Choosing a bike

Craigyw1984
I'm looking at a new bike in the new year. I'm swaying back towards 2 stroke as I'm 5'8 75kg and the CRF 450 I had was simply too big and heavy. I will be riding enduro and on tracks when I can. Will a 250 smoker be a good all rounder for both. My biggest reservations are the snappy power and seat height. I would class myself as a novice. Any help would be much appreciated.....
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zehn
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zehn 12/23/2019 11:26am
12/23/2019 11:26am
250 2T or 300 2T
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cdncombatmedic 12/23/2019 11:32am
12/23/2019 11:32am
Are you able to do motor work on a 4 stroke? Do you have $3000 if the motor fails? If no, get a 2 stroke.
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chump6784
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chump6784 12/23/2019 11:32am
12/23/2019 11:32am Edited Date/Time 12/23/2019 11:41am
Are you looking at an enduro 2 stroke or mx 2 stroke?
The enduro models like the exc and yz-x have a more mellow power band than their mx counterparts. You can also add flywheel weights to reduce the hit without losing power. Also, if you go a ktm/husky you can adjust the power valve for less hit
I think seat heights on all modern bikes would be fairly similar and you can do things like cut seat foam, lower the sub frame or have the suspension lowered.

I have a yz250 and find its awesome for both. I actually like the more snappy power in the woods, especially in the tighter stuff and on the mx track it is just downright fun
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zehn
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zehn 12/23/2019 11:36am
12/23/2019 11:36am
cdncombatmedic wrote:
Are you able to do motor work on a 4 stroke? Do you have $3000 if the motor fails? If no, get a 2 stroke.
It isn't 2004 anymore
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SmokinJoe439
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SmokinJoe439 12/23/2019 11:38am
12/23/2019 11:38am
cdncombatmedic wrote:
Are you able to do motor work on a 4 stroke? Do you have $3000 if the motor fails? If no, get a 2 stroke.
zehn wrote:
It isn't 2004 anymore
And parts have only gotten cheaper since then? 🤣
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heatedcheese
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heatedcheese 12/23/2019 11:43am
12/23/2019 11:43am
A ktm 250 xc if you've got the budget, or a yz250x if you're constrained in that regard will be bikes that will do everything you want. Their power is easy to use and suitable to a broad range of riding conditions. You also won't lose your ass nearly as badly on resale compared to a 250f if you decide to switch things up in a few years.
Craigyw1984 12/23/2019 11:52am
12/23/2019 11:52am
Thanks for the replys guys. Definitely steering toward a 250. I would rather an MX bike that I could use for trails. £2k budget. What's your thoughts on early 2000's YZ 250?
Zerofear66
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Zerofear66 12/23/2019 12:11pm
12/23/2019 12:11pm
Stick with 06 or newer.
The SSS fork is amazing
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kb228
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kb228 12/23/2019 12:16pm
12/23/2019 12:16pm
cdncombatmedic wrote:
Are you able to do motor work on a 4 stroke? Do you have $3000 if the motor fails? If no, get a 2 stroke.
zehn wrote:
It isn't 2004 anymore
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
And parts have only gotten cheaper since then? 🤣
No, new 4 strokes are more reliable than 2 strokes now days.
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Craigyw1984 12/23/2019 12:24pm
12/23/2019 12:24pm
zehn wrote:
It isn't 2004 anymore
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
And parts have only gotten cheaper since then? 🤣
kb228 wrote:
No, new 4 strokes are more reliable than 2 strokes now days.
On a 2k budget though. I know the 2 strokes are cheaper to rebuild. Why are the fours more reliable then?
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Deja New
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Deja New 12/23/2019 1:53pm
12/23/2019 1:53pm
I just bought a Husky TC250 and I’ve never had a 2 stroke with such a smooth power curve. Has plenty of get up n go but it’s the first one I can hold on the back wheel and not worry it’s going to flip out from under me.
I’m 5,11 and 80kg and it carries me forward n up with ease.
Asselstine 12/23/2019 1:57pm
12/23/2019 1:57pm
cdncombatmedic wrote:
Are you able to do motor work on a 4 stroke? Do you have $3000 if the motor fails? If no, get a 2 stroke.
I've had 9 four strokes. Zero engine failures. When I rode 2 strokes I had more Crank's in my freezer than ice.
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kb228
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kb228 12/23/2019 2:17pm
12/23/2019 2:17pm
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
And parts have only gotten cheaper since then? 🤣
kb228 wrote:
No, new 4 strokes are more reliable than 2 strokes now days.
Craigyw1984 wrote:
On a 2k budget though. I know the 2 strokes are cheaper to rebuild. Why are the fours more reliable then?
If youre on a 2k budget then your only choice is a 2 stroke. No 4 stroke for 2k or less is going to last long. Was under the impression you were buying new
zehn
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zehn 12/23/2019 2:29pm
12/23/2019 2:29pm
Craigyw1984 wrote:
