How “big” is too big for a 250f?

Alec138
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11/7/2018 11:37am Edited Date/Time 11/10/2018 10:49pm
Wondering if anyone over 200lbs rides a 250f and can still haul on it without issue? Im in the market for a 250f but weigh 220 (me + all gear) and woods ride only and am wondering if I should look into 450f’s instead. My riding style is more flowy/faster paced stuff with some hills and what not in between but im worried I would constantly be ringing it out or want more down low power when the time comes...

Im looking at the 13+ ktm 250sxf/350sxf & 15+ yz250f bikes.

Also I know it varies with every bike but what are the expected hours that I can get with basic maintenance with these newer 250s? I had a 06’ yz250f and it was a tank but valves went out every 50-60hrs and it got old quick...
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11/7/2018 11:48am
in the woods it will be fine, probably better on a 250 than an 450. you will have much more fun and be more in controll of the bike, and you can actully keep it pinnd insted of just riding around on a 450, 250 dosent stall as easy.
Phillip_Lamb
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11/7/2018 12:10pm
Alec138 wrote:
Wondering if anyone over 200lbs rides a 250f and can still haul on it without issue? Im in the market for a 250f but weigh 220...
Wondering if anyone over 200lbs rides a 250f and can still haul on it without issue? Im in the market for a 250f but weigh 220 (me + all gear) and woods ride only and am wondering if I should look into 450f’s instead. My riding style is more flowy/faster paced stuff with some hills and what not in between but im worried I would constantly be ringing it out or want more down low power when the time comes...

Im looking at the 13+ ktm 250sxf/350sxf & 15+ yz250f bikes.

Also I know it varies with every bike but what are the expected hours that I can get with basic maintenance with these newer 250s? I had a 06’ yz250f and it was a tank but valves went out every 50-60hrs and it got old quick...
One of the guys i used to ride with was 250. he just ran normal build motors and he was about local INT mid pack speed and faster than me.

hrs depends on how hard you ride. ive seen yz250f's run 100+ without anything but air filters and oil, but these were old guys riding in mid rpms
KennyT
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11/7/2018 12:11pm
Three fiddy?
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peelout
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11/7/2018 12:13pm
get a new XC300 and thank me later, bro
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The Shop

11/7/2018 12:18pm
Well i’m 220 pounds and riding a 250 sxf very well but then it depends if you want to be competitive ? If you want to race then you must go with the 350 or the 450 for your weight. But for the fun and weekend warriors 250 is largely enough to have fun. I really love to ride this thing high in the rpm, so much funnier than a 450 IMO
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Alec138
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11/7/2018 12:36pm
Well i’m 220 pounds and riding a 250 sxf very well but then it depends if you want to be competitive ? If you want to...
Well i’m 220 pounds and riding a 250 sxf very well but then it depends if you want to be competitive ? If you want to race then you must go with the 350 or the 450 for your weight. But for the fun and weekend warriors 250 is largely enough to have fun. I really love to ride this thing high in the rpm, so much funnier than a 450 IMO
I plan on racing a few harescrambles here and there next year. Currently only weekend ride, never raced before. The tracks are mostly wide open trails with mud, roots and hills but nothing too crazy because everyone has to run up them.
Alec138
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11/7/2018 12:39pm
in the woods it will be fine, probably better on a 250 than an 450. you will have much more fun and be more in controll...
in the woods it will be fine, probably better on a 250 than an 450. you will have much more fun and be more in controll of the bike, and you can actully keep it pinnd insted of just riding around on a 450, 250 dosent stall as easy.
True. Although when I am on a 450 Im balls to the wall on it (given it isnt mine lol). I enjoy the “roll” on power of a 450 but overall feel it would become to much in situations where i go down or whatever. Sometimes my yz250 is a handful when picking it up on a hill. 250s also are SUPER available here vs the arm and leg price of a 350 or even really nice 450. Only thing I worry about with a 250 is people tend to beat on them more and rev them out like a 125 2t.
11/7/2018 12:40pm Edited Date/Time 11/7/2018 12:51pm
I'm 220 pounds and ride the 300cc smoker in the woods and enduro's. Best choice i ever made.



