'09 Left Over... Kawi or Honda?

JK105
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JK105
Edited Date/Time 1/26/2012 9:26am
So finally after being around motocross my entire life I'm going to get a big bike here within the next few weeks... I just wanted to get all the members of vitals intake on my soon to be big decision. Its either between a new 2009 left over Kawasaki KXF 250 or a Honda CRF 250. I've always been a Honda fan, and my brother always had new Honda's for years up 2007, but the price is whats separating me between the two. .. I have a pro racing buddy that can get me a deal on an 09 Kawi for $4900, or I cant really find anyone that will deal with me to get a Honda. So I'm look at like $6000 for an 09 Honda left over. Only other thing that is pushing me away from a Honda is the 09 is already an out of date bike for them not being fuel injected and all. Any Insight on my decision would be appreciated, Thanks!
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Deetsmx
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Deetsmx 2/12/2010 2:11pm
2/12/2010 2:11pm
All the bikes nowadays are so good it's just what you prefer. I would think that you would be able to do better than 6k out the door though.
Rupert X
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Rupert X 2/12/2010 2:42pm
2/12/2010 2:42pm


Green. And then take that extra thousand buckos and get ya a used ol'


125 just to screw about upon....
Brent
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Brent 2/12/2010 2:57pm
2/12/2010 2:57pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 8:44pm
Take the Kaw, not too much has changed from the 09 to the '10, and it's an outstanding motorcycle.

DrSweden
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DrSweden 2/12/2010 3:07pm
2/12/2010 3:07pm
According to MXA the 09 CRF was superiour, and would win the shootout against the 10 YZF and 10 CRF.

I think Honda is the better bike, cons are that it now looks old because the new design of the 10 CRF...

But you will prolly be as happy on the Kwacker!

The Shop

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rallendude
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rallendude 2/12/2010 3:57pm
2/12/2010 3:57pm
I'll put you on a 10 hour 450 Honda for the price of that Kawi.

Otherwise, even though Im a Honda guy through and through, buy the Kawi.

Have you checked with Southern Honda? I can't believe they would want that much for a left over.
MX Dad #27 2/12/2010 3:57pm
2/12/2010 3:57pm
Find a hold over '08 Honda same as the '09, LOTS of honda money for these hold overs. And remember always bet on RED. Also ask ANYONE, would you buy a used Kawasaki 250 four stroke.
grimey
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grimey 2/12/2010 4:09pm
2/12/2010 4:09pm
im 5'11 155 lbs. got an 07' crf450 and an 06' crf 250. personally i would go for the crf after riding both kaw and hon. I had to make that choice in 06' also for my first 4stroke from my yz 1-2-5. and all I gotta say is I love my 250f. I like both the bikes personally but if it were me id go hondo. there both sik bikes tho!
Friday
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Friday 2/12/2010 4:24pm
2/12/2010 4:24pm
I'd take my 07 CRF over both of them without a doubt. But I liked the 09 Kawi better than the Honda,though I'm not up on the reliability of the Kawasaki.
typ2vw159
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typ2vw159 2/12/2010 4:26pm
2/12/2010 4:26pm Edited Date/Time 2/12/2010 4:28pm
Have seen the inside of more kawi motors then honda.You will need that thousand for a motor rebuild on the kawi and a couple extra hundered as well.I say go buy the one with 10 hrs on it.
rallendude
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rallendude 2/12/2010 4:40pm
2/12/2010 4:40pm
I will agree that if you are going to keep in for over a year the Honda is built better. My shop's always got a Kawi in it for engine work.
Highsider
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Highsider 2/12/2010 4:46pm
2/12/2010 4:46pm Edited Date/Time 2/13/2010 9:13am
09 Yamaha 250s are cheap right now.
R-acer
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R-acer 2/12/2010 5:06pm
2/12/2010 5:06pm Edited Date/Time 2/12/2010 5:08pm
Not even a close Descision , KAWASAKI!! And that is regarless of price.
The Kawi being less expensive is a bonus.
If the Kawi was $6K and the honda was $4K, i would still say Kawasaki in this case.

