Trying to decide on a what bike to buy?

FastYZFR6
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FastYZFR6
Hi I haven't had much time to ride in the past couple years, I recently sold my 01 YZ125 I am looking to replace it with something more practical for my age and weight (41 and 220 lbs) I never had much courage to get hardly any air on the jumps with the YZ (felt like I was going to break it in 1/2) LOL So I mostly stuck to trail riding well that was the wrong bike for that.

I think I want a 250f of 450f but I am not sure on what years and makes and models are better and which are ones your stuck wrenching on more than riding. I have always been a Yamaha guy but I have rode a few buddies KTM's and really liked them so any suggestions would be welcome, I am thinking in the $3000-$5000 range

Thanks for any help,
James
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mxdevon
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mxdevon 10/27/2016 7:38am
10/27/2016 7:38am
I would get the newest cleanest 2014 or newer yz250f that your budget will allow. ( your already a Yamaha guy and those are great bikes, the suspension will actually work for you with minimal effort). Coming off the dinger your going to be pumped with the power of any 250f without the shock of going to a 450.....which is probably way more bike than you really want or need!
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 10/27/2016 7:49am
10/27/2016 7:49am
Look into a KTM350. Right in the middle.
kott0n
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kott0n 10/27/2016 7:52am
10/27/2016 7:52am
If you got used to riding a 125 in the woods, a 250 2 stroke is a woods ripper. Still has low end grunt and you don't have to rev it to the moon.

If you are making the 125 work now, you might enjoy a 250 2 stroke.
twotwosix
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twotwosix 10/27/2016 8:35am
10/27/2016 8:35am Edited Date/Time 10/27/2016 8:38am
My advice is just get something with a spring fork and EFI. Air takes some skill to dial in correctly. EFI is 100% worth every penny on a dirt bike. Prioritize lower hours over a certain brand of bike. All of the EFI MX bikes are good for the average joe. And at 220lbs any bike you buy will need stiffer springs.

Go to a track, park or practice day and make some buddies that will let you ride around for a couple min on their bikes and remember what you liked about that bike.

The Shop

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Pirate421
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Pirate421 10/27/2016 9:50am
10/27/2016 9:50am
Not sure where you are from but ktm/husky/Berg swap meet USA on Facebook has tons of clean used bikes for sale private party. Some good deals on 250/350s on there
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 10/27/2016 9:53am
10/27/2016 9:53am
CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
Look into a KTM350. Right in the middle.
Boom!
FastYZFR6
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FastYZFR6 10/27/2016 7:07pm
10/27/2016 7:07pm
kott0n wrote:
If you got used to riding a 125 in the woods, a 250 2 stroke is a woods ripper. Still has low end grunt and you...
If you got used to riding a 125 in the woods, a 250 2 stroke is a woods ripper. Still has low end grunt and you don't have to rev it to the moon.

If you are making the 125 work now, you might enjoy a 250 2 stroke.
Don't hate me but I want get better on 2 wheels currently what I ride now might have a couple more wheels than 2 :O I know I didn't "say it" but yea, I was not very good on the 125 and I sold it a while back. I do have an old 1996 RM125 that I am selling as well, the 2 stroke 125s don't seem to really work well for my fat ass Sad
MxRyder
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MxRyder 10/27/2016 10:32pm
10/27/2016 10:32pm
Newest ktm350 u can buy...great bike....
snackfedbear
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snackfedbear 10/27/2016 10:53pm
10/27/2016 10:53pm
I have a 2011 CRF450 with 40 hours for sale in southern California if you're interested Tongue
Ted722
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Ted722 10/28/2016 8:41am
10/28/2016 8:41am
What kind of KTM's (of your buddies) did you ride?
BobPA
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BobPA 10/28/2016 9:20am
10/28/2016 9:20am
CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
Look into a KTM350. Right in the middle.
TeamGreen wrote:
Boom!
Yes

Or a 300 KTM

Or an 06+ YZ 250
JWACK
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JWACK 10/28/2016 9:38am
10/28/2016 9:38am
I have a 16 ktm 350 and I don't think it's all that great.. It's good don't get me wrong, but if your riding for fun a 250 two stroke is more fun and teaches better bike handling skills. In the 3-5 grand range you can have a very nice 250 smoker. On the other hand the 3-5 grand range might get you a dud of a 4 stroke.
Threewheeler 10/28/2016 10:10am
10/28/2016 10:10am
i wouldn't even waste the time on a 250f. Get a 350 they are the perfect bike for track and trail plenty of power
gsxr6
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gsxr6 10/28/2016 11:36am
10/28/2016 11:36am
Any one over 180lbs is hard on a 250f. Let alone a 125! They target 130 to 150lb riders. U would probably love a 250 two stroke. Ever rode one? Loads of fun
gsxr6
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gsxr6 10/28/2016 11:39am
10/28/2016 11:39am
A 250 two stroke is like an over sharpened nitro powered scalpel. A 450 is a 30 lb sledge hammer. Both can be effective. I weigh 225. Wouldn't even consider a 250f. Too slow.( With my fatass in the saddle). Let alone a 125.
gsxr6
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gsxr6 10/28/2016 11:43am
10/28/2016 11:43am Edited Date/Time 10/28/2016 12:28pm
Edit
bd
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bd 10/28/2016 11:44am
10/28/2016 11:44am
In Vegas, there's a dealership selling new 2016 CRF 250s for $5,500. Check your dealerships for older models.

One last note, Suzuki on Boulder Highway has new 2012 RMZ 450 for cheap. Buy new if you can. Most of these new bikes rock.

