Need some advice/wisdom (if it is possible in this joint...), one which 250 you think is better. Looking to upgrade my 250f. Thoughts, pros, cons-leave no stone unturned. Thanks boys and girls.
My '12 CRF has done everything I've asked. It's consistent, suspension has been revalved, and resprung, and the motor has been weak on the top end.
I am happy with it...It clears every jump I want it to, and the key word: It's been consistent. I have 12-15 hours now, and have changed the oil ever 3-4 or so. I just like to do maintenance I guess.
I have never ridden the RMZ, I am a suzuki fan; but after the suzuki/kawasaki 4 stroke venture debacle...I am hard pressed to ever touch a suzuki or kawi 4 stroke....
I don't know much, but I know I'd always pick a Honda over Suzuki
Gotcha. Can't argue with the build quality between a honda and a Suzuki of course. But they all seem to be pretty good bikes but the KTM is out for me and the Kawasaki doesn't fit me very well, and I have had a Yamaha for years, so....and I am NOT buying new! I would like to know who has had any major issues with either bike.
Gotcha. Can't argue with the build quality between a honda and a Suzuki of course. But they all seem to be pretty good bikes but the...
Gotcha. Can't argue with the build quality between a honda and a Suzuki of course. But they all seem to be pretty good bikes but the KTM is out for me and the Kawasaki doesn't fit me very well, and I have had a Yamaha for years, so....and I am NOT buying new! I would like to know who has had any major issues with either bike.
Two friends that ride Honda CRF 250's (2011 and 2013) have both had them eat valves this race season. Not from lack of maintenance either. Regular valve checks, and oil changes and air filter regularly. Both with under 80hrs. Both loved their bikes though. Another friend rides an '11 RMZ250. When he first got the bike he had ongoing transmission issues. It was a major pain, some damn bolt would back off and you couldn't shift. I guess it was a known issue and he got it fixed by Suzuki. Since then he's had no issues aside from a new clutch this year. Regular oil and air filter, valve checks and he's changed the piston/rings twice. It's pushing 200hrs, he's on the fence on getting a '14 or leftover '13 or spending the $$ to do the bottom end. It's only a matter of time. My regular riding buddy has an 09 YZ250F that's been bloody bulletproof and he's got a shit ton of hours on the bike with no issues what so ever....Regular oil changes and air filter, piston and rings twice, and his valves have only needed adjusting 3 friggin times!!! I keep waiting for it to blow...but it keeps running, lol
Suzuki Handles a little better and has more power, Honda is much more reliable and parts are cheaper. Either choice is good, but Honda is much better investment IMO
I just missed a pretty good deal on eBay for a 2012 RMZ-went for 3500.00. Fell asleep, literally. Pretty freakin cheap, no? It was in good shape, low hours.
Without a doubt, I'd go with the Suzuki. The handling is worth it alone. Every Zook I've ridden is downright confidence inspiring in every turn.
The way I see, it's extremely hard to impossible to make the CRF handle like the RMZ, but you can make the RMZ everything the CRF is. Sure, the fit and finish of the CRF may be better, but in this day and age, the fit and finish of all the bikes is pretty damn tight. The stock engine is better on the RMZ too, and you'll have to mess with the suspension regardless of any bike you get.
Whether its true or not, I can't definitively say, but visit thumpertalk and take a look at the RMZ250 forum. I'm a little wary of the many reports of transmission issues - false neutrals particularly - on the RMZ. Sounds like there are ways to prevent problems by using the 450 shift detent spring and heavier weight oils, but that's a scary issue.
I've had both crfs and RMZs. Both are great bikes but i personally would go with the Rmz. The handling is amazing and the power is great. But the honda isn't a bad bike. It's all about preference I guess. Either way your gettin a good bike. My next 450 I'm still up in the air on which to get. But I will say KTM has crossed my mind a couple times too. But it's a damn heavy price tag haha
Cheaper to make a bike faster , then to make it handle. Rmz s are the best turning bikes .
He ain't kidding. All I've done to my 450 is spring and valve the suspension. Add an extra nitrogen res to the rear shock. High compression piston and some fuel mapping work. That's where you can really make a bike rip if you can get the computer programs. These new fuel injected bikes can make more power so easy and cheap. Plug it in hit a couple buttons and gain or detune however you want almost haha
I loved my 91 RM250. To me it felt a whole lot better than the 91 CR. And I never had any problems with it. If I had my choice I would go with the RMZ, but that my personal choice. The top bike right now for me would be a KTM 150sx, second would be a left over 05 + YZ 250 with a 9oz flywheel weight.
If you are a weekend warrior like most of us, there's no doubt that I would pick a Honda. I have 75 hrs on my 2012 250 and the only thing I have done is a simple top end job. The valves haven't even moved. I am an average novice rider and stay on top of the filters and oil. The Hondas are rock solid and durability is by far the best. IMO.
I have ridden both, and they are both really good. Choice would come down to price, dealer, rebates etc. Win win really. But Like I said you can't put a price on the rmz handling.