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c0ncEpT
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11/7/2018 1:48pm
250F is plenty in the woods. I wouldn't think twice about it.

2014+ YZ250F is a great choice as it has a lot more off the bottom than the KTM/Husky.
11/7/2018 1:56pm
Seen JoJo Keller win many motos in New England on a 125. People would say he's too big for that bike and look at that worn rear knobby.
2
kb228
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11/7/2018 4:17pm
Im 250lbs and my 250 hauled me around the track just fine. Obv isnt as competitive as someone who is a 160lb twig but it did the job. Cant speak for 200lbs tho.
plowboy
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11/7/2018 4:18pm
peelout wrote:
get a new XC300 and thank me later, bro
Listen to Peely. He is correct.
Farmer Tom
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11/7/2018 4:45pm
I'm 6'4" at 280lbs on a '16 250SXF and it's more than enough in the woods and on most hare scramble tracks. The only time I want more power is in the deep sand. I like it because it isn't pulling your arms off all day and it's lighter to pick up off the ground or out of a deep rut, and feels more "flickable" due to a bit less rotational mass. It's a big guy's 125.
Alec138
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11/7/2018 5:50pm
peelout wrote:
get a new XC300 and thank me later, bro
plowboy wrote:
Listen to Peely. He is correct.
Kind of want to get out of 2 strokes. I have a yz250 which I just dont like that much in the woods like I thought + mixing gas and doing all the carb tuning is getting kinda old now.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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11/7/2018 5:57pm
For woods riding, why not get a XCF or Yahama FX they would be easier to ride in those conditions. 350xcf might be a great call for you, if you can find a good deal.
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usafwx
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11/7/2018 9:21pm
Alec138 wrote:
Wondering if anyone over 200lbs rides a 250f and can still haul on it without issue? Im in the market for a 250f but weigh 220...
Wondering if anyone over 200lbs rides a 250f and can still haul on it without issue? Im in the market for a 250f but weigh 220 (me + all gear) and woods ride only and am wondering if I should look into 450f’s instead. My riding style is more flowy/faster paced stuff with some hills and what not in between but im worried I would constantly be ringing it out or want more down low power when the time comes...

Im looking at the 13+ ktm 250sxf/350sxf & 15+ yz250f bikes.

Also I know it varies with every bike but what are the expected hours that I can get with basic maintenance with these newer 250s? I had a 06’ yz250f and it was a tank but valves went out every 50-60hrs and it got old quick...
Your five valve YZ had valves out every 50-60 hours, what was your maintainence / riding like. Those were bulletproof motors, mine had like 120 hours on it when I sold it and still didnt need valves.
byke
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11/7/2018 9:34pm Edited Date/Time 11/7/2018 9:37pm
I had an older steel frame yz250f at 250lbs without gear and rode mx with it and loved it. Sure I couldn't make the second landing on the big step-up-down thing out of the corner, but I don't think it hurt me anywhere else. Who cares if it's not "competitive", so you get 7th instead of 5th at the local I'm-never-going-to-be-anything race, so what. People always act like anything that slows them down is the worst thing in the world, silly. Talk to me when you're going to the races in a semi. Anyway, they're super fun, kind of a fat guy's 125.
1
sam hain
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11/8/2018 6:30am Edited Date/Time 11/8/2018 6:59am
I converted an '18 250SXF into an enduro/HS bike. I put an IMS 2.8g tank on it, bark busters, had suspension done for woods use, skid plate, 18'' rear wheel, 13/50 gearing and 270 big bore kit. I love the bike offroad, I just did the last national enduro on it and had a blast. The bbk added bottom/mid and makes it really torquey offroad. I tried 350's and they just wore me out by the end of a race, the 270 is perfect for me. Plenty of grunt, light weight, but doesn't have that arm pulling torque that will wear you down over the course of a 4hr enduro or 2hr HS. All total the mods I did cost me about $1000.

