Vet Riders on 250f

Sacko
Posts
209
Joined
7/16/2018
Location
Canyon Lake, CA, USA
Edited Date/Time 9/17/2022 6:30am
Any Vet riders switch from a 450 to a 250f? Been riding 450's over 10 years now and been really considering getting a 250f this year. Just seems like the 250F's are soo good now that it would be nice having the lighter bike with a little less power. Looking at all the pro's and cons, seems like the fun factor of a 250f is very appealing. Anyone experience the switch?
11
|
SGoodman
Posts
279
Joined
8/17/2022
Location
Aurora, CO, USA
9/14/2022 2:46pm
50+ here... and ya... at 50 I turned everything back a few notches... racing a 250F is like racing a mod'ed play bike... soft down low, soft in the middle, then some yank up top... perfect for lazy old dudes like me... Smile
6
1
AH387
Posts
1664
Joined
8/29/2019
Location
Bridgeville, PA, USA
9/14/2022 3:03pm
I feel like there was a thread recently about this, but anyways. I've bounced back and forth between 450, 350 and 250Fs. 250Fs are my favorite. I'm 41, average speed. If you are willing to shift and ride it aggressively, it's a great option. A lot of vet guys like to lug or leave it in 3rd and that's maybe where it might not be the right bike. I love the fast rev and instant snap of the YZF. You do have to shift more, and rather quickly, though. I use 4th way more than I ever would on a 350 or 450. But, the handling is great and the bike inspires confidence. The new Honda sounds good too.
4
paddyB745
Posts
275
Joined
2/9/2011
Location
novato, CA, USA
9/14/2022 3:05pm
30+ B rider. Made the switch to a 250f after taking a year off, previous bikes were a 250 2 stroke and kx450. It definitely brought back the fun factor for me and it’s probably my favorite bike I’ve owned (21 kx250). Yeah you have to ride it a little harder but I can ride it like that longer than I could a 450. If you race you might be a little underpowered on starts but I was able to pull top 5 starts twice at world vet on it last year and I felt like I was less tired at the end of motos vs 450 guys hanging on for dear life after 5 laps.
2
JDirt
Posts
50
Joined
8/13/2022
Location
Plano, TX, USA
9/14/2022 3:06pm
Riding 250T for years and I wasnt happy with the early 250F, but when they started making 40hp I was sold. the 450's extra pounds make a difference when I'm digging it out of the bushes offroad, and the extra HP only helps me being lazy in the corners at MX. I do miss the two stroke rebuild cost though. Im 55 but only 190 so you fat old f#kers may struggle a bit more without the boost on the bottom end. All mine are kickstart which the smaller displacement helps when kicking over hot. I got a 450, rode it a few times and sold. Great for popping wheelies though!

3

The Shop

9/14/2022 3:14pm
JDirt wrote:
Riding 250T for years and I wasnt happy with the early 250F, but when they started making 40hp I was sold. the 450's extra pounds make...
Riding 250T for years and I wasnt happy with the early 250F, but when they started making 40hp I was sold. the 450's extra pounds make a difference when I'm digging it out of the bushes offroad, and the extra HP only helps me being lazy in the corners at MX. I do miss the two stroke rebuild cost though. Im 55 but only 190 so you fat old f#kers may struggle a bit more without the boost on the bottom end. All mine are kickstart which the smaller displacement helps when kicking over hot. I got a 450, rode it a few times and sold. Great for popping wheelies though!

