Posts
1495
Joined
7/19/2012
Location
Trussville, AL, USA
Have a 2024 YZ250F I’m enjoying but thinking about switching back to a Honda (had a 17 I loved). I had a 2023 and hated the rigidity and unpredictability it was just not an easy bike to ride for a old c class vet guy and did not feel like a typical Honda. Have poured over countless intro videos but can’t get a sense of if it’s better than what I have or a major improvement from the last gen. Hoping some people here have had some seat time on the new red bike. Thanks in advance.
I had the 2020 Crf250r with mapped vortex and yoshi that I absolutely loved. . Thought I had to have the all new 22 and just like you I struggled with that bike! Even with the suspension revalved I still couldn’t gel with that one. That bike gave me arm pump like I’ve never had before!!
Bought the 25 after hearing how it was better and can honestly tell you I love this bike. Being a vet rider myself , comfort means everything to me.I set the sag and clickers to stock and felt at home instantly on it. . I’ve put 3 hours on it so far ( track only) and have never adjusted the clickers from stock positions.This bike gives me the comfort and predictability of my 20 but with a better motor. Some bikes aren’t for everyone but I certainly feel at home on this one. I’m so glad I took a chance. If you get a chance to ride one definitely try it.
"Better than what you have" - That's a tough one. Yamaha stock suspension and tunability is simply class leading. Despite MXA's roasting last year, the bike is still at (or very near) the top of the class. If you're okay with the louder than competitors intake noise (I recommend ear plugs on every bike, regardless if it's blue, 2T, or 4T...) and are gelling with it, you have very few "better" 250F options.
"Major improvement from the last generation" - The 25' CRF250R is a HUGE improvement over the 22'-24's. If you're a die-hard Honda guy, it's hard to go wrong with either of their 2025 offerings. I was able to spend 10 hours on a 25' test unit recently, and still stand by my initial impressions (https://www.dirtrider.com/tests/honda-crf250r-first-ride-review/). With a 110/90-19 rear tire and my favorite A'ME grips, it's a bike I would happily ride all year. Even at 185lb., the suspension worked well in our SoCal conditions and the overall build quality/amenities are typical Honda. If I were a vet racer who wants one of the coolest 250F options in class, the 25' CRF250RWE would be on my radar. Any other unique questions, shoot me a PM! Cheers
Appreciate it. I had a long stretch of Yamaha's before switching to red for a bit. I do agree my YZ was comfortable out the box and never unpredictable. I think after having my 23 CRF even with FC revalve and how much I hated that bike (did one lap and sold it) I have a bit of PTSD. I think I may just snag one and see how I like it and keep whichever one I jive with best as my bike has 7 hours on it. I will say the one thing I hate about my bike is how damn loud it is. I'm in AL so most of our stuff is weirdly sand (2 tracks on "sand mountain") or hard clay. These days I just spend time crusing a few laps and some easy jumps but want something that I can do comfortably whether I rode 2 times that month or once in the last 3 months. My wife did say I should treat myself to the RWE as a grad gift but I think thats overkill for what I do lol.
You rode a bike for one lap and then sold it because you didn't like it?
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Appreciate the feedback, I never had that gen, had a 17 and honestly did not hate that bike even with air forks, the chassis was just predictable and it was so easy to turn and ride, I also had my 23 revalved from FC and still hated that bike.
Yep, why risk wadding up or more hours on a bike you clearly didnt like and maybe it was like 2 laps, I cut my losses and sold it and replaced it.
You complain about the rigidity and didn't even give it a chance to break in at all.
Your current bike has 7 hours? And you already want to move on? Why make this thread, you're going to buy the bike anyway. Stop reading magazine shootouts and ride the bike you have.
I had felt the same way about my first CRF 450. But I had ridden one that was setup very well for a faster, but lighter rider. So I knew it could be a much better bike. Please give the 25 more of a chance if Your first impression is not a good one. I ended up loving the bike after taking some time to get it setup better for me. That's really the only new bike I've bought that I was super disappointed with to that degree.
It might have been partly because of how good the one worked that I rode before deciding on buying one. It had some A kit suspension that was not wildly available like it is these days. Mine was never as good as that one. But I got it good enough that I did not hate it.
No amount of break in was gonna fix how that bike felt to me as a rider, I even had it revalved. Im not just looking to move on to move on, like I said no issues with my current bike, I simply was curious how the new bike felt cause I'm at a point in my life where I can afford to get a new bike if I want a new bike. Was just wanting some feedback that isn't in a magazine or YouTube. Not sure why you're so tore up about it.
I'm not tore up, it just doesn't make any sense to me to bike hop like this. You didn't ride the first CRF you had, and you've barely ridden your Yamaha. Why go back to another new bike? To put 7 hours on it? The bike you are riding is still new!
Wait for someone at the track to get one, and see if you can take it for a lap.