Pit Row

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Joko
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Joko 10/28/2016 3:21pm
10/28/2016 3:21pm
Service Honda.com is selling new leftover 2005-08 Crf450s for 4800-5800
resetjet
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resetjet 10/28/2016 3:25pm
10/28/2016 3:25pm
mxdevon wrote:
I would get the newest cleanest 2014 or newer yz250f that your budget will allow. ( your already a Yamaha guy and those are great bikes...
I would get the newest cleanest 2014 or newer yz250f that your budget will allow. ( your already a Yamaha guy and those are great bikes, the suspension will actually work for you with minimal effort). Coming off the dinger your going to be pumped with the power of any 250f without the shock of going to a 450.....which is probably way more bike than you really want or need!
Exactly
Kx125rider
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Kx125rider 10/28/2016 4:15pm
10/28/2016 4:15pm
Ktm 300 or 350, depends on what youre into
ledger
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ledger 10/28/2016 9:55pm
10/28/2016 9:55pm
06 and up YZ 250 and a fww.
MxRyder
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MxRyder 10/28/2016 10:30pm
10/28/2016 10:30pm
JWACK wrote:
I have a 16 ktm 350 and I don't think it's all that great.. It's good don't get me wrong, but if your riding for fun...
I have a 16 ktm 350 and I don't think it's all that great.. It's good don't get me wrong, but if your riding for fun a 250 two stroke is more fun and teaches better bike handling skills. In the 3-5 grand range you can have a very nice 250 smoker. On the other hand the 3-5 grand range might get you a dud of a 4 stroke.
Definitely agree 250 2strokes are ear to ear smiles....i love my yz295.....i did finally ride a 350f..and it corners amazing...u can nearly lay it flat in a good corner...no push what so ever....and felt the power was good even with stock gearing...easily able to run against 450s.....i thought your 350f is sweet...must be a dream with the ohlins
joeellis
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joeellis 10/29/2016 7:20am
10/29/2016 7:20am
I may get flamed for saying this, but a perfect choice imo is a newer model Honda CRF450R (before 2017 model) or if you really prefer, a CRF450X. I also weigh in at 205. My last bike was a 2015 YZ250F. The bike actually had enough power for me even at the track I frequent most often which has some sand and deep loam. But, you have to ride the snot out of it to get the best results and the throttle response is very crisp. You really need to get used to the instant hit and learn throttle control.

I rode and plan to purchase a 2016 CRF450R. These bikes receive lots of criticism in the shootouts, but I honestly believe Honda knows what they were doing. Let me explain. There is plenty of power, but it is controllable. It doesn't hit as hard as the YZ250F even in the hottest map, but you can clear anything with it. It practically feels and handles like other's 250's imo. The Honda engineers understand that most of us that ride are mere mortals and these characteristics I describe suit most of us much better. You can also modify 2 of the 3 map settings which will allow you to adjust the soft map even more for the woods. They are very underrated bikes in my opinion.
JWACK
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JWACK 10/29/2016 8:12am
10/29/2016 8:12am
JWACK wrote:
I have a 16 ktm 350 and I don't think it's all that great.. It's good don't get me wrong, but if your riding for fun...
I have a 16 ktm 350 and I don't think it's all that great.. It's good don't get me wrong, but if your riding for fun a 250 two stroke is more fun and teaches better bike handling skills. In the 3-5 grand range you can have a very nice 250 smoker. On the other hand the 3-5 grand range might get you a dud of a 4 stroke.
MxRyder wrote:
Definitely agree 250 2strokes are ear to ear smiles....i love my yz295.....i did finally ride a 350f..and it corners amazing...u can nearly lay it flat in...
Definitely agree 250 2strokes are ear to ear smiles....i love my yz295.....i did finally ride a 350f..and it corners amazing...u can nearly lay it flat in a good corner...no push what so ever....and felt the power was good even with stock gearing...easily able to run against 450s.....i thought your 350f is sweet...must be a dream with the ohlins
It is nice and the ohlins work very well. But I'm a bit older now and just need a freak. My 250 twostrokes do it for me. Smiles all day.
MotoX85
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MotoX85 10/29/2016 9:04am
10/29/2016 9:04am
We love Yamaha, but to be honest, all current bikes are better than 99.9% of people's riding skills meaning you would probably not notice to much about each bike that is different besides ergonomics.

I would really choose a bike by what is the best dealer in your area. Who is gonna give you the best price, discount on parts, what the stock.

Tracktor
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Tracktor 10/29/2016 9:16am
10/29/2016 9:16am
joeellis wrote:
I may get flamed for saying this, but a perfect choice imo is a newer model Honda CRF450R (before 2017 model) or if you really prefer...
I may get flamed for saying this, but a perfect choice imo is a newer model Honda CRF450R (before 2017 model) or if you really prefer, a CRF450X. I also weigh in at 205. My last bike was a 2015 YZ250F. The bike actually had enough power for me even at the track I frequent most often which has some sand and deep loam. But, you have to ride the snot out of it to get the best results and the throttle response is very crisp. You really need to get used to the instant hit and learn throttle control.

I rode and plan to purchase a 2016 CRF450R. These bikes receive lots of criticism in the shootouts, but I honestly believe Honda knows what they were doing. Let me explain. There is plenty of power, but it is controllable. It doesn't hit as hard as the YZ250F even in the hottest map, but you can clear anything with it. It practically feels and handles like other's 250's imo. The Honda engineers understand that most of us that ride are mere mortals and these characteristics I describe suit most of us much better. You can also modify 2 of the 3 map settings which will allow you to adjust the soft map even more for the woods. They are very underrated bikes in my opinion.
Exactly what i just did! Gonna go ride it today. I have rode 250fs for years and wanted to try a "slow" 450....

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