yz250f or 250sxf for an almost beginner ?

mike44
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mike44
Hi guy, i am a beginner planning to start MX at 44yo Silly ...not a totally beginner as i rode a 125kx during more or less 4 years when i was 14yo.
I remember that i did not like the way the 125 2t delivered his power.....no low end at all...2stroke.....
I am 6.1 165lbs

Now i am very exited to try this low end torque on 4 stroke engine
Where i am living now (Spain) it seems almost impossible to try the bike before buying it; furthermore there is some KTM dealer around the place but japanese dealer don't have MX bikeSad .
I did read and see all the shootout availiable on this planet Laughing
I dismissed the honda because it seems "rigid", and also the KX that seems to have the less low end power.

The YZF is advertised as the best low end machine and the swiss army knife of bike. Do you think the KTM chassis is too "sharp" for me ? Most of rider qualify the austrian motor as a screamer...is it possible to have the same low end on the ktm than on the YZF just changing the end gearing ? As the KTM seems to have a wayyyy taller gearing than the YZF (14/51 compare to 13/50), and the power curve of the KTM seems to be better on every part of the curve.!?

Which one is the best cornering ? (lot of contradiction in different shootout).

Thank for all, hope you will understand my english
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davis224
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davis224 8/20/2022 7:32am
8/20/2022 7:32am
In before people recommend a 450.
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Teejay
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Teejay 8/20/2022 7:42am
8/20/2022 7:42am
If you’re a beginner, I wouldn’t even worry about the finer details of it. Just get the best condition bike you can find or afford and ride it.
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Not-a-Fan
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Not-a-Fan 8/20/2022 7:44am
8/20/2022 7:44am
I'd skip straight to a 500 2 stroke. It will have 4 times the torque of the 30 year old kx125 you rode. It will rev higher, use less gas, and with a little work you can modify it to shift for you as well so you're not struggling putting the low end to work. The 500s also come with a bigger stator so you can connect a microwave at the track to warm up some left over pizza.
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mike44
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mike44 8/20/2022 8:58am
8/20/2022 8:58am
Not-a-Fan wrote:
I'd skip straight to a 500 2 stroke. It will have 4 times the torque of the 30 year old kx125 you rode. It will rev...
I'd skip straight to a 500 2 stroke. It will have 4 times the torque of the 30 year old kx125 you rode. It will rev higher, use less gas, and with a little work you can modify it to shift for you as well so you're not struggling putting the low end to work. The 500s also come with a bigger stator so you can connect a microwave at the track to warm up some left over pizza.
i only eat my pizza freshly coming out from the wood hoven Wink
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Not-a-Fan
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Not-a-Fan 8/20/2022 9:06am
8/20/2022 9:06am Edited Date/Time 8/20/2022 9:11am
Not-a-Fan wrote:
I'd skip straight to a 500 2 stroke. It will have 4 times the torque of the 30 year old kx125 you rode. It will rev...
I'd skip straight to a 500 2 stroke. It will have 4 times the torque of the 30 year old kx125 you rode. It will rev higher, use less gas, and with a little work you can modify it to shift for you as well so you're not struggling putting the low end to work. The 500s also come with a bigger stator so you can connect a microwave at the track to warm up some left over pizza.
mike44 wrote:
i only eat my pizza freshly coming out from the wood hoven Wink
Haha, ok well since you can take a joke my best advice is kind of inline with the other poster, the shootouts will throw you for a loop because some have a motive to make their advertisers happyor at least not dog a bike that was given to them for free. Its super easy to get caught up in the fluff.

I would concentrate on finding reviews about the suspension from other riders on the forums. The motor package I don't think you can lose on especially coming from yhe kx125, the suspension is what will really make your experience at the track. I don't have much to add as I haven't really riden any of these newer bikes.

I guess I can add to not concern your self too much on yhe gearing as the final drive gearing will be different depending on the internal gearing ratios. In the end those two you mentioned probably won't be too much different
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UGOTBIT
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UGOTBIT 8/20/2022 9:06am
8/20/2022 9:06am
davis224 wrote:
In before people recommend a 450.
CR500
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mike44
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mike44 8/20/2022 9:54am
8/20/2022 9:54am
"Haha, ok well since you can take a joke my best advice is kind of inline with the other poster, the shootouts will throw you for a loop because some have a motive to make their advertisers happyor at least not dog a bike that was given to them for free. Its super easy to get caught up in the fluff."