I'm 200lbs before gear.



Talisker
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11/8/2018 6:30am Edited Date/Time 11/8/2018 6:34am
Dude..... never thought i would say this. That new Beta 300 Special Edition is starting to give me a wood!!!!!!!!
Go with a 300 2t. Any brand.
MPJC
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11/8/2018 6:43am
For moto, I haven't found my weight to be an issue. My 250F pulls me around nicely and I'm 220 and race C and Vet class on a sandy track. It's actually surprisingly good on starts too. Let that engine rev and it has plenty of power - as long as the start isn't too long.

The only time I've felt that the 250 was lacking was trail riding in places where there were some wide open areas to really take the bike up to high speeds - speeds much higher than what you'd do in moto. It just can't pull the higher gearing that the 350s and 450s can, so in these areas I was getting left behind. For tighter, technical woods riding though, I'd much rather be on a 250 than a 450 (or 350).
tprice07
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11/8/2018 6:56am
250 has more than enough power for a bigger guy.

A 450 is a lot of bike to handle in the woods. After I got my 450 I missed the feel of my 250.
TJMX947
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11/8/2018 7:04am
I was 220 lbs and rode a 250F just fine in C/Vet motocross in soft conditions. I did feel at times I was seat bouncing a lot of stuff and shifting on the faces of jumps to make it but I never felt like the lack of power was a disadvantage and I was passing guys on 450s all day to have them ask me between motos "dude how do you do it?" You do have to rev it but its much more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. People have raved about the 2014 - 2017 YZ250Fs for their bottom end and honestly the parts seem to be cheaper than other models so go for it. KTMs on the other hand are more expensive.

David Jones won 30+ B/C at Lorettas in 2010 on a KX125. He didn't win any motos but he was always inside the top 10 against 450s. You'll be fine so just let it rev and have fun.
fourfourone
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11/8/2018 7:05am
i'm 190. My kx250f was great in the woods. Stalled way less then my 450 at low rpms and the bike was lighter. Id rather ride a 250f in the woods then a 450.
slothy
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11/8/2018 7:11am
350 or 300 - i love my TX300




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OT
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11/8/2018 7:32am
ask benny bloss
Jimfunn
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11/8/2018 7:36am
I'm always amazed people think they're going to be too heavy for a 250f. You are not road racing (although looking at vids from some of those Cali practice tracks it's getting close). Just turn the throttle a bit further for longer & you'll be fine. I now ride enduro (woods etc.) & wouldn't want anything more than a 250f / 300 2T - bike weight is more important than bike power IMO...
2
Tarz483
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11/10/2018 7:20pm
How Big is too big for a 125 ?
Alec138
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11/10/2018 7:26pm
Alec138 wrote:
Wondering if anyone over 200lbs rides a 250f and can still haul on it without issue? Im in the market for a 250f but weigh 220...
Wondering if anyone over 200lbs rides a 250f and can still haul on it without issue? Im in the market for a 250f but weigh 220 (me + all gear) and woods ride only and am wondering if I should look into 450f’s instead. My riding style is more flowy/faster paced stuff with some hills and what not in between but im worried I would constantly be ringing it out or want more down low power when the time comes...

Im looking at the 13+ ktm 250sxf/350sxf & 15+ yz250f bikes.

Also I know it varies with every bike but what are the expected hours that I can get with basic maintenance with these newer 250s? I had a 06’ yz250f and it was a tank but valves went out every 50-60hrs and it got old quick...
usafwx wrote:
Your five valve YZ had valves out every 50-60 hours, what was your maintainence / riding like. Those were bulletproof motors, mine had like 120 hours...
Your five valve YZ had valves out every 50-60 hours, what was your maintainence / riding like. Those were bulletproof motors, mine had like 120 hours on it when I sold it and still didnt need valves.
Woods riding only. I went sorta hard on it in straights. Never raced but still woods only bikes last WAY longer than desert/mx bikes do.

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