Which 450 would be best?

TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 3/23/2016 12:46pm
3/23/2016 12:46pm
Zaugg wrote:
Might I suggest a '16 450 XC-F. It's almost as light as the SXF and yet it has the 18" rear for trail and the all...
Might I suggest a '16 450 XC-F. It's almost as light as the SXF and yet it has the 18" rear for trail and the all important larger tank and kickstand. Smile It's only a little heavier than the SXF but I think it's still lighter than the other 450's. It's gonna have all the handling qualities you want plus with the slightly-wider-than-the-SXF gear ratio, so you can open it up.

A buddy of mine has one and he loves it. Rides offroad and track and he says its super fun. Might be something to consider.
Yup

I've taken to the 350s for off-road: the lighter crank inertia and the 6-spd really pay off in the tight stuff & the gear box allows we to keep up/or be faster than most 450s in the fast sections

Another thing...

Chains, sprockets and tires last waaaaaaay longer on the 350!
TheGetFresh 3/23/2016 12:54pm
3/23/2016 12:54pm
I'm 6'2 175lbs and I've been really happy with my '15 crf450r. I'm a late starter like it sounds you are, and the honda is really easy to ride and rarely every scares or surprises me. It's on the smaller end of the spectrum but I've been pretty comfy on it.
cwtoyota
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cwtoyota 3/23/2016 2:13pm
3/23/2016 2:13pm Edited Date/Time 3/23/2016 2:14pm
Superdave19 wrote:
If you're primarily doing woods stuff, or non mx-track riding, a 450 is the last choice I'd suggest. The bike you have now is a pussycat-...
If you're primarily doing woods stuff, or non mx-track riding, a 450 is the last choice I'd suggest. The bike you have now is a pussycat- (no offense), but if you've never ridden a 250 two stroke, or a KTM 350, they'll feel like you're ridding a missle in comparison to the CRF230-
This is the best reply I've read in this thread. There are lots of other good points too.

A CRF230 is an entry level bike. They are slow in every possible sense of the word.

Hell, a CRF250R will feel like a goddamn missile compared to that chunky little air-cooled 230cc trail bike. Any stock 250F has literally double the horsepower and double the RPM range. Even a 125 two stroke will be a giant step up.

You really don't need a 450F and it certainly won't help you become a better rider.

Get a 250F or a 125 or 250 two-stroke. They are all great in the trails.
If your maintenance budget is minimal, buy the 250 two stroke. If you can afford to spend $120 on a piston kit every 20 hours, buy the 125. If you want the middle ground and a bike that is easiest to ride, go with the 250F.
resetjet
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resetjet 3/23/2016 3:00pm
3/23/2016 3:00pm
resetjet wrote:
450 is a nightmare in tight trails. Its the low end thats the problem. Newer ktm or yamaha 250f
Thumper wrote:
Would a newer 250f keep up with my buddy's brand new KTM 200 2stroke? He's about the same size and skill lvl I am.
Yes. I have both. a 13 ktm 250f and a ktm 200. Its really about you and not the bike if you are on a race bike. Never found a fast bike that made the rider faster.

The Shop

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BrianMnMoto
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BrianMnMoto 3/23/2016 3:16pm
3/23/2016 3:16pm
I mean no offense by this, but your riding skill level probably needs improving before you're ready for a 450. A 450 is likely the last bike, short of a CR or KX 500, that someone should be jumping on coming off of a docile entry level bike.You will progress more as a rider by starting out with a more manageable bike like a 250 2-stroke, 250F, or even a 125 2-stroke.

If you're REALLY looking to improve on your riding skills and are on a tight budget, don't completely rule out a 125 2-stroke. This bike will help you learn corner speed and better riding technique. They weigh practically nothing and are much larger in stature than the bike you are coming off of now.

I agree with all of the people suggesting a 250F or 250 2-stroke as well.

