My impressions of the MS 201T

I hate my MS261

I currently have 3 - 200s I run. I love, and hate them.

What I have been finding is that they have been getting progressively harder to use and performance has dropped. Two of the 200s have had new carbs after the dealer could not fix them.

The answer to all the problems that I have presented to the dealer and Stihl rep is GAS. Every dealer, of every brand, now claims gas is not made well and you must use the highest octance available and ensure that there is no ethanol content as well as buying from a high volume station where tank contamination is not a concern.

Are the new 201s good or bad, or are the new carbs so touchy that a slight change in fuel causes problems?
 
Aha, good reports from both Jeremy and Mark. I will be getting one for sure. Still using my two 200t's which are in good condition so now I have to replace the ole 192 with a 201t. I feel confident I will like it.
cool.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've read some very positive things over at AS about how well a modded 201 performs.

[/ QUOTE ] Perhaps from one person Del. Kinda funny just last weekend I saw that person and for some reason have never seen that saw .Might have something to do with the fact I have one of the fastest 200T's in the country .He does however have a very fast 441 .
 
[ QUOTE ]
I may resort to video tapings of my use to better demonstrate what I am doing and seeing concerning the new saw.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is a call to Chisholm Helmet Cam. A new YouTube channel perhaps? I recommend the Drift HD but others really like the GOPro.

Don't tease now Mark...you got me excited.
happydance.gif
The few videos that have made it onto YouTube of your training is great. You have a gift in teaching.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've read some very positive things over at AS about how well a modded 201 performs.

[/ QUOTE ] Perhaps from one person Del. Kinda funny just last weekend I saw that person and for some reason have never seen that saw .Might have something to do with the fact I have one of the fastest 200T's in the country .He does however have a very fast 441 .

[/ QUOTE ]

Donny Walker has done similar mods to 201's.....including Reg Coates' saw.

Someday, I'll do some vid's of my worker's 201, which is running quite well these days, but still bone stock, and compare it to my latest muffler modded 2139T. If it can hang close it will be impressive, as my Elux ported saws are screamers.

I totally respect Mark and his opinion of the new saw....further, Wesspur's niceguyDave feels that the saw is faster in the cut than a 200T...
 
Which helmet mfr will design and release the first integrated HD vid cams into a sleek stylish climbing helmet?

I'd pay premium coin for one, provided it's well vented and ANSI approved.

jomoco
 
My 201 is Factory specs modded. But could someone explain me why it's necessary to mod a saw to make it a reasonable performing saw? Shouldn't a good saw perform brilliant stock factory brand new? Or is that too much to ask these days.
 
[ QUOTE ]


I totally respect Mark and his opinion of the new saw....further, Wesspur's niceguyDave feels that the saw is faster in the cut than a 200T...

[/ QUOTE ] Yeah I read what Dave said and I'm not doubting Mark .What I'm implying is I've never seen a 201T out cut a 200T .

The one everybody wants to rave about as my buddy Danny,Del Treeco refered to might have cut nearly as fast as a average running 200T . Now that praticuler saw was redone by a fellow Ohioan had the muffler reworked and the timing bumped a few degrees which did improve it some what I will agree .

However as another poster pointed out why does it become nessessary to rework a brand new saw ? I only do so because I like to and they certainly are not brand new .Quite frankly on that design I wouldn't have clue where to even start.
 
"But could someone explain me why it's necessary to mod a saw to make it a reasonable performing saw?"

Again, I haven't run the new 201 yet, but from what I've heard, they've worked out the bugs in the newest ones, and you have a great saw right out of the box.

The above quotation from Treespotter reminds me of some arbs who say that they can get a chain sharper than the manufacturer with their kickazz hand-filing techniques. Maybe that is true, but I do ask them this - does that mean you sharpen chains before you've ever ran them, right off the spool? You're telling me the chain isn't good enough when you get it, and that you immediately sharpen it before it ever touches wood?

