Posts: 10
Joined: 10/10/2017
Location: Valencia, CA USA
So I’ve kind of started riding again after a few years off. Still have my 04 crf 250 and it still is a great feeling bike. In fact it’s the nicest bike I’ve ever ridden. Now I’m seeing these new Ktm’s that have the E starter, fuel injection etc. It makes me want to upgrade. Would the difference really be that significant?
Posts: 8299
Joined: 10/19/2010
Location: AS, USA
14 years.
much ty. How to spot a paid forum poster/artificial forum traffic producer (see list of actions/phrases below):
Copius pattern amounts of phrases like “Anyone have”..., “Anybody know?”.... and their variations.
Thoughts?
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Posts: 19548
Joined: 6/15/2010
Location: Bowie, MD USA
Peartdrummer wrote:So I’ve kind of started riding again after a few years off. Still have my 04 crf 250 and it still is a great feeling bike. In ...more
Like night and day. Bottom line, fast guys go fast on anything, slow guys go slow.
Posts: 10
Joined: 10/10/2017
Location: Valencia, CA USA
Peartdrummer wrote:So I’ve kind of started riding again after a few years off. Still have my 04 crf 250 and it still is a great feeling bike. In ...more
mxb2 wrote:Like night and day. Bottom line, fast guys go fast on anything, slow guys go slow.
So bottom line... I’m screwed. Lol. I actually trail ride really.
Posts: 19548
Joined: 6/15/2010
Location: Bowie, MD USA
Peartdrummer wrote:So I’ve kind of started riding again after a few years off. Still have my 04 crf 250 and it still is a great feeling bike. In ...more
mxb2 wrote:Like night and day. Bottom line, fast guys go fast on anything, slow guys go slow.
Peartdrummer wrote:So bottom line... I’m screwed. Lol. I actually trail ride really.
Who cares, your $$, your decision. If want it, get it.
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Joined: 10/1/2013
Location: Davis, CA USA
For trail riding and riding for fun, you'll be fine. Yes, newer bikes are better, but since you're getting back into it and already have a bike, just have fun on the one you have for cheap. If you really end up getting into it heavy again, maybe then consider upgrading.
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Posts: 19548
Joined: 6/15/2010
Location: Bowie, MD USA
Peartdrummer wrote:So I’ve kind of started riding again after a few years off. Still have my 04 crf 250 and it still is a great feeling bike. In ...more
Or hit a few demo days,
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Joined: 10/19/2010
Location: AS, USA
Dont ride a new model. Solves the differences dilemma.
Much ty
much ty. How to spot a paid forum poster/artificial forum traffic producer (see list of actions/phrases below):
Copius pattern amounts of phrases like “Anyone have”..., “Anybody know?”.... and their variations.
Thoughts?
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Posts: 5891
Joined: 12/12/2007
Location: Huntington Beach, CA USA
It’s actually not really all that bad of a bike course that was the first year for the CRF250 and they had those valve issues but I had one and it was still damn good. Matter of fact I thought the 2004 CR’s/CRF’s had GREAT Suspension that year on ALL of their MX bikes. I had an 04 CRF450 and the Showa forks were incredible! Plush, smooth action with good bottoming reaistance. Seriously the best Homda CR/CRF Forks Ive ever ridden on up to 2007. Some years later (nowadays this would be a stuuuuuuupid trade but this was 2008 soooo) i traded straight across an 02 CR250 2-stroke i had picked up crazy cheap, cleaned it up (have pics of all these CR’s and CRF’s on my computer ill have to digitally dig them up) for an almost brand new 2004 CRF250, it was all original with an 18” rear wheel laced up on it, put my spare 07 head on it with an Athena 280 kit I intended to use it as a spare to my fire breathing 07 CRF280 for non-moto, hills, dez etc. The suspension especially the showa forks were just as incredible bone stock as my bone stock 450 forks. I rode bothe the 04 and 07 in stock 250 trim before putting the 280 kits on them tye 07 had as much bottom but made great power all the way through top & good overrrev. The 04 was suuuuuper snappy off the bottom great midrange but sort of flattened out on top. Wait ive had 2 separate 04 CRF250’s at different times..... i liked them, especially since i was just getting into 4 strokes.
I got to ride it like 3-4 times and broke my back thanks to a “Honda-bog” on the 07 ended up selling both 280 badasses, seriously the 07 had a Tom Morgam race spec head on it, cam etc with that 280 kit it fookin ripped!! The silver Lining here was picking up an 01 RM250 that was neglected badly for $375 but still had the original tires chain sprockets etc. restored her and after recovery I re-discovered my dormant love for 2 strokes again and NEVER rode a 4 stroke again.... and lived happily ever after....the end.
