Best 250f

‘86 CR500 is a great bike

Honda, but not a 500

Its hard to say. Used bike is always questionable. Some people like different bikes for different reasons. You would probably be fine with any, being a small, not that experienced rider. I would go with what feels best, best deal. It'll take a while for you to know what you like about certain bikes. I like yamaha years ago because of stability. These days I turn to suzuki, they handle without trying. Im old though!

Factory Edition Bultaco

Get a 125 if you are a novice, it will be cheaper to ride , 250fs are ticking time
bombs if not cared for properly. and once they go boom it’s a pretty penny

I agree... someone would have to pay me to take their used 4 stroke unless you know the owner personally and know 1st hand that they meticulously maintained it. If you’re deadset on a fourstroke... they all have their downsides so it’s better just to ride all the brands to see what suits you best. However, Yamaha and Honda are probably your best bet based on reliability, durability, suspension, etc... as much as I love Kawi, they are terrible after a rebuild unless you dump a bunch of money in them. We would just sell them after 40 hours because it wasn’t worth putting all the money into them to rebuild. I’d like to tell you KTM, but you’ll end up with 4CS forks looking back a few years and have to dump a bunch of cash into the suspension to get it to work very well.

Outside of that... I would definitely say a 125 is a much better used option for your age, size, ability and serviceability. Many jump to 250Fs too soon including my son. He went back to a 125 so he can continue to develop as a rider and they’re way more fun when you learn to ride them to their potential than a 250f ever will be for most. That’s why you see so much hype about the 125 Dream races. He’s never been happier now that he’s on the 125.

Wait till the 19 bikes come out. The new Yamaha is supposed to have some good changes and be well priced. That’s what I am waiting to see.

The years you're looking at, Kawasaki. No question.
That said, I recommend a 125. Leave the 4 strokes for the pros and people with cash to burn.

I ride a '10 Honda CRF250. It's fast enough for a novice and it's bulletproof. Doesn't really need that much maintenance, it's a Honda. You gotta know who you buy from though. I bought mine from someone who went to the same local dealer as me so I asked the people there if they really did to the bike what the seller told me.

Maico 700 would be a great first bike.

Generally my rule of thumb has always been that if I'm paying for parts I'm buying a Honda. I'm a Hare Scramble rider and I had a 12 CRF250F and upgraded to a 15 YZ250F because it had electric start and a Rekluse clutch but I think I was faster on the CRF. Great handling bike, it seemed I could put it wherever I wanted it.

YZ250F but as was mentioned before a 250F is likely the worst kind of bike to buy used. I’m the kind of person that’s always on Craigslist looking for deals on cool used bike and I’d still buy new if I were in the market for a 250F.

YZ250F’s are pretty bulletproof, but yeah I’m with the guys saying get a 125. You’ll be a better rider for it

Honda crf250x. It’s a solid trail bike that’s easy to ride, it has good power for the slow stuff & its an all around fun bike to ride. They are hard to hurt too. Also, you can do what’s called the “free mods” or CCC mods that will really bring life to the bike when you’re ready for it. They are dirt cheap to as most of them are “free”. I had an 07 which had some updates & I think they did some more in 09. If you ride off-road then you cannot go wrong w/ the 250X!


2012 pictured:

If i remember correctly.. kawasaki had the best 250f for most of those years. Ive got a 09 kx250f and the thing rips

The best one will definitely be the one you buy from someone you know/know the history of the bike.

An eight year old 250f is a ticking time bomb unless you know the owner kept up with engine maintenance/rebuilding

Finally somebody else gets my humor. Lol

I second the Honda 250x for the same reasons stated above.

I would throw my vote in for the yamaha. I would trust a used yami over kawi or honda. Kawis wear out more during those years and Hondas motor, it's a Honda but yamaha has always had a relatively more reliable engine. But any 4 stroke is a roll of the dice