Thanks for the replys guys. Definitely steering toward a 250. I would rather an MX bike that I could use for trails. £2k budget. What's your...
Thanks for the replys guys. Definitely steering toward a 250. I would rather an MX bike that I could use for trails. £2k budget. What's your thoughts on early 2000's YZ 250?
You should be able to find something decent from the current generation (2006+) in that price range if you keep your options open and look hard/long enough
ElliotB16
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ElliotB16 12/23/2019 2:43pm
12/23/2019 2:43pm
I would go with a 250f or 450. The power delivery is so much smoother and easier to ride than a 250 2 stroke
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Drop-Bear
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Drop-Bear 12/23/2019 3:04pm
12/23/2019 3:04pm
KTM/Husky 150cc 2T FTW!
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 12/23/2019 3:17pm
12/23/2019 3:17pm
What year CRF450 did you have? The current ones are heavy on paper but don’t feel like it at all on the track. Im not a big two stroke guy but when I do ride them the YZ’s are a lot of fun, have amazing suspension bone stock and great turning.
cdncombatmedic 12/23/2019 4:41pm
12/23/2019 4:41pm
zehn wrote:
It isn't 2004 anymore
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
And parts have only gotten cheaper since then? 🤣
kb228 wrote:
No, new 4 strokes are more reliable than 2 strokes now days.
Until they are not, and it's a huge amount to fix. No thanks.
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kb228
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kb228 12/23/2019 5:05pm
12/23/2019 5:05pm
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
And parts have only gotten cheaper since then? 🤣
kb228 wrote:
No, new 4 strokes are more reliable than 2 strokes now days.
cdncombatmedic wrote:
Until they are not, and it's a huge amount to fix. No thanks.
If you cant take care of a bike to avoid catastrophic failure then its your own fault. Its like trying to go 200 hours on a 125 and then scratch your head as to why the cases are broken.
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markit
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markit 12/23/2019 5:18pm
12/23/2019 5:18pm
I would keep the option of a 250F open, they make great woods bikes. Riding a 450 in the woods is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.imo
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cdncombatmedic 12/23/2019 8:21pm
12/23/2019 8:21pm
kb228 wrote:
No, new 4 strokes are more reliable than 2 strokes now days.
cdncombatmedic wrote:
Until they are not, and it's a huge amount to fix. No thanks.
kb228 wrote:
If you cant take care of a bike to avoid catastrophic failure then its your own fault. Its like trying to go 200 hours on a...
If you cant take care of a bike to avoid catastrophic failure then its your own fault. Its like trying to go 200 hours on a 125 and then scratch your head as to why the cases are broken.
Right my point, preventative maintenance costs on a 4 stroke are much higher, especially if you are not doing your own work.
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Craigyw1984 12/25/2019 12:21pm
12/25/2019 12:21pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
What year CRF450 did you have? The current ones are heavy on paper but don’t feel like it at all on the track. Im not a...
What year CRF450 did you have? The current ones are heavy on paper but don’t feel like it at all on the track. Im not a big two stroke guy but when I do ride them the YZ’s are a lot of fun, have amazing suspension bone stock and great turning.
I had an 08 mate. Jumped straight from having an RM 125 some years ago, big mistake. The power was a bit much and the setup was not for my size. Doing enduro with mates and it was not ideal, especially when I stalled it🙄. I'm 5,8 at 75kg. The CR was so tall and I struggled to touch the ground. As I said it had a very stiff spring and little sag
Last Braaap
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Last Braaap 12/25/2019 1:08pm
12/25/2019 1:08pm
CR500 is solid choice, hear me out.

It might not be the lightest or the most nimble bike out there but the weight can be compensated by the rider sweating bullets from get-go till the time of inevitable act of passing out.
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 12/25/2019 1:13pm
12/25/2019 1:13pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
What year CRF450 did you have? The current ones are heavy on paper but don’t feel like it at all on the track. Im not a...
What year CRF450 did you have? The current ones are heavy on paper but don’t feel like it at all on the track. Im not a big two stroke guy but when I do ride them the YZ’s are a lot of fun, have amazing suspension bone stock and great turning.
Craigyw1984 wrote:
I had an 08 mate. Jumped straight from having an RM 125 some years ago, big mistake. The power was a bit much and the setup...
I had an 08 mate. Jumped straight from having an RM 125 some years ago, big mistake. The power was a bit much and the setup was not for my size. Doing enduro with mates and it was not ideal, especially when I stalled it🙄. I'm 5,8 at 75kg. The CR was so tall and I struggled to touch the ground. As I said it had a very stiff spring and little sag
I feel your pain, I had an 05. Those things were huge. Sounds like a newer 250f with a Rekluse clutch would be right up your alley.
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