Posts: 1497
Joined: 7/31/2015
Location: Oceanside, CA USA
They are a lot closer than a 1984 is to a 1998. Or a 1974 to a 1988. 
The difference isn't as massive as past decades.
A 2004 feels familiar ergonomics wise, suspension has gotten better but not night and day difference, fuel injection has improved throttle response and no more jetting.
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Location: Sac, CA USA
Edited Date/Time:
With your particular CRF, the biggest difference will be significantly less valve fussiness.
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Joined: 3/8/2009
Location: Marion, OH USA
Edited Date/Time:
My 04 CRF450 was a great bike.....other than the silly puddy clutch basket and valves that wore out too quick, it performed great. Great suspension, balanced chassis, fast engine.
Posts: 10
Joined: 10/10/2017
Location: Valencia, CA USA
Posts: 10
Joined: 10/10/2017
Location: Valencia, CA USA
Lightning78 wrote:It’s actually not really all that bad of a bike course that was the first year for the CRF250 and they had those valve issues ...more
You know I actually considered checking out the ktm smokers. Seems they are making a bit of a comeback.
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Joined: 7/16/2013
Location: AUS
Posts: 258
Joined: 1/31/2017
Location: OH, USA
Posts: 3467
Joined: 6/15/2007
Location: TX, USA
Posts: 1093
Joined: 5/13/2015
Location: Utica, MI USA
04 CRF250R is a great bike. Problem is they're maintenance pigs. A newer FI bike it going to be more reliable and have more power.
Race Bike: 2018 KTM 350SXF
Other Bikes: 1985 CR80R, 1990 CR250R, 1998 PW80, Specialized Fuse Comp 29.
Sold: 2016 YZ250F, 2012 CRF250R
Posts: 664
Joined: 3/6/2017
Location: Indian Trail, NC USA
There isn't as huge of a difference as the same interval in the 1990s.
In 1995 I had a 1980 CR80. HUGE difference: air cooled, disc brakes, fork travel/adjustability, twin shocks vs. single rear shock.
In 1997 I had a 1989 CR125. Not as big of a difference. Steel frame, conventional forks vs. inverted, ergos.
2018 CRF250R vs. 2004 - David Vuillemin commented recently to the effect that if it has a liquid cooled motor, single rear shock, similar ergos make older bikes similar to the newer ones.
The biggest thing when compared to your 2004 is the 2018 will have a fresh feel. Tight bearings, crisp motor, nice suspension. Also the 2018 is supposed to have a totally updated motor with more power plus the EFI tenability/ridability. Unless you start to get serious on the track however I think its a wash in every category except reliability.
As someone mentioned earlier - fast guys go fast, slow guys go slow.
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Joined: 3/6/2017
Location: Indian Trail, NC USA
Also for me what's happened when I buy used bikes, even just a couple of years old, you uncover issues caused by a boneheaded owner that went un-addressed. This weekend you might find a spoke breaks because it was over tightened. You go to change the oil and the drain bolt is rounded off and needs to be replaced. You replace the grips and you find the throttle tube has been cracked all along. Just little annoying stuff that keeps you from riding as much.
Posts: 6715
Joined: 11/30/2013
Location: Portland/Los Angeles, CA USA
I had a 2005 CRF250 and now own a 2016 KTM 250F. It's definitely night and day better. I'm really excited to see how the 18 crf250 does in the shootouts as it's brand new with estart.
If you enjoy riding and can afford a new bike, even a 16/17 Honda will be much better than the 04. Just depends what you are looking to do.
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Joined: 2/28/2016
Location: Federal Way, WA USA
You say your bike is still in good condition & your just having fun riding? Keep the 04 and save your money. Half the people buying new bikes could not go any faster on your bike over a new one.
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Joined: 12/14/2010
Location: ORANGEVALE, CA USA
Peartdrummer wrote:So I’ve kind of started riding again after a few years off. Still have my 04 crf 250 and it still is a great feeling bike. In ...more
not a huuuge difference. but a big one in terms of feeling
efi being the big one and, base level power is higher. the 04 crf had like 34 hp? the ktm has like 42/44?
"If you feel in control, you're not going fast enough" ~Mario Andretti
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Joined: 9/29/2016
Location: TN, USA
Best 250F for the money is a 2014 YZ250F... If money is not an issue, than the 2018 KTM or CRF would both be good choices.
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Joined: 9/21/2015
Location: NLD
The '04 CRF250 is underpowered compared to a recent bike. I've had a '07 CRF250 and now a '10 CRF250 and the difference is already night and day. Mainly because of the fuel injection. If you're serious about buying a new bike you should contact a dealer and ask if you can ride a demo so you can feel the difference.
