Adding another 250f to the stable Input from credible sources please

Dirtysmile56
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Dirtysmile56
Edited Date/Time 6/14/2012 8:29am
I have a 2004 RM 125 and a 2007 RMZ 250 that are both great bikes but I want get another Honda 250f . I haven't been following whats going on with the newer bikes so I'm not sure which ones are better 09,10,11,12 CRF 250f . I know there were issues with the 09 CRF450 but not sure about the CRF250. I rode the new KXF's this weekend at Albany and they were nice but I have a deep rooted Kawi block from back in the 80's and 90's and honestly the KXF 250 didn't feel any better than my 07 RMZ and I'll never buy another 450f .
Motosport Hillsboro has some good deals on new 09's 11's and 12's.

I look forward to feedback from guys that A )actually own and regularly ride/have owned these model/year bikes and have ridden/raced MX track more than one time in the last 5+ years. Smile Also I ride both 2 stroke and four stroke (I'm a bi-stroker) so don't get into that shit. I am lazy and really like riding my 250f. I only ride the 125 two stroke when I'm feeling frisky Smile Then I promptly tire out and get back on my 250f Smile Thanks in advance fellow Motodrivers.
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T-Fish
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T-Fish 6/13/2012 11:35am
6/13/2012 11:35am
KTM 150SX.
Dirtysmile56
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Dirtysmile56 6/13/2012 11:51am
6/13/2012 11:51am
T-Fish wrote:
KTM 150SX.
Yeah T-Fish, I rode the 2012 sx and mxc? models at Washougal last fall and yes they were my favorite bike but $7k+ for a tiddler is not worth it to me. I will get one when they are a few years old though Smile
T-Fish
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T-Fish 6/13/2012 11:53am
6/13/2012 11:53am
There are older ones out there. '07-'11 are 40+HP out of the box. '12 dropped two ponies. Find a nice used one!


I'm pretty sure the retail on one is right around $6,500.
Dirtysmile56
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Dirtysmile56 6/13/2012 11:59am
6/13/2012 11:59am
I want a linkage model, didn't the linkage just arrive in 2012?

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mjw612
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mjw612 6/13/2012 11:59am
6/13/2012 11:59am
I just picked up a 12' CRF250 had a 09' YZF250. Still getting used to the whole efi deal man makes a really bike difference. I literally had to put some play in the throttle to get used to the throttle response. Overall I like the bike put a full pc exhaust on it and have felt a difference. I had a 07' CRF250 that I really liked raced it in the intermediate classes. The new bike handles about the same I feel. Than again I get the suspension done right away being only 145 pounds. But power wise I know the honda is lacking a bit for 2012. I was actually looking to buy a 11' just couldn't get my hands on one down here in Arizona.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 6/13/2012 12:00pm
6/13/2012 12:00pm
A 2010-12 CRF450R is what I often refer to as the Cheapest 250F to own...

Yes, I know you said "No more 450s"...but...it's virtually as easy to ride as most 250f's and it's a LOT cheaper to own...in the long run.

Good luck!
motophile365 6/13/2012 12:20pm
6/13/2012 12:20pm
I have a 2001 YZ250F which has just over 1,000 hours on it. Three years of GNCC's & hair scrambles, a few hill climbs, 6 years MX & indoor racing and three years of Flat Track racing. I've changed the piston & rings three times, one cam chain, adjusted the valves 3 times and recently had new intake valves installed. Other than tons of tires, chains and wearables it still runs like new. I do all my own maintenance and engine work.

I also own a 2005 WR250F and have had the same problem free life while being ridden and raced hard.

I firmly believe that the 5 valve Yamaha motor in 250 trim can't be beat.

Just my .02...
Bob454
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Bob454 6/13/2012 12:34pm
6/13/2012 12:34pm Edited Date/Time 6/13/2012 12:35pm
motophile365 wrote:
I have a 2001 YZ250F which has just over 1,000 hours on it. Three years of GNCC's & hair scrambles, a few hill climbs, 6 years...
I have a 2001 YZ250F which has just over 1,000 hours on it. Three years of GNCC's & hair scrambles, a few hill climbs, 6 years MX & indoor racing and three years of Flat Track racing. I've changed the piston & rings three times, one cam chain, adjusted the valves 3 times and recently had new intake valves installed. Other than tons of tires, chains and wearables it still runs like new. I do all my own maintenance and engine work.

