Best Vet class 250 IYO

tschweitzer622
Edited Date/Time 9/4/2022 4:47pm
Best vet class 250? How many ride 450’s ? 30+B Class Vet rider that’s been on a 450 for 4 years and tossing around the idea of going back to a 250. Let’s be real, I don’t need all that horsepower nor am I good enough to use it all.
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yz133rider
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yz133rider 9/3/2022 5:15am
9/3/2022 5:15am
What’s your style?
Revver and rear steering? Kawi
Prefer low end and Front end steering? Yamaha Honda or Suzuki.
Somewhere between is the Austrian trio as of 22 I’m not sure about the 23s.

My friend group has had all the brands and late models besides the Yamaha because they’re never available.
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Berm
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Berm 9/3/2022 5:20am
9/3/2022 5:20am Edited Date/Time 9/3/2022 5:20am
A 450 is much easier to ride/race I think. Unless you’re riding mostly hard pack tracks the 450 has been easier to ride in my (vet 30+) experience.
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dedi684
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dedi684 9/3/2022 5:39am
9/3/2022 5:39am
250 2 stroke
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mxking6
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mxking6 9/3/2022 5:57am
9/3/2022 5:57am
300 2-stroke
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Pirate421
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Pirate421 9/3/2022 6:57am
9/3/2022 6:57am
CRF250. I rode one the other day a lot faster than I remember 250f being. And it felt so light and comfortable
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PNWMXer
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PNWMXer 9/3/2022 7:04am
9/3/2022 7:04am
Berm wrote:
A 450 is much easier to ride/race I think. Unless you’re riding mostly hard pack tracks the 450 has been easier to ride in my (vet...
A 450 is much easier to ride/race I think. Unless you’re riding mostly hard pack tracks the 450 has been easier to ride in my (vet 30+) experience.
This for me. I certainly don’t NEED a 450, but the torque suits me better than a 250/350 as I ride with the same approach as a two-stroke 500, ie short-shifting and using the torque, not revs. I’m also a larger framed guy (mxer trapped in a linebacker body), so the 450 just works better for me.
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Dirt.Squirt
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Dirt.Squirt 9/3/2022 8:32am
9/3/2022 8:32am
CR500
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Dirt.Squirt
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Dirt.Squirt 9/3/2022 8:58am
9/3/2022 8:58am
PNWMXer wrote:
This for me. I certainly don’t NEED a 450, but the torque suits me better than a 250/350 as I ride with the same approach as...
This for me. I certainly don’t NEED a 450, but the torque suits me better than a 250/350 as I ride with the same approach as a two-stroke 500, ie short-shifting and using the torque, not revs. I’m also a larger framed guy (mxer trapped in a linebacker body), so the 450 just works better for me.
I’m in the same exact boat as you.
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PNWMXer
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PNWMXer 9/3/2022 9:07am
9/3/2022 9:07am
Dirt.Squirt wrote:
CR500
Always the correct answer-the question doesn’t matter.Laughing
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Moto520
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Moto520 9/3/2022 9:09am
9/3/2022 9:09am
Yamaha yz250f. The motor is easy to ride slower if that makes sense. There’s enough mid-range power to clean up mistakes.
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Rocket164
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Rocket164 9/3/2022 2:08pm
9/3/2022 2:08pm
I’ve been contemplating the best vet class bike for over a year now and it just about drove me crazy. No bike is perfect but the 2023 Honda CRF250R was my final choice. Finally pulled the trigger this morning. Get the suspension dialed and should be good to go from there.

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tschweitzer622 9/3/2022 4:23pm
9/3/2022 4:23pm
Rickyisms wrote:
Tried a 350?
I have not. I have a buddy who has one and told me to ride it. I need too.
Trickassmarks 9/3/2022 7:24pm
9/3/2022 7:24pm
I’ve just Came off A 20 yz250f to a 22 gas gas 250f. For the first time in my biking life I have not felt an instantly advantage on a new bike . Both, for me are feel just as comfortable and as strong but in different areas . I went Austrian because I want the build quality again and it is far better. Suspension is actually fine for me but I am dialing it in still at 8hours. Sometimes I actually feel faster on the gas gas because it’s smoother on the power . Map two is just as snappy for me. My gas is bone stock and I had a full yoshi with keefer nap on my yz.
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Falcon
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Falcon 9/3/2022 9:01pm
9/3/2022 9:01pm
YZ250 2-stroke. It has unbelievable suspension, a stellar engine, produces more power and torque than a 250F, and it's way lighter than a 450.
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Fog 25
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Fog 25 9/4/2022 7:34am
9/4/2022 7:34am
The perfect Vet bike. You will never have so much fun
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ElliotB16
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ElliotB16 9/4/2022 7:40am
9/4/2022 7:40am
Can’t speak for other brands but the Gasgas 250f is a really good bike. I’m 175lbs and MOST of the time don’t feel at a disadvantage unless the track is soft and deep. Much easier to manhandle than the 450 but lacks the raw power
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AH387
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AH387 9/4/2022 7:43am
9/4/2022 7:43am
It sounds like the Honda would be the easiest vet bike just because the motor has good low end and it carries nicely, plus it corners very easily. I have the YZF and i think its also easy to ride but it is pretty aggressive and likes to be shifted, as it goes through gears so fast. I think it corners great too (and stable) but it seems like some riders dont like the Yamaha feel. I personally have no issues but I'm used to them.
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Zerofear66
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Zerofear66 9/4/2022 7:45am
9/4/2022 7:45am
Dirt.Squirt wrote:
CR500