you made the point Wink )
wideopen198 8/20/2022 10:03am
8/20/2022 10:03am
They're probably both good bikes for you. If you ask me the biggest problem with the KTM is that it has air forks. The air pressure needs to be checked pretty much before every ride. Also the reviews on those air forks are not really that good. A lot of people change them out but that makes it pretty expensive.
I ride the yz250f so obviously I like the Yamaha but I've also ridden the '22 KX250 and if you ask me that's also a really good bike.
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GoonRider93 8/20/2022 10:59am
8/20/2022 10:59am
Whichever you like the look of the most
MX558
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MX558 8/20/2022 11:06am
8/20/2022 11:06am
YZ, kx or crf will be much easier to set up for a beginner because of the suspension on the Austrian bikes
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YZ-MTB
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YZ-MTB 8/21/2022 1:50am
8/21/2022 1:50am
Either bike will be more than good enough to bring you back into riding. Even though I am a yamaha guy, I would consider the KTM for your situation since it sounds like you dont have any Yamaha dealers nearby that can service the bike if you run into problems. If you are very mechanically inclined and like working on your own bikes, that may be less of an issue, but should still be considered.
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EnvyMedia 8/21/2022 2:28am
8/21/2022 2:28am
In my opinion, modern bikes are so good that pros and cons don’t matter much for a beginner. Get the bike that’s easiest for you to pick up and the one you can get a good deal on. That’s way more important at your stage than what bike has better forks, more power, etc.
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Richy
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Richy 8/21/2022 2:35am
8/21/2022 2:35am
I'll second them all being good, we're spoilt now in all honesty, however I do see a few people mention the Yamaha's being a little cramped for guys over 6 foot, but I've spent very very little time on one and didn't notice it personally (6'1 also, only fatter).

I'm personally on a KTM 350 right now and gonna wait until low hour 2023 KX250's start to show up and go that route next.
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ben5020
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ben5020 8/22/2022 12:15pm
8/22/2022 12:15pm
If your tall go with the blue bikes, I’m 5’5” and have had both brands and I prefer the ergos of the ktm brand bikes over the Yamahas. Yamaha I find to be unreliable I bought a new 15 yz250f as a beginner-ish rider at the age of 34 and the damn thing snapped a rod and Yamaha didn’t want to help in any way so I will never buy blue again
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Moto520
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Moto520 8/22/2022 12:27pm
8/22/2022 12:27pm
Yamaha. Great bike. Made well. Great suspension. Phenomenal motor.
crc245
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crc245 8/22/2022 12:39pm
8/22/2022 12:39pm Edited Date/Time 8/23/2022 11:27am
2019-2022 KTM. Learn the ins and outs of AER setup and adjust settings as you advance. Can’t go wrong either way, but the KTM fits me better at 6’ and likely you at 6’1”...
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Forty
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Forty 8/22/2022 5:22pm
8/22/2022 5:22pm
YZ is the best 250f on the market and it’s not close. Buy one.
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Harry's Severed Write Arm 8/22/2022 9:06pm
8/22/2022 9:06pm
Not-a-Fan wrote:
I'd skip straight to a 500 2 stroke. It will have 4 times the torque of the 30 year old kx125 you rode. It will rev...
I'd skip straight to a 500 2 stroke. It will have 4 times the torque of the 30 year old kx125 you rode. It will rev higher, use less gas, and with a little work you can modify it to shift for you as well so you're not struggling putting the low end to work. The 500s also come with a bigger stator so you can connect a microwave at the track to warm up some left over pizza.
Totally agree. A 1986 Honda CR500 is your ticket to trophies.
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inthebadboycorner 8/23/2022 4:42am
8/23/2022 4:42am
As a near beginner I would buy the Yamaha,
I assume you have little or no experience in dialling in suspension, with the Yamaha you can just ride it as it is, the KTM just will not work as well.
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Wouterb
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Wouterb 8/23/2022 4:57am
8/23/2022 4:57am
I'm also 6’1”, more or less beginner level, a bit heavier (180 lbs) and realy like the YZ250F (2019).

Great power where you need it (low to mid) and adjustable (power tuner app) and great consistent suspension. I only the stock seat with a higher and firmer seat. Not to increase the seat height, but to reduce the 'pocket' the original seat has.
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Munson'd
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Munson'd 8/23/2022 6:36am
8/23/2022 6:36am
Yamaha. You can run a map that will keep it somewhat tame until you are ready to let the thing eat.
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mike44
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mike44 9/9/2022 11:26am
9/9/2022 11:26am
Finally i can have a good deal on brand new Yamaha 22 and Husqvarna 23 and an almost new second hand ktm22.
Did see all of them in the showroom (except the Yamaha), and liked them except the KX (very tall feel with low handlebar).
So i as did not see the YZF i am still hesitating...
Which one corner the best ?
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TBOLTUSA
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TBOLTUSA 9/9/2022 11:28am
9/9/2022 11:28am
58 years old
LOVE my YZ250F(s)
monkeybut417
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monkeybut417 9/9/2022 12:06pm
9/9/2022 12:06pm
mike44 wrote:
Finally i can have a good deal on brand new Yamaha 22 and Husqvarna 23 and an almost new second hand ktm22. Did see all of...
Finally i can have a good deal on brand new Yamaha 22 and Husqvarna 23 and an almost new second hand ktm22.
Did see all of them in the showroom (except the Yamaha), and liked them except the KX (very tall feel with low handlebar).
So i as did not see the YZF i am still hesitating...
Which one corner the best ?
I have a 21 Ktm and have ridden a 21 Yamaha. Both bikes corner well, not enough difference to matter imo.