I also own a 2005 WR250F and have had the same problem free life while being ridden and raced hard.

I firmly believe that the 5 valve Yamaha motor in 250 trim can't be beat.

Just my .02...
1000 hours? I have an incredibly hard time believing you still have the stock valve train in there. You must literally never go over 3k rpm's. 300+ hours on a piston is crazy, I would not be bragging about that maintenance schedule.
Ish
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Ish 6/13/2012 12:35pm
6/13/2012 12:35pm
motophile365 wrote:
I have a 2001 YZ250F which has just over 1,000 hours on it. Three years of GNCC's & hair scrambles, a few hill climbs, 6 years...
I have a 2001 YZ250F which has just over 1,000 hours on it. Three years of GNCC's & hair scrambles, a few hill climbs, 6 years MX & indoor racing and three years of Flat Track racing. I've changed the piston & rings three times, one cam chain, adjusted the valves 3 times and recently had new intake valves installed. Other than tons of tires, chains and wearables it still runs like new. I do all my own maintenance and engine work.

I also own a 2005 WR250F and have had the same problem free life while being ridden and raced hard.

I firmly believe that the 5 valve Yamaha motor in 250 trim can't be beat.

Just my .02...
+1

My YZ250F 2002 was a beast!

The only thing that it needed was a carburetor cleaning..

Valves didn't move much and I sold it with the valves in spec.
Tracktor
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Tracktor 6/13/2012 12:38pm
6/13/2012 12:38pm
DS, I have a fresh 2012 sitting around if you need to test ride. Recovering from a PIR crash for another couple of weeks.

I came off of a 09 KX250f - The CRF handles much better. Power is very smooth almost deceivingly so that it seems slower at first but I know my track really well so I know how much throttle/effort needed for each jump and the CRF needed less. KXF had pipe and high comp piston. Crf is waaaay more nimble in the air which was what I wanted. I also bought from Motosport & got a great deal. They didn't have any 11's at the time? Go & buy you won't regret it...............................
motophile365 6/13/2012 12:59pm
6/13/2012 12:59pm
motophile365 wrote:
I have a 2001 YZ250F which has just over 1,000 hours on it. Three years of GNCC's & hair scrambles, a few hill climbs, 6 years...
I have a 2001 YZ250F which has just over 1,000 hours on it. Three years of GNCC's & hair scrambles, a few hill climbs, 6 years MX & indoor racing and three years of Flat Track racing. I've changed the piston & rings three times, one cam chain, adjusted the valves 3 times and recently had new intake valves installed. Other than tons of tires, chains and wearables it still runs like new. I do all my own maintenance and engine work.

I also own a 2005 WR250F and have had the same problem free life while being ridden and raced hard.

I firmly believe that the 5 valve Yamaha motor in 250 trim can't be beat.

Just my .02...
Bob454 wrote:
1000 hours? I have an incredibly hard time believing you still have the stock valve train in there. You must literally never go over 3k rpm's...
1000 hours? I have an incredibly hard time believing you still have the stock valve train in there. You must literally never go over 3k rpm's. 300+ hours on a piston is crazy, I would not be bragging about that maintenance schedule.
The exhaust valves are all stock and has only needed adjusting once. I finally had the intake valves, guides and springs replaced this past winter. If it's in spec then why would you replace parts? Do you just replace parts because someone tells you to?

I think the bike has made it over 3K once.... is that when the powerbands make a squeeking sound?
Torco1
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Torco1 6/13/2012 1:09pm
6/13/2012 1:09pm
I had an 09 CRF250 with a Two Brothers full system and the suspension done and some other goodies and that bike was awesome. From there I got an 11' KX250f and personally I liked the Kawy better. The Kawy in its stock form to me was almost better than the Honda with the few mods I had on it and once I did the suspension and exhaust and some other stuff the the KXf, it was really an awesome bike. Now I have a 450, but both of those 250f's were really nice and I'd recommend either one of them.
mxb2
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mxb2 6/13/2012 1:32pm
6/13/2012 1:32pm
12 kawy 250f, dual efi, but wait til the 13 is released to save money. That being said you cannot go wrong on the crf, rmz,kxf, the yamaha is super solid if you want a carbbike.
Dirtysmile56
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Dirtysmile56 6/13/2012 9:11pm
6/13/2012 9:11pm
TeamGreen wrote:
A 2010-12 CRF450R is what I often refer to as the Cheapest 250F to own... Yes, I know you said "No more 450s"...but...it's virtually as easy...
A 2010-12 CRF450R is what I often refer to as the Cheapest 250F to own...