Would be my choice as well. Except for the vibes and trying to hang onto that beast for an entire moto...

GFL...
T-Fish
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T-Fish 9/4/2022 8:27am
9/4/2022 8:27am
350 and it doesn’t matter the color.
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sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 9/4/2022 9:03am
9/4/2022 9:03am
I like the Honda, have FC suspension on it and it handles like a dream. If you are on a budget or feel like you don’t need to ease or cornering of the Honda, I’d go for the Yamaha, stock it’s stable, turns fine, and has a great motor.
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Dirt.Squirt
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Dirt.Squirt 9/4/2022 9:04am
9/4/2022 9:04am
Dirt.Squirt wrote:
CR500
PNWMXer wrote:
Always the correct answer-the question doesn’t matter.Laughing
It’s an obligation at this point
yak651
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yak651 9/4/2022 9:40am
9/4/2022 9:40am
I’ve had a 350sx, kx250, and multiple yz250f. I prefer the YZ. Ridden a KTM250 and didn’t like the high rpm powerband, but with more time could get used to it. All depends on what one you like the ergos of best and what style rider you are. They are all pretty decent and at local vet level you really aren’t going to be at a disadvantage over a 450
Pirate421
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Pirate421 9/4/2022 4:24pm
9/4/2022 4:24pm
I rode a buddies 2023 CRF250 last weekend and was very surprised at how much bottom end it had. I haven’t ridden a 250f in over 10 years and have a gas gas 350 but I was surprised at how fast that bike was. It also felt so light and nimble, great motorcycle
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J-Mill
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J-Mill 9/4/2022 4:46pm
9/4/2022 4:46pm
I think the 350 is the best vet bike if you’re 170lbs or more. With gearing and/or mapping you can set it up to rev or have the ability to lug (still doesn’t lug like a 450) but you can carry 3rd in outsides. Downside is most want to convert the forks to spring so add another $1,500-$2,200 on the already more expensive price of the bike compared to the Japanese bikes. The only reason people keep doing it is because once you fall in love with a 350 you don’t want anything else.
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Phillip_Lamb
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Phillip_Lamb 9/4/2022 9:53pm
9/4/2022 9:53pm
250's ive ridden recently are a 17 KTM and Kawi both fast but these 2 are high rpm bikes and from what i understand the latest models still are all top end motors.

I got to ride a Husky 350 recently. It was all the power I felt was missing from a 250 without modifying one.
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Dirtysmile56
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Dirtysmile56 9/5/2022 10:46am
9/5/2022 10:46am
tschweitzer622 wrote:
Best vet class 250? How many ride 450’s ? 30+B Class Vet rider that’s been on a 450 for 4 years and tossing around the idea...
Best vet class 250? How many ride 450’s ? 30+B Class Vet rider that’s been on a 450 for 4 years and tossing around the idea of going back to a 250. Let’s be real, I don’t need all that horsepower nor am I good enough to use it all.
I just went from many years of 250f's (kawi) and a couple 250 2 strokes (yamaha) and switched this year to an MC450 Troy Lee edition. I've been racing 40+ and 50+ expert. I hit the point where I was tired of having to ring a bike out to keep up with the 450's. I now get great starts and don't have to push it so hard. Lots more coasting into corners a little faster and rolling the throttle on while keeping momentum up. Way smoother riding in general. The 250f's are fun and I absolutely love ringing out a 2 stroke. I think switching things up keeps racing and riding fresh. My advice for a 250f would be (if money isn't a limiting factor) go for one of the Austrian brand 23' models. That new frame is awesome!!! I rode a buddies rockstar a few weeks ago and I couldn't believe how much better it handles than my '22 MC450, and that thing handles great!!! Honestly, you are going to have a blast on any of the new models, they are all awesome in their own right.

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