My buddy is 260 riding a 250f. He has the crf250 and was an old local pro back In the day. He loves the 250. I am going to ride it soon. As a big guy myself I’m curious how much I will miss the bottom end from my 450.
1
JDirt
Posts
50
Joined
8/13/2022
Location
Plano, TX, USA
9/14/2022 3:17pm
Oh for sure 90% rider. I used to ride with a big guy who loved his 125T and ripped it, he just kept it pinned the whole time lol
1
richter28
Posts
280
Joined
12/11/2009
Location
Mchenry, IL, USA
9/14/2022 3:27pm Edited Date/Time 9/14/2022 3:28pm
New 250's are so good now... We've had multiple long time 450 riding Vet guys this year get new 250f's and put 270's in them. Lighter, better turning, easier to handle when your tired etc. but with decent enough torque that's still really reliable.
4
1
j368
Posts
575
Joined
7/13/2014
Location
Tulsa, OK, USA
9/14/2022 3:30pm
Racing the 250 you’re at a disadvantage on the starts. Cornering you have an advantage over the 450’s. You’ll be less tired on the 250 than a 450. You can just ride it harder, instead of being along for the ride on a 450. Just my opinion.
5
seth419
Posts
233
Joined
10/28/2016
Location
Goleta, CA, USA
9/14/2022 3:36pm
I'm in the same situation. I'm on a 19 kx450 but really think I would have a lot more fun on the kx250. I don't race so not concerned with starts. I want to ride a 21+ kx250 so I can see if I am crazy or not. I am 6'4 190.
4
Bret
Posts
831
Joined
8/10/2008
Location
Mission Viejo, CA, USA
9/14/2022 4:00pm Edited Date/Time 9/14/2022 4:02pm
I am 57 and a 450 just wears me out. I have much more fun on a 250 and it doesn't wear me out. I just ride for fun now so starts are no longer one of the deciding factors for choosing a bike. I am 6' 3" and weigh 240 pounds and a 250 doesn't seem to have a problem hauling me around the track.
4
ElliotB16
Posts
1128
Joined
6/10/2019
Location
Cairo, GA, USA
9/14/2022 4:10pm
I weigh 175 and raced the 250f last weekend. Muddier conditions most of the day and struggled against 450s until the track dried then really wasn’t a disadvantage.

They’re a lot of fun but have their pros and cons. Depends on your weight and what type of riding you’re planning on doing.
1
R VanKamp77
Posts
499
Joined
8/15/2022
Location
Portland, TN, USA
9/14/2022 4:16pm
Depends more on your ability than anything. If you can carry speed and keep your momentum high, you should be alright. If you are calm and controlled as well. If you deflect off ruts and find yourself having big swings in velocity, maybe look at a 350. I have a 350 and it’s amazing (and for sale).
2
1
tobz
Posts
3891
Joined
3/5/2007
Location
Adelaide, AU
9/14/2022 4:25pm
Sacko wrote:
Any Vet riders switch from a 450 to a 250f? Been riding 450's over 10 years now and been really considering getting a 250f this year...
Any Vet riders switch from a 450 to a 250f? Been riding 450's over 10 years now and been really considering getting a 250f this year. Just seems like the 250F's are soo good now that it would be nice having the lighter bike with a little less power. Looking at all the pro's and cons, seems like the fun factor of a 250f is very appealing. Anyone experience the switch?
I don’t think I’ll ever buy another 450. Turning 35 at the end of the year and I can ride my 250f all day, love it.

She’s due for a rebuild now so a 287 kit is going in for shits n giggles. Just waiting on the crank.
1
Brad460
Posts
4475
Joined
5/15/2012
Location
Richfield, WI, USA
Fantasy
9/14/2022 4:31pm Edited Date/Time 9/14/2022 4:32pm
I recently went from a 450 to a 350. Missing being able to ride in a higher gear and lug the engine.

250 would make it even worse.

Next bike will be back up to a 450.

1
2
stone881
Posts
856
Joined
12/26/2014
Location
Fruita, CO, USA
9/14/2022 5:20pm
ElliotB16 wrote:
I weigh 175 and raced the 250f last weekend. Muddier conditions most of the day and struggled against 450s until the track dried then really wasn’t...
I weigh 175 and raced the 250f last weekend. Muddier conditions most of the day and struggled against 450s until the track dried then really wasn’t a disadvantage.

They’re a lot of fun but have their pros and cons. Depends on your weight and what type of riding you’re planning on doing.
This is your answer right here. Are you worried about getting to the front of the pack on race day with deeply ripped and watered prep? If so, then you will not be happy with the 250f, but in any other condition it is way more fun!

