250 or 450

seniorjumper82
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 6:58pm
Hey everyone. I'm looking to get back into riding, and looking to get a 4 stoke. I have never ridden the 4 strokes, so i'm trying to decide based on my size should i get a 250 or go ahead with a 450. I"m 5'11 220lbs. Thanks for any help in advance.
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mxb2
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mxb2 5/5/2011 6:10pm
5/5/2011 6:10pm
Skill level, intended use, budget? Your size probably a 450, but since your new a 250 probably! 250 s use more parts, etc, 450 s are super fast and reliable. 250 s easier to ride, both fun bikes. Go to a track and maybe ride some of your buddies bikes to get a feel before you drop the money.
seniorjumper82 5/5/2011 6:16pm
5/5/2011 6:16pm
I'm a Novice. Haven't rode in about 12 years, so almost going to be like starting over. I intending on riding tracks and jumping mostly. Don't really have a budget, just want to make sure i get the right size.
mxb2
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mxb2 5/5/2011 6:31pm
5/5/2011 6:31pm
What brand you lookin at? FYI honda and kawy have rebates on the 20111 450 s, , should be able to get a killer deal. All the bikes are so good now, pick a color and if you have a good dealer cl You plan on keeping the bike stock? All the bikes have good and bad points. I don t buy used, i ve seen too many guys get a POS and ending up trying to sell it and then get a new one. I only buy used if i know the previous owner.
seniorjumper82 5/5/2011 6:55pm
5/5/2011 6:55pm
Been looking at Honda and Yamaha. Deciding whether to go with a 250 or a 450 has been the issue. Kinda leaning more towards a Honda though. I plan on leaving it stock for a while until i get back into the groove.