Chili
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Chili 2/12/2010 5:09pm
2/12/2010 5:09pm
MX Dad #27 wrote:
Find a hold over '08 Honda same as the '09, LOTS of honda money for these hold overs. And remember always bet on RED. Also ask...
Find a hold over '08 Honda same as the '09, LOTS of honda money for these hold overs. And remember always bet on RED. Also ask ANYONE, would you buy a used Kawasaki 250 four stroke.
I'd never buy any used 4 stroke, that being said I'd buy a current KX250F much sooner than I'd buy one of those valve eating CRF250's.
onenastynotch
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onenastynotch 2/12/2010 6:19pm
2/12/2010 6:19pm
ive had more honda 250fs come my way for repair then all the other braands combined.....valves valves valves.....i ride suzukis have had almost no issues with them 250 or 4500....almost never see yamaha except for maintence and a few sprinkled kawi here and there my buddy races in the am ranks ans has over 150hrs on his practice 09 kawi same crank a few pistons 2 clutches and thats it....i say buy whichever u can get a better deal on but maintenece is key on a 250f
onenastynotch
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onenastynotch 2/12/2010 6:20pm
2/12/2010 6:20pm
ive had more honda 250fs come my way for repair then all the other braands combined.....valves valves valves.....i ride suzukis have had almost no issues with them 250 or 4500....almost never see yamaha except for maintence and a few sprinkled kawi here and there my buddy races in the am ranks ans has over 150hrs on his practice 09 kawi same crank a few pistons 2 clutches and thats it....i say buy whichever u can get a better deal on but maintenece is key on a 250f
cz sidepiper
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cz sidepiper 2/12/2010 7:54pm
2/12/2010 7:54pm
The 09 Kx is outstanding. 250 or 450. Both feel light and nimble under you. And yes NEVER buy a used 4stroke dirt bike unless you have deep pockets and like their stickers.
Rizzo
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Rizzo 2/12/2010 8:13pm
2/12/2010 8:13pm
JK105 wrote:
So finally after being around motocross my entire life I'm going to get a big bike here within the next few weeks... I just wanted to...
So finally after being around motocross my entire life I'm going to get a big bike here within the next few weeks... I just wanted to get all the members of vitals intake on my soon to be big decision. Its either between a new 2009 left over Kawasaki KXF 250 or a Honda CRF 250. I've always been a Honda fan, and my brother always had new Honda's for years up 2007, but the price is whats separating me between the two. .. I have a pro racing buddy that can get me a deal on an 09 Kawi for $4900, or I cant really find anyone that will deal with me to get a Honda. So I'm look at like $6000 for an 09 Honda left over. Only other thing that is pushing me away from a Honda is the 09 is already an out of date bike for them not being fuel injected and all. Any Insight on my decision would be appreciated, Thanks!
I've got a 08 Kawi 250F with Pro Circuit Ti4 system, 3 sets of bars, 2 sprockets, extra plastic and graphics(Monster/PC), Works Con/Arc levers/perch, Merge ALJ and jetted carb, the spare stock exhaust system and probably a few other things I forgot. This bike has 10-15 hours on it and it hasn't moved in over a year(became a father), you can have it all for $4500.

In response to your question, the Kawi is a great bike, the motor had a little less than the Honda, but thas easier to fix than other negatives. If you are going to drop that much for the Honda, get the 2010, but FI is perfect yet, some will argue that it's inferior to a carb. I've not had any issues with my Kawi, but I've not ridden it enough to valuate at this point, but it's been bulletproof so far.
WFO
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WFO 2/12/2010 8:14pm
2/12/2010 8:14pm
take a ride on a suzuki. I waited almost 20 years to buy my next one. I own 1 450 and 4 250's and they are 2nd to none on handling.Not 1 issue on the motor and I race 2 weekends a month.
Do yourself a favor and try one,.....if it doesn't work move on,.....

