Dropping from 450's to 250's

4stroke4DWIN
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4stroke4DWIN
Edited Date/Time 4/18/2013 8:57pm
Anyone dropped from a 450 to a 250? How did you like the switch? My 450 shit the bead this weekend and I rode my buddies CRF 250, Wow was that thing fun! I'm seriously thinking about switching over. So anyone went this direction and do you have any regrets now?
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NP301
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NP301 4/16/2013 11:24am
4/16/2013 11:24am
4stroke4DWIN wrote:
Anyone dropped from a 450 to a 250? How did you like the switch? My 450 shit the bead this weekend and I rode my buddies...
Anyone dropped from a 450 to a 250? How did you like the switch? My 450 shit the bead this weekend and I rode my buddies CRF 250, Wow was that thing fun! I'm seriously thinking about switching over. So anyone went this direction and do you have any regrets now?
I didn't really switch, but when my bikes were broken last year, I rode a friends 450 for a few months. The biggest thing is it wont have the power or the hit of the 450 and It will feel lighter,and most likely easier to turn.
downard254
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downard254 4/16/2013 11:25am
4/16/2013 11:25am
It's probably similar to the heated interest in 125 cc two strokes. Folks are finding out just how much fun it is to not have too much horsepower and to be able to just throw the bike around and give it holy hell.
fader418
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fader418 4/16/2013 11:25am
4/16/2013 11:25am
Just get a 250 smoker. Problem solved!
4stroke4DWIN
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4stroke4DWIN 4/16/2013 11:32am
4/16/2013 11:32am
downard254 wrote:
It's probably similar to the heated interest in 125 cc two strokes. Folks are finding out just how much fun it is to not have too...
It's probably similar to the heated interest in 125 cc two strokes. Folks are finding out just how much fun it is to not have too much horsepower and to be able to just throw the bike around and give it holy hell.
My 450 is a hand full (lots of engine work) it really feels like a chore to ride. I got off the 250 and was like damn, that made burning laps fun again. I'm 6'2'' 195 so I had to REALLY stay on the gas but damn that thing was fun. It felt like I was riding a mountain bike or back in my 125cc days of just manhandling it. If I go the 250f route it's diet time and re spring or keep my fat ass and do some engine work lol. I definitely didn't get as tired on the 250.

The Shop

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Thomas Jefferson 4/16/2013 11:38am
4/16/2013 11:38am
What if I told you, there existed a motorcycle, that was lighter than your buddy's 250F and made roughly the same power as your 450.... and (get this).. it doesn't eat it's valves with a side of timing chain and a piston for dessert.
4stroke4DWIN
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4stroke4DWIN 4/16/2013 11:46am
4/16/2013 11:46am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2013 11:47am
Thomas Jefferson wrote:
What if I told you, there existed a motorcycle, that was lighter than your buddy's 250F and made roughly the same power as your 450.... and...
What if I told you, there existed a motorcycle, that was lighter than your buddy's 250F and made roughly the same power as your 450.... and (get this).. it doesn't eat it's valves with a side of timing chain and a piston for dessert.
Yea yea, I know I know. I rode a smoker not to long ago and damn it was alot of work for my old ass. I forgot how to ride them. I kept falling off the pipe, its been a hot minute since riding one. I would have to re learn all over again. 4t has spoiled meWink
disbanded
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disbanded 4/16/2013 12:22pm
4/16/2013 12:22pm
I won a 250F a while back and couldn't stand the loss of power. Couldn't clear some jumps right out of corners that I was used to clearing easily - and happily went back to my 250 2 stoke. Sold the 250F real quick-like.

Maybe a highly modified 250F would be different, but it definitely didn't work for me in the stock trim.

Guess it depends on the type of riding/racing you are doing.
Panic_Rev
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Panic_Rev 4/16/2013 12:54pm
4/16/2013 12:54pm
I'm loyal to Yamaha 250f because my buddy owns the shop, but if he didn't I would really consider KTM 350. I have only ridden one for a few laps, but dammit if it wasn't everything I was looking for. Well, minus the suspension but that can be fixed.
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seth505 4/16/2013 12:57pm
4/16/2013 12:57pm
1) Why the hell do you have a modified 450 engine

2) I have fun riding 250f bikes but I don't own or want to own one

3) I'd buy a 250 2stroke :p

If I had to pick between the two fart bikes, I'd probably buy a 250f and have more fun trying to wring it out.
VET74
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VET74 4/16/2013 1:19pm
4/16/2013 1:19pm
Better have good corner speed...
DrSweden
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DrSweden 4/16/2013 1:27pm
4/16/2013 1:27pm
Went from 80 cc, to 250 cc (smoker) to 250F x 2, then to 450 cc (didn't like it) back to 250F x 2 and now on 125 cc. Kind of closed the circle, went back to where I started, and also got some of that excitement back. Seems for me, the less power the more fun while lap times might be better with the 250F and even better with the 450F. But who cares if a vet turns 2:20 or 2:22 as long as you see a happy face!

