CRF450 vs CR250

[finsteratv]

Hey guys, as some of you might know I also have a CR125 but in the sand it moves okay but I'd like somthing that can pick up the front end in the sand..Plus im growing and a 125 doesnt work great in the sand to start. Overall I cant decide between a CRF450 and CR250..for the same year theyre about the same price..I like having a light bike I can flick around and love 2strokes..but then again im thinking a 450 might be good since they have gobs of torque and power like my TRX. Im worried that with a CRF the motor will go on me and being a freshmen in highschool a 1200$ motor rebuild isnt exactly affordable..Plus alot of people have 4strokes..2 smokes are unique! But with the 4 stroke It would probably be better in the woods and i wouldnt have to tune as much and no more gas mixing or anything. What do you all think? I'm 6 foot about 155 pounds and very athletic, 3 sports a year so im lean and mean. The 125 is great since its light but I would really like more torque for woods and power for sand..but not alot of weight.

heres me on my 125 earlier in the year, as you can see i fit it well.

[CJM]

Buddy of mine rides the sand with us and has a CRF250. It seems to have plenty of power for him and hes about 150lbs. Another guy has a kawi 450 bike and man that suckers got some power.

Your call really, Id do a 4 stroke myself.

[finsteratv]

I was actually considering a CRF250 but the more I've heard it seems like they arent great in the sand since they need the piss rev'd out of them..4 strokes and reving arent great usually haha

[8686]

Definitely go with the CR250. It's ligher, more fun to ride in the sand, and much easier and cheaper to maintain.

[quad2xtreme]

If you were a beginner I'd say a 250 but since you are an experienced rider, I'd go with the 450.

I've had a 2010 Honda CRF250R for 3-4 months now and there are times that I could use a bit more power. My Baldwin powered 450r could definitely beat the bike on several uphill sections at the track I frequent. The guy I bought the bike from (a quad convert too) had it for 6 months before selling to me so he could get a 450 bike. He rides quite a bit on a sand mx track and wanted more umph. All this said, we are in the 190-200 lbs range.

/Jon

[finsteratv]

I think i might go with the CR..jus due to the fact I can pay for multiple pistons but i dont really want a 450 hand grenade even though im sure not all of them are as bas as people make them up to be. Both of my neighbors who are older guys have been riding since they were tiny and one has abuilt CR250 and the other a KTM505 factory bike. The KTM is a beast in the sand but it seems like so much smooth power is almost boring..but I dont really like the idea of me being 155 on a 250 pound bike..Might as well go try some out.

[quad janern]

Definitely go with the CR250. It's ligher, more fun to ride in the sand, and much easier and cheaper to maintain.

x2 !!!!

I ride a Cr250 myself and man that bike is awesome. Plenty of power, reliable and fun!!:macho

[quad2xtreme]

ignore my post...I read too quickly and thought you were choosing between 250 and 450 4-strokes. Was basically saying you wouldn't be happy with the power of 250 4-stroke in the sand.

[01boneless]

250 without a doubt. ur to small to thro around a 450 and wait till u pay to rebuild a 450 WOW. cr250's will freakin move!

[finsteratv]

Looks more and more like 250 to me..and I can ride my friends dads KTM fine and handle it but not like I can throw my CR, But if i wanted I think I could ride a big 4 stroker. I'm getting pics of a 2003 CR250 thats mostly stock so we'll see how it all goes!

[buck440]

cr250r if it's 01+

[finsteratv]

Originally posted by buck440
cr250r if it's 01+
I hate all the other frames previous to that and I demand an aluminum frame haha

[buck440]

Originally posted by finsteratv
I hate all the other frames previous to that and I demand an aluminum frame haha

if i could do it again i would get the 02? which had the newer frame all the way up to 07. plus the newer gen cr had soooo many more graphics and little parts available than the 01.

no matter what the 2 stroke will always be cheaper and easier to build, rebuild and repair than the 4 stroke. some people say the only downside is you have to mix oil/gas to ride a 2 stroke, to me it's like turning down selena gomez if she said you had to wear a rubber, that's just crazy.

[HondaRacing83]

I'm back on my bike want streak again lol. I'll prob gonna pick up a Cr125. one with an alum frame of course. but i have to dump about 350 more into my 400, then buy some new a stars. then i have to buy a new tv for my room, and i want a futon in the worst way. ive got to spend like $800 more before i can start saving for a dbike lol. luckily ill have all that in a month with flippin ipods and stuff. startin a job soon so ill have a steady income, i should have my bike by summer. hopefully i wont get bored with a 125's power as fast you did austin lol

[finsteratv]

Haha It's just fine in the woods except not much torque so you have to know what you're doing..now damn im good with a clutch haha. It's the sand where i really love to ride bikes because of the jumps but the 125 doesnt have mucho power-o in the sand. its okay but not great

[finsteratv]

This is what bikes are good for. sooo much better suspension

[buck440]

i always had a helluva time keeping all my 4 stroke bikes cool in the sand. they would always spit out the coolant overflow but my cr250r never had a heating problem once. it may of just been me but who knows. just something to think about if you ride a lot of sand.

