15’ CRF250R. What to look/listen/check for?

I have a 2016 with 90 hours and it’s great. I love riding it and it’s had pretty much zero issues.

The biggest downfall is the air forks. I don’t know how well they work in the woods. On tracks, it’s very “ehh”. It’s honestly different every time you ride it.

Overall, it’s been a great bike for me.

They have no bottom end, and thats what you need for woods riding. I had to build that engine with a stroker and a stage 1 cam to help the lack of bottom, and my rider who is a pro level test rider for Vital seems to be happy with it now, and said it was a night and day difference.
KTM 300 I feel would be the best choice

craigathan404 wrote:

I have a 2016 with 90 hours and it’s great. I love riding it and it’s had pretty much zero issues.

The biggest downfall is the air forks. I don’t know how well they work in the woods. On tracks, it’s very “ehh”. It’s honestly different every time you ride it.

Overall, it’s been a great bike for me.

Heard the Showa forks are not great. I am a pretty good solid rider but I doubt without being a pro I would notice them being too harsh. How are they if you get them set up for weights and such? I run about 220. 225 with all gear, hydropack.

FactoryFhil wrote:

They have no bottom end, and thats what you need for woods riding. I had to build that engine with a stroker and a stage 1 cam to help the lack of bottom, and my rider who is a pro level test rider for Vital seems to be happy with it now, and said it was a night and day difference.
KTM 300 I feel would be the best choice

We ride more flowy, tight trails. Nothing really technical as in rock gardens and such. I would love to get a KTM 350 but the way it is looking people want arm and leg for anything KTM thats even decently nice. I know there are deals out there but I cant wait months to ride...

Listen for the 'tick tick tick tick BOOM'!

Used 250fs are a timebomb!
I'll never buy one. Never!

I would definitely get a 14 just for the forks if you could find a mint one. Mine had 140ish hours when I sold it and I only did a top end at 60 and rebuild at 120. Never had any issues. I also did a cam and ecu with fmf single and the motor was pretty good. Not a Yz250f but still great.

I had a 15 and loved it for off-road. When I first got it, I chased settings on the forks, then learned to just first set the air pressure as recommended by the manual, then turn clickers, and balance the front and rear. Once I got it set up, it was money.

Power was great—very controllable. I am a short-shifter and went up one on the c/s. I did use the soft mapping in the snow and mud, otherwise the standard mapping. Handling was awesome on the trails. Very controllable and nimble in the twisties.

I think the bike has great longevity, especially if you keep the oil fresh and the air filter clean.

Really the only thing I would have liked is a w/r or 6 speed gearbox for open two track, but for trails it was fine.

For offroad, be sure to get a skidplate and radiator guards/braces.