But only you can decide what make you happy. I would consider test drive your buddies bikes before buying. My 450 adventure only lasted 7h, and lost me some serious cash.
swtwtwtw
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swtwtwtw 4/16/2013 1:28pm
4/16/2013 1:28pm
I am thinking of doing the same. I don't think it is a no-brainer though to go with the 2-stroke, but I might. I like carrying corner speed more than the abrupt power. I am older, and the riders in my class on 450s remind me of how the ole bridgestone minibikes sound when they are out racing. The 250f may make me slower elapsed time, but the fun factor might be worth it. The 2-stroke is a constant battle and on the tracks i get to go to, they produce a ton of wheelspin. I am thinking of the Yamaha 250F, i haven't seen any of those blow up ever. After all that I still don't know which one to get---aaarghh...
bangmyhead
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bangmyhead 4/16/2013 1:35pm
4/16/2013 1:35pm
I dropped down from an 08 crf450 to a 11 kx250f two years ago. I really like the 250f at times. I feel like im going faster (really not much of a difference at all for me) and can manhandle the bike more but the maintenance on them sucks. On smaller tracks like Milestone Perris Lucas oil the 250f is the shit on bigger tracks like glen helen, Pala, the ranch even comp edge and esp the desert and beaumont i wish i had a 450 everytime. I just feel like when you riding around wide open in 3rd 4th and 5th gear there is not a lot of room for error so you better be on it all the time.
bangmyhead
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bangmyhead 4/16/2013 1:37pm
4/16/2013 1:37pm
best bike combo (if you can swing two bikes) would be 450 and a 125 imo.
JB 19
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JB 19 4/16/2013 1:37pm
4/16/2013 1:37pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2013 1:39pm
My 2012 crf250 was the most fun bike I have ever owned. I sold it and bought an 09 450 and an 03 cr 250 with the money. I'll have another 250f sometime, but I'm interested in trying make the CR like a fast 250f.

I used to love the radical hit of a 250 smoker when I raced them......but now I just see it as being a pain in the ass.


Btw, I had been riding 450's for 6 years and the 250f was a big breath of fresh air for me.
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dirthead1 4/16/2013 1:53pm
4/16/2013 1:53pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2013 2:09pm
I recently bought a 125 and started riding it. I truly love it. It is really really fun to ride and I have the same stoke as I had as a teenager. The 125 just gets the crap flogged out of it.

I often take both my 450 and the 125 to the track. The 125 takes a lot more effort to get around the track and you have to commit to jump sections long before you come up to them like way before. I'm now up shifting going up the face of jumps to make them.

On a straight I'm pinning it, shifting 6 or 8 times, where on the 450, I might not shift at all.

I was starting off on the 125 and once I got tired and the track hacked during the day, I would switch to the 450. Now I just take the 125 and stick with it all day. I feel that I am totally a better rider again by moving down in engine displacement

But this 125 is not as cheap as people make it out to be with all these top ends, race gas, and premix added into the cost of operation.
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Lightning78 4/16/2013 2:00pm
4/16/2013 2:00pm
4stroke4DWIN wrote:
Anyone dropped from a 450 to a 250? How did you like the switch? My 450 shit the bead this weekend and I rode my buddies...
Anyone dropped from a 450 to a 250? How did you like the switch? My 450 shit the bead this weekend and I rode my buddies CRF 250, Wow was that thing fun! I'm seriously thinking about switching over. So anyone went this direction and do you have any regrets now?
I went to a CRF250 off of 450's and I liked it better but it was just slightly not enough so I put a 280 athena big bore kit for all my CRF's the other brands go 290 .....make sure to install a stage 2 or 3 Hotcam to spread the power out and put a 1 or 2 teeth smaller sprocket on the rear and sopme stiffer clutch springs and let er rip!!!