I ride a 270 Sxf and an Rmz 450, but I am mostly on blue groove or some combination of blue groove and powder. The extra torque of the 450 will make you pay when you make a mistake however and it's easier to save it on the 250f.
2
Leeham
Posts
1159
Joined
10/29/2018
Location
Rochester, WA, USA
9/14/2022 5:25pm
Got my ass handed to me in the 25+ class at Washougal on the starts. Mid pack is a fucking disaster lol. But made some moves on guys who were tired at the end of the 5 lap moto on my 250f
2
JDirt
Posts
50
Joined
8/13/2022
Location
Plano, TX, USA
9/14/2022 5:34pm
We have a few local sand tracks that will totally swallow a 250f so there’s also that.. not good for sand.
1
ForToo
Posts
376
Joined
2/13/2013
Location
USA
9/14/2022 5:40pm
It's just more satisfying riding a 'slow' bike fast than a fast bike slow.
24
DB505
Posts
730
Joined
12/5/2013
Location
Rowlett, TX, USA
9/14/2022 5:46pm
In my opinion, it depends on your riding style, I went from a kx450 to a yz 250fx, now I’m back to the kx450!
Yes the 250 has enough power to go fast, but it a different style of riding! Personally lm happier on the 450, 60 yr old vet int!
2
DB505
Posts
730
Joined
12/5/2013
Location
Rowlett, TX, USA
9/14/2022 5:47pm
In my opinion, it depends on your riding style, I went from a kx450 to a yz 250fx, now I’m back to the kx450!
Yes the 250 has enough power to go fast, but it a different style of riding! Personally lm happier on the 450, 60 yr old vet int!
9/14/2022 5:54pm
JDirt wrote:
Oh for sure 90% rider. I used to ride with a big guy who loved his 125T and ripped it, he just kept it pinned the...
Oh for sure 90% rider. I used to ride with a big guy who loved his 125T and ripped it, he just kept it pinned the whole time lol
125 vs 450 is not 90% rider.
1
stone881
Posts
856
Joined
12/26/2014
Location
Fruita, CO, USA
9/14/2022 7:54pm
I vote for whichever manufacturer you prefer's 270. It just makes a lot of sense and works great. Imagine the best running 250 2s you ever rode, but minus the wheel spin.

It works well because it can still rev just as fast as the stocker, but you picks up 8-10-12% across the entire power curve. To do this properly you need to mod the head, tuner, etc.

I put 85 hours on my last top end and could have confidently done another 20. My '17 KTM at sea level dyno'd at 52 hp on pump gas, and it definitely feels it, but I haven't ridden another makes 270.



3
JDirt
Posts
50
Joined
8/13/2022
Location
Plano, TX, USA
9/14/2022 8:16pm
mwilcox349 wrote:
125 vs 450 is not 90% rider.
Ok, Ryan Villopoto on a 125 VS you on a 450
8
1
TogaSet
Posts
690
Joined
5/21/2016
Location
Chandler, AZ, USA
9/14/2022 9:06pm Edited Date/Time 9/14/2022 9:12pm
I have both a 250F and a 450. Most of the time I take the 250F just more fun. Modern 250Fs are really good.
If you are a very serious vet racer who lives and breathes moto stick with the 450. For the rest of us 250F is great. Helps though if you have some skills to ride the 250F. Got to carry some momentum and rev the little bitch.
4
RPM68
Posts
1595
Joined
11/18/2006
Location
DFW, TX, USA
9/14/2022 9:21pm
It changed my life switching back to a 250f.

I weigh 145lbs still, but at the time (2019) I was 31, and still felt young and like I had something left in the tank. I was always a Local A rider that got smoked by the National dudes that were locals while riding a 450 from 2006-2017.

I switched to a 250f after riding some 2 strokes, and man, it was awesome! I was much more competitive, I would race 4 classes usually, and I was in much better shape than I thought just bc my skinny ass could throw around a 250f. Ended up getting my Pro License and fulfilling a long time dream.