I’m very similar to your size and the Yamaha just felt cramped to me. The Yamaha suspension is better but the Ktm suspension is good and very close imo.

I would go with what ever you feel like you are getting the best deal on.
mike44
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mike44 10/9/2022 12:36am
10/9/2022 12:36am
Did have a ride on an 250sxf 2022. The first 3 thing that was obvious to me was the power on the engine, the inertia in corner, and the need to really loading hard the front of the bike in order to entering the corner.
Are the Honda or Yamaha the same in the corner ?
Leeham
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Leeham 10/9/2022 12:28pm
10/9/2022 12:28pm
The Honda and Yamaha have spring forks which puts more weight on the front end and have more feel. Whether or not thats the ticket for you is unknown.

I feel my YZ250F can corner as good as any other bike. Might take a little more input than a Honda but its all good. Ill take my stable bike all day. Honda is easy to turn but for *some* it gets busy on the front. Its one of the reasons why I sold my Honda.
wwdiii
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wwdiii 10/9/2022 3:26pm
10/9/2022 3:26pm
I’m going from Yamaha to Honda. Supposed to pick my 2023 CRF250R Tuesday or Wed. of next week. I’m 66 and I only hit the track during the week to miss the fast crowd. I’m over 6 ft too and the Honda seems to fit me much better. Yeah the Yamaha is stable at speed, but for older guys and beginners I doubt most in that group will be fast enough to make a Honda twitch for lack of better words. I’ve always been in Yamaha’s corder, even have a generator with a Yamaha engine.

The Honda seems a good fit to taller guys with long legs.

As bad as the used market appears to be, my YZF may not be going anywhere, so I still maybe a Yamaha guy.

Thanks Billy
mike44
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mike44 10/10/2022 7:31am
10/10/2022 7:31am
wwdiii wrote:
I’m going from Yamaha to Honda. Supposed to pick my 2023 CRF250R Tuesday or Wed. of next week. I’m 66 and I only hit the track...
I’m going from Yamaha to Honda. Supposed to pick my 2023 CRF250R Tuesday or Wed. of next week. I’m 66 and I only hit the track during the week to miss the fast crowd. I’m over 6 ft too and the Honda seems to fit me much better. Yeah the Yamaha is stable at speed, but for older guys and beginners I doubt most in that group will be fast enough to make a Honda twitch for lack of better words. I’ve always been in Yamaha’s corder, even have a generator with a Yamaha engine.

The Honda seems a good fit to taller guys with long legs.

As bad as the used market appears to be, my YZF may not be going anywhere, so I still maybe a Yamaha guy.

Thanks Billy
Nice, let me know if you pick the Honda what do you think about it !
For me i feel difficult to put the KTM in sharp corner, and also the engine is not smooth at low RPM that does not help...
Afraid of th Yamaha "low end torque monster".
Furthermore it seems that around my place here in spain the tracks are more "SX" size.....so sharp cornering seems much more important than power at peak RPM....
fourfourone
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fourfourone 10/10/2022 7:42am
10/10/2022 7:42am
I really like my Honda Crf250.

Similar bottom end to the Yz, but the roll on power is much smoother.
Leeham
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Leeham 10/10/2022 1:03pm
10/10/2022 1:03pm
mike44 wrote:
Nice, let me know if you pick the Honda what do you think about it ! For me i feel difficult to put the KTM in...
Nice, let me know if you pick the Honda what do you think about it !
For me i feel difficult to put the KTM in sharp corner, and also the engine is not smooth at low RPM that does not help...
Afraid of th Yamaha "low end torque monster".
Furthermore it seems that around my place here in spain the tracks are more "SX" size.....so sharp cornering seems much more important than power at peak RPM....
The Yamaha isn't crazy on the bottom end, not like a 450, just out of all the 250 machines today it has the best pick up. Just allows you to run a taller gear through corners. Local track of mine gets some deep loamy ruts that load the bike up pretty good. I can run 3rd gear through those corners. Low rpms and smooth power. I find it easier to go through some ruts in 3rd than in 2nd. 2nd is a little too much in sometimes in some corners for my liking.

Also if you make a mistake, the rpm pick up is excellent. Quick stab of the clutch and some throttle and its back to life. I used to think I just needed a good handling bike in order to run tighter tracks, I got the 19 honda 250. That thing was a dog and a chore to ride on tight tracks. Power makes a huge difference on ease of rideability.
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