D

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steve_o_de
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steve_o_de 2/12/2010 8:29pm
2/12/2010 8:29pm
JK105 wrote:
So finally after being around motocross my entire life I'm going to get a big bike here within the next few weeks... I just wanted to...
So finally after being around motocross my entire life I'm going to get a big bike here within the next few weeks... I just wanted to get all the members of vitals intake on my soon to be big decision. Its either between a new 2009 left over Kawasaki KXF 250 or a Honda CRF 250. I've always been a Honda fan, and my brother always had new Honda's for years up 2007, but the price is whats separating me between the two. .. I have a pro racing buddy that can get me a deal on an 09 Kawi for $4900, or I cant really find anyone that will deal with me to get a Honda. So I'm look at like $6000 for an 09 Honda left over. Only other thing that is pushing me away from a Honda is the 09 is already an out of date bike for them not being fuel injected and all. Any Insight on my decision would be appreciated, Thanks!
Try Honda East in Maumee Ohio. (near Toledo) I just bought a new bike from them and they had quite a few 09 left overs with real good prices. If you call, ask for Bob G. he is a pretty good guy and not pushey. Good luck
JK105
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JK105 2/13/2010 8:58am
2/13/2010 8:58am
I'm definitely not buying a used bike, but thanks for all the insight from everyone. Gonna be picking up my Kawi hopefully sometime this week. Smile
R-acer
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R-acer 2/13/2010 9:00am
2/13/2010 9:00am
JK105 wrote:
I'm definitely not buying a used bike, but thanks for all the insight from everyone. Gonna be picking up my Kawi hopefully sometime this week. Smile
That’s the Best possible choice, enjoy. You are going to be a very happy rider Wink
G Force
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G Force 2/13/2010 9:06am
2/13/2010 9:06am
Rizzo wrote:
I've got a 08 Kawi 250F with Pro Circuit Ti4 system, 3 sets of bars, 2 sprockets, extra plastic and graphics(Monster/PC), Works Con/Arc levers/perch, Merge ALJ...
I've got a 08 Kawi 250F with Pro Circuit Ti4 system, 3 sets of bars, 2 sprockets, extra plastic and graphics(Monster/PC), Works Con/Arc levers/perch, Merge ALJ and jetted carb, the spare stock exhaust system and probably a few other things I forgot. This bike has 10-15 hours on it and it hasn't moved in over a year(became a father), you can have it all for $4500.

In response to your question, the Kawi is a great bike, the motor had a little less than the Honda, but thas easier to fix than other negatives. If you are going to drop that much for the Honda, get the 2010, but FI is perfect yet, some will argue that it's inferior to a carb. I've not had any issues with my Kawi, but I've not ridden it enough to valuate at this point, but it's been bulletproof so far.
open yer ears...jackass!
nc_mx_kid
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nc_mx_kid 2/13/2010 9:55am
2/13/2010 9:55am
GREEN
BornA'Lil2Slow 2/13/2010 10:11am
2/13/2010 10:11am
if you are a smaller guy, go with the crf, if you are a bigger guy go with kxf.

MickeyMeanie
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MickeyMeanie 2/13/2010 1:00pm
2/13/2010 1:00pm
BornA'Lil2Slow wrote:
if you are a smaller guy, go with the crf, if you are a bigger guy go with kxf.

Agreed... when I was looking at bikes in '06, it was between the KX and the CR... I'm a bigger guy, so the seemingly taller seat height and more spread out controls won me over... well, I was a tad biased toward the KX since I'm a long time Wardy fan..

As for the reliability of the KX... I had my KX250F for three years before selling it... not a single problem motor or otherwise. Checked the valves once after 10 hours and they were in spec... didn't touch them again after that. Always started with no more than 3 kicks when cold and 1 or 2 when warm and always ran great.

That experience is what sold me on my '09 KX450... what a great bike. Stock suspension sucked, but that was easily fixed... at 40 hours I've had no problems... knocking on wood!


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