I like a 24" on a 372. I have a 28" and it's a bit heavy for my liking... I should have gotten a 28" lightweight bar. My 372 tends to be my goto saw for ground work when doing a tree job w/ my bro. What I like about the 24" bar is I just know where the bar is when cutting things up -- I can judge and know when to stop a cut before hitting ground or a rock or whatever.... just so used to 24" on 372.
My 262XP is 1991 that came with KS cylinder and HDA87 carb. It really sings and w/ a 20" bar is just so much fun to dog in and let it rotate on the dog through the wood.
Makes big chips and it is simply a blast to run. I set it for high 13's or 14K and she just rips.
Right now mine developed a bogging issue -- it's been running after port work by Randy for a couple years now. I also had Al repair a boo boo for me (a case half was damaged) and at the same time Al converted it to clutch driven oiler which is a nice upgrade. I have a carb kit and need to check a few things and if it is the carb as I suspect, install the kit.
Many say that a ported 262XP can eliminate the need for a 70cc saw.
I've also run a bone stock 262 that is a 1990 model with KS cylinder and it came with and 87, but the owner put a 120 on it before the sale -- which was fine. I totally understand him saving the 87 for other projects -- especially if you get a 262 ported. From what I understand a stock 262 w/ 120 or 87 you won't see a difference. It was still an absolute pleasure to run. That saw I helped out a friend who was looking for a decent saw for campground maintenance and when it came up for sale I figured perfect. That one I set at about 13,500 and she was also a pleasure to run. 20" bar on that too.
You guys when you get these 262s from Dan you will enjoy them. I know there is a lot of hype about 262s -- they are a great saw. I really don't see many guys complain about them... even the die hard Stihl guys. Al
@drf256 is a Stihl guy for sure, but Al makes an exception for 262s -- he likes them. Al has had a lot of success with 262s just like he does with the 026.
Cheers.