Thanks all, great advice. I'm going to let price and condition of the used bike dictate what I buy. I did ride and race a borrowed crf and it felt so small and light. But the RMZ is only 2 lbs heavier and handling is obviously a major consideration. Good stuff.
The 250f s really benefit from a full exhaust , yosh on crf, rmz, good fuel , geared correctly, and suspension set up. Remaps and ignitions help a lot. But your budget can determine your options.killer deals on leftover 13 s, at least the rmz will look like the 10-14, and the new crf is completely different.
I'm not going to lie the Rmz and the crf have a radically different feel to them. The best way I can explain it is the crf feels more top heavy so it leans easier. But the Rmz is more centralized so it feels a lot more planted.
The 250f s really benefit from a full exhaust , yosh on crf, rmz, good fuel , geared correctly, and suspension set up. Remaps and ignitions...
The 250f s really benefit from a full exhaust , yosh on crf, rmz, good fuel , geared correctly, and suspension set up. Remaps and ignitions help a lot. But your budget can determine your options.killer deals on leftover 13 s, at least the rmz will look like the 10-14, and the new crf is completely different.
Suspension (IMO) is the number one most important "mod on a bike" but like you said the exhaust and mapping/ignition is most important power mod. If I had my choice I would get a full yoshi pipe and their Pim-2 CDI. But if I was on a budget I would go one tooth bigger on the back sprocket and the vortex CDI
X2 on the suspension first, 13/50 gearing full yosh or FMF 4.1 remap, but if the money allows it vortex box or the get box moto tassini air box, remove the screen,VP u4.4 or renegade sx4 or +4 if you have the cash. , I like your style Griff, lol
I had 13/49 gearing, removed backfire screen, vortex box, and full Dr. D pipe (not the greatest quality but good power) and 110 leaded fuel always on my 09 Kawi 250f. I absolutely loved the power delivery on that bike. But I want to go the yoshi pipe an box route on my RMZ
I had 13/49 gearing, removed backfire screen, vortex box, and full Dr. D pipe (not the greatest quality but good power) and 110 leaded fuel always...
I had 13/49 gearing, removed backfire screen, vortex box, and full Dr. D pipe (not the greatest quality but good power) and 110 leaded fuel always on my 09 Kawi 250f. I absolutely loved the power delivery on that bike. But I want to go the yoshi pipe an box route on my RMZ
My 09 rmz had full yosh, vortex, 13/51, race fuel ran real good. My current project 13 rmz 450 just has a FMF 4.1 so far. Over the winter I will do a fewthings,my other bikes are taking my money now lol, 12 kawy 450,12 crf 450. All great bikes loaded. .
I always buy blue or red. My buddies both bought brand new rm.'s 450s last year and they seem to just start falling apart after 25-35 hours where as the hondas and yamahas hold up a little better. Castings, and welds look nicer on the honda's and yamaha's etc.....
Funny story, when I had my 2009 RMZ250, I went to practice on our local track, second round I was hearing weird noises from the engine so I rolled the rest and went into the pits. Turned out we had forgotten to fill oil!!!!! It was all dry, lol!
However, we split the engine, brushed some parts that had melted just a SLIIIGHT bit, and then I went racing two days after! It still ran another 100 hours, haha..
I ride KTM or Hondas, because the dealer that works out best for me, sells these. Check your local area, for any support from a store, and buy what they sell, if you're getting as new as a 2012, pretty much all of the bikes are really good.
I WILL however, after having two Hondas (2011 250, 2012 450) I absolutely love the bikes, BUT if I were to buy a new 250 without any support, I'd no doubt pick the RMZ.
I am happy with it...It clears every jump I want it to, and the key word: It's been consistent. I have 12-15 hours now, and have changed the oil ever 3-4 or so. I just like to do maintenance I guess.
I have never ridden the RMZ, I am a suzuki fan; but after the suzuki/kawasaki 4 stroke venture debacle...I am hard pressed to ever touch a suzuki or kawi 4 stroke....
I'd LOVE a mint '06 RM250R though.
The Shop
The way I see, it's extremely hard to impossible to make the CRF handle like the RMZ, but you can make the RMZ everything the CRF is. Sure, the fit and finish of the CRF may be better, but in this day and age, the fit and finish of all the bikes is pretty damn tight. The stock engine is better on the RMZ too, and you'll have to mess with the suspension regardless of any bike you get.
Pit Row
However, we split the engine, brushed some parts that had melted just a SLIIIGHT bit, and then I went racing two days after! It still ran another 100 hours, haha..
I ride KTM or Hondas, because the dealer that works out best for me, sells these. Check your local area, for any support from a store, and buy what they sell, if you're getting as new as a 2012, pretty much all of the bikes are really good.
I WILL however, after having two Hondas (2011 250, 2012 450) I absolutely love the bikes, BUT if I were to buy a new 250 without any support, I'd no doubt pick the RMZ.
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