It was the smartest thing I ever did to a 250f besides selling them and getting some RM250's....Gives you quite a bit more power and IMO the power to weight ratio is kind of close to that of a 450 without the extra weight and it still retaiins the handling of a 250f.
4stroke4DWIN
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4stroke4DWIN 4/16/2013 2:06pm
4/16/2013 2:06pm
seth505 wrote:
1) Why the hell do you have a modified 450 engine 2) I have fun riding 250f bikes but I don't own or want to own...
1) Why the hell do you have a modified 450 engine

2) I have fun riding 250f bikes but I don't own or want to own one

3) I'd buy a 250 2stroke :p

If I had to pick between the two fart bikes, I'd probably buy a 250f and have more fun trying to wring it out.
Lol, I own a motorcycle shop so it's part of the selling point when someone says "I have a 450 and want it faster" I then say ok, ride mine and we can do the exact say thing for xxxx amount. Stock trim is PLENTY fast. People always want more though.

Anyways thanks for the insight guys I'll keep the 450 but looks like a 250f is in the future.

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jtomasik
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jtomasik 4/16/2013 2:19pm
4/16/2013 2:19pm
4stroke4DWIN wrote:
Anyone dropped from a 450 to a 250? How did you like the switch? My 450 shit the bead this weekend and I rode my buddies...
Anyone dropped from a 450 to a 250? How did you like the switch? My 450 shit the bead this weekend and I rode my buddies CRF 250, Wow was that thing fun! I'm seriously thinking about switching over. So anyone went this direction and do you have any regrets now?
All depends on what terrain you ride. At 1200 ft. altitude, the 250F's probably make enough ponies if all you're doing is tracks. Here, they're a bit anemic. Back when I rode thumpers, I tried a friend's 250F, and it was a blast to ride something that felt so much lighter and wouldn't kill you with its power. But, they just don't have enough power at altitude, at least for my taste.
Thomas Jefferson 4/16/2013 3:23pm
4/16/2013 3:23pm
JB 19 wrote:
My 2012 crf250 was the most fun bike I have ever owned. I sold it and bought an 09 450 and an 03 cr 250 with...
My 2012 crf250 was the most fun bike I have ever owned. I sold it and bought an 09 450 and an 03 cr 250 with the money. I'll have another 250f sometime, but I'm interested in trying make the CR like a fast 250f.

I used to love the radical hit of a 250 smoker when I raced them......but now I just see it as being a pain in the ass.


Btw, I had been riding 450's for 6 years and the 250f was a big breath of fresh air for me.
You want to make a CR250 like a fast 250F?

Stick an entire sweatshirt in the airbox, wedge a couple bricks under the gas tank, and hit the pipe a few times with a hammer. It'll run just like a 250F and cost less to maintain.
Scott167
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Scott167 4/16/2013 3:40pm
4/16/2013 3:40pm
4stroke4DWIN wrote:
Anyone dropped from a 450 to a 250? How did you like the switch? My 450 shit the bead this weekend and I rode my buddies...
Anyone dropped from a 450 to a 250? How did you like the switch? My 450 shit the bead this weekend and I rode my buddies CRF 250, Wow was that thing fun! I'm seriously thinking about switching over. So anyone went this direction and do you have any regrets now?
i went from a 450 back to a 250 a few years ago (07 450sxf to 09 250sxf) . the main reason for the swtich for me was i found the 450 was a bit much to handle towards the end of the motos. just harder for me to hang on to etc. the first thing i noticed with the swtich was you really had to be a lot more aggressive on the 250f and rev it out a lot longer, that and there was a lot less room for error when racing especially since i was a bigger person for a 250f, similar size to you, 6'3" and about 190lbs. starts were a lot harder to get.

i never really rode a modified 250f really, mine just had a pipe and suspension so if you do modify one a bunch you might see a bit better results
im back on a 450 now and personally i think the 250f is more of a fun bike. Just a little lighter, and i always feel like im going faster on a 250 than a 450 when in fact the opposite is more likely true.
Lightning78
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Lightning78 4/16/2013 3:59pm
4/16/2013 3:59pm
JB 19 wrote:
My 2012 crf250 was the most fun bike I have ever owned. I sold it and bought an 09 450 and an 03 cr 250 with...
My 2012 crf250 was the most fun bike I have ever owned. I sold it and bought an 09 450 and an 03 cr 250 with the money. I'll have another 250f sometime, but I'm interested in trying make the CR like a fast 250f.

I used to love the radical hit of a 250 smoker when I raced them......but now I just see it as being a pain in the ass.


Btw, I had been riding 450's for 6 years and the 250f was a big breath of fresh air for me.
Thomas Jefferson wrote:
You want to make a CR250 like a fast 250F? Stick an entire sweatshirt in the airbox, wedge a couple bricks under the gas tank, and...
You want to make a CR250 like a fast 250F?