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mxb2
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mxb2 5/5/2011 6:58pm
5/5/2011 6:58pm
seniorjumper82 wrote:
Been looking at Honda and Yamaha. Deciding whether to go with a 250 or a 450 has been the issue. Kinda leaning more towards a Honda...
Been looking at Honda and Yamaha. Deciding whether to go with a 250 or a 450 has been the issue. Kinda leaning more towards a Honda though. I plan on leaving it stock for a while until i get back into the groove.
The new hondas have efi and only the yammy 450 has efi! If that makes a difference. I ve had both and the fuel injection is really good. You should be able to get a 2011 crf 450 $6700 OTD
seniorjumper82 5/5/2011 7:04pm
5/5/2011 7:04pm
I know this may be a dumb question, but since i haven't ridden one of the 4 strokes are the 250's comparable to the 125 2 strokes, and the 450 comparable to the 250 2 strokes?
mxb2
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mxb2 5/5/2011 7:09pm
5/5/2011 7:09pm
450 s way more power than a 250 2 stoke, likewise for the 125 2 stroke compared to a 250f!(250f more power) The ktm 350 is a pretty good in between. the 2 strokes are really good, simple engines etc! 4 stokes are easier to ride slow and fast, 2 stokes you have to be more aggressive , but they are way lighter!
seniorjumper82 5/5/2011 7:16pm
5/5/2011 7:16pm
Thanks mxb2, i appreciate all the info. I think i may keep looking for a 250. My local Kawasaki dealer has a 09 KX250F leftover, but they are still selling it for 7K out the door, saying that they are not letting them discount the bike. I laughed and told him i could get a 11 model for that, hince the reason why they still have the 09 on their floor.
mxb2
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mxb2 5/5/2011 7:22pm
5/5/2011 7:22pm Edited Date/Time 5/5/2011 7:23pm
seniorjumper82 wrote:
Thanks mxb2, i appreciate all the info. I think i may keep looking for a 250. My local Kawasaki dealer has a 09 KX250F leftover, but...
Thanks mxb2, i appreciate all the info. I think i may keep looking for a 250. My local Kawasaki dealer has a 09 KX250F leftover, but they are still selling it for 7K out the door, saying that they are not letting them discount the bike. I laughed and told him i could get a 11 model for that, hince the reason why they still have the 09 on their floor.
Dude you can get a 11 kawy 250 fuel injection bike for about $6000 otd maybe even 5800, 09 kxf 250 4500, checkebay you can see what dealers are selling them for! There are 2010 kawy and crf s 450 in my area between 6000-6500 otd! 11 s just as cheap because of rebates. Its a buyers market now. I have a rmz , great bike. If you need parts or gear , holla , i can point you in the right direction, i have a real good hookup! And if your willing to drive , i can get you a great price on a new honda.
swv3
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swv3 5/10/2011 6:22pm
5/10/2011 6:22pm
Let me share my experience with you. I assume by your screen name, your no youngster. I raced in the mid 70s before guiting because of two bad wrecks and several broken bones with months of rehab. It was 31 years and I was 46 (2009) when I got the bug again. I had always rode 2 strokes but everyone insisted at my age I should be riding a 4 stroke. I am 6'2" 220#. So I bought a used KX250F. Within two months I was wanting more, it was quick, but just didn't do it for me. Second problem was the used part, I had to put a complete bottom end in at a cost of $1200. So I sold it and got a brand new YZ450F. Now we were talking! I started racing again and it all came back very quickly. The 450 had all the power I could handle, and was very competitive. I was getting the whole shot 75% of the time in the Open D, and vet 45+ classes. Handling was another story. I bought springs because of my weight, then had the forks and shock revalved. The bike still seemed to not want to corner and when you accelerated the bike wanted to stand up. I was washing the front end out a lot in the corners. I also noticed I was shifting way to much and over revving the motor. I was diagnosed with Atrial fib in mid 2009 which really slowed my progress. I had heart surgery (cardiac ablation) in March of 2010. The motocycle saved my life because I forced myself to work out and improve my endurance despite my condition. So by June of 2010 I was winning races and leading the 15 race series in both classes. For some reason I decided I needed a 2 stroke, so I went out and bought a new YZ250. That changed everything! Super fast, light, and when I threw it down in a rut, it stayed there. I started railing corners, carrying way more speed and was riding the bike in the power band like it was intended. I wish I had started with the 2 stroke, it feels 50 pounds lighter, you can throw it around, especially over jumps and unless your racing A riders it will stay up with any 450 on the straights and blow them away in the corners. The good news is you can race against the 250 four strokes most places. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Scott
swv3
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swv3 5/10/2011 6:30pm
5/10/2011 6:30pm
Hey Senorjumper82, I just noticed you are in Dothan. Do you every go to SMXA at Mossey Head, it is just northeast of Crestview? Couldnt be more than 45 minutes from Dothan.
RR61114
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RR61114 5/16/2011 9:24am
5/16/2011 9:24am
Just get a 450. You will be happy 6 months down the line that you did when you are strangling the 250F for more juice. BUT - respect it!
seniorjumper82 5/25/2011 1:52pm
5/25/2011 1:52pm Edited Date/Time 5/25/2011 1:52pm
swv3 wrote:
Let me share my experience with you. I assume by your screen name, your no youngster. I raced in the mid 70s before guiting because of...
Let me share my experience with you. I assume by your screen name, your no youngster. I raced in the mid 70s before guiting because of two bad wrecks and several broken bones with months of rehab. It was 31 years and I was 46 (2009) when I got the bug again. I had always rode 2 strokes but everyone insisted at my age I should be riding a 4 stroke. I am 6'2" 220#. So I bought a used KX250F. Within two months I was wanting more, it was quick, but just didn't do it for me. Second problem was the used part, I had to put a complete bottom end in at a cost of $1200. So I sold it and got a brand new YZ450F. Now we were talking! I started racing again and it all came back very quickly. The 450 had all the power I could handle, and was very competitive. I was getting the whole shot 75% of the time in the Open D, and vet 45+ classes. Handling was another story. I bought springs because of my weight, then had the forks and shock revalved. The bike still seemed to not want to corner and when you accelerated the bike wanted to stand up. I was washing the front end out a lot in the corners. I also noticed I was shifting way to much and over revving the motor. I was diagnosed with Atrial fib in mid 2009 which really slowed my progress. I had heart surgery (cardiac ablation) in March of 2010. The motocycle saved my life because I forced myself to work out and improve my endurance despite my condition. So by June of 2010 I was winning races and leading the 15 race series in both classes. For some reason I decided I needed a 2 stroke, so I went out and bought a new YZ250. That changed everything! Super fast, light, and when I threw it down in a rut, it stayed there. I started railing corners, carrying way more speed and was riding the bike in the power band like it was intended. I wish I had started with the 2 stroke, it feels 50 pounds lighter, you can throw it around, especially over jumps and unless your racing A riders it will stay up with any 450 on the straights and blow them away in the corners. The good news is you can race against the 250 four strokes most places. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Scott
Well i want to think i'm still young, i will be 30 this september. The screen name comes from me being a senior rated jumpmaster in the 82nd Airborne Division.(US Army) I'm at Ft Rucker now, so i won't be jumping out of planes again anytime soon...lol. But i've been looking at the 250f's for one, i'm about as novice as can be and starting out again basically from scratch. But on the other hand i don't want to outgrow it within 6 months like RR61114 says. On the otherhand i would hate to get the 450 and it kick my ass every time i get on it. I greatly appreciate all the info though. Also, i haven't been down to mossy head, i didn't know there was a track down there? I know there is one up in newton (about 15 min ) away, and then county line mx on the way down to PCB.
Jim_Hess
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Jim_Hess 6/13/2011 9:01pm
6/13/2011 9:01pm
I just got back into riding and face with the same choice. I'm 5'8" 130lbs and have never been on a bike newer than 1990 and havent rode in about seven years. I endend up buying a 2004 yz450f three years ago and could'nt be more pleased. I love my bike! I don't race, but love to climb hills hit jumps and trail ride.

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