
skills to make the swap. Same thing with the pipe and silencer, a '00-
pipe won't fit an '02 frame without some new bends and removing and
relocating the mounting tabs.

Service Honda is now offering something even better by combining an '01
HPP valve engine (arguably the best ever) with an '09 gen 4 CRF250
frame. In my opinion, this is the bike Honda should have built instead of
pursuing the lame RC valve idea. Unfortunately, the cost of admission is
a cool $10,000.

dogger

[Beans]

See I like tha handleing of my 02 but wish I didn't have the rc motor after riding my buddies 97. His motor rips more then mine but doesn't handle as great IMO.

[KKXR400R]

Originally Posted by dogger315

Good idea but very difficult for the avearge rider/racer to accomplish.
When Honda redesigned the motor in '02, they changed the case
width at the rear mounting point (swingarm bolt) and moved every
other mounting boss on the engine in an effort to lower the CG.

It would require quite a bit of fabrication and some decent TIG welding
skills to make the swap. Same thing with the pipe and silencer, a '00-
pipe won't fit an '02 frame without some new bends and removing and
relocating the mounting tabs.

Service Honda is now offering something even better by combining an '01
HPP valve engine (arguably the best ever) with an '09 gen 4 CRF250
frame. In my opinion, this is the bike Honda should have built instead of
pursuing the lame RC valve idea. Unfortunately, the cost of admission is
a cool $10,000.

dogger

I have flirted with the idea many times. I know of a good welder and who knows.....maybe..... Seems like a huge undertaking but would probably cost alot less then service hondas build. I think I need to start playing the lottery but IF I ever won...I would go with the 500 anyday....

-Kevin-

[dogger315]

I agree, I've dug into this one a lot. Ever since I had my fill of
racing CRFs, I have tried to come up with the "ultimate" CR to
get back to the fun of racing and still be competitive.

I knew the swap would be difficult so the project never got past
the bench racing stage. Imagine my surprise when a friend emailed
me a picture of the Service Honda CR250. I understand the cost
though. Service is buying brand new 2001 CR250 engines and putting
them in brand new 2009 CRF250 bikes. Even at their cost, that engine
is over $3000. Add to that the price of the CRF, the labor for all the
frame changes, the custom pipes by Pro Circuit or FMF - it's an expensive
proposition.

I am currently building a 1993 CR250 (best of the steel frames) and may
have to pick up one of Service Honda's CR500AF before they are gone
for good.

Here is the picture my buddy emailed me of the Service Honda CR250.
I believe it is/was the first one.

dogger