Honda CRF250X: Suggest the best upgrade/modification for increased horsepower?

Benski
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Benski
I own a 2013 Honda CRF250X. I really like the bike for the steep, technical trail riding I do. I've gotten used to the power of the bike, and want to know if there is a parts upgrade or modification I can perform to increase the horsepower. Is the upgrade/modification worth the price? Please offer some tried suggestions.
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Xeno
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Xeno 5/15/2017 6:40am
5/15/2017 6:40am
Installing a 2009 CRF250R camshaft is probably the single most effective power upgrade for that motor.

From there you can change/port the cylinder head, valves and valve seats.
There is a guy on this board named "Team Green" who built up a few of these bikes for SCORE class 21- maybe he will chime in...
mattyhamz2 5/15/2017 7:30am
5/15/2017 7:30am
Sell it and get a new Yamaha or KTM? JK!! Like Xeno said, the R cam. That seems to be one of the most popular and most effective mods on both the 250x and 450x. Also if you haven't done it yet, cut out the backfire screen and get a new flame resistant air filter.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 5/15/2017 2:01pm
5/15/2017 2:01pm Edited Date/Time 5/15/2017 2:02pm
FastHeads in St George, Utah has the full set-up for an R head -set up- on an X. Run the R exhaust, too (we run FMF). the valve seats, guides and the metallurgical treatment on the valves can ALL be better than stock...that's what FastHeads does right. Bump compression up to '08/'09 R levels via the R piston. Running an R ignition can help, too.

You can start by bumping the compression up on your X. When you have the head off, send it to FastHeads and he can make the stocker better...MUCH...better. Time to get that R cam in there. Get the R pipe, while your at it. Jet it like an '08/'09 R (or whatever year R had the type of carb that your bike has).

Good Luck!

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Benski
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Benski 5/15/2017 6:10pm
5/15/2017 6:10pm
Thanks for the replies. I read that Honda changed the cam in the later Xs and also fixed the valve issues. It sounds like the 08-09 R must be pretty awesome! I may just keep an eye out for one of those.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 5/15/2017 6:17pm
5/15/2017 6:17pm
Benski wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I read that Honda changed the cam in the later Xs and also fixed the valve issues. It sounds like the 08-09...
Thanks for the replies. I read that Honda changed the cam in the later Xs and also fixed the valve issues. It sounds like the 08-09 R must be pretty awesome! I may just keep an eye out for one of those.
Your chassis is one of the BEST Honda has ever put a 250 4T in...it really is that good. If you put an R pipe (just the header/available CHEAP used on e-Bay) and jet it good...that's a great start. The R cam is an easy hop-up, too. I believe Hot Cams has a cam that's REAL CLOSE to a stock '08R.
BobbyM
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BobbyM 5/15/2017 9:20pm
5/15/2017 9:20pm
Benski wrote:
I own a 2013 Honda CRF250X. I really like the bike for the steep, technical trail riding I do. I've gotten used to the power of...
I own a 2013 Honda CRF250X. I really like the bike for the steep, technical trail riding I do. I've gotten used to the power of the bike, and want to know if there is a parts upgrade or modification I can perform to increase the horsepower. Is the upgrade/modification worth the price? Please offer some tried suggestions.
Are you using all available power now? Is that why you need more power?
Benski
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Benski 5/16/2017 6:49pm
5/16/2017 6:49pm
BobbyM wrote:
Are you using all available power now? Is that why you need more power?
I have a difficult time getting the front up in a hurry when I have to cross downed tree, scramble through some rocks or flat land a drop off. I'm more used to the immediate power of a 2 stroke. I've been practicing popping up the front wheel at slow speeds. I was thinking more hp. through a modification would help.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 5/16/2017 8:29pm
5/16/2017 8:29pm
BobbyM wrote:
Are you using all available power now? Is that why you need more power?
Benski wrote:
I have a difficult time getting the front up in a hurry when I have to cross downed tree, scramble through some rocks or flat land...
I have a difficult time getting the front up in a hurry when I have to cross downed tree, scramble through some rocks or flat land a drop off. I'm more used to the immediate power of a 2 stroke. I've been practicing popping up the front wheel at slow speeds. I was thinking more hp. through a modification would help.
Got your msg but o was at the track today.

The R header is shorter and, in some cases, a different diameter. A complete R pipe puts a lot of "snap" in the motor. Especially with a rejeting.

Have you removed the EPA crap?
LoudLove
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LoudLove 5/17/2017 3:24am
5/17/2017 3:24am
Benski wrote:
I have a difficult time getting the front up in a hurry when I have to cross downed tree, scramble through some rocks or flat land...
I have a difficult time getting the front up in a hurry when I have to cross downed tree, scramble through some rocks or flat land a drop off. I'm more used to the immediate power of a 2 stroke. I've been practicing popping up the front wheel at slow speeds. I was thinking more hp. through a modification would help.
An Athena 280 kit is a great mod. Does not overly tax the stock components and increases power by ~10%.

The X handles great and has terrific susapension, but it's also underpowered and rather portly. Mastering the clutch is critical, as is carrying momentum. I eventually upgraded to a 350 EXC, which is an entirely different machine. You could spend $5K on the Honda and it would not match the KTM's capabilities.
Benski
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Benski 5/18/2017 4:45am
5/18/2017 4:45am
TeamGreen wrote:
Got your msg but o was at the track today. The R header is shorter and, in some cases, a different diameter. A complete R pipe...
Got your msg but o was at the track today.

The R header is shorter and, in some cases, a different diameter. A complete R pipe puts a lot of "snap" in the motor. Especially with a rejeting.

Have you removed the EPA crap?
The EPA stuff is removed. I checked the valves and they were good. What track are you riding at? So a 08 09 header may not fit in on my bike? Will a complete R pipe fit in? I'm going to be traveling. I'm at sea level now but may be up as high as 8k feet. What adjustments should I do for the altitude? Thanks...
Mathew_Eckford 10/15/2018 9:06am
10/15/2018 9:06am
Team green
Does the 2016 crfx 250 need new cam or do u know if the jave fixed any of the issues
MillsHondaRider 10/15/2018 4:44pm
10/15/2018 4:44pm
13T front sprocket helped me with... "I have a difficult time getting the front up in a hurry when I have to cross downed tree."

I opened up the airbox, removed the air filter screen, punched a hole in the diffuser, rejetted the carb, and raised the needed a clip on my '05. A cheap and noticeable upgrade over stock. I checked the plug a few times after the change to make sure I wasn't too lean.

Bought a new left over '16 for this season and only did the 13T so far. Not as snappy as my '05 so I will open it up before next season.
John X Kennedy 10/16/2018 11:35am
10/16/2018 11:35am
I started with a 250X but the harsh truth is after doing all the mods to make it an R motor (R cam, exhaust, CCC mods etc) the bike can't really overcome its gearing.

The wide ratio gearbox is set up for riding fire roads, and it is a heavy motorcycle. Between those two things it just never attains the feel of a race bike, it will always be a play bike.

I have found it is much cheaper and easier to take a CRF250R (of similar vintage) and convert it over to offroad spec (big tank, 18" rear) so you end up with an RX or XCF equivalent instead of putting lipstick on the 250X pig. You could also just move to an XC or XCF, which is what I eventually did.

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