2021+ KX 250 or YZ250F For Vet Rider

A yzf 450 and lug it around… change the oil once and never have a repair. 

Yz’ for sure. Faster stock and more reliable. 

CR500 

Not faster stock but it does have better power for a vet and resale way better 

YZ cramped for taller riders..seat to pegs too close.

If you gotta ask what bike to ride , maybe you shouldn’t be coming back? 

Both great bikes, but KX for the ergos with you being a taller rider.

Both are good options. The ergos of the KX will fit you better as a taller rider.

If you get the yz you should put lower pegs on it. You’ll be cramped without them.

You can get a kawi new for what used yzs are bringing. I’d do that every time.

And maybe you should find another sport to hang around. The less dick heads like you, the better. 

I’m 54 years old 178lbs 5’9’’ and just picked up a 2023 KX 250 and I have to say I’m pretty impressed! I could take  any corner in 3rd gear then just a stab of the clutch and she rips!! I could do every jump I do on my 450 and didn’t fight the bike at all in the corners. 250f’s have come a long way.  The Kawasaki is a very comfortable bike ergo’s wise kind of like a green Honda.I’m sure either bike you get you will enjoy. Good luck 

I'm somewhat similar specs to you.  6'2", 215 lbs. and 44 years old and love my yz250f.  I went from a 2018 kx250f to the YZ and love the power and reliability.  I'm not cramped at all unless I specifically think about it and if it really bothered me I would get the lower peg mounts.  I think you will be happy with either but I highly recommend the Yamaha.

I am suuuper interested in the thought process behind this comment?

What do you even mean? 🤯

Both are good bikes.  I currently own a '22 yz250f and have had several of this gen yz.  I have also ridden a '21 kx250 quite a bit and actually really like the bike a lot.

Fit and finish on yz is hands down better than kx.  Airbox filter access sucks on kx.  Ergos on the kx are great, felt comfortable right away.  Yz is not bad but unique.  Spend a couple motos on it and it's the new normal.  I'm about 5'10" and I recently tried a tall Guts seat foam and gripper cover and it made the yz so much better for me, especially for hare scramble racing.  On steep uphills the seat combo works much better keeping me up on the tank.  

The engine character on yz is very bottom end oriented, very barky.  Has a tendency to run through the power fast meaning more shifting but can also lug 3rd very well and just a stab of the clutch to get back into it.  The kx seems to me mellower on the bottom and revs out very nice.  No complaints.   Suspension wise I honestly thought they are both pretty good.

Durability wise no issue's with yz.  Have two in the shop right now with 60 and 70 hours on them.  Aside from front wheel bearings they are solid.  Just replaced the stock clutch in mine prior to a 3 hour race and it still was in spec.  My friends '21 kx has been ridden hard with not a lot of oil changes or clean air filters and it's been solid also. 

I've always been a Yamaha guy but I could own this gen KX.  The issue for me is resale is pretty dismal if not super hard to even sell without giving the bike away.

I had similar situation. 
i found a 2023 YZ for 8599

KTM SXF 8249

a 2023 Kawasaki for 6999

all are new and 250’s I’m going with the Kawasaki  

You can get a pretty sweet deal on a GasGas right now. 

I couldn’t find any local enough for them to really be a contender.

Yz all day, get the dealer to throw in a tall seat,