Switching to Bikes

[Honda4life05]

Hey guys, I've finally decided to get rid of the ol 450r, and get a bike. I'm working full time and dont have much time to race mx, so it just sits. I'm looking for a good bike to ride trails with, may try the track but def won"t race on a bike. What are some good bikes out there? And what should i stay away from? I'm pretty open to either a 2 or 4 stroke, but nothing as big as a 450. I'm 6ft. if that matters. I want something big enough so it'll have plenty of power, but i dont want to kill myself. Any input? thanks for your help

[HondaRacing83]

250f or ktm350

[Honda4life05]

What brand is a 250f? I have no clue when it comes to bikes, I'm a quad guy.

[exrider12]

A 250f is the 4 stroke 250cc class of bikes.
Kawi makes the Kx250f
Honda makes the Crf250r or Crf250x
Yamaha makes the Yz250f or Wr250f
Suzuki makes the Rmz250
Ktm makes the Sx-f250

These are probably your best choices. How much do you weigh?

[01boneless]

kawi 250f is a great trail and mx bike stock and they pull pretty hard. BUT my buddie owns one and he has to change the clutch plates every 3 rides and basket every 10. idk he may just be hard on a clutch or dosent use it right becuase iv never seen it happen on another bike like it :huh but anywho yami has a yz 125 2 smoke i realy like two but once again im not a expert on bikes at all and 2 strokes and 4 strokes are a totaly diffrent story imho also there is the cfr250 great bike also

[CJM]

I much prefer honda.

[HondaPohl]

Don't cross over to the dark side!!!!!!!

[BlasterEaten250]

If you go 2 stroke for the trails, skip the 125 and go to a 250. I love my 125 but you are either on the pipe or not going anywhere.

If I did it all over again I'd get a 250 2 stroke or more than likely a 250f.

[finsteratv]

250 2 stroke. I ride a 125 but im only 150lbs. its weird to get use to a bike and 2 strke but once you do you'll love it.

[blacknblue#2]

I made the switch about a year ago. I dunno how much you have rode a bike but dont give up on it. I hadnt owned a bike since the late 90s when i was a kid i had a CR80. Most of my life was all 4 wheels and i hated a bike when i first switched back. I dunno how heavy you are and its none of my business but i sold my full mx 450R and went with a CRF450. Im 230 and glad i went with the 450 bike. I wont lie i was scared of it at first but that didnt last but only about 45 minutes. Trail riding a 450 will climb anything at any time. No clutching and having to get a run at things. The 250s ive rode remind me of a 2 stroke and have to be wound tight to produce power. On the mx side of things its awesome. One of my good friends has 90 ft tripple out of a curve, I can jump that jump all day long in 1st gear, needless to say im wide open in first but anyone thats spend any time on a 450 bikes knows you can do whatever you want on an MX track in 1st and 2nd. My passion is still on quads but my body aint in the shape it once was and a bike is so much more forgiving on everything. I can ride all day and barely feel it the next morning. My last year on a quad if i rode all day i was laid up for 3 haha

[Honda4life05]

I weigh 155. I'm thinking a 250 is about as big as I want to go, I had ridden them before just need more practice, I may put a thump throttle on. But there arent any bad bikes out there? I would prly get something around an 05

[buck440]

01+ CR250R a lot if not most 2 strokes need to be ridden like your on the tweak to get it in the powerband. if you just cruise on one you'll foul plugs like crazy. there is a night and day diff and then some between 2 and 4 strokes. i don't think it's possible to regret getting a 250 2 stroke.

maby, just maby think about a pretty worked up esr trx250r?
it's the best of both worlds kinda.

[Tommy Warren]

i just got an 04 crf250r and its got more power then I'll ever need. its an awesome bike

[finsteratv]

Originally posted by Tommy Warren
i just got an 04 crf250r and its got more power then I'll ever need. its an awesome bike Nice man! if you dont mind, how much did you pick it up for?

[01boneless]

Originally posted by Tommy Warren
i just got an 04 crf250r and its got more power then I'll ever need. its an awesome bike

those graphics are so sick!

[smr]

I have road just about everything out there the KTM fits me best. I have a DRZ400 and a KTM400exc. That ktm handles like a dream.

[Exrider434]

Switched to bikes this year and never looked back. Strictly Mx racing though trail riding puts too much wear on the tires and chain and sprockets and such compared to one day of motos. The 4 strokes are where it's at these days, easy to maintain, easy to ride. Ive got a crf250f and I love it

[woodsman250r]

Skip all of the 250f's, and go check out a KTM 200 or 250 XC or XC-W. Those bikes are as close to perfect as you can get for a woods and MX bike. I have a 200 XC and a CRF 250X, and the 200 blows it away. The pros of a 2 stroke are being lighter, easier to handle, a blast to ride, cheap to maintain, doesn't require 6 hours to rebuild a top end, not loud and obnoxious, and are ten times easier to start! Plus if you go with a KTM XC you get a large capacity gas tank, hand guards, fat bars, enduro tuned suspension, option of e start and linkage if you go with a newer model, and 18 rear rim. I have no idea why everyone tries to push to get a 250f like they are the bike of the century, but don't buy into that hype. Read this link for more information on the KTM 250 XC, http://twostrokemotocross.com/2010/12/2011-ktm-250-xc-the-ideal-off-road-bike/ Personally, you can't go wrong with either the 200 or 250.

[Tommy Warren]

Originally posted by finsteratv
Nice man! if you dont mind, how much did you pick it up for? I got it for 3 grand which is about normal in canada. I bough it from a friend who bought it new and rode it twice a year :)

[Tommy Warren]

Originally posted by 01boneless
those graphics are so sick!

thanks it was my first graphics kit install and my hands where shaking the whole time but i got all the bubbles out and it turned out nice on the new plastics

[finsteratv]

Thats actually pretty good! i thought about getting one but heard the valves are a pain, how they holding up for you? It definately is somthing new to learn but mannnnnn its fun!

[KingpinsEx]

I don't have alot of experience as far as the different years, or which models are better, but I a rode a honda crf 250 and was VERY impressed. It was lightweight and pulls like a 450. I don't think you would be disappointed switching to any 250 four stroke, they are pretty awesome.

[KXRida]

a 250f is a good overall, very usable bike. I honestly preferred riding my 250f's over my 450's. Just a fun general bike to ride.

Makes me miss my bikes. After owning all the 250f's, I can say I liked my kxf the most. I had the general valve issues with the crf, rmz wasn't a bad bike, yzf was a great overall bike as well. Never had an issue with either my kxf or yzf.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z152/Rmrider125/029-4.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z152/Rmrider125/kxf7.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z152/Rmrider125/kxf6.jpg

At least some kid got a hell of a deal on that bike. I only had a little over 15 hours on it from a complete rebuild.

[kono993]

im on both sides and its sick got an 05 crf450r stock and a worked 05 trx450r built for xc its nice to try somthing new all the time :D