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Johndeere506
2/14/2018 7:35am
2/14/2018 7:35am
Edited Date/Time
2/15/2018 2:08pm
Im 37, and ride mostly MX, mainly practice and playriding. Been riding 25 years.
I do have a 16 CRF250R at home, and an old good shape 99 RM250 which I don't ride much. It feels pretty dated.....
I was looking to pick up a 2003-2008 RM 250, or a 2005+ YZ250. (2 strokes only)
Which one is better, or are they even much different. Are they going to be MUCH better than the 99 RM250 I still have?
I do have a 16 CRF250R at home, and an old good shape 99 RM250 which I don't ride much. It feels pretty dated.....
I was looking to pick up a 2003-2008 RM 250, or a 2005+ YZ250. (2 strokes only)
Which one is better, or are they even much different. Are they going to be MUCH better than the 99 RM250 I still have?
Even the front brake line routing on the '03 is goofy.
The 05 + YZ is also a trade off as the AF chassis feels very rigid vs. the steel frame.
The Shop
My answer was simple: The YZ 250 is the best RM 250 I've ever ridden. If that makes any sense.
Power wise they are very similar but i find the yz puts its power to the ground better.
Last but not least, getting parts for the yz is way easier, both aftermarket and oem
If nothing else, just for parts and aftermarket support.
On a nice, prepped mx track, the RM is magic. Lots of fun dogging the old guys on their 450's. Dirt sketchy, or trail riding? The CR250 is confidence inspiring and very well engineered (as with most Hondas). Best all around dirt bike ever made? Any post-06 YZ250.
From my research: never ridden an rm
2006+ rm and 2008+ yz is the "sweet spot" 2011 if you want global spec fuel on the yz
Turning: rm
Suspension: yz
Engine: same design but yz
Aftermarket: yz
Oem: yz -rm parts are expensive and lesser and lesser
Ergonomics: I would imagine they feel the same.
Buying price: rm can be found cheaper but is harder to find. Some yz can be found for a steal and are everywhere.
Both make great project bikes, customization and mix match of new 4 stroke parts is endless if you do enough looking around and number matching. However the steel frame on the rm means powdercoat and wear marks where the yz looks great each ride with simple Scotchbrite
I went with a 2011 yz I picked up for $2800. I believe it is a better bike and the biggest thing is they still make it. Parts are plentiful and any new addition can be easily added. Plus I was coming off a yz125 so it fit me.
04 yz for frame.
Then 06 or newer yz for fork.
Do you want a razor edge turning machine that will be kinda sketchy on straights , feels like it weighs 175 pounds and has a competitive motor with a decent hit?--------Suzuki......
You have picked two machines that could not be more different while accomplishing the same thing. .
I own an 06 yz 250 and an 08 rm 250.........I love em both and they act completely different on the track while basically going the same speed. If your an in shape, aggressive rider, I'd say the suzuki will make your smile bigger than the yamaha......That Suzuki will make you feel like a pro in the corners....Just my 50 year old opinion.
In comparison to an 04 YZ250 owned that also had PC engine mods with the 06 RM250 having mods done from a local engine tuner. The CR has the broadest & strongest powerband when compared.
The CR case reed engine can make more power if that's what the rider is looking for. In the right hands of a tuner it will outperform the other Japanese 2 strokes.
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/So-which-is-better-RM-or…
Pit Row
My 2008 YZ250 was a sweet bike, wish I still had it...best $2300 i ever spent. I've been through a 2009 CRF450R and 2014 CRF450R since then, and currently riding a 2017 KTM350SXF. Not one iota faster than on that two stroke, maybe a little less sketchy but not worth the $10k ive lost in bike depreciation since then.
Have owned 6 450's with the most current being an 18 CRF450r. The 03 CR2 PC engine feels as strong as the 18 450 with one of the differences being the 450 hooks up better.
I have been looking also, but i did bag a ride on a 2000/01 CR 250, it was very good!.
Maybe try out both bikes?, if there's one at the local track that the owner is up for you spinning a few laps on?.
I loved my YZ250 two stroke as I felt it was always a good "out of the box package." I do think the Hondas looked cool and I have fond memories of my 2002 CR125 when I first started racing. The Honda case reed engines get a bad rap and I find that you can get a better deal on them in most cases, having a little know how from someone who's built one is valuable.
Maybe you love it and you can sell both and get a newer two stroke that is in great shape.
Maybe you hate it and just keep the 99 as a collectors piece.
For me my ego was hurt when I tried the two stroke and I went back to a four stroke, and as I mentioned 6 years later I've come to the realization that I'm just older, smarter, and slower and the bike didn't do that...its just the evolution of me as a person and rider. For me the two stroke held me back from doing stuff that I probably shouldn't have been trying anyways, as the four stroke can give you a false sense of confidence. For what its worth nothing has ever put a smile on my face like holding a YZ250 wide open around a big sandy berm.
They do a lot of work to the head. In addition to changing the squish width, squish angle, and base, they also make substantial changes to the dome. You will be required to run a PC supplied spark plug spacer afterward.
The stock Honda pipe is actually pretty good. Of all the aftermarket pipes, only the DEP, HGS and Doma are reportedly even worth your money.
The chassis is good. Combines sharper turning characteristics than a YZ with good high speed stability. Maybe not as razor sharp as an RM, but 5th gear whooped out straightaways are less white knuckle.
Durability and reliability are excellent, especially on 05-07 which have the newer solid cranks which will not de- laminate like the older "tin can" version.
The Showa's are perfectly acceptable. Are they as good as YZ Kayaba SSS ?? No, but still in the ballgame and easily revalved and resprung with good results from FC or your choice of suspension tuner.
Downside- starting to see some parts unavailability from Honda for the 02-04 models. 05-07 still have excellent availability and quite a few parts will interchange with newer CRF..
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