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What color for new bike? (250 4t)

timpearson26

timpearson26

New member
Joined
Mar 13, 2007
Location
San Jose
Moto(s)
2008 WR 250, 2003 CRF 150
Well, I finally sold my truck and now have money for a new bike. I currently ride a 97 yz 250 2 stroke. This last weekend I rode my buddies 06' crf 250x. I couldn't believe how easy it was to ride. I was instantly faster on his bike than on mine. It has convinced me to buy a new 4t. Now I just have to pick which one.

I really liked the Honda but I have just heard so many bad things about their valves. (plus I hate their web site, does anybody else agree on that?)

The Honda is the only one I have ridden. I will try and get my hands on the other colors before I make a purchase. The WR seems nice but it is quite a bit heavier than the Honda. And I still have to look into the Kawi and Suzuki.

It seems like Honda and Yamaha's are the most popular makes out there. I hardly ever see a green or yellow bike. There must be a reason for that.

If anybody has some personal input that would be nice, especially on the kawasaki or suzuki.

Thanks.

Tim
 
timpearson26 said:
Well, I finally sold my truck and now have money for a new bike. I currently ride a 97 yz 250 2 stroke. This last weekend I rode my buddies 06' crf 250x. I couldn't believe how easy it was to ride. I was instantly faster on his bike than on mine. It has convinced me to buy a new 4t. Now I just have to pick which one.

I really liked the Honda but I have just heard so many bad things about their valves. (plus I hate their web site, does anybody else agree on that?)

The Honda is the only one I have ridden. I will try and get my hands on the other colors before I make a purchase. The WR seems nice but it is quite a bit heavier than the Honda. And I still have to look into the Kawi and Suzuki.

It seems like Honda and Yamaha's are the most popular makes out there. I hardly ever see a green or yellow bike. There must be a reason for that.

If anybody has some personal input that would be nice, especially on the kawasaki or suzuki.

Thanks.

Tim
Click to expand...

1) Faster doesn't necessarily mean more skilled, especially if you ride off road.
Getting through the nasty stuff is what's important. 4-strokes are easier
to ride, though. So are quads :p

2) The WR may be heavier, but there are always compromises. The Yamahas
have proven themselves extremely reliable. I have an `01 WR250f and an
`02 WR426 in my garage, both bought brand new, and they've been as
reliable as any bike I've owned. No valve issues whatsoever. They're both
plated and the 426 gets ridden hard on the street all the time. The 250
did, as well, for a very short time.

3) How many GasGas dirtbikes have you seen on the trails? They make one
of the best off-road worthy bikes on the market, but you hardly ever
see one. Does that mean they aren't good bikes? No. It means people are
afraid of buying something that isn't advertised to death in every dirt mag,
or a bike that a lot of riders aren't getting paid to ride, or they want to be
like their buddies (can't tell you how many times I see a group of friends
riding together and they're all on Hondas, KTMs, Yamahas, or whatever)
Sometimes people are afraid they won't get parts for that exotic bike.
The CRF250X is a very nice looking bike...that might have something to
do with it, too:laughing

Go over to ThumperTalk and do some research, see what people are saying about each flavor, and go out into the buying world armed to the teeth with information. Every bike made today is very good quality, but they all have different strengths and weaknesses. Go with what suits your needs/wallet
the best, regardless of what others are doing.

Good luck in your search.

WoodsChick
 
if you like the 250X, you will love the 450X....and you should buy it.....done and done
 
tootall424 said:
if you like the 250X, you will love the 450X....and you should buy it.....done and done
Click to expand...

Of course he should buy the 450X...because you have one, right?

(You see what I'm saying, timpearson26?)

The original poster has already gone on record (in a previous post) saying he isn't comfortable with the power of the 250 2-stroke and wants something a little easier to manage. He has made a mature decision to go with a 250 4-stroke. His skills will improve faster on the 250 than they will on the
450, and that's what it's all about. The more you know, the more fun you'll have.


WoodsChick
 
I think the 450X is a great bike to start on. You can lug it around, you dont have to constantly clutch it, and in stock form it is very docile. The power is very linear compared to a 250 2-stroke. I would stay away from the 250X because the valve issues are much more prevalent in that engine than the 450X engine. You will grow out of the 250X and wish you had bought the 450 in the first place...

I dont think he should get it simply because I have one, but of all the bikes I have ridden, its just as good or better than most.

I did foray into some other brands, but im back to honda, and as much as people are critical of their bikes, I think they make some of the best bikes (and engines).

I bleed red, so that is what I ride....

