Looking for a new VET class bike

350sxf/fc

The 19 yamaha 250f engine should romp all over your 16 crf from bottom top and the suspension is excellent that would be my pick for a 250f.

250 2-stroke.

It's kind of a "can't lose" situation when you ride one:
a) They are fast enough to beat 450s unless you are up against a really talented rider on a very slick track.
b) If the above happens, hey you were on an underpowered dinosaur.

YZ250!!!!

Falcon wrote:

250 2-stroke.

It's kind of a "can't lose" situation when you ride one:
a) They are fast enough to beat 450s unless you are up against a really talented rider on a very slick track.
b) If the above happens, hey you were on an underpowered dinosaur.

Meh for me they are the hardest sized bike to ride fast. If the tracks prime they are good, if its dry-slick, or wet-slick, or rough, or really tight and jumpy or, or, or, they are really tricky to ride. The window that they work great in is very narrow for me, compared to other bikes.

Although maybe the new ktms with adjustable power valve springs, mapping, etc maybe they could be really dialed in to work well over more situations.

Alta

I always hear people say oh the 350 is the best bike for a vet....really? I beg to differ, most vets I know actually prefer a 450, sure they dont ride the thing at 12,000 RPM (note: I am exaggerating on purpose the RPM ceiling of 250/350's) but they prefer the torque of the 450 ...unless you are lazy and dont like shifting then stick with a 250

Plus the suspension is a little more 'relaxed' at lower RPM's, thus a little plusher/more compliant

Johndeere506 wrote:

My current bike is a 2016 Honda CRF250, with FMF full system and factory connection suspension. Im 6ft, and about 200 lbs, B rider/intermediate level. I ride the 250F because I dont get to ride as much as i used to, and my main practice track is fairly tight and doesnt need a 450. Some tracks I go to I wish I still had a 450, but not often. Im really not racing anymore just ride at home or practice days.

What new bikes should I be looking at? Ive been buying Hondas and Yamahas since the early 2000s mainly. The new models with electric start and SPRING FORKS would be a nice change.

My riding style is pretty aggressive for being old ish at 38, but thats what is fun to me. Doesnt work as well on a 450 lol, but I can adjust again if needed. Just seem to prefer the 250F power or a 250 two stroke.

My current bike is definitely not known as a fast bike among 250F's....

Any bike with spring forks and EC will be loved by Vets, so I would definitely recommend that route ...which unfortunately limits them to Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki at this point in time

Johndeere506 wrote:

My current bike is a 2016 Honda CRF250, with FMF full system and factory connection suspension. Im 6ft, and about 200 lbs, B rider/intermediate level. I ride the 250F because I dont get to ride as much as i used to, and my main practice track is fairly tight and doesnt need a 450. Some tracks I go to I wish I still had a 450, but not often. Im really not racing anymore just ride at home or practice days.

What new bikes should I be looking at? Ive been buying Hondas and Yamahas since the early 2000s mainly. The new models with electric start and SPRING FORKS would be a nice change.

My riding style is pretty aggressive for being old ish at 38, but thats what is fun to me. Doesnt work as well on a 450 lol, but I can adjust again if needed. Just seem to prefer the 250F power or a 250 two stroke.

My current bike is definitely not known as a fast bike among 250F's....

kiwifan wrote:

Any bike with spring forks and EC will be loved by Vets, so I would definitely recommend that route ...which unfortunately limits them to Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki at this point in time

What is EC?

Husky FC350. Vet rider here and love mine. I ride my buddy's KTM 450 every now and then, and I still prefer mine. The frame/chassis is slightly more plush, and I like how light the bike feels. I am not as wore out riding it when compared to a 450.

The new yz250f may be the perfect mx bike.

I’m a Vet B guy (33) and love my KX450F and YZ250. Also plan on getting a 250F this off season. Honestly, if I could only have 1 bike, it would be the YZ250. It’s the Swiss Army knife of dirt bikes.

Johndeere506 wrote:

My current bike is a 2016 Honda CRF250, with FMF full system and factory connection suspension. Im 6ft, and about 200 lbs, B rider/intermediate level. I ride the 250F because I dont get to ride as much as i used to, and my main practice track is fairly tight and doesnt need a 450. Some tracks I go to I wish I still had a 450, but not often. Im really not racing anymore just ride at home or practice days.

What new bikes should I be looking at? Ive been buying Hondas and Yamahas since the early 2000s mainly. The new models with electric start and SPRING FORKS would be a nice change.

My riding style is pretty aggressive for being old ish at 38, but thats what is fun to me. Doesnt work as well on a 450 lol, but I can adjust again if needed. Just seem to prefer the 250F power or a 250 two stroke.