One last consideration that may not have been discussed, a 2-stroke will also be MUCH cheaper to maintain than a 250F or 450.
BrianMnMoto
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BrianMnMoto 3/23/2016 3:28pm
3/23/2016 3:28pm
Pete The Fisherman wrote:
Ktm 150sx 2 stroke
What he said! That bike completely slipped my mind for some reason. Good call.
MotoMalyDad
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MotoMalyDad 3/23/2016 3:39pm
3/23/2016 3:39pm
KTM 300 2 stroke.. Next question..
tempura
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tempura 3/23/2016 4:06pm
3/23/2016 4:06pm
For your size, YZ250 2 stroke. It's a tall bike and will match your height well. It's light and has all the power you will need. The suspension is simple to set up but very good. You can ride woods and trails on it one week and mx the next, it's a versatile bike. A simple flywheel weight will make your woods riding much better.
Maintanence it straight forward and simple and there is an abundance of parts and information on getting the best out of these bikes all over the Internet.
motogeezer
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motogeezer 3/23/2016 4:10pm
3/23/2016 4:10pm Edited Date/Time 3/23/2016 4:11pm
tempura wrote:
For your size, YZ250 2 stroke. It's a tall bike and will match your height well. It's light and has all the power you will need...
For your size, YZ250 2 stroke. It's a tall bike and will match your height well. It's light and has all the power you will need. The suspension is simple to set up but very good. You can ride woods and trails on it one week and mx the next, it's a versatile bike. A simple flywheel weight will make your woods riding much better.
Maintanence it straight forward and simple and there is an abundance of parts and information on getting the best out of these bikes all over the Internet.
I can see by your avatar that you're not biased at all. Wink

Good call, though.

Of course, an RM250 would be a better bet. Tongue
tempura
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tempura 3/23/2016 4:15pm
3/23/2016 4:15pm
tempura wrote:
For your size, YZ250 2 stroke. It's a tall bike and will match your height well. It's light and has all the power you will need...
For your size, YZ250 2 stroke. It's a tall bike and will match your height well. It's light and has all the power you will need. The suspension is simple to set up but very good. You can ride woods and trails on it one week and mx the next, it's a versatile bike. A simple flywheel weight will make your woods riding much better.
Maintanence it straight forward and simple and there is an abundance of parts and information on getting the best out of these bikes all over the Internet.
motogeezer wrote:
I can see by your avatar that you're not biased at all. Wink

Good call, though.

Of course, an RM250 would be a better bet. Tongue
Yep, I'd take the RM250 before the yz250.. If they still made them
The Rock
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The Rock 3/23/2016 5:15pm
3/23/2016 5:15pm
The one that has 300cc and is a two stroke is the best 450
mx836
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mx836 3/23/2016 5:38pm
3/23/2016 5:38pm
Thumper wrote:
Why are 2strokes harder to ride fast?
2 strokes would be harder to ride slow than fast IMO. With a 2 stroke, you need to keep the bike in the "power band" by knowing how to shift and slip the clutch in corners to keep up the RPMs or it will bog down and have no power. With a 4 stroke, as long as you are in the correct gear, it will most usually pull without bogging where a 2 stroke might, due to the extra low end power, therefore making it much easier to ride. Many would argue that 2 strokes are much more enjoyable to ride and from what I remember, I agree. Whether this bike is perfect for you or horrible for you will depend on if you think you can tame the snap of a 250 2 stroke power band. At 180# I think you would be fine. Some people add heavier flywheels to make the bike lug more and have less snap. Mostly an off road thing and something that would definitely help if you bought a 250 2 stroke. Also, there is the fact that 2 strokes are less expensive and easier to maintain.
John X Kennedy 3/23/2016 6:59pm
3/23/2016 6:59pm
Surprised at the number of guys on here encouraging 450s. A big thing no one has mentioned is the 230f is much smaller seat height wise than any full size MX bike. A 230f is a "play" bike, so it has smaller conventional forks and an air cooled engine. It is very different than any brand 250f, 250 2 stroke, 350 or 450.

A 250 2 stroke will be intimidating at first due to the "hit" of power they tend to deliver in the mid range, but they are great woods bikes once mastered. Trust me you won't "grow out of it in a year."

A 250 4 stroke would probably be an easier transition and still have plenty of power. As others have stated a modern 250f makes more than double the power of the 230 and will feel very fast, but manageable.

Thumper
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Thumper 3/23/2016 7:38pm
3/23/2016 7:38pm
I was just checking out 2016 crf250's.. would there be any difference in preformance between the crf250r and the crf250x?
Krazyk2774
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Krazyk2774 3/23/2016 8:46pm
3/23/2016 8:46pm
I'm 5'10" and a hundred and fifty pounds. I love my 450! They can be a little unwieldy in super tight trails, but I would never switch back to a 2 stroke. 4 strokes are far more torquey, smooth and predictable plus for trails you get alot further on a tank of fuel. For your skill level though you might want to start out on a 250f, it will be a way better bike than the 230. Lighter, more power, much better handling and brakes. Not even a comparison really!
TheGetFresh 3/23/2016 9:07pm
3/23/2016 9:07pm
Thumper wrote:
I was just checking out 2016 crf250's.. would there be any difference in preformance between the crf250r and the crf250x?
The x will be nuetered. Don't bother with one.
neverwas 3/23/2016 9:26pm
3/23/2016 9:26pm
MotoMalyDad wrote:
KTM 300 2 stroke.. Next question..
The best trail/woods bike you can buy

