What 250F for beginner

crc245
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crc245 9/3/2025 6:37pm
9/3/2025 6:37pm

At 6’ tall and 195 +/- you’ll likely need +1 spring rates front and rear on either the YZ250F or CRF250R. Hard to go wrong with either, but look into -5mm back pegs for the CRF if you go that route. Both will maintain good resale value and are SOLID 250F’s. Do the kiddos prefer red or blue? That, along with what you think they’ll be riding as they step up, may just be the decision maker.

 

To throw a slight wrench into your plan: Would you even consider a KX250 seeing your local dealer stocks them? Reason I ask - It would probably be the cheapest option of the three, and being able to drop the peg mounts is great for those of us who are 6’+. It would also be the most tame, engine-wise, out of the three and easiest to work into as you get back into the swing of riding…

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ChrisLG
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ChrisLG 9/4/2025 3:45am
9/4/2025 3:45am
crc245 wrote:
At 6’ tall and 195 +/- you’ll likely need +1 spring rates front and rear on either the YZ250F or CRF250R. Hard to go wrong with...

At 6’ tall and 195 +/- you’ll likely need +1 spring rates front and rear on either the YZ250F or CRF250R. Hard to go wrong with either, but look into -5mm back pegs for the CRF if you go that route. Both will maintain good resale value and are SOLID 250F’s. Do the kiddos prefer red or blue? That, along with what you think they’ll be riding as they step up, may just be the decision maker.

 

To throw a slight wrench into your plan: Would you even consider a KX250 seeing your local dealer stocks them? Reason I ask - It would probably be the cheapest option of the three, and being able to drop the peg mounts is great for those of us who are 6’+. It would also be the most tame, engine-wise, out of the three and easiest to work into as you get back into the swing of riding…

Great information I appreciate it. I almost hate to say this because it is such a squid thing to say, but I worry that I will be unsatisfied with the power or overall quality of the bike if I were to get a KX250. 

This kind of money on a brand new bike is a big purchase for me, and I want to make sure I don’t regret it. 

Although in all honesty, there is no way I could use all the power of any of the new 250’s. lol. 

They are definitely the best deal going in my area. A guy I work with told me he paid less than 8 OTD for a brand new one this summer from our local dealers. 

The YZ250F seems to constantly come up as being regarded as the best in the class, but then I’ve always rode red…. Except for a couple r6 Yamaha street bikes, which I did have mechanical issues with. 
 

For whatever reason, when I see a Kawi atv or bike I always have thought that they were not as quality as a green or red. I’m sure a lot has changed and I’m wrong on that nowadays. 


I really do just need to go get some solid prices and make a decision. 


Yz250f and Cr250r are almost never in stock around here. However, there’s 6-8 kx250’s on the showroom floor at all times…. 

 

2
Bobby Barracuda 9/4/2025 6:34am
9/4/2025 6:34am

All the bikes are good now pick the one that your gut feeling is with 

Zerofear66
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Zerofear66 9/4/2025 8:01am
9/4/2025 8:01am

If suspension and reliability are at the top of your list,  you cannot go wrong with the YZ250F. But I'm a Yamaha fan so Im a bit biased. 

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EAmato88
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EAmato88 9/4/2025 8:28am
9/4/2025 8:28am
crc245 wrote:
At 6’ tall and 195 +/- you’ll likely need +1 spring rates front and rear on either the YZ250F or CRF250R. Hard to go wrong with...

At 6’ tall and 195 +/- you’ll likely need +1 spring rates front and rear on either the YZ250F or CRF250R. Hard to go wrong with either, but look into -5mm back pegs for the CRF if you go that route. Both will maintain good resale value and are SOLID 250F’s. Do the kiddos prefer red or blue? That, along with what you think they’ll be riding as they step up, may just be the decision maker.

 

To throw a slight wrench into your plan: Would you even consider a KX250 seeing your local dealer stocks them? Reason I ask - It would probably be the cheapest option of the three, and being able to drop the peg mounts is great for those of us who are 6’+. It would also be the most tame, engine-wise, out of the three and easiest to work into as you get back into the swing of riding…

ChrisLG wrote:
Great information I appreciate it. I almost hate to say this because it is such a squid thing to say, but I worry that I will...

Great information I appreciate it. I almost hate to say this because it is such a squid thing to say, but I worry that I will be unsatisfied with the power or overall quality of the bike if I were to get a KX250. 

This kind of money on a brand new bike is a big purchase for me, and I want to make sure I don’t regret it. 

Although in all honesty, there is no way I could use all the power of any of the new 250’s. lol. 

They are definitely the best deal going in my area. A guy I work with told me he paid less than 8 OTD for a brand new one this summer from our local dealers. 

The YZ250F seems to constantly come up as being regarded as the best in the class, but then I’ve always rode red…. Except for a couple r6 Yamaha street bikes, which I did have mechanical issues with. 
 

For whatever reason, when I see a Kawi atv or bike I always have thought that they were not as quality as a green or red. I’m sure a lot has changed and I’m wrong on that nowadays. 


I really do just need to go get some solid prices and make a decision. 


Yz250f and Cr250r are almost never in stock around here. However, there’s 6-8 kx250’s on the showroom floor at all times…. 

 

i assure you there is nothing on the new kx250 to be disappointed with. I have green, blue and red bikes in my garage and I work on all brands frequently. If i had to give them a rating, i would say honda build quality is one step above them all but is splitting hairs, They are all solid bikes

crc245
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crc245 9/4/2025 8:37am
9/4/2025 8:37am Edited Date/Time 9/4/2025 8:38am
ChrisLG wrote:
Great information I appreciate it. I almost hate to say this because it is such a squid thing to say, but I worry that I will...

Great information I appreciate it. I almost hate to say this because it is such a squid thing to say, but I worry that I will be unsatisfied with the power or overall quality of the bike if I were to get a KX250. 

This kind of money on a brand new bike is a big purchase for me, and I want to make sure I don’t regret it. 

Although in all honesty, there is no way I could use all the power of any of the new 250’s. lol. 

They are definitely the best deal going in my area. A guy I work with told me he paid less than 8 OTD for a brand new one this summer from our local dealers. 

The YZ250F seems to constantly come up as being regarded as the best in the class, but then I’ve always rode red…. Except for a couple r6 Yamaha street bikes, which I did have mechanical issues with. 
 

For whatever reason, when I see a Kawi atv or bike I always have thought that they were not as quality as a green or red. I’m sure a lot has changed and I’m wrong on that nowadays. 


I really do just need to go get some solid prices and make a decision. 


Yz250f and Cr250r are almost never in stock around here. However, there’s 6-8 kx250’s on the showroom floor at all times…. 

 

Good insight! Throwing another wrench, I know, but what about a 25’ CRF250RWE? Tops the entire class in looks, value, and is the best bike (250F or 450) that Honda currently has to offer: In my opinion. Having ridden one, the attention to detail and Showa suspension package are truly worth the money

 

#RideRed

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