Posts
922
Joined
8/9/2010
Location
Thompsons Station, TN
US
Edited Date/Time
2/14/2014 6:29pm
I have been debating back and forth debate between the 14 CRF 450 and KX 250F. I need a smooth 450 or a fast 250. 8 Years off the bike and I'm too out of shape for the KX 450. I tried that last year!
I'm 43 year old vet rider and my races mx on a 14 KX85. I miss riding and have decided to buy a bike to ride with him some on practice days.
I'm 5"10 and 185lbs and I hope I'm not too heavy for a 250F?
Opinions on 14 KX250F?
Maintenance Schedule? Top-end / Valves?
Thanks!
I'm 43 year old vet rider and my races mx on a 14 KX85. I miss riding and have decided to buy a bike to ride with him some on practice days.
I'm 5"10 and 185lbs and I hope I'm not too heavy for a 250F?
Opinions on 14 KX250F?
Maintenance Schedule? Top-end / Valves?
Thanks!
Im all about spending money on motorcycles, but I think you would be better off just tweaking some stuff on your kawi. It's pretty easy to make a bike slower.
The Shop
im 175 modded the heck outta my 11 kx250f and it was a total waste of money for what i got imo
The RMZ 450 and the KX 450f will be all new bikes in 2015. I don't want to buy a bike that is old in six months since I will be keeping it for some time.
So my options are too wait for the 15's or buy the KX 250F. I can buy the KX for around $6200 and ride it for about a year or so to get back in shape and if I feel the need sell it and buy a 450.
Modded 250f's are money pits, plain and simple.
All i can say is good look on your journey
I don't see a need to modify the 250f at this point.
It also depend what mods are done and how much you push the motor.
Barr's Competition can build a 46hp national level bike but it's good for 2hrs. On the flip side you can build a 42-43hp motor and it will be just as reliable as the stock bike.
Either way MX is just plain expensive!
You would need to port the head, cam, HC Piston, remap, etc, to wake the Honda up. None of the pipes tested really added any power they just changed the delivery according to MXA.
The cheapest mod is a cylinder works 478 kit with stage 2 cams. My son is sponsored by Vertex so I could get a deal.
My racing focus is on my son.
Pit Row
The Klotz is fairly expensive to ship so we are switching to VP racing's VPR fuel. Cost comes out to about $8 gallon but to me it's worth it. You can gain more power running good fuel than u can with some pipes.
They look cool!
I don't understand what market they are going after?
To the OP, isn't a slow 450 exactly what you're looking for? The 450 will require less engine maintenance(piston, clutches, etc.)than a 250 will. I think the Honda may be perfect for you, handles and feels like a 250f but you don't have to rev the bike to have fun. If after purchase, the bike feels too fast, drop a tooth on the rear sprocket and or install a G2 tamer throttle.
After racing a few different 250fs, a big bore 250f and several 450's I found the 450's to be the easiest to ride fast by far. I almost pulled the trigger on a new crf450 but after much thought went with a 250 smoker, 3000 vs 8000 and i couldn't be happier.
Good luck with your decision
So now that makes (3) of my friends (all vet A-B riders) who have purchased the CRF 450 and say they really like the way the bike feels and handles. The all commented the power is smooth but and you are actually going faster than you feel.
Last night I spoke to another friend of mine coaches SX riders and he said the majority of the SX privateers are buying the CRF 450's. He said they feel more in control on the Honda and they can ride the motor without having to worry about throttle control. When he did lap times the comparing bikes the guys riding the CRF's were turning better lap times compared the other bikes.
So though the CRF may "feel" slower the bike is easier to ride translating to hitting better lines, etc.
If I need more power I could look into remapping the bike for a pipe and quality fuel.
Keep in mind a lot of the negativity I was reading or hearing from coming from seat of the pant impressions and though the magazines said the the bike was down on hp they also said it has the best throttle response and easiest to ride motor. But honestly who is riding a KX or YZF 450 to it's potential? The KXF just plain wore me out. I think for what I'm doing and after being off the bike for several years the CRF is the best choice for me.
I just switched jobs so I cannot pull the trigger for another (2) weeks.
Look for a ride report soon!
Post a reply to: 185lb Vet Rider - 14 KX250F Good Choice?