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9/10/2023
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Castle Rock, CO
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Right now I have a 22 yz125. My brother recently got a new kx250f and man it's so much easier to ride. I am not sure if its more power or 4t linearness I want. There is a 07 cr250r that I should be able to get for 1,500 it needs a top end but, I feel like I'd be downgrading bikes even though it's the exact same technology and I'm kind of done jetting. Or find a 22-24 crf250r. If I go out and buy a new bike after a month or 2 I think I'll just want a 125 again. I ride woods that are pretty fast and mx.
What would you do/have you done?
Definitely need a Stark Varg
If you get a 250f you will not want a 125 again.
Tough decision but the 250f is easier to ride fast and less shifting. YZ250F is killer.
250T is snappier but I don't think I would be any faster on it than a 250F.
I have a 125 and often think about what I would be fastest on vs. what is the most fun. There's always a grin on a 125, KTM 150SX, or Beta 200RR Race but IMO a 250F is the easiest to ride fast. Alta/Stark or 450F and I go from riding a slow bike fast to riding a fast bike slow.
The 07 CRF needs a top end and probably a whole bunch of other work. I wouldn't but a clapped out 250F. They're money pits. If your heart is set on a 250F I'd look for a well maintained, low hours 250F or keep the 125 (which being a 22 is quite new) until you can afford a new 250. If you really think you'd just want a 125 again, then why wouldn't you keep the YZ? Just borrow your brother's bike to get your 250F fix!
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What's your budget? The older CRFs had all kinds of valve seat issues. I'd stay away from that one. We have many race hours on 125s and went to a 22 FC250 this year. It is among the lightest of the 4t 250s (232 wet) and when he rides it like he did his 125s (216 wet) it is very fast. IMHO if you are young, fast, and lighter the Austrian 250s are easiest to transition to due to the smaller weight difference. With the used bike market full you should be able to find a decent 20-22 at a solid price.
Whatever you get, make sure it will "go the distance" needed for the trails you ride with some buffer. Being from Colorado, too, we typically ride all day. I would be fine with electric but they just don't go the distance needed in our mountains (we do have some 140 mile loops). That CR 250 could be a good deal but they are not the best for off-road riding and the gearing is not the best for our trails. A friend in Parker loves his 150 KTM for our trails and a riding buddy has a killer YZ 125 with an Athena 144 kit if you just want to keep your bike and update it (if you go this route, get an ignition to take full advantage). If you are tired of jetting but want to remain on a 2 stroke, get a Smartcarb or Lectron (I prefer Smartcarb after swapping out Lectron on 300cc): Install, dial it in, and leave it alone. Good luck in your quest!
Eric
Unpopular opinion, but to me a 250F is the worst engine platform bike. If your age or friends/family all ride/race 250f class, then I understand but otherwise I would stick with a 125 until you're ready for a 350 or 450F, or go with a 250 or 300 2 stroke.
the 07 is a 2-stroke.
My mistake. Totally different beast.
Am I wrong or right in saying that the 07 cr is as good/the same tech as new yz's?
If I'm not mistaken the 07 CR250R was one of the worst Cr's ever , first year of the aluminum frame , was super rigid , no ?
Not trying to be that guy, but as a member of the vets on 125 crew, I have both and still love ripping the 125.
Basically - the YZ hasn't changed much but is probably the superior bike, and is current so parts are easy to get. The CR had the electronic power valve that wasn't really figured out.
I think the frame and suspension was awesome on that year. But the case reed motor had no lowed grunt.
That was 97.
Your thinking of 97 or 98.
07 was one of the best CRs ever in my opinion. Last year they made that bike, it'd be a cool one to own.
That said, it's not going to be as good for off road as a modern 250f with the torque they make and the ease of ridability.
I think that is the key, “both”.
Let me rephrase: If you get a 250f you will not want a 125 as your only bike again.
Haha both would be awesome. But I don’t think I can swing it.
Pit Row
I had an ‘06 CR 250. Loved that bike. Jetting was a bit of a pain to stay crisp. Put a JD Jet kit in and that helped. I used 50/50 pump premium and race gas to avoid the dreaded ping. Always wanted to junk the stock Mikuni for a Keihin but never did it. Some said to have the squish band reworked to help with the ping but didn’t do that either. Overall a great bike for me, an MX practice guy with some occasional woods riding. I have no experience with 4 strokes so can’t help with that comparison. Good luck.
Jesus , my brain is fried
Ok, I have a few opinions.
First, is buy that 07 CR250. Rebuild it and ride it, sell it if you don’t like it. For that price, you will only make money either way, ‘07s hold a lot of value. The last gen Honda smokers are still some of the best handling bikes I’ve ever ridden - and they still match up to current bikes. 250 2 strokes are great do-it-all bikes. I liked the Honda motor a lot, great midrange power, and smooth down low character when jetted well. If/when you sell it, you’ll have more money in your pocket.
Second, modern 250fs are awesome. Get one.
yup , senior moment
If you buy that bike you are going backwards.If you think that CR is going to be anywhere close to that KX you better think again.
I was asking if it would be backwards from the 125 the 07 is a 2 stroke. If I got a 4t it would be 20+.
The answer is still the same.
True but that bike would kill him. He probably has that rich blurbering jetting. I easily pull them out of corner on a stock 04 cr125. Same bike my last ride last yr . Actually every time I ride I ride like it’s my last ride. A hot shot kid on a kx250 f from tx. Brought out 2 crew cabs of friends to watch him. I blew his ass away . I just had a good pace going & I see him swamping & pushing trying to catch me. I turned it up 3 notches & said see ya. Hard pack slippery with powder on top, lots of hills. The yz125 is a great bike Get it jetted & learn how to ride it.
cool story. good for you.
I was thinking the same thing about the older CRF250R. Fun bike to ride, tough bike to own with high hours.
The simple answer is just get a newer 250F. It was a 250F that even made you question what you were riding, right? So if that's the case, find a nice 250F and it will be easier to ride and you will likely be faster. 250 2strokes are cool but I do think if you already have a newer 125, I would not be selling it to buy a project older bike. Now if you were buying the 250 in addition to keeping the 125 and building it up, then sure. But I took your post like you can only really have 1 bike. I love 125s, but over the years I realized they are an amazing 2nd bike. But if it comes to having to pick my YZ250F or my YZ125 as my primary, I'm taking the 250F. Easier to ride fast, more power, just a better race bike. Get a 250F. The Hondas are probably the most 125-feeling in the chassis, so if that's what you want, that might be a good pick. Also, if you do get a 250F, give it time to adjust how you ride. It's a different type of bike. And also remember that 125s have a way of making you feel like you are going faster than you really are.
For me, the YZ you have is still a great platform, that’s why they keep making it.
I’d save up and get a 250f that is 2018 or newer. All the Yamaha 250 are hard to beat. KTM is great also, but the forks are going to be a big change from what you are riding now.
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