Vet Riders on 250f

Moto Jimmy
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Moto Jimmy 9/15/2022 6:28am
9/15/2022 6:28am
I'm 52 and I've always been a big displacement lover but recently dropped down to a 250f, and a modern (EFI) one at that. Most of the advantages have already been covered in previous posts. The only negative I've noticed is the short gearing ratio. I'm always looking for 7th gear on long straight sections.

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MX558
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MX558 9/15/2022 6:34am
9/15/2022 6:34am
JDirt wrote:
We have a few local sand tracks that will totally swallow a 250f so there’s also that.. not good for sand.
I was faster in the sand on a 250f vs 450 , it wasn't real deep sand ( 191mx in Florida) . I know have a 22 350
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fourfourone
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fourfourone 9/15/2022 6:55am
9/15/2022 6:55am
JDirt wrote:
We have a few local sand tracks that will totally swallow a 250f so there’s also that.. not good for sand.
I've done fine at southwick on a 250f and i'm 190 pounds.
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fourfourone
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fourfourone 9/15/2022 7:02am
9/15/2022 7:02am
The old saying about how its more work to ride a 250f is kind of out the window these days. The new crop of 250f bikes have such good power you can almost ride them like a 450. You can be just as lazy on a 250F than you are on a 450. Ten years ago you would have to shift all the time, work the hell out of the clutch etc.. These days you don't really have to do that.
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JDirt
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JDirt 9/15/2022 7:16am
9/15/2022 7:16am
JDirt wrote:
We have a few local sand tracks that will totally swallow a 250f so there’s also that.. not good for sand.
fourfourone wrote:
I've done fine at southwick on a 250f and i'm 190 pounds.
Ok I admit, I suck at deep sand. I feel like I'm pulling a trailer out of corners, weight all the way back and swimming.
kirby334
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kirby334 9/15/2022 9:44am
9/15/2022 9:44am Edited Date/Time 9/15/2022 9:44am
I am new here posting, but lurking for years. So go ahead and flame me. But I had to comment as I just went thru the entire process of 450 --> 250 -->350, and I LOVE the three fiddy. After being away from moto for 15 years, my 14-year old daughter would not stop bothering me about wanting to ride. So I finally gave in and got her a KLX 110 with clutch and taught her how to ride, with NO intention to get drug back in. Yes MOTO is a drug! Now she is on a KX 112, and well, you all know how this story goes... now I am all back in with a new truck, trailer, RV, and bunch of bikes. 🙃 And having so much fun again. Hard to get moto out of the blood system, even with 2 titanium hip replacements!

Anyhow, I started with a 2022 CRF450R, as I rode 450's previously. But I am way lighter these days and in the best shape of my life—5"9 and 135 lbs. And that 450 was a beast. I just could not get comfortable on it for any length of time. So I went and bought a brand new 2022 CRF250R and at first ride, loved it. But the more I rode and started getting my speed back, I was missing some power, mainly mid 2-4 gear. Yet I did not want to go back to the 450m even though it was still in my garage just begging to be rode.

I was about to hit the CRF250R with an ignition with Twisted Development and add a pipe, but then decided I would try the 350. So I bought a 2022 KTM 350 SXF and woahhhhhhhhhhh! Minus the front forks, I LOVED IT FROM THE FIRST LAP. And I have not looked back. John Mitchell from JM Racing fixed me up with the cone valves, as I hate the air, lowered the bike a bit for me and dialed the suspension in and there is NO way I would ever ride anything else. In fact, now I am back racing too... I won my 55+ class this past weekend here in Texas at the District 20 Race. I believe every single Vet rider should try a 350 at least once in their lives. It's understanding what we don't know that we think we know that makes all the difference. And until you have ridden and raced a 350, you just don't know. 🙏

https://www.instagram.com/p/CidKE-9OHIk

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kirby334
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kirby334 9/15/2022 9:56am
9/15/2022 9:56am
Sorry for the double post, but me and my pumpkin did not load correctly:
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moto162
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moto162 9/15/2022 10:16am
9/15/2022 10:16am
2 years ago at red bud vet fest pulled 3 outside far left gate pick holeshots on my stock 250f over the +25 and +30B/C class. It doesnt get much deeper and loamier (sp proably a made up word) then that. Top 15 guys there were putting in lap times in the same couple seconds as the top 10 in A class so no slouched on bikes. I promptly crashed 2 out of 3 holeshots in the first left hand turn but thats another story. A 250f of any year I'd say 08 and up can be made to be very competitive. What's more important is picking a bike that you fit on and caters to the way you ride more then anything. Do you like to lug and short shift. Do you rev it out, do you like more movement in your suspension like kyb or more of a hold up feel like showa. I do find the 350 to be the middle ground like most have said and the easiest to change outside of suspension. You can make it more like a 250f or 450.
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3rdgearpinned
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3rdgearpinned 9/15/2022 11:02am
9/15/2022 11:02am
50 here. I cant hold on to the 450 grips anymore lol

