Upgrade to enjoy this feature!
Vital MX fantasy is free to play, but Premium users receive great benefits. Premium benefits include:
- View and download rider stats
- Pick trends
- Create a private league
- And more!
Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
Most fun 4-stroke 250 was a 90ish XR250. Most fun 250 of all time was my 88 KX250. Loved that bike - so easy to ride.
I did not enjoy my buddy’s ‘85 XR350. Poorly suspended and way too heavy
The only 450 I’ve had was an ‘06 KX450. It was nice but a little porky.
I had a friend (who rides a new YZ450) ride my '18 RMZ450 and say "it handles good, but it's slow". That was music to my ears. I'm 57 and don't need a fast 450. My bike is dialed now with KYB rear shock, fork revalve, and yoshimura exhaust. It's a very forgiving chassis and the motor delivers a lot of torque. RMZ450 has more torque than a 350, but slower and less overev than a YZ450. Win-Win.
I vote gas gas mc450F 21-23.
I rode 250fs for ten years, 350s for 7 years, been on 450s for about 5 years, also VET A
Rode all of the new bike everyone of them. And nothing compares to a stock gas gas mc450F 21-23 scoop tire 49t rear sprocket no map switch just stock map. Seat cover. And bars.
Literally best bike I have rode hands down. And everyone else that ride it was jealous I had it and they didn’t. A lot of my friend purchased that exact bike after they rode mine.
RMZ-450 - Vet Weapon
- Bargain
- Engine (Tractor/Meaty Mid)
- Reliable
- Confidence (handling)
- Spring Fork (included)
- Kickstart Kenny (Vet) approved
Marysville MMX Sunday 2/23
The Shop
Free shipping: VITALMX
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Still the best looking bike to me. Especially with the gold wheels.
It stalls a lot though. Like a lot lot.
it’s extremely slow though. I went from 2018 rmz450 to 2019 ktm 350sxf and the 350sxf was faster lighter and better in every department.
Im 450 Yami guy for years, but last year i had chance ride new Husky 350. I personally dont like all products od KTM group, but must say that 350 suit me very well! Enough power, good suspension and brakes. Overall very good feel. Maybe time for change...😉
Hmmm, I haven’t had that issue, but I do make sure I’m in proper gear in slow corners. With the power / torque delivery it’s tempting to slow corner in 4th gear because of the meaty midrange.
As far as being "slow", it's all about lap times and confidence. I've yet to call a 55+ horsepower motorcycle slow. If I'm in the proper gear and riding it the way it likes to be ridden (low adrenaline), it gets around the track pretty darn good. My buddy and I who are equally skilled(local 65 Expert/52 Expert), him on his "works FE" whatever they call it KTM 450 and me on the Suzie, we pass each other back and forth at will. Maybe the 350 "feels" fast because it whines to the moon.
Either way, I like being an underdog, contrarian if you will. Passing an Austrian bike is one of my favorites as the Yellow Zonker is barely turning 8,600 RPM and putting all that "slow" power to ground in the form of forward motion. No wasted energy. Good for long motos.
Broke in my new boots on Sunday and put an hour on the meter, no stalls.
Boot review please… I”m about to buy a pair of these…thanks….Yes…Suzukis are awesome!
Right from the get-go, they were super comfortable and supportive. My SiDi Crossfires held up well, but they were long in the tooth. I would have gotten the SiDi's, but my supplier switched to Gaerne. These two boots have been the most comfortable / supportive / easy to latch boots I've had my previous 40+ years of riding.
Local tip from the guy / supplier I bought them from. They SG22's run a 1/2 larger than the SiDi's. So, my 12 1/2 SiDi's equate to 12 for the Gaerne SD22. They fit perfect Sunday, no pressing on ankle / foot / etc and a lot of support. Very happy out of the chute.
Can't speak on the 350, but plan to try my friends 2025 350sxf this spring. Air forks though, lot of exp.
