Old 450 vs modern 250f

Still no comparison. The 450s make so much power at part throttle low rpm. They are geared way taller, they do more with less.

where the 250s need heavy throttle openings and lots of revs.

one isnt better than the other but the 06 450s still made huge power.

don’t go quoting dyno numbers thinking the new 40+ hp 250fs are anything like them. Just a totally different delivery.

I recall riding a 2007 CRF250R back to back against my 2007 CRF450R and the 250F was a hard pass for me power-wise at the time.

I gave 250Fs another try 10ish years later in 2018. Totally different game. I now own a carb'd 450F, an FI 450F, and also a modern FI 250F (Yamaha).

I personally choose a different bike for different rides. 250F on mountain trails most times. 250F or 450F for moto tracks, depending on the layout. 450F for wide open spaces and hilly terrain.

If I've not ridden somewhere before I usually grab the 250F because I know it will get all jobs done well (or a 450F if I am in a lugging mood - which is frequently), so that says something about 250Fs.

Lastly, I am still a 450F guy at heart. My old 2008 CRF450R gets the most riding time of all ... and the fuel-injected, new fangled A-kitted bikes "rest" in the garage mostly. Funny how that works.

Building a YZ250F big-bore now ...

In my opinion, the modern 250F is an advantage over the old-school carbureted 450F.

The modern bikes all handle great and they all have decent suspension.   Most of all, the 250F today has 40+ horsepower and a ton of torque with excellent throttle response.   Fuel injection has made these bikes a pleasure to ride without any real jetting knowledge.

There's a bit of a discrepancy between my statement above about which is faster in a race and my personal preferences.
I don't really enjoy a 250F on any track at any time and would choose a 125 every time since I ride for fun.
The 250F is the most boring bike ever created.

I think the 450F adds some advantage for the slowest guys in the sport and the fastest guys in the sport.
I'm age 43, racing 40A... I am right in the middle of that whole skill-level mess and I haven't really seen a need to own a 450F.
This year I'll be on a YZ250 and MC350 with special rides on a YZ125 and KX500.   Obviously I ride for smile-factor.

tree fiddy 

Great answer. Even though a 250F is probably the best all-around bike for most people, it would be my very last choice to own. I'd rather ride one of those Euro full-size 85s than a 250F. 

If your interested, I have a 19 250sxf with a 270 big bore installed on the bike for sale in a few weeks. If you are interested, message me. I am also located in CT also.   

Here’s a comment that needs to be said,

I prefer a Carb 250F Honda over any of the new 250F’s… due to power…

when you say old 450 are you talking about a perfect example of a 2004 crf450 that sits in on display in someone's living 364 days a year, or are we talking about the average 2004 crf450 that you find on market place for $2000?  

I work on these bikes for a living, I tell people all the time that old bikes will always have old bike issues, eventually you will spend more time working on them or searching for replacement parts.  There are also certain model 450s over the last 25 years of four strokes that I would avoid. 

if we are talking about a very nice 2008 CRF450 vs a 2023 CRF250, I would still go with the 250F because its lighter, better chassis, and the older 450 will feel like a brick when compared to the 250f. 

A 08 Honda with FC suspension will feel like a Cadillac.

The 23 250f is without a doubt heavier than the 07 crf450r.

bikes have just continued to get heavier every year and the mags tell us how much better they’ve gotten and we line up to buy them.

first was efi and a 7lb increase then was e start and another 7lbs. Initially with the efi was the jerky low end they’ve all gotten and a flat top end, and the mags tell us again how much better they are.

just like the new efi two strokes that lost power, gained 10lbs and are less reliable….

Try the 2004-2009 Crf250r trust me that frame is fire!

I ll take the 06- 08 450 crf over the 23 450 crf . The frame and balance was far better .