2018 CRF 250 or KXF 250 ?

Kx

Long time Honda guy here. In May I had the same decision, wait for the Honda or get the Kawi now.

I ended up getting a 2017 KX250F for much less than the CRF would have cost me.

What did I "give up" by getting the KX instead of the CR?

Electric Start - not a huge deal but would have been nice. My KXF starts easily with no issues. My opinion may be different once the valves start to go lol
Fit & Finish - as a long time Honda guy there is no denying the bolts, plastics, etc are nicer on a Honda.
Resale - without a doubt Honda holds their resale value better than any other Japanese bike.
Suspension - the new honda has real suspension, the kawi can't compare. That being said Im not fast enough to really max out the suspension speed wise.

Why did I get the KXF?
1. Price. $6k out the door and they took my 2014 CRF in on trade. Thats like a free pipe and fuel.
2. Engine - its pretty darn good. Its a very middle of the road power feel. Not rev happy like the Honda, not bottom end torque like the Yamaha but a nice middle of the road "good for everyone" kind of power. Run VP U4.4 and a FMF 4.1 and it really wakes up.
3. Handeling - its in the middle of the road again. Does corners well, does high speed well. No complaints from the chassis.
4. Im a sucker for a PC looking bike. The factory Kawi's just look awesome IMO.

The 2018 KXF is even better than the 2017 so either bike you get you will be happy.

nascarnate326 wrote:

Long time Honda guy here. In May I had the same decision, wait for the Honda or get the Kawi now.

I ended up getting a 2017 KX250F for much less than the CRF would have cost me.

What did I "give up" by getting the KX instead of the CR?

Electric Start - not a huge deal but would have been nice. My KXF starts easily with no issues. My opinion may be different once the valves start to go lol
Fit & Finish - as a long time Honda guy there is no denying the bolts, plastics, etc are nicer on a Honda.
Resale - without a doubt Honda holds their resale value better than any other Japanese bike.
Suspension - the new honda has real suspension, the kawi can't compare. That being said Im not fast enough to really max out the suspension speed wise.

Why did I get the KXF?
1. Price. $6k out the door and they took my 2014 CRF in on trade. Thats like a free pipe and fuel.
2. Engine - its pretty darn good. Its a very middle of the road power feel. Not rev happy like the Honda, not bottom end torque like the Yamaha but a nice middle of the road "good for everyone" kind of power. Run VP U4.4 and a FMF 4.1 and it really wakes up.
3. Handeling - its in the middle of the road again. Does corners well, does high speed well. No complaints from the chassis.
4. Im a sucker for a PC looking bike. The factory Kawi's just look awesome IMO.

The 2018 KXF is even better than the 2017 so either bike you get you will be happy.

I wouldn't say honda has the best resale of jap bikes. KTM obviously the highest, then honda, yamaha, and kawi about all the same in my opinion, with suzuki obviously last. This is my experience in selling 40 or so bikes a year.

Had a like new 2017 crf250r last month was trying to sell for $4400, would have taken $4000 and had no interest in it. Ended up trading it to get my money i wanted.

A 2018 crf250r would be worth more than a 2018 kx250f though, since 2018 is an all new model.

I go with a Honda because how much better the suspension is. I also like the rider cockpit feel of the Honda over the Kawi.

Personally I think people are exaggerating the lack of low end engine power. Its no Yamaha 250f but it’s not like it bogs if you don’t clutch right like a 125.

I would go with the Honda. You get killed on resale no matter what the brand is. Especially a used 250f. I loved my kawi (2011) and probably rode better on that bike than anything I have had. BUT, they wear out really quick compared to a Honda or Yamaha. I have a 17 crf450 now and the feel of the bike is night and day better than my 14 Honda. Honda makes a great motorcycle minus the cracked case situation people have had on the new 450s.

What about the broken linkage situation? THAT is the one that has me concerned....

grunkster wrote:

What about the broken linkage situation? THAT is the one that has me concerned....

I have not read or experienced anything about linkage problems

grunkster wrote:

What about the broken linkage situation? THAT is the one that has me concerned....

hbdesigns913 wrote:

I have not read or experienced anything about linkage problems

he is confusing one or two failures from the 2017 450

Honda. The frame and suspension are great and nature of engine makes it actually exciting to ride.

17/18 450 and 18 250 linkage exactly the same.

Both are great bikes. Goto the dealer and sit on both and see which cockpit/rider triangle fits you the best.

Many thanks to all of you ! I might go with the Honda route if I can find a great deal. Even if it's a bit more expensive it looks really good to me and seems to be a really great bike except the lack of low/mid power. And I also think that it would be easier to sell at the end of the year as it's an all new bike compared to the Kawi that's exactly the same than the '17.
It should be available in a few weeks in France, so I still have a little bit of time to think about it !

Once again thanks and I'll let you know my choice !!!!

https://www.dirtrider.com/2018-250f-mx-shootout

I would give it some time before you pull the trigger, see if the new Honda has any long term issues. first year bikes always scare me