2021 MC450, the 21+ stock air forks aren't bad, but once you get to a certain speed/skill level they just don't work as well anymore. Also need to stay on top of the pressure, as in check it 3+ times a day especially with temp changes. I always noticed a dead spot in the forks while cornering at speed, would cause you to either push the front tire or stand the bike up too early.
I had my forks converted using the MX Tech Raven kit [https://mx-tech.com/mxt-raven/] - amazing difference, alleviated all of my complaints and really helped the front end. Also had a bladder kit installed in the rear shock, both forks/shock valved for my weight/skill level (~175lbs, B rider, +30 class). I've never ridden a bike so stable in the chop - it just rides dead straight. Combined with the new confidence in the front end, it really has been an amazing motorcycle so far.
I have a 24 350SXF and do really enjoy it. Raced Suzukis many years ago and do wonder how an RMZ450 would feel on the track compared to the 350. Cornering, acceleration, overall feel, etc. I will say I was envious of that kickstart on the RMZ parked next to me last weekend when the battery on my 350 decided to take a dump.
Thanks…
I’d like to buy another used 350. I haven’t usually bought used bikes in the last few years but damn they are getting expensive lately.
How are you liking those SG22s? I’m in the market for a new pair and am considering some Gaernes. I have really normal feet, and am scared that they won’t fit good because people say it has a REALLY narrow toe box but I feel they’re exaggerating.
Trying to decide between SG12 and 22.
Tired of wearing out TECH7’s so fast
SG22's are definitely not narrow. I have a 4E wide feet and I've been wearing Gaerne's for 20+ years.. SG-10, then 12, and a brief stint in 22's. To me, 12's and 22's fit pretty much the same.
When you get old you go backwards. 450 10 years ago, 350 5 years ago, with a 250 up this summer and likely till I stop (again). Gonna be 62 and HP is not king with me.
Awesome to hear and thanks for the reply! I will most likely be getting a pair then!
Would you say they are true to size when sizing? I wear a Size 9 Tech 7 but I wear a US Men’s size 11 shoe
Pit Row
To me, they are pretty true size. I usually wear a 9W in street shoes and I wear a 9 in Gaerne's. 9 also fits me in Alpinestars when I try them on. Gaerne does offer a few 1/2 sizes, but not all. 9.5 is one they offer.
This article was my exact experience with sizing SG22:
https://shop.cityhonda.co.nz/pages/gaerne-boots-sizing-chart
Good Review of SG22 Features:
Triumph! I've been logging in a lot of laps on the 250 Triumph, great bike! Haven't rode a 450 yet but if they make a 350, with that chassis...done deal. Bike of the year!
I'm just a pup @ 57. Rode a '22 YZF250F Sunday. I'm not ready yet. Enjoying my "slow" RMZ450 🐢 (with more torque than a 350)
It's the torque that wears me out. Even the 350s now have too much - I get death grip arm pump in 3 laps.
Got to spend some time with Mayson last weekend at Hangtown. Did a fresh top end in the KTM 1`25sx we gave him last Fall, and he's good for another 30 hours.
Was on 250f for about five years until I rode a buddies 350 in 2017 when I was looking to buy a new bike. I was at the dealership that week. Went to a 450 sxf a couple years later and rode it for a season. Good bike just not really for me. Had to change my riding style. Bought another 350 and took both the 450 and 350 to the track and felt much better on the 350. On my fourth 350 now and love em. Will say the latest KTM 450 isn’t far off on feel as they use to be. Vet B 165 pounds for reference.
250f is good, but to be honest if I’m going to that, it’ll be a secondary bike and on that note I’m getting another 125/150 smoker.
350 to me is right on. Right in the middle. Can scream it or lug it. The 23+ feel more “small 450” than “big 250” if that makes sense. Doesn’t wear me out, doesn’t get me into too much trouble. Always felt comfortable on this platform.
