Posts
408
Joined
10/13/2010
Location
Boise, ID
US
hondaracer664
10/27/2010 10:33pm
10/27/2010 10:33pm
Edited Date/Time
1/27/2012 12:40am
I'm coming to realization I can't afford to race a modern 4-stroke and am selling my 2010 CRF 450 to help pay for other things in my life. I don't want to get completely out of moto and want a bike and am looking at older 250's. I've been focusing on the RM's and KX's and was wondering a few things. Overall, how much worse are the older ones? I'd like to pick up an older one and pimp it out the way I want, but would I regret it? Most specifically, how's the suspension on a 02 RM 250 as opposed to say, a 05? And 03 KX250 to an 06? I'm a local pro and ride very agressive and don't want to be bummed out with my suspension. Obviously I will get it valved and set up for me, but is it much worse than the stuff on my 450? Thanks in advance!
What I'm saying is the bike doesn't really matter, you do! (get an 05 or 6 rm)
I owned an 03 RM250 and it had an ok shock and the worst forks of any brand that year. It's not even ride-able on a track without first sending them to a suspension shop. They used Kayaba in 03 and switched back to Showa in 04 which made everything 100x better. The motors got better in 05 and 06. If I were to buy an RM250 right now I'd definitely get an 06 or newer.
Also, may I ask why you have not considered a YZ? Best all around bike really. RM is real close and maybe even better in some areas. The KX motor is potent from what I hear; no low end but a top end that rips your arms off. Great handling bike too (Were KX's ever bad handling?).
i think the 04 RM250 and later had the showa fork and were much better, but as above the 05 got motor improvements,
Dern good all around bike. And yeah, you can roost the 450s with it.
The Shop
If you are someone who is very focused on the need for great suspension, try to test ride one of the SSS equipped YZ's. Any year from present back to and including 06.
Thanks,
Jim
I will add the following caveat though. I own an '04 KX 250 which essentially has the same motor as the '03, but better brakes and suspension. Even though my motor feels "weak" compared to my buddy's '06, he can't keep up with me to save his life. So yeah, I'd definitely agree with the assertion that speed is in the rider, not the bike. But I do hate the front brake on the '03 KX, so that would definitely put that bike out of the running for me.
IMHO, don't be hatn 2t lovers...
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/mcy/2013581574.html
If he can get a pristine 06 RM or KX for 3K and be happy with that, awesome! You have to remember this guy is a pro rider, his standards are going to be pretty high.
By the way, what does a used10crf go for?
Kid I bought it from rode it twice, and it scared the death out of him.
Deals like this on two strokes are all over the place if you're patient and look a little. Also, be sure to push out your craigslist search to neighboring cities. I got my bike out of the DFW area.
Pit Row
So here's a new twist the story: I know a guy who has a cherry 03 KX250. He offered me a trade + a BIG wad of cash. Basically I would be getting the bike for $1,000 and the rest in cash of the full amount I want. Onbviously it's financially smart, but will I regret getting the older KX? Thanks!
Post a reply to: 2003+ KX250 and 01+ RM250 Questions