RM 250 VS CR 250

sebastianer
Edited Date/Time 3/17/2018 2:27am
i am thinking of buy a new two stroke i currently have a 2004 yz250 and a 17-te 300 but both are enduro bikes and just wanted a more strict moto bike. im currently choosing between a 2006 cr250 or a 2007 rm 250 both for almost the same price the honda a bit more expensive. which bike would you choose and why ? i have ridden a rm 250 before but never a 2 stroke honda. can find a lot of info about the rm but not so much of the honda. is the honda alot stiffer whit its alu frame ?
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-MAVERICK-
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-MAVERICK- 3/16/2018 12:21pm
3/16/2018 12:21pm
RM 250. Will be similar to your YZ. Great bike.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/16/2018 12:47pm
3/16/2018 12:47pm
I'll put a vote on the RM 250.

I had one(you can check it out in the Bike Check part of Vital) and it was a good bike. I regret that i sold it.
doghouse
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doghouse 3/16/2018 12:53pm
3/16/2018 12:53pm
CR all the way. Single greatest 2 stroke motocrosser of all time.

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JM485
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JM485 3/16/2018 12:58pm
3/16/2018 12:58pm
I have an 06 rm250 and an 04 cr125, so hopefully I can give you an idea of the differences chassis wise.

The rm will feel very similar to your yz, somewhat low and long. The Honda will feel shorter and taller, and I think it turns better due to the steeper head angle. Another thing to consider is Honda OEM parts are much cheaper than Suzuki, and I feel that Honda uses a little better quality hardware in a lot of areas.

Whichever bike you choose, I don’t think you can go wrong. Both would be great bikes, but you just have to consider what you like and if you’re willing to try something a little different than what you’re used to.
langhammx
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langhammx 3/16/2018 1:43pm
3/16/2018 1:43pm
JM485 wrote:
I have an 06 rm250 and an 04 cr125, so hopefully I can give you an idea of the differences chassis wise. The rm will feel...
I have an 06 rm250 and an 04 cr125, so hopefully I can give you an idea of the differences chassis wise.

The rm will feel very similar to your yz, somewhat low and long. The Honda will feel shorter and taller, and I think it turns better due to the steeper head angle. Another thing to consider is Honda OEM parts are much cheaper than Suzuki, and I feel that Honda uses a little better quality hardware in a lot of areas.

Whichever bike you choose, I don’t think you can go wrong. Both would be great bikes, but you just have to consider what you like and if you’re willing to try something a little different than what you’re used to.
You think the Honda turns better than the Suzuki ?

I’d have to strongly disagree with that one, but we are all different and can “feel” things differently.
But you are right about OEM part pricing and general quality of bolts and little things on the bike.

I own 2- RM 250’s one is a very low hour ‘06 and a ‘04 that is a great bike. I’m an old Honda fan, but I like the Suzuki’s a lot for handling and especially the turning. Nothing turns like an RM 250, IMHO

But the Honda is a good bike as well, nothing bad to say about them, I’ve owned them too.
mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 3/16/2018 1:53pm
3/16/2018 1:53pm
JM485 wrote:
I have an 06 rm250 and an 04 cr125, so hopefully I can give you an idea of the differences chassis wise. The rm will feel...
I have an 06 rm250 and an 04 cr125, so hopefully I can give you an idea of the differences chassis wise.

The rm will feel very similar to your yz, somewhat low and long. The Honda will feel shorter and taller, and I think it turns better due to the steeper head angle. Another thing to consider is Honda OEM parts are much cheaper than Suzuki, and I feel that Honda uses a little better quality hardware in a lot of areas.

Whichever bike you choose, I don’t think you can go wrong. Both would be great bikes, but you just have to consider what you like and if you’re willing to try something a little different than what you’re used to.
langhammx wrote:
You think the Honda turns better than the Suzuki ? I’d have to strongly disagree with that one, but we are all different and can “feel”...
You think the Honda turns better than the Suzuki ?

I’d have to strongly disagree with that one, but we are all different and can “feel” things differently.
But you are right about OEM part pricing and general quality of bolts and little things on the bike.

I own 2- RM 250’s one is a very low hour ‘06 and a ‘04 that is a great bike. I’m an old Honda fan, but I like the Suzuki’s a lot for handling and especially the turning. Nothing turns like an RM 250, IMHO

But the Honda is a good bike as well, nothing bad to say about them, I’ve owned them too.
Nothing turns like an RM/Z.

Fixed it for you Tongue
mwssquad827
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mwssquad827 3/16/2018 2:33pm
3/16/2018 2:33pm
Get the suzuki... parts aren’t bad and the bike s solid
loftyair
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loftyair 3/16/2018 2:38pm
3/16/2018 2:38pm
Whats your weight, height, and skill level? Also, the tracks you ride. Tighter with lots of corners, or more wide open?
mxdevon
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mxdevon 3/16/2018 2:59pm
3/16/2018 2:59pm
I've owned several RM 250s from 04-08 era ..... I tried to switch to a honda on 2 separate occasions. One 04 and one 06 CR250. I wanted to love them, they're built very well and great bikes, but I gladly returned to an RM which I could to you'd day make an argument for being my favorite bike of all time.
mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 3/16/2018 3:04pm
3/16/2018 3:04pm
I'd go with the RM. Closer to your Yamaha than the Honda would be and all around a great bike.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 3/16/2018 3:10pm
3/16/2018 3:10pm
DEFTLY A SUSUKI.....ESPACIALLE IF YOUR FRM TEXAS!
Frank
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Frank 3/16/2018 3:12pm
3/16/2018 3:12pm
Get the CR. Us RM owners don't need any more people buying up our parts. Joking aside I was a long time Honda two stroke guy 1989-2001. New bike every year. Took 4 years off due to injury/career. Came back on 2005 Honda CRF450 but bought a new 2006 RM250 same year. I keep buying new 450's but always enjoy busting out the 06 RM250 on occasion. To me it is everything a race bike should be. Super light, fast, predictable and turns tighter than anything on the track. Not many bikes have made me laugh while riding. The 06 RM250 still does to this day.
Mx286
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Mx286 3/16/2018 3:42pm
3/16/2018 3:42pm
I’ve owned both bikes. Currently have a 06 CR 250.