I recently owned a 2022 CRF450R again wanting to be lazy, but it just wasnt fun at all. In fact, the last time I rode (8 Months Ago) I chose a 2017 RMZ250 to ride bc it was just more fun than my Brand new 450. Im working on that Golf handicap down right now, but Id imagine I will have money on a 2024 YZ250f when they get the changes the 450 got this year.

Hope this helps
8
Last Braaap
Posts
1705
Joined
4/19/2019
Location
Somewhere over the rainbow, CZ
9/15/2022 4:30am
ESR325 or bust my dude.
Indy mxer
Posts
1865
Joined
6/15/2010
Location
The Villages, FL, USA
9/15/2022 4:45am Edited Date/Time 9/15/2022 4:47am
seth419 wrote:
I'm in the same situation. I'm on a 19 kx450 but really think I would have a lot more fun on the kx250. I don't race...
I'm in the same situation. I'm on a 19 kx450 but really think I would have a lot more fun on the kx250. I don't race so not concerned with starts. I want to ride a 21+ kx250 so I can see if I am crazy or not. I am 6'4 190.
I'm 65. 5'6" and 155. I did this exact thing a couple years ago.
I had a 19 KX 450. But I felt it was just more than I needed. Bought a new 21 KX 250 as soon as they came out. I still have it since I don't put a lot of hours on my bikes.
Love the 250. It does evrything I need it to do. My 450 days are over.
2
9/15/2022 4:49am
ESR325 or bust my dude.
I heard if you say “ESR325” three times, SDTony will appear to tell you about that one time that Alessi got a hole shot with it that one time.
3
1
crowe660
Posts
2271
Joined
8/15/2020
Location
USA
9/15/2022 5:22am Edited Date/Time 9/15/2022 5:31am
Brad460 wrote:
I recently went from a 450 to a 350. Missing being able to ride in a higher gear and lug the engine. 250 would make it...
I recently went from a 450 to a 350. Missing being able to ride in a higher gear and lug the engine.

250 would make it even worse.

Next bike will be back up to a 450.

This is what I did too. Tried a 350 for a few years, and ended up going back to a lugger. I just dont understand how people can say a 450 wears them out faster than a 250f. I’m in pretty decent shape and I can get around a track pretty decent, but whenever I ride a 250, I’m whooped trying to keep a good pace. I get the thought process that a 250f should be easier to ride, and really want it to be true, but it’s the exact opposite for me.

Give me that lug life.

I will add, the majority of tracks I ride are extremely loamy and having a 450 is a huge benefit. I don’t race anymore either, so being able to throw an x-ring on and not worrying about maintenance as much is a huge benefit. If I lived on the west coast or somewhere that was more intermediate to hard, I could see a 250f working better.
1
R VanKamp77
Posts
499
Joined
8/15/2022
Location
Portland, TN, USA
9/15/2022 5:39am
Brad460 wrote:
I recently went from a 450 to a 350. Missing being able to ride in a higher gear and lug the engine. 250 would make it...
I recently went from a 450 to a 350. Missing being able to ride in a higher gear and lug the engine.

250 would make it even worse.

Next bike will be back up to a 450.

crowe660 wrote:
This is what I did too. Tried a 350 for a few years, and ended up going back to a lugger. I just dont understand how...
This is what I did too. Tried a 350 for a few years, and ended up going back to a lugger. I just dont understand how people can say a 450 wears them out faster than a 250f. I’m in pretty decent shape and I can get around a track pretty decent, but whenever I ride a 250, I’m whooped trying to keep a good pace. I get the thought process that a 250f should be easier to ride, and really want it to be true, but it’s the exact opposite for me.

Give me that lug life.

I will add, the majority of tracks I ride are extremely loamy and having a 450 is a huge benefit. I don’t race anymore either, so being able to throw an x-ring on and not worrying about maintenance as much is a huge benefit. If I lived on the west coast or somewhere that was more intermediate to hard, I could see a 250f working better.
At a certain point, some riders are hammering on the throttle so hard regardless of the bike that the power output of modern 450's becomes the primary fatigue factor.
3

Post a reply to: Vet Riders on 250f

The Latest