450 has been a weird thing. I really wanted to like it. Had one briefly in 2011 and never gelled with it. A buddy talked me into one in 2020 for racing. I honestly think I did too much to it. Twisted remap was nice. Took me awhile to get use to it. Buddies who were on 450s really liked it but I was was never very excited about it. I liked it some days and others I felt timid on it. Me and that bike had an injury history, so I’m sure that doesn’t help. I have ridden a friends latest and greatest factory edition KTM 450 a couple times and liked it, but I think the 350 is the right bike for me.
I'm sure I'll get some down votes for this but if you are only riding a few times a year I would highly recommend the stark. By far the easiest bike to get on ride if you haven't been riding in awhile.
If not stark I'd definitely recommend 350. I've had many 250's, 350's and 450's and as many have said the 350 is just the perfect middle ground. I just wish yamaha or triumph would hurry up and make one.
To the RMZ450 guys: How’s the shock? Reading about it makes it sound like it’s a step below the others, but is it? Is it just a case of a different feel that takes a bit to get used to it?
250f doesn’t have the torque I’m used to and doesn’t have the legs for the desert stuff we ride (I live in the desert, ride out of the house 90% of the time). 350s are really good here, Austrian 350xcf is a great choice because of the 6 speed gearbox. My brother has a GasGas 350 with a 366cc kit and a Vortex, that thing is really good, amazing torque from a smaller motor. Moto 450s are generally a little too rowdy for my 60yo body, but can be fixed with flywheels and mapping. I’m riding a KTM 450xcf chassis with a 500exc engine, Vortex ECU on the slick conditions map to soften the low end response. It’s a great bike for me, it doesn’t have the rev like the 350s, but I’m a lazy old guy, I don’t want a jerky response off idle and I just ride the midrange 95% of the time.
The Vortex slick conditions map is great, the first 1/3 of the throttle is pretty mild and smooth, then it changes to full power mode above there. It reminds me of an old 4 barrel V8 when the secondary’s open up, you can totally hear the difference in sound and the power ramps up fast!
Stock for Stock, the RMZ-250 shock is sooo much better than the stock BFRC that comes with the RMZ450. When I knew I needed either a revalve of the BFRC or a new shock, I weighed the cost (including re-spring) and payed a few more hundred to get the setup I wanted. Sure, are there riders that get their BFRC revalved and are happy? Yes. But, they almost all agree a standard shock (RMZ-250 or equivalent) would be / is better.
I've had very little opportunity to ride in the last several years, but I'm getting back into it again. I'd say the RMZ-250 shock (for my 450) has about 10 hours on it. It's extremely confidence inspiring, absolutely no "weird" behaviors or dead feeling. It's biggest compliment is I don't think about it on the track. And that's bone stock. Ride Engineering link is also a confidence builder (for me). Less bias on the front, bike's almost perfectly balanced (for me, the way I like bikes to feel).
Specs:
6' 220lbs - age 57 - OTHG MX Vet (52 Expert)
.52kg up front / revalved fork
5.7kg rear / stock RMZ-250 - direct bolt on shock w/clicker adjustments
Ride Engineering Link
Stock Engine(lean plug) w/Yoshimura Exhaust / 1/2 Sunoco 104 Unleaded-1/2 Pump / Stock Gearing
That was an awesome deal you started for him. I’m sure he’s extremely grateful for that to this day. That was a great video you posted when you gave it to him. Hats off to you!
I’ve been reconnecting with Mayson a bit too. Lost my Dad this year and living life with a new appreciation for it. Mayson might see a drag boat race or two this year and of course we’ll see each other at the moto track. 🙂
Always was a 125/250f rider. Never jelled with 250 2 strokes or 450s. Got a 350 in ‘13 and kept it for a couple years. Liked it but rode a friends YZ250F and felt like I rode that better so have had a bunch of them over the last years (a ‘15, ‘16, ‘19 and ‘21). Recently sold the ‘21 nad picked up a low hour (16) ‘22 350. Hope the return to church of 350 services works well…
Old 350 and new (to me) 350
Post a reply to: 250 vs 350 vs 450 - Share your experience pls