[HondaRacing83]

never rode sand in my life. haha

[finsteratv]

I ride quite a bit of sand so thanks Buck. I havn't had issues with quads over heating but who knows. Just curious what bikes have you had before? And dude..try to stay away from sand..I'm now a sandbox addict. haha

[buck440]

bikes come and go for me. when i get tired with one i trade for another. i had a 05 crf450, 04 kx250f, 06 kx250f, 06 rm250 and my favorite the 2001 cr250r.

[300ex_#387]

I love my 03 cr125. Its not something I ride too often. Its just something to play around on. I bought it last year with a roached motor and tore everything down and rebuilt it.

[finsteratv]

That thing is beautiful! I had plans for a retro style build/pumping up the motor but I started looking at cost and the difference for just buying a cr250 haha. I got a bike thinking I'd just play on it but it turns out I'm now addicted to them also. I'm also considering a KTM 200 since theyre great in the woods and lighter than a 250 but still have decent sand power.

[HondaRacing83]

Originally posted by finsteratv
That thing is beautiful! I had plans for a retro style build/pumping up the motor but I started looking at cost and the difference for just buying a cr250 haha. I got a bike thinking I'd just play on it but it turns out I'm now addicted to them also. I'm also considering a KTM 200 since theyre great in the woods and lighter than a 250 but still have decent sand power. Just get the ktm 300 lol

[finsteratv]

Haha i would but....$$$$$$$$$$ theyre like the prime bike for the mountains up here and its like theyre made of gold

[rbgnwa45]

Try the 250 and get a rekluse auto clutch/flywheel for the woods so it won't stall and you won't have to use the clutch (you can still use the clutch). If you want more power than bore it to 300cc. The only time you need a 4-stroke is when fueling up at gas stations. Even then you could carry a back pack with oil and a measuring cup.

Ride a KTM before you buy one, they have what people call "foreign ergonomics", and the 300 isn't primarily an MX-feely machine. The new ones come with lots of "custom" parts such as quarter-turn billet gas caps.

Many people loooove the 2001 CR250. It looks sweet too!

[finsteratv]

Originally posted by rbgnwa45
Try the 250 and get a rekluse auto clutch/flywheel for the woods so it won't stall and you won't have to use the clutch (you can still use the clutch). If you want more power than bore it to 300cc. The only time you need a 4-stroke is when fueling up at gas stations. Even then you could carry a back pack with oil and a measuring cup.

Ride a KTM before you buy one, they have what people call "foreign ergonomics", and the 300 isn't primarily an MX-feely machine. The new ones come with lots of "custom" parts such as quarter-turn billet gas caps.

Many people loooove the 2001 CR250. It looks sweet too! My neighbors ride ktms and i've been on their 505sx and 400exc bikes. They actually feel pretty good on height and all. Bars were high but that how i like em..I see a 2002 crf450 in good shape for 1800 in my town..thinking i might try it haha

[D Bergstrom]

I am going to say neither, CR500 all the way for the dunes! I rode a 2001 500 for years in the dunes, thing was a blast, never hurting for power. Sold it a few years ago, biggest mistake ever, should have kept that thing till the day I died!

In all seriousness though, of your two choices, I would get a CR250R. Before my CR500, I would ride a WR400 in the dunes. Two stroke is the way to go for sand, they keep the front end lighter and are easier to ride in the soft stuff. Plus, engine rebuilds are just a tad cheaper, easier to keep it running.

Doug

[finsteratv]

Thanks for the input man! I've thought of a 500 but holy crap it'd be suicide in the woods haha..Plus I love the aluminum frames..however a 500AF would be sweet in the future..found an 01 CR250 for 1600 and 02 CRF450 for 1800 so we'll see if either of em work out. I've been getting a bunch of offers for 1200 on my 125 and I think i might take it. Its really clean but thats pretty much what 125's go for..plus i paid 800 for it :D

[b0rn c0nfused]

If you go with a 450 or the 250 and don't like it you can always resale it or trade it for the other.

[finsteratv]

Originally posted by b0rn c0nfused
If you go with a 450 or the 250 and don't like it you can always resale it or trade it for the other. thats what i was thnking on the 450. I'm pretty sure i'd like the 250 though considering 2 smokers are just to much fun haha

[RATPACK Z400]

My buddy had 250crf was junk from spokes to motor nothing but problem,s it all depends on what your riding as terrain! woods /dune =4stroke. dunes only 2stroke all the way track both 2/4 stroke . need to pick for the kind of riding your doing .

[sand_blaster]

You should just build up the 125 a bit for now? It would rip pretty hard I bet.

[finsteratv]

I got an offer for 400 more than i paid for the 125 so i had to take it :) Ended up getting this and I rode it today in the woods..all i can say is WOW so much more lowend..Still need to gear it down and yada yada for the woods but its great! I can rip it around the woods pretty well and I feel like I'm gonna fly in the dunes. Got this for 1850 with extras too! Still have some tweaks to do but i like it.