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Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
I’m hoping to ride within the next week. Still putting stuff on and it’s snowing outside. Been 3 months since I last rode so I’m stoked!
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Picked mine up last Friday. Threw some cycra probends on it and had an absolute blast in the snow on sunday. This bike is awesome. More parts on the way for racing this coming season!
Something worth noting when I talked to Enzo regarding the triple clamps is he said they have a 2018 CRF 250 in house and really like the stock clamps.
I had a KTM 350. Nice motor but everything else felt so foreign. I quit racing locally A class in 2006 and started back last year. I tried the KTM Kool-Aid for a year, then when I got on a buddy’s ‘17 Suzuki 250f with a 290 big bore and ignition, and mind you the air suspension was still stock (bike was brand spanking new,) I was blown away how much more comfortable I was. I absolutely hate KTM with a passion. Nothing to grip on to and it feels like you’re riding a friggin horse. And that was after dropping almost $2,000 on suspension and linkages.
In my age I’ve found to stick to what I know I like and works best. I just need to heed my own advice more often. Whether that be Honda’s because that’s what I came off a decade ago or Jap bikes in general (I like Yz’s too) I don’t know. On the flip side of things, there are probably people out there the the KTM’s are better suited for as well, so don’t bash me. Take my 2¢ for what it’s worth.. and if it hurts somebody’s KTM feelings, here’s a quarter 25¢, call somebody who cares.
Moto track was initially prepped but then dried out and got hard and choppy. Turn track was prime and huge deep ruts. I honestly spent most of my time on the turn track when I hooked up with a fast woods rider.
Suspension is stiff. I weight 205 w/o gear (220w/gear) and the race sag was right at 104mm from the factory. Felt like the rear was riding high so I set the sag at 107mm and that settled it down a bit. Now I never turned out the compression clickers because I didn’t have a long enough screw driver that was narrow enough to fit. I’m sure I could’ve found one from somewhere but I didn’t make it a big deal.
The forks never bottom when I came up short when the bike bogged. Yes bogged. I rode 1.8 hours on a full tank and apparently that’s too much. I was jostling the around on a table / double / double and on the last double I guess it sucked air and it just fell flat on its face on the face of the jump. I did have enough fuel to get back to the truck and saw about 1/2-1” of fuel in the tank. IMO the suspension needs to be a bit more plush and bottoming needs smoothed out.
I loved the snappiness of the powerband. I put a 49T rear sprocket on there and glad I did. Really turns well that you can actually come out of the rut to the inside. The straight line stability was on point. Couple times on fast straight sways with hard ridges and ruts the front end would get a little twitchy but my steering damper calmed things back down.
Can’t wait to ride it in some sand and on a track that flows!
Pit Row
Looking for info on the shock length, is it the same as the previous years 450?
If so, I can start building my shock before I get the bike
Also interested in triple clamps interchangeability. Found a nice deal on used ROCS clamps used on last years 450, would it fit?
Seems like I get mine around christmas (Holland) !!
@Motomaverick989, They might have a different part number because of the spring and setting difference I guess.
Thanks for the thread btw. interesting to hear some info on the bike!
This bike flat out rips and is a blast! Took it down south and had a great time! To best sum it up, it’s motor is like a YZ 250 2 stroke the way it has a little bottom but explodes to life, light and super agile around the track like a 125, all with the confidence of a 4 stroke. I couldn’t be happier. Suspension was too soft for my hefty 205 frame so that’ll change this week with a valve and spring job. With stock settings it felt choppy and harsh (riding low in the stroke.) Stiffened then clickers up and then it felt like jello. I believe once I get stiffer springs and valving in there it should be the baby bear pourage!
Post a reply to: 2018 CRF 250r Thread