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8
Joined
8/31/2018
Location
New York, NY, USA
Been a long time 350 rider and fan. I’ve never been fast, and am a once a month weekend practice warrior. Thinking about mixing it up and trying a 250 for a change. My current bike is a ‘23 350 XC-F Factory Edition (yes, I know it’s a woods bike, but I ride it at the track—just wanted all the FE extras so chose this over the SX-F). Love the power/torque and nimbleness of the 350, but want something even more nimble and as close to the same power/torque as the 350 as possible. I was thinking the new 25 250 WE might fit the bill. Also, I don’t want to mod out my bike (those days are over for me), so not looking for those types of suggestions. Just want to buy it and ride it for a couple years. Looking for input. Thanks.
A 250F is indeed more nimble that a 350. I've been riding/racing 250Fs for almost 20 years (as a vet rider) and have nothing bad to say about them. I can ride them longer with less fatigue compared to anything else. I never feel like I need more power.
100% go with a CRF250RWE and enjoy!
If you're keeping your 23 KTM, then go KTM. If you have a part break, you should be able to swap stuff over in a pinch (eg: bent brake rotor, wheel swap due to flats, etc.). Plus it's the 350 power your looking for out of the box.
However, that Works edition 250 looks awesome. If you are starting from scratch and selling your current 350, I'd suggest go that route. Maybe just do ignition and suspension mods to fit your riding style and skill.
The current Honda 250 is pretty far down on power (almost 4hp on the dirt rider dyno) compared to the ktm 250. The ktm 350 has 13 more hp than the Honda 250 on the dirt rider dyno. That is a pretty big deficit.
Stark varg for the win with your situation but between the two options I’d say stick with a 350, 250 are fun and all but def more work.
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I had a ‘22 crf250r and put 40hrs on it riding single track, racing GP’s and doing practice days at the local mx track. Last year I switched to a gasgas mc350 for and put 15hrs on it (before getting injured unfortunately this summer). At first it was tough for me getting use to the extra power of the 350 and it definitely wore me out alotttt faster. I did enjoy that power once I started respecting it more but in the end I didnt need it. I wasn’t any faster on it than my 250, it wore me out, and it made me feel like I should be going faster than my ability could handle lol.
I actually really liked my Honda a lot and I progressed enough on it as a rider that I thought I needed the 350….. I didn’t lol. I just feel more comfortable on the small bore bikes. I sold it after the injury and I ordered a 25 250rWE expected delivery early nov. lol 😂
Buy the Honda, last longer on the track, learn to carry corner speed, and make everyone jelly of your WE
I’m on the opposite side of the fence here. Longtime 350 rider and when I rode a buddies crf250 I personally felt it was harder to go fast on which led to me getting tired. If you can find a buddies or someone’s 250 to ride I highly suggest that before you plunk down a cool 10g on something you won’t be comfortable on.
What’s everyone paying OTD on there 25 250r’s? I’m in Chicagoland and lowest quote I got was 9150 OTD on a standard
And 12k on a WE
Buy the bike the you think looks the best…really comes down to that as your not going to be any slower or faster no matter what you ride..
I just broke in my 25 350 SXF last weekend… it is so good, the power is good, suspension is good, and i am not sure what everyone was complaining about. I still have not even put my REP suspension and linkage, XPR Vortex, and Akro evolution exhaust on it and it was much better than my set up 21 350 SXF!
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