Get a backup bike or save for something new?

smack
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Regina, SK CA
Fantasy
Edited Date/Time 7/13/2025 11:51am

240lbs, 29yo and didn't start riding until I was 27 so I'm far from the fastest. Was planning on hanging on to my 2003 RM250 until I had enough for a 300+ 2 stroke (waiting to see what kawi puts out and what the Beta 350 is like) but whenever I need to order parts I'm out for 1-3 weeks and summer is short... Closest track is really hard packed but there's a sand track I like to hit a few times a year

There's an 07 yz125 listed right now that might be worth grabbing but maybe a 150sx would also be a good idea. I don't think having another 250 as a backup (or making the RM a backup to another 250) would be most exciting option and I don't think I want to buy a used 4 stroke that's within "backup bike" budget. If I were to go this route I'd probably delay buying a new bike for a few years and maybe even trade out the RM for 2012+ 250 to have something fresher before I go new.

What would you do if you were me? Is a 125 going to be fun at my weight?

Poll

What would you do if you were me?

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bodycast
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Monroe, NC US
7/13/2025 11:30am Edited Date/Time 7/13/2025 11:32am

What's your current budget?

At your size I would find a nice used 300 or 350 4 stroke.  

Lots of good deals around here on really nice 350s.  The 300s stay pricy used.

Could go 450 aswell used.  They are pretty safe buys because no one rings them out.  I just don't really like them for the riding I do.

Nice deals on updated trusty dusty yz250s too.  

Id stay away from the small bore bikes.  Your a big dude.

1
Justin_P
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Hollis Center, ME US
7/13/2025 11:35am

I sold my rm250 a year ago and I miss having it. If you can swing keeping the rm and saving for that freshy I'd do that!

2
Flatliner
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7/13/2025 11:36am

I had that RM250,  still a favorite of mine.... but parts are going to get hard to come by.

 

New is fine..... I was going to go that route , but I found a very low hour 350 with suspension work , and saved myself thousands.

3
smack
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7/13/2025 11:45am
bodycast wrote:
What's your current budget?At your size I would find a nice used 300 or 350 4 stroke.  Lots of good deals around here on really nice...

What's your current budget?

At your size I would find a nice used 300 or 350 4 stroke.  

Lots of good deals around here on really nice 350s.  The 300s stay pricy used.

Could go 450 aswell used.  They are pretty safe buys because no one rings them out.  I just don't really like them for the riding I do.

Nice deals on updated trusty dusty yz250s too.  

Id stay away from the small bore bikes.  Your a big dude.

I have about $5.5k CAD saved up now but I don't want to blow it all on a backup. The 125 I'm looking at I'm hoping there's a bit of room to talk him down and i could get the bike and spring it for my weight for maybe a little over 3.5k.

I've only done a single vet track lap on a 450 and it was quite fun but I was still pretty new to riding at the time and didn't get on it too much. I'm not completely closed off to the idea but I'm not the most mechanically inclined and feel like especially going used the maintenance is a bit of a black box to me and could turn into a pretty big strain on my moto budget. I've heard 06-08 cr450s are really good and they pop up for sale pretty often but most of them look pretty beat.

I'm hoping I could get a quick sale at 3k when it comes time to sell the RM.

The Shop

bodycast
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Monroe, NC US
7/13/2025 11:56am Edited Date/Time 7/13/2025 11:58am

Proper oil and filter changes the 450s will run forever man.  Really about any modern 4 stroke does.

If it was me I'd save, sell the rm and find a really nice 350 or 450.  Take it easy out there and have fun.  There are awsome low hour 450s all over the place in nc for 5k.  Especially the kawis.

I just don't think your going to have much fun on a small bore bike.  

That's what I would do with that budget.

Or go newer yz250.

2
Radical
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San Diego, CA US
7/13/2025 12:29pm

Having a 125, or probably a 150 since you're 240lbs, is always a good thing.  I don't believe a 2007 should go for $3.5K ($2500 USD).  That seems a bit high these days.

Getting a freshy sounds good too.

1
7/13/2025 1:05pm

I think you would  hate a 125 since you weigh 240 lbs.  I didn't  like them when I weighed 180 lbs.

3
wrc777
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7/13/2025 4:36pm Edited Date/Time 7/13/2025 4:37pm

If you go small bore go 150. I would be looking for a good 350f at your size. 450s are pretty fun in deep sand though. It saps the power and makes them easier to ride than just about anything else. 

Not hillbilly
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Gaithersburg, MD US
7/13/2025 6:23pm

I believe it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow. Get the cheap 125 and have a blast ringing its neck for a year or two. Learn how to keep your speed up and corner like a madman. Forget about clearing the biggest jumps and rhythms for a bit. Then, if you find yourself feeling the need for more speed, you can move up to a 300.

429 Sterling
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Boston, MA US
7/13/2025 7:26pm Edited Date/Time 7/13/2025 8:33pm

Funny, I’m in a very similar predicament. I’m 250 pounds riding an old 250 2 stroke. Part of me wants a new fresh bike and another part of me wants a second used bike so I’ll have a backup but not sure if I want a 250f or 450f. 

Love riding 2 stokes but the ease of use of a 4 stroke is alluring to me.


IMG 8244 1

2
truck
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Louisville, KY US
Fantasy
7/13/2025 8:05pm

Get on cycle trader, search for anything new but a year or more old within reasonable distance to go pick up, find something that's been sitting in showroom for 2 years that a dealership just wants out of the way and make them an offer. They're out there, mostly KTM group, but you can find them! 

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2023-Gasgas-MC+350F-5037084138#sid=…

1
AssangeMX
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Belmarsh, CA US
7/13/2025 9:30pm

If you 240lbs, look for a low hours 450f.

People saying to get a 125 are nuts. And this is coming from someone that weights 225lns and that's had at least one 125 in my garage for the last 23 years.

7/13/2025 11:15pm
AssangeMX wrote:
If you 240lbs, look for a low hours 450f.People saying to get a 125 are nuts. And this is coming from someone that weights 225lns and...

If you 240lbs, look for a low hours 450f.

People saying to get a 125 are nuts. And this is coming from someone that weights 225lns and that's had at least one 125 in my garage for the last 23 years.

Jo Jo Keller would argue differently.
1
AssangeMX
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Belmarsh, CA US
7/13/2025 11:59pm
AssangeMX wrote:
If you 240lbs, look for a low hours 450f.People saying to get a 125 are nuts. And this is coming from someone that weights 225lns and...

If you 240lbs, look for a low hours 450f.

People saying to get a 125 are nuts. And this is coming from someone that weights 225lns and that's had at least one 125 in my garage for the last 23 years.

Jo Jo Keller would argue differently.

Sure, ive got a pair of 150s.

Just don't think its good for a beginner rider. 450 is fine for a big guy

7/14/2025 9:00am

Shit I just did a long post & added 2 pics & my post disappeared.  Get a another rm250 a 03 is good not sure but I think it was 05 when Suzuki threw the kitchen sick into the 250.  Then you hv a parts bike too. 

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