250 and we gooooood
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MadsDausel 9/15/2022 11:49am
9/15/2022 11:49am
I have also change from yz450f to yz250f Smile 35 and vet b
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Polish Power
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Polish Power 9/16/2022 6:34pm
9/16/2022 6:34pm
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 was solely on 450's for almost 10 years and then last year I added a 250f to the mix. Before that I had a few 250f's and before that I had a few 450's lolol. This time around, I was much much more skilled than in the past. It took me a little bit to get use to it because there is no more staying in 1 or 2 gears on the whole track. You gotta constantly shift, slip the clutch, keep your momentum and be more aggressive than on the 450. If your prepared to do that, then go for it. You will have a blast ringing the bike out. I would ride someone else's 250f before hand just to make sure its what you want to do. The 250f is very fun, but it will be just as demanding as a 450 just in different ways. Im currently on a 21 yz250f and 21 yz450. Both tire me out at about the same rate. Yes the 250f doesnt rip your arms off, but it will get you pumped up from pushing harder. I ride my 450 a gear higher and keep my momentum through the corners where as the 250f you have to hunt for the right gear and keep shifting. Yes there are times im in 4th or 5th gear. Im 285 and that little 250f pulls my fat a@& around perfectly fine lol. No such thing as being too heavy for a 250f.... unless your racing in the expert class against guys wayyy lighter than you lol.

I say keep the 450 and buy a 250f to go with it lol. Best of both worlds. Each bike has their place where it shines better than the other. Yesterday I was at an open practice. In the morning when the dirt was tilled deep, the 450 was the bike of choice for me. Once the lines started to form and the track hardened up, the 250f was just as capable and affective as the 450.
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Island Boi
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Island Boi 9/16/2022 6:40pm
9/16/2022 6:40pm
Calling yourself a “vet rider” is bordering on stolen valor am I correct ?
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Yeti831
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Yeti831 9/16/2022 6:41pm
9/16/2022 6:41pm
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 didn’t read the rest of the comments, but as a 450 rider who found a local who was kind and trusting:

If you are tech savvy and under 200lbs, just go for it.

I’ve had 2 locals at OCA bike swap my 450 for a 250 and they are pretty cream tbh.

I got to try a ‘22 ktm and a ‘20 Yamaha. I didn’t like them just on rider trianglefor my height (6’6”) but damn great motors and suspension.
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chasetwo79
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chasetwo79 9/21/2022 8:00pm
9/21/2022 8:00pm
I already have a fairly low hour fc 450 so I am going to keep it and wait for new gen to make some updates next year before buying upgrading to the new platform.

That being said, I want a second bike, almost purely for fun and I am torn between grabbing a 350 or a 250 and then putting a 270 kit on it.

I am probably not going to race either so I am seriously torn on which one would be more fun for a second bike.
Cliffy615
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Cliffy615 9/22/2022 11:16pm
9/22/2022 11:16pm
Just buy a 350 simples
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gormleyflyer2002 8/20/2023 7:02pm
8/20/2023 7:02pm
kirby334 wrote:
I am new here posting, but lurking for years. So go ahead and flame me. But I had to comment as I just went thru the...
I am new here posting, but lurking for years. So go ahead and flame me. But I had to comment as I just went thru the entire process of 450 --> 250 -->350, and I LOVE the three fiddy. After being away from moto for 15 years, my 14-year old daughter would not stop bothering me about wanting to ride. So I finally gave in and got her a KLX 110 with clutch and taught her how to ride, with NO intention to get drug back in. Yes MOTO is a drug! Now she is on a KX 112, and well, you all know how this story goes... now I am all back in with a new truck, trailer, RV, and bunch of bikes. 🙃 And having so much fun again. Hard to get moto out of the blood system, even with 2 titanium hip replacements!

Anyhow, I started with a 2022 CRF450R, as I rode 450's previously. But I am way lighter these days and in the best shape of my life—5"9 and 135 lbs. And that 450 was a beast. I just could not get comfortable on it for any length of time. So I went and bought a brand new 2022 CRF250R and at first ride, loved it. But the more I rode and started getting my speed back, I was missing some power, mainly mid 2-4 gear. Yet I did not want to go back to the 450m even though it was still in my garage just begging to be rode.

I was about to hit the CRF250R with an ignition with Twisted Development and add a pipe, but then decided I would try the 350. So I bought a 2022 KTM 350 SXF and woahhhhhhhhhhh! Minus the front forks, I LOVED IT FROM THE FIRST LAP. And I have not looked back. John Mitchell from JM Racing fixed me up with the cone valves, as I hate the air, lowered the bike a bit for me and dialed the suspension in and there is NO way I would ever ride anything else. In fact, now I am back racing too... I won my 55+ class this past weekend here in Texas at the District 20 Race. I believe every single Vet rider should try a 350 at least once in their lives. It's understanding what we don't know that we think we know that makes all the difference. And until you have ridden and raced a 350, you just don't know. 🙏

https://www.instagram.com/p/CidKE-9OHIk

This is me - local Pro in 80's/90's  - married late and now have 10 yr old son who's bike mad. I resisted for a few years of him and the wife bugging me to get at it again. LOL..back to hanging out in dirt fields again every weekend. I got a 23 YZ450 this year and just can't get along with it. It's just a handful on super rough sand tracks. 

My local dealer is Yam, Husk, Kaw....I'm 6'6 so the Husk is out, it's wee. I'm thinking either Yam 250f or KTM 350. I haven't ridden a 350 yet ...... my local dealer is great so that part would suck (getting new dealer)

But i think it's time for the 450 to go. I tried a Honda 250 today / have never ridden a bike that turned like that thing but it was a bit busy in the front my liking. 

 

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