2018 CRF 250 mods to increase bottom-end power

2018 crf250 vs 250sxf

^ Those numbers speak for themselves...

It's not like where that power deficit is most extreme is lugging around, either. 8500 rpm, where it is down 6 hp is right where the torque peak will be for most 250Fs

That comparison to the KTM is not kind to the Honda. I never understood the complaint that the KTM lacks bottom end. There's a difference between throttle response as a product of mapping, and actual power - the KTM has quite a bit of actual low end power for a 250F. It just doesn't have a touchy throttle at low rpms. If you want more, you just need to keep turning the throttle.

Guess what happens when you put the aftermarket ignition on the sxf?

Pretty good, you get a very good response from the CRF250R when just adding a vortex ignition and exhaust as well

I put a 49T on the rear right out of the crate. Since I’m 200lbs, and ride sand occasionally I threw a 51T on the rear right before I went to ClubMx last wk end. And wow what a difference. I’m a Vet or B rider and this thing is a pleasure to clutch out of the corners now. However I feel like my left foot is tap dancing it’s shifting so much. I’m very curious to see what kind of characteristics came out of Tom Zont’s first project he did with the bike. Almost +5hp at 8,500rpm and +6hp and >12k rpm.

Before the trolls bash me for being 200lbs and riding a 250f, a little back story. I quit racing local A class in 2006 for 10yrs. Got a 17ktm 450 in 2016 and quickly traded that for a 2017 ktm350. Rode that for a yr till I couldn’t stand the Euro feel no more. I came off Honda’s and love their feel. Plus I wanted to get a smaller bike to learn how to ride again and carry momentum.

I love this bike, it handles great and makes me feel at home like on my old Honda’s. It makes me think and truly is fun throwing it around on the track. I just wish I could have a little more juice pulling a taller gear in corners. Big bore? No thank you. You might get something really nice, and you might get some really weird characteristics too. Plus the added stress to the bottom end.

I read some of the write up on the Zont build up (TZR Racing) out of Illinois, impressive to say the least. I know not all dyno's are the same but it still shows a 5 HP gain at 8,500 and 6 HP gain at 12,000 over stock and that was with stock cams, valves, piston and exhaust. It looks like a lot of attention to detail was applied to the head, piston, cam timing, increased compression, re-mapping using VP fuel. The bike showed a peak of 47.9 HP at 12,000 and 22.3 torque at 10,000. The curve was relatively flat from 11,200 to 13,500 with just a little drop off. I'm pretty sure Honda will have the 2019 better then the 2018 with a year of R&D under its belt. Hopefully they drop some weight from it !!

Sorry to resurrect a old thread but did anyone with the 2018 get a Vortex put in and how did you find it ?
My X10 should be arriving this week for my 2018.

This c class novice vintage guy is hilarius to say the least, as all of the jody followers