RM- Very good bike. Great motor and handling. Only thing to watch out for on them is the transmission. We had a 07 & 08 and they both after getting some hard riding on them started to pop in and out of the gears.

CR- Another good bike. Handles just as good as the RM if not better to me. Only downfall is the motor, it’s a turd without putting some money into it.

Overall their both solid bikes. But if I redid it all over again I would probably go with the RM.
Ebs
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Ebs 3/16/2018 4:00pm
3/16/2018 4:00pm
I don't think you can go wrong. Former RM owner, current YZ owner. I think my next one will be CR just because I like to wrench and always hear how much hidden potential they have.
Madmax31
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Madmax31 3/16/2018 4:03pm
3/16/2018 4:03pm
langhammx wrote:
You think the Honda turns better than the Suzuki ? I’d have to strongly disagree with that one, but we are all different and can “feel”...
You think the Honda turns better than the Suzuki ?

I’d have to strongly disagree with that one, but we are all different and can “feel” things differently.
But you are right about OEM part pricing and general quality of bolts and little things on the bike.

I own 2- RM 250’s one is a very low hour ‘06 and a ‘04 that is a great bike. I’m an old Honda fan, but I like the Suzuki’s a lot for handling and especially the turning. Nothing turns like an RM 250, IMHO

But the Honda is a good bike as well, nothing bad to say about them, I’ve owned them too.
My thoughts exactly. Nothing turns under an RM 2 stroke. That's crazy talk.
Uncle Tony
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Uncle Tony 3/16/2018 4:13pm
3/16/2018 4:13pm
RM250!!! although not as fast or better handling, I think the Honda is more reliable

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Mx746
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Mx746 3/16/2018 5:08pm
3/16/2018 5:08pm
Had them both, the RM has better bottom. Cr strong upper mid. RM turns better. CR handles better in the chop. Throw a Keihin air striker on the CR and you have a fair fight imho.
captmoto
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captmoto 3/16/2018 6:14pm
3/16/2018 6:14pm
I think the Honda power delivery masks how well it actually handles, Mine cornered very well and was very stable in the rough stuff. It always felt really planted in corners. The wah, wah power makes it feel balky coming out of corners and the hit could make it jumpy. I put a Keihin carb on mine and smoothed out the power delivery on mine quite a bit which helps coming out of corners. There are some simple mods to make the CR run a lot better. I felt like the parts availability is really good on Hondas and they are relatively cheap compared to Suzuki parts. FWIW, I looked hard for an RM and bought a CR after a few months of trying, I think a CR can be had a little cheaper than the RMs too.
JRT812
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JRT812 3/16/2018 6:16pm
3/16/2018 6:16pm
I wish I still had my RM.
al711
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al711 3/16/2018 6:21pm
3/16/2018 6:21pm
rm all the way
PRM31
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PRM31 3/16/2018 7:05pm
3/16/2018 7:05pm
I had an 04 CR250. Didn’t really like it. Engine went from zero to everything instantly. Handling was just ok.
ledger
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ledger 3/16/2018 7:20pm
3/16/2018 7:20pm Edited Date/Time 3/16/2018 11:20pm
04 YZ250 with SSS suspenders....sorry, had to, lol.... But seriously, both are great bikes, Eric Gorr shaved the cylinder and head on my 06 CR, the carb was replaced and the bike is a mid range speed junky on race fuel. I've had it for five year's and just can't part with it, ergos are great too.
H4L
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H4L 3/16/2018 8:03pm
3/16/2018 8:03pm
Have owned the 4 major Japanese brand 2 strokes & found the CR's to be very good. I kept an 03 CR250r I use to race back in the day since it was dialed. When set up right the 02-07 CR250r is as good as it gets with handling, cornering & engine performance. It's the complete package if your willing to invest a little time & money.
H4L
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H4L 3/16/2018 8:06pm
3/16/2018 8:06pm
BTW - The CR turns just as good as the 06 RM owned. The RM doesn't have the handling the CR / YZ do & will give up straight line stability in comparison.
vetmxr
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vetmxr 3/16/2018 10:37pm
3/16/2018 10:37pm
I own each.........They are both capable bikes but...............



The only bike that will turn better than a rm 250 is an rm 125. Then end.......


I have tried for years to make a cr act like an rm in the corners. The only way that I have found is to ride a properly set up rm....

Nothing at all against the CR at all...... IMO it will not turn under a properly set up RM..........

Now that I think about it even an improperly set up RM will carve under a cr all day........Just my opinion.....

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