Can't decide which 250 to get for my kid

Braaaphole
Posts
803
Joined
8/21/2016
Location
Spring, TX US

He's between the Husky, Gas Gas FE, and the Yamaha. He has ridden the Yamaha and the KTM and really liked both of them. His only complaint with the Yamaha is he felt more cramped on it. He said he felt like the seat was below his knees, but he knows we can easily fix that with lowering brackets and a tall seat foam. 

He's currently on a Husky 125, so he's comfortable with the steel frame and I already have parts that will we can keep by going that route. 

He really liked the suspension on the Yamaha and looked pretty comfortable on it right away. He was cutting down early in the corners and carrying good momentum. He wants to ride the KTM/Husky one more time, but we don't know anyone who has a new one. 

He's 15, 5'10", 175lbs C class attempting to qualify for Loretta's. Whatever we get, it will have to stay within the limited class rules. Another reason I like the Gas Gas FE. 

He would be happy with either bike and I would typically just go for whatever I could get the best deal on, but since the FE is in play it blows that out of the water.

I believe the smoother power delivery of the KTM platform could be better for him coming off of a 125, but he's also a bigger and stronger kid and handled the Yamaha just fine the other day. I'm really torn, as is he.

 

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JnDubZ
Posts
201
Joined
9/29/2022
Location
AU
4/10/2023 5:49pm

Best advice would be to try and stay on what he is most comfortable with. Just makes for an easier transition onto the bigger bikes.  

1
4/10/2023 6:14pm

Gas Gas FE is a sweet ride. 

Hcallz5
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3277
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8/20/2013
Location
UT US
4/10/2023 6:34pm

Get him a surron and a case of Bud Light.

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dv12.com
Posts
1538
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Murrieta, CA US
4/10/2023 10:01pm
Braaaphole wrote:
He's between the Husky, Gas Gas FE, and the Yamaha. He has ridden the Yamaha and the KTM and really liked both of them. His only...

He's between the Husky, Gas Gas FE, and the Yamaha. He has ridden the Yamaha and the KTM and really liked both of them. His only complaint with the Yamaha is he felt more cramped on it. He said he felt like the seat was below his knees, but he knows we can easily fix that with lowering brackets and a tall seat foam. 

He's currently on a Husky 125, so he's comfortable with the steel frame and I already have parts that will we can keep by going that route. 

He really liked the suspension on the Yamaha and looked pretty comfortable on it right away. He was cutting down early in the corners and carrying good momentum. He wants to ride the KTM/Husky one more time, but we don't know anyone who has a new one. 

He's 15, 5'10", 175lbs C class attempting to qualify for Loretta's. Whatever we get, it will have to stay within the limited class rules. Another reason I like the Gas Gas FE. 

He would be happy with either bike and I would typically just go for whatever I could get the best deal on, but since the FE is in play it blows that out of the water.

I believe the smoother power delivery of the KTM platform could be better for him coming off of a 125, but he's also a bigger and stronger kid and handled the Yamaha just fine the other day. I'm really torn, as is he.

 

15. 5'10. 175lbs. I'd buy him a Wilson basketball & a pair of high tops sneakers...

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The Shop

Braaaphole
Posts
803
Joined
8/21/2016
Location
Spring, TX US
4/11/2023 7:17am
dv12.com wrote:

15. 5'10. 175lbs. I'd buy him a Wilson basketball & a pair of high tops sneakers...

haha, he sucks at basketball. Definitely not his sport, he does play football though.

Tarz483
Posts
6344
Joined
2/25/2009
Location
Mankato, MN US
4/11/2023 3:44pm

There isn't a bad choice between those two IMO. it sounds like the Kawasaki's are a good choice if saving $ is important, lots of discounts on them. Keefers kid says its his first choice in their shoot out podcast.

Bboyce536
Posts
28
Joined
11/30/2022
Location
Jackson, MI US
4/11/2023 4:47pm

Had a 21 YZ250F, currently on a new gen rockstar FC250. From a local B guy, the FC is a much better race bike. Out of the box the Yamaha suspension was far too soft and blew through the stroke. I am probably a rare breed who loves the new Gen Xact air fork and how adjustable it is. But that is subjective, since I get that will be done anyway.

Engine wise, besides the initial snap and low end the Yamaha has, the new austrian 250fs pull much harder mid-top and over rev. I felt the YZ had very short gears and it helped make it feel quick because you could run 3rd more, but in reality I was shifting far more. I had to shift into 5th a few times on the YZ to clear jumps because it just refused to pull 4th any further. 

Probably ruffle some feathers since I know everyone seems to think the YZ is the best thing since sliced bread, but stock for stock, the new Austrian bikes are a much better race bike. 

4
DTHA70
Posts
336
Joined
9/25/2008
Location
Surprise, AZ US
4/13/2023 11:35am

Big c class kid I would go yamaha just based on the tendencies of a c class rider and his weight. The yamaha makes more power/torque lower in the RPM range than any other 250f and with nothing more than a 2nd injector kit and ECU you're top of the field everywhere in power. Spring forks standard is a head start you won't have to pay extra for as well.

Lightning78
Posts
6353
Joined
12/12/2007
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
4/13/2023 3:43pm

The yz250f I'd gonna be all new in 24 so there's that

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