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With the changes recently announced 2025 Honda CRF250R and Kawasaki KX250, it might be a hard decision on which one. Both look really good. Or maybe it’s just the marketing hype!!!
Shootouts and test will be worth reading. I’m guessing it will be year of the Red Bike, provided it’s not to far down on HP. My other guess, lots of Red and Green bikes sold in 2025.
I'm currently on a GG350 which I love, but have been considering a 250 to force myself to work on technique. The new 250WE seriously has me considering it now.
Just wait. The ‘24s will be on sale shortly. Both the ‘24 CR and KX and good good.
I kinda did that with the 23 Honda I have and the 24 Beta. As I’ve said before……..I’d miss my wife!
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I’m really hoping to get a good deal on a 24 Kx250 before the end of the year. Would go great with my 2020 both having KYB suspension ya know
Not hating on the move to Showa, I just want to be as comfortable as possible. I think it’s a good move tbh since pro circuit uses showa.
And 48mm Showa at that.
If you look at the marketing release for both, Kawasaki appears to made the most changes. Most changes or not if Honda did in fact take the twitch out……they will have good scooter.
Spend the money on gas and keep what you are riding.
I wonder if the 48mm Showa will have similar comfort to the KYB.
If I were going to spend money on a 2024 model it would be a KX and I’ve never owned one. Deals too good to pass up. Yeah the 22-24 CRF has a lot going for it but it’s a little persnickety if that’s a word.
If i were in the 2025 250 market and limited to those two, itd be the Honda. While the hondas still on showa, i just feel kawi made a huge step backward leaving kyb. The fit an finish of the honda is superior as well.
If i wasnt limited to those two brands, id choose a triumph, then Yamaha.
Honda won't discount our bikes
I'll bet on it
I have always found comfort with both, but Showa seems more sensitive to clicker adjustments. Usually make bigger adjustments with KYB as Showa seems a little more sensitive to each click vs KYB ill do more radical changes to feel the change. Hope that helps.
Everyone but Suzuki is now in a new generation of bike. With all the bikes being so good, it’s going to be hard to pick one. I have not ridden in a decade due to college and getting my career going, so I’m in the 250 market. If I stick with Moto and get into local racing, then a 450 will be a future purchase. It’s going to be interesting to see the feedback come shootout season.
Honda is still stuck with the 3 ride mode maps. where kawi has stepped up with the smartphone adjustable app like yamaha has now.
to be fair, most people that care about that buy a Vortex or Get anyways...
I like the handlebar map switch on my Honda over a handheld or phone app. Same for my Beta, the Sunshine/Rain switch on my Beta keeps it simple and it works. I played with all kinds of maps on my Yamaha and ended up back or near factory.
Just another added expense for the Honda buyer. That makes the green machine more adjustable right away.
Doesn't the Honda make you stop and put the bike in neutral before you can change it still? Not really aof.
Pit Row
Are you good enough you need to change it?
I get some at pro level will want to mess about with maps and all that, but at that level as someone said most would go with a GET or Vortex ECU. For most people who buy a bike, switching maps mid-moto is probably something they'd never need to do.
Triumph.
The Honda build quality and resale is far better.
Now now, you know these kids love gadgets lol.. 90% of people I know set it and forget it.. i found a map I like on my yz and probably wont ever change it..
I think you can pull the clutch in and do it. It just wants to see engine RPM under a certain number. I have not tried the newer switch on the 450 but the older one that is on the 2024 and older 250s is kind of a pain because you have to hold it down the right amount of time for it to switch and then watch it blink to see what map you are in. The KTM switch is better because you just hit what you want and it lights up that map. The KTM won't change when it is reved out but it will change at a much higher RPM than the Honda.
For off-road racing having switchable maps and TC on/off on the fly is nice.
Im excited about the 25 KX, i think thats the route we are going next year for 26 model year
If that's the case might as well just keep your bike 100% stock since your so fast and all.
BluCru
I got a yz450f-24 with kyb and did have a kx250-23 with kyb and got a kx450-24 and the showa fork feels the best.
I have revalved my kybs and tried to get a nice and plush feel on breaking bumps but they have been pretty harsh on those.
The kybs nowadays got leaf spring setup on the midvalve. Earlier they did have I single shimstack with a spring. That's how the showa is built. Seem to offer more comfort compared to the leaf spring setup.
I have had Yamahas earlier and loved the forks but not anymore. But it is possible to change the midvalve shim stack holder to the old setup so I might try that on my yz450f-24.
I have always been a kyb fan and was very skeptical to the showa before I tried them.
Have tried some old Hondas with showas and also did have a kx450 -23 and wasn't a fan of those. The kx450 23 did have a leaf spring setup so it seems to offer less comfort.
Best comment I’ve heard in a long time!!!!!
The KX is faster and way cheaper when the rebates kick in . Yes the Hondas hold money better but your losing 3k anyway on both .
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