Yes, I know you said "No more 450s"...but...it's virtually as easy to ride as most 250f's and it's a LOT cheaper to own...in the long run.

Good luck!
I hear ya TG but I really enjoy tighter stuff(rutted corners etc..) on the 250f. I demoed the 2012 KXF 250/450 back to back on Sunday and the guys watching me ride said I looked way quicker and more comfortable on the 250f (which is how I felt). I felt like I really needed to muscle that 450 to get it to rail the ruts and on the 250f it felt almost effortless to track/rail the ruts.

I wouldn't mind jumping on a 2012 CRF450 just to compare it to the KXF450 since I haven't really ridden a 450 since my 06 Honda.
Dirtysmile56
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Dirtysmile56 6/13/2012 9:12pm
6/13/2012 9:12pm
mjw612 wrote:
I just picked up a 12' CRF250 had a 09' YZF250. Still getting used to the whole efi deal man makes a really bike difference. I...
I just picked up a 12' CRF250 had a 09' YZF250. Still getting used to the whole efi deal man makes a really bike difference. I literally had to put some play in the throttle to get used to the throttle response. Overall I like the bike put a full pc exhaust on it and have felt a difference. I had a 07' CRF250 that I really liked raced it in the intermediate classes. The new bike handles about the same I feel. Than again I get the suspension done right away being only 145 pounds. But power wise I know the honda is lacking a bit for 2012. I was actually looking to buy a 11' just couldn't get my hands on one down here in Arizona.
Thanks for the feedback man, what makes the 11 better?
Dirtysmile56
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Dirtysmile56 6/13/2012 9:16pm
6/13/2012 9:16pm
Tracktor wrote:
DS, I have a fresh 2012 sitting around if you need to test ride. Recovering from a PIR crash for another couple of weeks. I came...
DS, I have a fresh 2012 sitting around if you need to test ride. Recovering from a PIR crash for another couple of weeks.

I came off of a 09 KX250f - The CRF handles much better. Power is very smooth almost deceivingly so that it seems slower at first but I know my track really well so I know how much throttle/effort needed for each jump and the CRF needed less. KXF had pipe and high comp piston. Crf is waaaay more nimble in the air which was what I wanted. I also bought from Motosport & got a great deal. They didn't have any 11's at the time? Go & buy you won't regret it...............................
Tracktor that sounds good, I am going to ride Mnt View on Sat but don't really want to race there on Sunday. What do you have going on Sunday? I'm going to ring up Forrest Lytle and see if I can couch surf at his place Sat night.
Tracktor
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Tracktor 6/13/2012 9:46pm
6/13/2012 9:46pm
I am off the bike but my boys and some others will be riding my track sunday if the weather holds. Hit me up gmrebholz@gmail.com if you want to come up and moto....
exsarg
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exsarg 6/13/2012 10:47pm
6/13/2012 10:47pm
a crazy freind of mine decided to prove the reliability of the yz 250f. took a new 09 rode the shit out of it. mx. mud sand bogs.snow. desert etc. 200 hrs. oil changes with yamalube every 10 hrs. reasonably clean air filters. it was wore out but ran fine. only needed 2 valve adjustments. orig piston. still has it and will continue to use it for winter riding until she blows.ive had 4 of em. i put 100 hrs on each and then sell. none of them needed a valve adjustment. im on my 5th now.2012. amazing bike. much better then the previous models. fast, stable. incredible suspension. fuck efi. i have a 2011 350 pumpkin nothin but trouble with the efi.
Dirtysmile56
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Dirtysmile56 6/14/2012 8:29am
6/14/2012 8:29am
Those older YZF's are definitely bullet proof but they don't handle that well compared to the newer bikes. I had an 05 yzf250 for a while and I loved it until I jumped on an 06 Honda, I was ruined and the yzf never felt the same.

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