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Joined
11/19/2023
Location
Boston, MA, USA
Any long term Crf250r owners here? I planned on getting a kx450 but after test riding one am reconsidering a 250. Of all the bikes I sat on the crf has the best geometry for my height. I’m looking at 2023 and 2024 models. Any known problems with bikes from these years? The fit and finish seemed better than the Kawi in person.
I have many trouble-free hours on my 2023. Stock chain sucks, revalved the suspension. Other than that, it's been perfect.
Hard to beat a Honda, build quality wise, especially compared to a Kawasaki. I put 40 hard hours on a 2022 250, mostly sand on the rev limiter, and the piston looked brand new, valves in spec.
140ish hours on a 21RX and just now having to replace a wheel bearing. The only thing internally I’ve done is a Rekluse Clutch Pack.
Most reliable bike I’ve ever owned. Probably pulling the top-end apart this weekend, but idk it starts right up and runs great.
As others have mentioned, Honda reliability is top-notch, and the 2023/2024 CRF250R's are known entities. Out of curiosity: Are you planning on buying new or used? 23/24's take a little more setup and tuning compared to the 2025's...
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It's a HONDA!
Parts are more reasonable than the Euro brands, and you can find a Honda dealer almost anywhere.
23 years of Honda ownership.
I’ll probably buy used if I can find a clean low hour one. There’s a 24 model for sale near me with 20 hours and a yoshi pipe I might look at this week.
If my memory is correct, I had ~47 hours on my 2023 CRF250R when I sold it. The bike was rock solid dependable with zero issues. I never put a wrench on the motor other than to change the oil. I was still on the stock clutch, battery, no valve adjustments, plastic still looked great, etc. The Honda fit and finish was superb. I only rode MX tracks at a Vet Int pace.
Put close to 80 hours on my 23 before I sold it. Replaced the top end at 50 hours but honestly with the way it looked it would have gone another 50. Stock clutch lasted for about 45 hours for me but I’m not a clutch abuser.
The Hondas are gold in reliability in the 250 and 450 sectors.
So reasonable on prices. It’s honestly shocking to me how so many people scoff at them for woods bikes. I understand wanting a 2-stroke but a 250f is a perfect woods bike for the majority of people, especially vet riders.
I've never owned a Honda that wasn't reliable. Even the first year 04 crf 250 was ok, once we got the valve issues sorted. Several 250 two strokes, and one 450. All solid.
I actually ended up with a 450 from Black Friday sales. Walked out paying 7600 plus taxes. If they would have had a 250 I would have ended up with that.
Been on Hondas since 2007 and the only problem I have encountered (on stock parts) are the weak oem clutches.
I always have to swap them out for a Rekluse manual and then I can put over 50 hours on a set of plates compared to the stocker that slips right out of the box for me.
Quality wise I put Honda and Yamaha on the top.
I never had a problem with my 19 250. I know 2 guys who had 22+ gen 250. One guy has had no issues, takes really good care of his stuff. The other one is a 16 year old kid who had BEAT his 24 250, but still running haha. Radiator is twisted so bad he has to ziptie his shroud on. Only issue hes had was a cracked kill switch which let water into it and was shutting his bike off.
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