My current bike is definitely not known as a fast bike among 250F's....

kiwifan wrote:

Any bike with spring forks and EC will be loved by Vets, so I would definitely recommend that route ...which unfortunately limits them to Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki at this point in time

mxb2 wrote:

What is EC?

oopss typo, I meant ES (Electric Start)

kiwifan wrote:

Any bike with spring forks and EC will be loved by Vets, so I would definitely recommend that route ...which unfortunately limits them to Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki at this point in time

mxb2 wrote:

What is EC?

kiwifan wrote:

oopss typo, I meant ES (Electric Start)

Thanks,. .

yz133rider wrote:

Meh for me they are the hardest sized bike to ride fast. If the tracks prime they are good, if its dry-slick, or wet-slick, or rough, or really tight and jumpy or, or, or, they are really tricky to ride. The window that they work great in is very narrow for me, compared to other bikes.

Although maybe the new ktms with adjustable power valve springs, mapping, etc maybe they could be really dialed in to work well over more situations.

Retard timing, Stock pipe, Factory Sound Long Silencer, Carbon Reeds on stock cage. All a YZ250 needs to be great. The KTM’s/Huskys are nice as well but the Yamaha suspension is still king.

I really like my Derek Harris built Sxf 270. Had a 17 350 prior to this and they are really close.

The 270 dyno'd at 52 peak hp and a nice jump up in the still linear torque curve. This included some head work, Vortex ignition and RnD throttle body.

To me the 270 also seems just a little bit easier to handle than the 350, but again really close call.

If you don’t pound practice laps
Alta MXR. You will have a blast riding again ?⚡️?

Rmz450 if you don’t care about not having the start button, I love mine not that I’m super old yet, but very reliable, super smooth motor, and good suspension, awesome handling.

stone881 wrote:

I really like my Derek Harris built Sxf 270. Had a 17 350 prior to this and they are really close.

The 270 dyno'd at 52 peak hp and a nice jump up in the still linear torque curve. This included some head work, Vortex ignition and RnD throttle body.

To me the 270 also seems just a little bit easier to handle than the 350, but again really close call.

Stone.....you mind if I ask , what's the life expectancy / overhaul time on a motor like that? I've seen guys post on here about getting damn near 100 hours on a stock motor. Not sure how hard they were ridden.....but that's pretty damn impressive.

stone881 wrote:

I really like my Derek Harris built Sxf 270. Had a 17 350 prior to this and they are really close.

The 270 dyno'd at 52 peak hp and a nice jump up in the still linear torque curve. This included some head work, Vortex ignition and RnD throttle body.

To me the 270 also seems just a little bit easier to handle than the 350, but again really close call.

Btw....I wasn't a fan of the 18' KTM 350 I rode. I'd pick a 450 over it any day. I know some guys love them , but I just didn't get along with it.

After having ridden one for an entire day side by side against my KX450, the Alta Redshift MXR is the ultimate vet class bike.

Think about it.

-Very little maintenance (no oil to change, no air filters to get your hands all greasy, no valves to check, no top ends to worry about, no spark plugs to change).
-It runs exactly the same no matter what elevation or temperature you are faced with. It always feels the same.
-It's quiet (will save your ears) (At age 31 i'm already suffering from tinnitus from loud exhausts, even with earplugs).
-You don't have to worry about using a clutch or shifting gears.
-You can never stall it.
-It has even more traction than a 4 stroke.
-It's nimble feeling thanks to very little inertia.
-Awesome brakes.
-The cool factor. You'll likely be the only guy at the track with this bike.

I ride a yz 250 in vet b i havent found anything better, for me. Ive had 6 of them.

17'or18' CRF-450!

Don't care how much hate I get. A 2 stroke 300 for vet classes in moto, HS, Gran Prix, XC, enduro....has to be the ultimate, do all machine. Yep, I said it.

plowboy wrote:

Don't care how much hate I get. A 2 stroke 300 for vet classes in moto, HS, Gran Prix, XC, enduro....has to be the ultimate, do all machine. Yep, I said it.

No hate. You’re not alone there. I have many riding buddies that swear by the 300. I’m a 4-stroke guy. Have been since the mid 70s and the xr 75. Yz250f for me as soon as I can afford one.

350!

It will deliver BIG power if you rev it, and is more controllable than a 450 when you get tired. Also, the power delivery is smoother than a 2 stroke. So the bike digs and goes straight, rather than squirming around like a 2 stroke.

I’ve had multiple 125s, 200s, 250s, 250Fs, and 450s. The 350 is the closest do-it-all bike that I’ve had in 40 years.

Having said that, I want another 125. They are so much dadgum fun.

I generally prefer to go fast on a slow bike. Then I get beat, then buy a 450 to beat those guys that kicked my ass, but I never really get faster. 450s are a thrill ride, but I’m faster on a 250F or my current 350.

Get what thrills you today. It may change later, but that’s OK. We’re dirt bikers damnit. Ride what makes you feel good.

I'm 34 and on my second YZ250. A 3rd new 15 year old dinosaur is in the near future....

-MAVERICK- wrote:

350sxf/fc

Ditto