Here are some comparisons of the 250 4-stroke MX bikes:
2008: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=5674
2007: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4489
2006: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=2796
 
Last edited:
The new Honda valvetrain is very reliable. Old XR's with their RFVC heads were prone to meltdown, the new stuff rocks. Put 3 years on my CRF before one of the intake valves started to get pounded and I had to spend $200 to replace both intake valves and have all the seats cut. I'm more than happy to spend $200 on maintenance every 3 years!

I personally ride a YZ250 and a CRF250. The CRF is easier to ride, makes me feel like a hero, but is just not as fast as the YZ. But as long as the track is fairly flat and doesn't have any big triples, the CRF is a great bike. If you want a trail bike (CRFX or WR) then stick with the Yam or Honda. If you don't want your bike detuned, then pick any color.
 
Thanks for the replies. I actually rode that same day my friends 06' 450x. I did not like it compared to the 250. Keep in mind I only rode both bikes for about 5 minutes each, but I felt like the 450 was noticeably heavier, and I also thought the engine breaking of the 450 was overwhelming. (but thats probably b/c I ride a 2-stroke, although I thought the 250x's engine breaking was nice.)

I think it will come down to how good of a deal I can get on either bike. My friend got his 06' 250x for about $5k from OTD cycles in oakland. I will probably wait around for a little while and just shop around.
 
I have been looking at the honda crf 230f. My wife has a 150f, it is practically the same bike but for an adult.

What I like about it:

Waaaaaaaay cheaper. I've seen 06's with a few mods for about $2500.
Low maintenance. Air-cooled bike, with VERY low maintenance. (this is a big puls for me b/c I don't have a garage)
Good aftermarket support
Fits the type of riding I do

Tim
 
The CRF230 is a good trail bike. You can ride the bike and go anywhere on it. However if you are an average size guy you will go every where slower than on a 250cc 2stroke or a 400cc 4stroke bike in your same $2500 price range. Hell I can go just about everywhere on my XR100 that I can on my CR500. Just the ease or speed which I reach my destination changes.

The CRF230 is good if you are riding with people on a similar bike or with children. Other than that is is a good bike for someone who is <130lbs and shorter than 5'7" tall.
 
Roadstergal said:
Slydrite's '98 XRL, which has 20,000 hard miles, never had a problem.
Click to expand...


Aye...I know lots of folks that have put tons of hard miles on their XR's and not a one of them has ever had problems. I would have to say the XR's were one of the most reliable models ever put out by any company. Too bad Honda decided to replace them with the CRF line, instead of selling both.


WoodsChick
 
I use a 450x,as a boat ancer:twofinger:rofl

Go red and I dont mean Honda:wtf
http://www.husqvarnausa.com/

The TE250 street leagle
The TXC250 the MX motor with the TE tranny and a starter
TC250 MX bike

The more we ride our Husky's the more I'm impressed with the bikes.I have a TC510 and a TC250,Both 07's.These are green sticker MX bikes.They come a little lean out of the box so re-jetting will be the 1st thing you need to do.What ever they do to get the hi performance bike in to the states is ok with me,re-jetting is kinda easy anyways.

I love the power of my 510 and its still one of the lighest big bore thumper bikes on the market.They also make more power then the compatition.
I got the 250 diled and I can turn faster laps on my single track with the 250 then on my 510,I weigh 210lb.Its light and has good power.Both bikes start with in 3 kicks even when they are hot.I even lay my bike down to help someone and when I pick it up to start it,no problems 1st or 2nd kick.
In the last 7 years I've had 1 94 ktm250sx smoker,2 kdx200's,1 KX500,1 04 wr450,a 05 ktm250sx smoker and now the Huskys.
I'll always a place in my heart for the kdx200,great bike to learn on.The 05ktm250 I could fly on that bike but things like log crossings or root step ups where a little more of a challenge.The whole slipping the clutch to muster up the power for obsticals,Sometimes its to much or not enough,kinda a crap shoot.Never know what your going to get but nothing handles like that 250sx.
My 510 is a little more to through around in the tight single track but just eats obsticals and hill climbs,makes life easy on the trail.
I havent taken the tc250 on a ride,only around my track and it does have obsticals.
IMGP2808.jpg

Its hard to see but this is just a little section of a tough rooted/rutted out part of our track.Thats the easy part and my son standing at the top.