Thats fair and valid points. Just like trying out other stuff and being on the best bike comfort wise for me at my age matters where I'm willing to jump more frequently.
in my expirience bikes take 10 hours to feel plush. the frame, suspension and seat foam need break in time.
I went from a 22 to a 24 Honda, I am usually pretty picky with bikes (eg I care about 1mm fork height differences). The biggest thing I noticed was brand new tires. You can "feel" a bike right away, even if it's going to break in a bit.
I think the 25 250 will be a super nice bike. I am waiting for the WE to come in.
My wife says I should get one but I dont want to be that old guy on the track with the race kit bike that is slow and barely clearing doubles.
My buddy got a 24 a few weeks ago. We swapped bikes for the hell of it, and I couldn't tell the difference from his new bike and my 35-hour 2022. Only thing I noticed was my clutch pull felt a bit lighter.
You shouldn't care what anyone else thinks of you especially if they judge you on your riding.
Classic case of new bIke itis.... sseriously just stop a 25 won't make your experience better.
You got a whole 7hrs on your bIke sounds like to me you need to get out and ride more.
Playing mmusical bikes iisn't ggoing to iimprove things
Think your missing the point, I'm not trying to improve anything just wondering if the new red bike is a better bike and wouldnt mind having it, not looking for a bike to solve any problems or make me a better rider as I know that's not how it works. And ya it's some itis but its the one hobby I have outside of work and my daughter and the honey to do list around the house, so if I want a new bike why not. And I have no qualms with my YZ, just curious what the red bike is like.
Pit Row
At my age I don't I will never be the dude throwing down whips and clearing it all, those days came and gone and never got there, my priorities are my work, family and daughter so I ride just to have some two wheel therapy and sunshine. Though I wish I had more seat time, have had to pay the babysitter to watch her so I can get away even just once a month.
You're just wasting cash then at the moment.
And your mmissing my point we ride for fun your jjust coming up with eexcuses to jjustify a new ride. When you should be out enjoying riding. You all ready got a more than capable ride.
Reminds me of a friend I had for a long time with more money than sense. He was an average C level rider, TALL guy about 6’7, athletic build. Obviously he was heavier than the intended weight that a stock bike comes equipped for, and he would just buy a bike, trick it out with all the Bolt ons, and then sell it because “it handles like shit”. Got tired of trying to explain how suspension needs attention for any bike he hops on after 5 or 6 bikes. Now he’s a car guy.
Look, I used to ride the Yamaha 250. I had a 2020. I hated the ergos and the vague front end feel. I got the Honda in 2022. I love riding it way more. My technique is better and it turns better. It does scare me sometimes, and I can't bulldog stuff as much as I could on the Yamaha. It seems like the 2025 Honda maintained most of what is good about the Honda (Ergos, turning) while adding some ability to smash through rough stuff.
I had a 2024 with 18 hours on it. FC suspension, linkage, Yosh, 2.15 rear. Do I need the 25? Of course not, I love riding the 24.
Do I want the 25, and am I willing to burn 3-4k to upgrade? Yes. It will make riding just that bit more fun.
Am I a vet rider who never races and just wants a sweet looking WE? Yes.
Some folks splurge and spend as much on an upgrade to first class for a plane ticket as we do on a bike. If you've got the money, and you think it will bring you more enjoyment riding, go for it dude.
Not cool. I have sense, I have paid off cars in my garage and a healthy savings and investment account already for my 6 mo old. I also am a practitioner. I don't do any real mods besides like filter and grips (I dont even do graphics), just because I am trying to find a bike that I enjoy riding and wondering if one maybe better than another for the one hobby I have outside of my day to day doesnt mean I dont have sense. Thats like saying all the guys who golf, brew beer, waste money on other pointless cr*p have more money than sense, we all have what we choose to "waste" our disposable income on, my bikes are paid for, I buy out of state no sales tax or reg so its not as big of a hit as it seems if you buy and sell at right price.
Exactly. And thanks. The 2024 YZ is vastly better than the 2020 I will say, I had a 2019 and was not a fan. I may snag a 2025 and try them both and keep the one I like best.
One of the guys we race against showed up with a new 25 CRF450 the other week and it was freaking LOUD!! Like KX450 or YZ450 loud. I heard it on the line and told my son "man that thing needs repacked bad" and he told me it was brand new. Haven't seen a 25 250 yet in the wild so no idea if it is loud too.
I had a 2024 yz250f and went to the 2025 crf250r.
You should put at least 30 hours on a bike imo before coming to a decision if you like it or not.
My advice is always “buy the bike”. Someone has to keep this industry alive and well.
Buy the bike brother.
I usually decide how I feel about a bike after it's 3rd top end.
I get what you are saying. I’m totally happy with the bike I have (a ‘23 250 XC-W), but I’m always thinking about the next bike (or a second bike) It may be a waste of money financially to hop bikes, but the last time I had both a CRF250R and a 250 XC-W (2015-17), I had a great time taking either bike out and enjoying the differences between them.
Post a reply to: Real world feedback 2025 CRF250R