Looking for advice on a bike purchase

YZF_88
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Ogden, UT US
YZF_88 4/30/2026 4:02pm
4/30/2026 4:02pm
jjsteady751 wrote:
Thank you everybody for solid advice. I've never really wanted a KTM but I've looked into husqvarnas I just didn't know they made a 350, that...

Thank you everybody for solid advice. I've never really wanted a KTM but I've looked into husqvarnas I just didn't know they made a 350, that could be a perfect choice for me. Was basically probably going to ride age classes. I'm in South Carolina now so we'll look for some bikes and will also look into the Kawasaki's. Again thank you guys for all the advice, I'll report back once I get a bike and the decision I made!! I appreciate ya'll 

I was in a similar situation. Rode 250F’s for a few years. Took a 16+ year break. Four years ago, started back up at 45 years old on 250F’s. Yamaha forever? Well, I wanted to be a little lazier and not hitting the rev limiter once in a while. No chance I’m riding a 450. After only riding Yamaha my entire life, I switched to a 23 KTM350sXF. Last year with just 8hrs on it. Never going back to Jap again. Will hit 100hrs on the bike this weekend. Love the engine. Recently tuned the engine braking down to the minimum with the CUO and like it even more now! Revalved the forks and shock. As good as KYB at the speeds I go (just fast enough to clear the jumps and slow enough to tip over in corners). In my opinion, the fit and finish is better than the Jap bikes. 

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Rickyisms 4/30/2026 4:38pm
4/30/2026 4:38pm
Rickyisms wrote:

You’ll be fine on a newer 250F at your weight, especially being on the West Coast vs East Coast. 

jjsteady751 wrote:

I'm actually in South carolina now, I need to change that 

You’ll be fine. You can’t go wrong with any of the 250F’s made in the last 5-6 years IMO. 

OwenJakes
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sebree, KY US
OwenJakes 4/30/2026 6:47pm
4/30/2026 6:47pm
desertratlife wrote:
Just a follow up thought on this subject.  A 250 is going to be MORE dangerous for you since you are gonna have to hit all...

Just a follow up thought on this subject.  A 250 is going to be MORE dangerous for you since you are gonna have to hit all of your marks vs. the 450 where you can screw up a corner and still clear an obstacle.  Plus the maintenance costs of the 250 vs 450.  I think this decision is easy for you get the Zook 450.

Landonious217 wrote:
On other thought, if you can't corner good or hit your marks. Should you really be jumping it anyway? 450 masks a lot of defencencies of...

On other thought, if you can't corner good or hit your marks. Should you really be jumping it anyway? 450 masks a lot of defencencies of a rider and in my opinion puts guys into a bad situation. I've seen a lot of fat dudes on 450s at the track, can't imagine how bad it'd be for them to hit the ground. "Why would I lose weight when I can just get more power?!"

desertratlife wrote:

He said he was  mid pack B rider, so not like he can't ride at all.

Yeah but also with 15 years off in between also I kinda feel like having that much bark on the right wrist is more dangerous than rolling a double. Just my perspective. 

I got really sober about 450’s when I tried to ride out a bad corner and barked it and ended up with a broken c6. So that experience obviously has molded me but food for thought

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Bobby Barracuda 5/2/2026 11:15am
5/2/2026 11:15am

The new 250fs are head and shoulders better than the late 2000s bikes. I rode my dad’s yz250f a few times and I was blown away, almost wanted to sell my 450 for one. 

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BossWool2800
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BossWool2800 5/2/2026 12:14pm
5/2/2026 12:14pm
jjsteady751 wrote:
I haven't had a bike or raced in close to 15 years. The last bike I had was an 06 yz250f where I was front of...

I haven't had a bike or raced in close to 15 years. The last bike I had was an 06 yz250f where I was front of the pack C class or mid to back of B class in my prime. I am 5'11 200 pounds. Ive had yz250 2t, an 07 rmz450(I loved) also and was no slouch back in the day.

 

My thought process is that I'd like a 250f so that I can actually ring it out, but I'm also a pretty big boy for a 250f I think . I was thinking of going the Suzuki route and have found some decent deals in my area on '20-'23 rmz450s. My question is , how much have the 250f's advanced ? Would it be able to haul fat ass around ? I want to be able to jump everything at any track no problem. But I also have read a bunch about people coming back from not having a bike in a while and getting at 450 and it being way too much. So just looking for some suggestions or advice. Thank you in advance 

Have you settled on one yet?

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SoCalMX70
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SoCalMX70 5/2/2026 12:22pm
5/2/2026 12:22pm

CR500

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Heavyhitter
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Machias, WA US
Heavyhitter 5/2/2026 1:23pm
5/2/2026 1:23pm

I'm 240 on a 250f and have owned a 450 for a season or two. personally I feel like I can "use more" of the 250f which feels fun to me vs being more timid on a 450. 

If you buy a 250f and decide to swap to a 450 you will have an easier time doing so that 450 to 250.

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