A couple kids going over our small table top,enjoing the pit bike track we built for them.
IMGP2831.jpg


I ride every weekend ether on my track or out on the trails.
Husky rules:p
 
New Honda's do not have the Valve problems or you could get the 450 and there want not any issues. Or go with Yamaha. They both rock all around!
 
barefootbob said:
I use a 450x,as a boat ancer:twofinger:rofl

Go red and I dont mean Honda:wtf
http://www.husqvarnausa.com/

The TE250 street leagle
The TXC250 the MX motor with the TE tranny and a starter
TC250 MX bike

The more we ride our Husky's the more I'm impressed with the bikes.I have a TC510 and a TC250,Both 07's.These are green sticker MX bikes.They come a little lean out of the box so re-jetting will be the 1st thing you need to do.What ever they do to get the hi performance bike in to the states is ok with me,re-jetting is kinda easy anyways.

I love the power of my 510 and its still one of the lighest big bore thumper bikes on the market.They also make more power then the compatition.
I got the 250 diled and I can turn faster laps on my single track with the 250 then on my 510,I weigh 210lb.Its light and has good power.Both bikes start with in 3 kicks even when they are hot.I even lay my bike down to help someone and when I pick it up to start it,no problems 1st or 2nd kick.
In the last 7 years I've had 1 94 ktm250sx smoker,2 kdx200's,1 KX500,1 04 wr450,a 05 ktm250sx smoker and now the Huskys.
I'll always a place in my heart for the kdx200,great bike to learn on.The 05ktm250 I could fly on that bike but things like log crossings or root step ups where a little more of a challenge.The whole slipping the clutch to muster up the power for obsticals,Sometimes its to much or not enough,kinda a crap shoot.Never know what your going to get but nothing handles like that 250sx.
My 510 is a little more to through around in the tight single track but just eats obsticals and hill climbs,makes life easy on the trail.
I havent taken the tc250 on a ride,only around my track and it does have obsticals.
IMGP2808.jpg

Its hard to see but this is just a little section of a tough rooted/rutted out part of our track.Thats the easy part and my son standing at the top.

A couple kids going over our small table top,enjoing the pit bike track we built for them.
IMGP2831.jpg


I ride every weekend ether on my track or out on the trails.
Husky rules:p
Click to expand...

Man that is sweet, you have a track at your house? I would be out there every day!:ride

I never considered the Huskys, are they more expensive (to buy/fix). I'll browse their website.

Thanks for the tip.

Tim
 
timpearson26 said:
I have been looking at the honda crf 230f. My wife has a 150f, it is practically the same bike but for an adult.

What I like about it:

Waaaaaaaay cheaper. I've seen 06's with a few mods for about $2500.
Low maintenance. Air-cooled bike, with VERY low maintenance. (this is a big puls for me b/c I don't have a garage)
Good aftermarket support
Fits the type of riding I do

Tim
Click to expand...

All your reasons for getting the CRF230 sound very, well...reasonable.
Keep in mind, though, that the suspension will feel woefully inadequate after riding your YZ. Also, the 230 weighs 13lbs more than the 250X, but with much less power (and a rear drum brake.) I like the physical size of the 230, it fits me perfectly (5'1") but there's no way a bike that small should weigh that much.

On the other hand, I have a friend that worked for the USFS in Utah inventorying trails. He now works for the BLM in Colorado doing the same thing. Anyway, they gave him a CRF230 for work and he had nothing but good things to say about the bike. He rides an XR400 like a trials bike through some of the gnarliest terrain you've ever seen (he can almost ride 5 Miles Of Hell without dabbing) and he said the 230 took him everywhere he wanted to go. It wasn't exciting, it didn't excel at anything in particular, it did nothing to hone skills, it was just rock solid and reliable, if a bit heavy. If you're just looking to ride around with your wife (a very noble endeavour, by the way:thumbup) and do some scenic mellow riding, the CRF would probably suit your needs just fine. I would try to ride one first before you buy one, though.


WoodsChick
 
thanks for the reply woodschick. I decided against the 230f. I almost got a 250x but it didn't work out. Fremont Honda Kawasaki was selling a NEW 06' 250x for $4299 OTD. I missed it, oh well. Anyway, I think I decided to get the 250x, i'll just end up paying a little more than that for it.

Tim
 
I was talking to a couple guys on the Husky fourm at thumpertalk that where willing to sale there bikes.
One guy had a 06 tc450,never rode it and was willing to take $4500.
The 08's are all new design so some people are wanting to get the newer bike so that means you can probly get a good deal on the 06,07 Husky.
Go to that site and start asking questions and someone will probly pm you wanting to sell you there bike.
For the best prices on a new bike call motoXotica or Modesto Ducati.Both places sale these bikes otd for less then msrp.NEVER go to the Sacramento dealer they will rip you off with there used car sales bs.
MSRP on my bikes would have been 14k before tax and licens.I got mine for 12k otd and thats for 2 bikes.
Still some 07 smokers out there for under 5k.

Husqvarna's are more expensive but then they have lots of goodies stock like KTM's.
 
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