Stick an entire sweatshirt in the airbox, wedge a couple bricks under the gas tank, and hit the pipe a few times with a hammer. It'll run just like a 250F and cost less to maintain.
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
mototrader
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mototrader 4/16/2013 4:09pm
4/16/2013 4:09pm
450s are easier to ride than 250F in my opinio..if its too much...gear it down or ride it a gear higher.
JB 19
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JB 19 4/16/2013 4:24pm
4/16/2013 4:24pm
JB 19 wrote:
My 2012 crf250 was the most fun bike I have ever owned. I sold it and bought an 09 450 and an 03 cr 250 with...
My 2012 crf250 was the most fun bike I have ever owned. I sold it and bought an 09 450 and an 03 cr 250 with the money. I'll have another 250f sometime, but I'm interested in trying make the CR like a fast 250f.

I used to love the radical hit of a 250 smoker when I raced them......but now I just see it as being a pain in the ass.


Btw, I had been riding 450's for 6 years and the 250f was a big breath of fresh air for me.
Thomas Jefferson wrote:
You want to make a CR250 like a fast 250F? Stick an entire sweatshirt in the airbox, wedge a couple bricks under the gas tank, and...
You want to make a CR250 like a fast 250F?

Stick an entire sweatshirt in the airbox, wedge a couple bricks under the gas tank, and hit the pipe a few times with a hammer. It'll run just like a 250F and cost less to maintain.
I'm going to start with the heaviest fly wheel I can buy. Then turn the fly wheel down a little at a time if its too heavy.
tmauto769
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tmauto769 4/16/2013 4:43pm
4/16/2013 4:43pm
downard254 wrote:
It's probably similar to the heated interest in 125 cc two strokes. Folks are finding out just how much fun it is to not have too...
It's probably similar to the heated interest in 125 cc two strokes. Folks are finding out just how much fun it is to not have too much horsepower and to be able to just throw the bike around and give it holy hell.
4stroke4DWIN wrote:
My 450 is a hand full (lots of engine work) it really feels like a chore to ride. I got off the 250 and was like...
My 450 is a hand full (lots of engine work) it really feels like a chore to ride. I got off the 250 and was like damn, that made burning laps fun again. I'm 6'2'' 195 so I had to REALLY stay on the gas but damn that thing was fun. It felt like I was riding a mountain bike or back in my 125cc days of just manhandling it. If I go the 250f route it's diet time and re spring or keep my fat ass and do some engine work lol. I definitely didn't get as tired on the 250.
a 350 is the perfect bike for you.
crf250pilot
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crf250pilot 4/16/2013 5:03pm
4/16/2013 5:03pm
Yes, I ditched the 450 for a 250 and can ride almost as fast for alot longer on the tracks. Really like the 250 alot more.
Crush
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Crush 4/16/2013 5:26pm
4/16/2013 5:26pm
250effs are sweet to ride till they blow up
4stroke4DWIN
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4stroke4DWIN 4/16/2013 5:27pm
4/16/2013 5:27pm
It is definitely a confidence thing for me I believe. On my 450 I just dont feel confident anymore on it. Maybe mental a little? The 350 would be nice but I bleed red ( diehard Honda fanboy) lol. Maybe a modded 250f and motivation to drop some weight. Pic of me mobbin around the track
zehn
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zehn 4/16/2013 5:31pm
4/16/2013 5:31pm
Thomas Jefferson wrote:
What if I told you, there existed a motorcycle, that was lighter than your buddy's 250F and made roughly the same power as your 450.... and...
What if I told you, there existed a motorcycle, that was lighter than your buddy's 250F and made roughly the same power as your 450.... and (get this).. it doesn't eat it's valves with a side of timing chain and a piston for dessert.
What if I told you some people don't enjoy struggling to get traction while keeping it on the pipe? Or if some people prefer torque over horsepower?
4stroke4DWIN
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4stroke4DWIN 4/16/2013 5:36pm
4/16/2013 5:36pm
Thomas Jefferson wrote:
What if I told you, there existed a motorcycle, that was lighter than your buddy's 250F and made roughly the same power as your 450.... and...
What if I told you, there existed a motorcycle, that was lighter than your buddy's 250F and made roughly the same power as your 450.... and (get this).. it doesn't eat it's valves with a side of timing chain and a piston for dessert.
zehn wrote:
What if I told you some people don't enjoy struggling to get traction while keeping it on the pipe? Or if some people prefer torque over...
What if I told you some people don't enjoy struggling to get traction while keeping it on the pipe? Or if some people prefer torque over horsepower?
Watch it you'll start a riot with talk like that. LolLaughing

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