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CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 3/23/2016 10:14pm
3/23/2016 10:14pm
Superdave19 wrote:
If you're primarily doing woods stuff, or non mx-track riding, a 450 is the last choice I'd suggest. The bike you have now is a pussycat-...
If you're primarily doing woods stuff, or non mx-track riding, a 450 is the last choice I'd suggest. The bike you have now is a pussycat- (no offense), but if you've never ridden a 250 two stroke, or a KTM 350, they'll feel like you're ridding a missle in comparison to the CRF230-
This^^^ A 450 is a beast for someone your size. You will enjoy a 250 or 350 so much more!
Thumper
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Thumper 3/23/2016 10:33pm
3/23/2016 10:33pm
Thumper wrote:
I was just checking out 2016 crf250's.. would there be any difference in preformance between the crf250r and the crf250x?
TheGetFresh wrote:
The x will be nuetered. Don't bother with one.
How so? Different gear ratios and less horse power or something?
Flatliner
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Flatliner 3/23/2016 11:27pm
3/23/2016 11:27pm
Your an absolute beginner , and your only 180.

I rode most of last year on a 125.... At 225lbs.

You can grab a good 125 for a reasonable price, and learn how to ride an mx bike.
John X Kennedy 3/23/2016 11:45pm
3/23/2016 11:45pm
A 250x makes less power than a 250r. More importantly the wide ratio tranny in the 250x makes it a dog compared to the R, albeit with a higher top speed. The R is what you want.
Thumper
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Thumper 3/24/2016 12:46am
3/24/2016 12:46am Edited Date/Time 3/24/2016 12:47am
John X Kennedy wrote:
A 250x makes less power than a 250r. More importantly the wide ratio tranny in the 250x makes it a dog compared to the R, albeit...
A 250x makes less power than a 250r. More importantly the wide ratio tranny in the 250x makes it a dog compared to the R, albeit with a higher top speed. The R is what you want.
That is the exact info I was looking for thank, you. I set out for a 450 and with the help of all you and some serious thought and consideration I think I'm going to go with a CRF250R (hopefully a 2016, we'll see how big my tax return is)!
Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/24/2016 2:02am
3/24/2016 2:02am
But what about a KTM 250XC-F or a 200 XC-W?
hellion
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hellion 3/24/2016 3:58am
3/24/2016 3:58am
Making a leap from a 230f to a 450 would be a big mistake in my opinion. First, unless you're a very talented rider, you'll be lugging the 450 around and that gets boring really quickly. Second, grabbing a handful could land you in a hospital bed just as quickly.

250f would be the best move in your case, then maybe a 250 two stroke later as your skills improve. The only time a 450 is the best option is if you're racing moto competitively on a regular basis.
resetjet
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resetjet 3/24/2016 5:12am
3/24/2016 5:12am
I guess you like hondas. I would consider the yamaha yz250fx. Its a great bike and set up for woods.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/24/2016 5:34am
3/24/2016 5:34am
I mean if you want an offroad bike KTM has probably exactly what you want. They have 18 different offroad models in North America and 16 different offroad models in Europe!
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DPR250R 3/24/2016 5:38am
3/24/2016 5:38am Edited Date/Time 3/24/2016 5:38am
TheGetFresh wrote:
I'm 6'2 175lbs and I've been really happy with my '15 crf450r. I'm a late starter like it sounds you are, and the honda is really...
I'm 6'2 175lbs and I've been really happy with my '15 crf450r. I'm a late starter like it sounds you are, and the honda is really easy to ride and rarely every scares or surprises me. It's on the smaller end of the spectrum but I've been pretty comfy on it.
Being tall... have you done anything to make the bike fit you better? Seat? Pegs?
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DPR250R 3/24/2016 5:50am
3/24/2016 5:50am
John X Kennedy wrote:
A 250x makes less power than a 250r. More importantly the wide ratio tranny in the 250x makes it a dog compared to the R, albeit...
A 250x makes less power than a 250r. More importantly the wide ratio tranny in the 250x makes it a dog compared to the R, albeit with a higher top speed. The R is what you want.
Thumper wrote:
That is the exact info I was looking for thank, you. I set out for a 450 and with the help of all you and some...
That is the exact info I was looking for thank, you. I set out for a 450 and with the help of all you and some serious thought and consideration I think I'm going to go with a CRF250R (hopefully a 2016, we'll see how big my tax return is)!
You gave the government a loan for free? That is the most anti-Vital thing I have ever read. /sarcasm/

I think you will be happy with that choice.

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