150SX versus 250F for MX and Offroad Racing

GranburyChuck
Hi All, Novice Vet Motocrosser and Vet Amateur Offroad racer here (57 and 150 lbs). I am wondering if anyone has personal experience comparing a KTM 150SX and any modern 250F. I currently have a 2016 350SXF that I am selling and had a 2018 450SXF that I sold (and the 2019 KTM 150SX). I mostly do the offroad racing and do pretty well on any of these bikes (typically 2nd place or so). I got the 150 for my son to start riding on but he didn't like the 2 stroke so ended up buying him a 21 CRF250R which he really likes. I have a ball on the 150 as it's so light that I can just flick it through the woods. I haven't really mastered it on the MX track though (as far as jumps go). Let me also say my MX skills are lacking as I started riding about 8 years ago. Having a 4 stroke I could decide going up the face of a jump if I wanted to go for it and add throttle. The 150 just is too skittish for that. I know, learn how to ride properly...Anyway, just wondering if anyone has done this comparison. After I sell the 350 I am considering: 2021 Gasgas 250F, 2020 Husky FC250, 2020 YZ250F. Been riding KTM for several years now and know the ins and outs of that motor. Anyway input from those who have these bikes?
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Falcon
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Falcon 4/6/2021 8:13am
4/6/2021 8:13am
If you don't hate 4-strokes like I do, then a 250F will be faster in almost every situation. The 150 is more fun, though.
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Leeham
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Leeham 4/6/2021 8:22am
4/6/2021 8:22am
Well, let me just say just "going for it" last second on a face of a jump is a good way to get hurt. You realistically should have decided to jump the jump before you even got there. But thats another topic.

A 250F could be the ticket because a 125/150 needs more commitment to clear bigger jumps however, is the best skill builder bike out there argueably. The GasGas and Husky motors are more a revving design but make decent bottom. The 2020 Yamaha has a lot of bottom but meh top, no where near the other two. Depends on your riding style honestly
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Rickyisms
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Rickyisms 4/6/2021 8:26am
4/6/2021 8:26am
One thing I've noticed about offroad racing my 125 or 150 vs when I have raced my friends 250F is the last 30-40 minutes I feel a lot less tired on the smoker, I may have to ride it harder, but it's a lot less weight bouncing around underneath you for 2 hours. The 250F is for sure more friendly to ride given the fact you can lug it much more, where the small bore makes you constantly play the gearbox like a fiddle.
GranburyChuck 4/6/2021 8:45am
4/6/2021 8:45am
Leeham, you're right. Riding with my son a month ago coming up a jump, I decided to go for a double that none of the lower class was jumping while on my 350. Crashed and broke my hand Sad

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GranburyChuck 4/6/2021 8:48am
4/6/2021 8:48am
Rickyisms wrote:
One thing I've noticed about offroad racing my 125 or 150 vs when I have raced my friends 250F is the last 30-40 minutes I feel...
One thing I've noticed about offroad racing my 125 or 150 vs when I have raced my friends 250F is the last 30-40 minutes I feel a lot less tired on the smoker, I may have to ride it harder, but it's a lot less weight bouncing around underneath you for 2 hours. The 250F is for sure more friendly to ride given the fact you can lug it much more, where the small bore makes you constantly play the gearbox like a fiddle.
That's exactly why I wanted to try the 150 for offroad. Although I am fast, for my level, on the 350 I would feel pretty whooped in the later stages of a race when its 100F outside. I raced the 150 the later half of the year in offroad and was getting similar finishing positions. Haven't hit the heat of north Texas yet. So we'll see.
SmokinJoe439 4/6/2021 8:57am
4/6/2021 8:57am
Have you ever been told this before? The problem isn't the bike it's you. Slower rider's play musical bikes hoping that they'll suddenly improve on a different bike. It might feel a little different, working on getting better skills will be more a benefit than playing musical bikes.

Get whatever one you like once the newness wears off you'll be back to where you are right now. Work on your skills. Sorry not sugar coating it.
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Darrin Willis
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Darrin Willis 4/6/2021 2:41pm
4/6/2021 2:41pm
I have a 21 150. Pure fun. For moto only the f is faster for me. For our harescrambles the 150 is faster and quadruple the fun.I no longer have a 250f. But I do have a 350
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