It just rings untrue to me to say that the new 201t, with the bugs fixed (opinions from two reputable dealers I trust) is not good UNTIL you mod it.

All saws will probably perform better (maybe faster is a better adjective) if modded, but at what cost? More noise pollution, more air pollution, life-span shortened, etc?
 
I have never timed a cut yet, but do watch and listen to my saw and the other guys climbing along side me all day and feel that they are in the same range one way or the other. I am told that all STIHL dealers are encouraged to run time tests for themselves and form their own opinions. What I was told by someone that compiles that info is that every test comes in with the 201 doing better in timed cuts. Maybe it's time for you to try that Roger? Or maybe someone else here?

The one thing that I am liking a lot about the saw is that I have not yet had a single issue with the saw. Not one loose muffler bolt, not an on/off switch, handle bushing....nothing. I will keep you all posted if something changes.

Casey, thanks a bunch for the nice compliment. I will see if I can make that request happen.
cool.gif
 
I am a Husky man when it comes to ground saws but the 020 and 200t have always been no brainer buys when it came to my climbing saws. I ran a 338 for a year and a half when I had to buy one in a pinch and it was very dependable even though it was slightly down on power compared to Stihl. I picked up a 201t about six months ago when my last 200 and 338 laid down. Unfortunately, it has been pretty disappointing.

At first I thought it was the break in period, but no more. It seems like the saw never warms up during a removal and the first thing it does when I pull the trigger is fall on its face. I thought it was a carb issue but I have tried to tweak it to no avail. I don't mind if the saw doesn't "scream" even though I did like the power of the 200, but I can't tolerate a moody saw at 70'. Smaller issues are the On/off switch (somewhat temper mental) and the chain brake which I can no longer lock quickly with my left wrist on the far side of the guard. When I try it just torques, leaving me with a spinning chain when the cut is over and the piece is falling into the rigging. I have to react quickly to kill the saw or re-position my hand. This was not an issue with the 200 or 338.

Husky is pretty disappointing also with the 10 year release of the 540 but if they haven't come out with it by Spring, I will go back to a 338 no problem.

If nothing else, Stihl has taken a step down from the "automatic choice" IMO. It was a good run though...
 
[ QUOTE ]
I hate my MS261

I currently have 3 - 200s I run. I love, and hate them.

What I have been finding is that they have been getting progressively harder to use and performance has dropped. Two of the 200s have had new carbs after the dealer could not fix them.

The answer to all the problems that I have presented to the dealer and Stihl rep is GAS. Every dealer, of every brand, now claims gas is not made well and you must use the highest octance available and ensure that there is no ethanol content as well as buying from a high volume station where tank contamination is not a concern.

Are the new 201s good or bad, or are the new carbs so touchy that a slight change in fuel causes problems?

[/ QUOTE ]


We only use the synthetic mix. Expensive, but worth it.
Jeff
 
Been running 10 bucks a gallon 100 octane racing fuel with Stihl's silver bottled synthetic mix for over a month or so now, and I ain't goin back no how no way.

All my saws love it until death do them part.

Now if I could just run as well as my saws!

jomoco
 
I use it, and Stihl doubles your warranty on any saw if you buy a 6 pack with the saw purchase. There has to be something to it.
 
I appreciate the lower air and noise pollution.

Whatever horsepower differences there are, I don't mind, either way.

What annoys me about the 201 is the low end power- the long delay (or sometimes the refusal) of the chain to accelerate.

Anyone else? Am I missing some tweak?

Thanks
 
Can't wait to get my new 201t as I truly believe it has to do with GAS ( existance of ethenol ) and type of oil being used. Could be wrong but I have 2 newish 200t's so it won't hurt me either way. I will find out firsthand.
 
Bummer the avenue to get the saw out of the States fell through ( was trying to get it duty free ). Will have to wait on my saw shop to get it will then pay twice as much as the $630 US it cost up there. Awe well, I still got my two newish 200T's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom