Help explain MotoGP/Moto GP 250?

I've rooted around a bit but not had much luck trying to figure out the
roadracing scene as it stands now. When I quit paying serious
attention back in the mid-80s, Freddie Spencer and Eddie Lawson were
the gods and 500cc was the pinnacle of technology.

Now MotoGP is all four-strokes but I see references to MotoGP 250 as
well, which I'm guessing must be two strokes.

Is there a good FAQ for MotoGP (and, as long as I'm exposing my
ignorance, FIM World Superbike as well) somewhere that my Googling has
missed?

Thanks muchly,

Bob
Rancho Cucamonga, CA USA

 

It's actually really simple.

There used to be 125, 250 and 500cc 2-strokes.

Then in 2002, alongside 125 and 250cc 2 strokes they introduced the
"MotoGP" class of 990cc 4 strokes with a view to replacing the 500cc 2
stroke bikes - 500's and 990's raced together that year. From 2003 the
format has been 125, 250 and MotoGP.

Then (I think in 2005) they added Laguna Seca to the schedule, and
thanks to Californian emissions law, don't take any of the 2 strokes
there.

Next year they're changing the rules again, and the 990cc 4 strokes will
become 880cc 4 strokes, and as far as I know the 2 smaller 2 stroke
classes remain, except for the US round.

 

Maybe back in the olden days, or something. I don't know about that
stuff, so want to leave Champ and Bear something to talk about.

 

If I may say so, perfect timing Sir.

 

No idea, but I doubt it.

 

Ahh, OK.

I seem to recall 2 strokes *are* illegal in Califonia though.

 

ginge said...

IIRC only the sale of new 2-strokes is illegal, even for off-road
useage. You can still run a previously registered or older off-road 2-
stroke in California.

 

Bear said...

My friend Jay Mendoza has a 250 YPVS, that he specially imported from
Japan, in Southern California. He also has a huge range of other RDs
that he's collected over many years, all of which are on Cali plates.

Good plan, what's the use of having a tame Septic if he won't come up
with answers when needed.

 

Bear said...

The 350 YPVS was sold in California for a very short time, but the 250
wasn't. The original 4L1/4LO 250/350LCs didn't make it there or anywhere
else in the USA either. None of them were deemed capable of passing the
emmissions tests so were never imported. The 350YPVS was a far more
efficient engine and did manage to scrape through, but by then the death
knell had been sounded on strokers in California. There are a few LCs in
the States that have been pulled in from Canada on aircooled RD papers,
so they are a bit dodgy on the old registration front.

Jay's the man when it comes to anything 2-stroke related, his knowledge
of RDs humbles me. I used to supply him with hard to get hold of bits
for his more 'obscure in the US' bikes.

 

Champ said...

Wrong.

You can't buy any 2-troke machinery anywhere in California any more.
That's not just road or off-road bikes, but race bikes and even garden
strimmers, lawn mowers etc.

 

Yet another reason to hate America, heh. There are no street legal 2
strokes (not counting scooters 50cc and mopeds ) sold in the States. There
are a few off road 2 strokes for sale, mostly mx racers. Their days are
numbered, as are 2 stroke outboard boat motors and snowmobiles, and weed
wackers. This is why I keep my 1970s Jap trail bikes.

Several racers / track day guys here in Utah run 2 stroke track bikes, some
kind of race ready Yamaha (think modern RD 350), water cooled and safety
wired.

I love watching the 125s and 250s, there is nothing like it in the states.
Road racing starts at 600cc. Nothing really for a dad or granddad to
introduce a young lad into the world of road racing. Unlike the mx crowd...
Hell we have minature stock cars and dragsters for the young ones, but
nothing street related for motorcycles.

Personally, I'd love to see 125s and 250s live, I know they have faster
corner speeds than the MotoGP guys.

Bryan

 

True, everything was banned. Well almost, I still see the occasional
2-stroke bike ring-dinging (love that smell) down the road. 4-stroke
off-road requires an off-road registration and special permit to run in
national forest areas.

 

I don't think you can buy a 2-stroke bike anywhere in the US now.

 

Muddy will be arranging an air strike on you shortly ...

... I'm only worried coz if it's handled by the US military it might
well fall on me instead.

<considers 60 notice to quit house>

BRING IT ON!!!

[/QUOTE]

<rings Blaney>

 

Yes, I've seen some really sweet looking 2-strokes on the road. One was
a triple Jap bike, but I can't remember the make.

 

From what I have heard, it's a bitch to get a 4-stroke out of state bike
registered here. I think it's almost impossible to get a 2-stroke into
the state. I have seen a few 'restored' 2-strokes though.

 

FYYFF

 

I looked at a few web sites and see Honda still make 2-strokes. But I've
not seen one in a local dealer. I'll have to phone a mate.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Bear

Cordite.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

Fifties, 125, 250, 350 and 500, plus sidecars.
--
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