Vet Riders - 250f vs. 250 vs. 300 vs. 350 vs. 450 Displacement Of Choice

But… You left out 300cc 2-stroke choice?! Funnest / Coolest “Vet” bike I have had! 😎 👍❗️

(EDIT-I am 6’1/205 in gear/ready to ride, and I tried a newer 350 and I just didn’t jive with it! Likely a defect with the rider but it just wasn’t for me! I sold the 350 & got another 23 model 450 that I really liked until a moto buddy got his 23 300SX… I tried it and LOVED it! Got a 300SX myself as soon as I could and haven’t looked back! The sound, the smell, the thrill of the 300SX help me relive the glorious days of my youth in the late 70’s/80’s pretending to be a moto hero on the 2-strokes of that golden era!)

250 2-stroke.

Just get a Kawi 450 and put the white coupler in it. So easy to ride. Then if you are ever feeling frisky throw the green one in lol

350 does the trick for me   59 year old dude!

For racing, i prefer a 450..  being over 200# i feel at too much of a disadvantage when racing 160 pound dudes at the same skill level if hes on a 450 and im on anything less. Grab 3rd n skinny guys pull me in loam or sand.

For fun, id love to have a 350 or 250/300 2t, or maybe even a stark. I dont care much for 250f's. A big bore 250f could be cool. 

350 with XPR Vortex will pull a 450 and i’m 215 pounds! 

What about a 500 4stroke? It’s a great choice, mellow but fast. 

450 cause the Austrian dealer in town is run like a used car dealership. I think I’d prefer a 350, but KYB and aluminum frames along with chill staff and good prices are enough to keep me on a 450 for now. The triumph dealer is cool, so here’s hoping the Goldilocks 350 shows up soon. 

Does 30 count?

I spent several years off from the sport, just got back in again on a 22 yz450. I love the thing for sure, but would not mind a 350 if the cash for one magically appeared. Prior to my time off from the sport I raced 250f and kinda miss the whole “going fast on a slow bike” aspect of it, but at the same time I like being able to clear bigger jumps out of the inside rut of a corner  on my fofiddy

Typical story here. Middle aged. Grew up on 2-strokes. Eventually rode 450s. Then back to 2-stroke 250 (my true love, albeit I started getting tired of having to work so hard). Recently picked up a 2022 KTM 350sxf. So far I'm content. (still own a smoker for trail/enduro work).

Obviously he's still a real fast professional racer and doesn't have any maintenance/upkeep concerns, but Tommy Searle has moved down to the Kawi 250 for this coming season.

Not really relevant to regular folks but it's interesting.

450 for me. I rode a 24 model 350 a few weeks back, it just didn't do it for me

I was getting top 5 starts at budds Loretta’s qualifier and the track was ripped  to the gills on a 350, was surprising honestly and I’m 240!

Younger vet years 450. Did that for a while because you gotta have a 450 to be a legit mxer. Realized after 10 years of my bike riding me it was too much. (Slow learner) Opted for a modern two stroke. Much better but after a few years of that wanted something that was a bit easier to race competitively. Tried a friends 350 and was hooked. Similar power to my 250 smoker with more traction. More than likely a 350 guy for life now as they check all my boxes. Just wish the other manufacturers would step up and realize there is a definite market to be had with the age group that still spends money on new bikes. I lost count how many times I’ve sat in staging hearing guys say if (insert your favorite brand here) made a 350 I’d buy it tomorrow. 

I do know the latest 350s are pretty killer! Before i bought this SR i rode a buddies piped and mapped GG350 and was very surprised that it was certainly faster feeling than my other buddies regular version kx 450. Also, if only they came with spring forks.... Lol

Took a 30 yr break, got back at it last year with 23 YZ450. Got tired of it getting or wanting to get to places before i was ready to be there. Bought a YZ250f and love it. The 450 is a garage or trailer queen now most days. 

Bought a YZ250 smoker a couple of years ago, first 2 stroke since the early 90's. Absolutely love it and my YZ125. Still have a 450 in the shed which is getting a rebuild and will get some use when finished.  

31 here with a lighter build and I ride a 23 KTM 250f and have a 150 as well. I always was a 2 stroke rider growing up, got away from the sport before i hit 4 strokes. When I got back in I got the 150 which was great, but after a few years wanted some more power. I went with the 250f because i'm lighter and was new to a full size 4 stroke so I thought it would be plenty. The 250 isn't holding me back by any means, I don't ride it as fast as it can go, but a 350 would be easier to ride fast, and also easier to lug if I want to. I do love my 250f, but if I were to do it again, I think i'd just get the 350. 

I voted 250f.   Would have voted 300 too if I could, have both.  With that said must be something to the KX450 being easy to ride.  Being one of the older guys working the gears and clutch is not as easy as it once was lol.  I need all the easy I can get.  My try one one of these days or a 450 RX, supposed to be easy to ride also.  

Great question. Im on a 300 and quite happy. Probably a bit quicker over the course of a moto on my 350 which I just sold. The 300 is funner however.  

I would also like to try the new KX 450. No way I am about to drop 15k out the door Canadian on one though. Will have to stick with my 350F one more year until the KX 450's start coming up for sale used end of the season. 

For where I live and ride a 250F and 250 two stroke are all I need. For my abilities it's the perfect balance of performance and usability . I can also ride them longer than larger displacement motors.

23 YZ 250 has convinced me I don’t care to have any other bike but a two stroke. Great power, fun, light, and the sound! Love my YZ but I have my eye on a 24 Beta 300rx next 😃

350 for me,  but I love my '19 125sx. The 300sx is intriguing but need to take a test run before pulling the trigger. 

300 2 stroke, it is a blast to ride, 2023 GasGas 300EX.

Is the 300 a pipey power more similar to a 250 2-stroke or a long linear pulling power more like a 4 stroke?

I want one of each and a 500 2 stroke depending on exactly how I am feeling any given day and what type of and where I am riding. In reality a modern 450 can be the best all around choice imho if you can only have one bike and want to do many things with it.

The obvious answer is CR500. I've had 250f-450 and while easier to ride nothing beats the adrenalin rush of an open class two stroke. You'll need it after wearing yourself out kickstarting.

I voted 250F, because i own one. But i just got a KTM 150SX 2T. Its going to be my new favorite, very quickly. 

Mine is very smooth, kind of 4-stroke like.  Very easy to ride.