Used 2015 KX250F reliability / handling?

usafwx
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usafwx
Edited Date/Time 10/13/2018 12:09am
Looking to not finance a toy / bike for once (always bought new and payment) and budget ($3500-$3800) is putting me in used territory. I know a 2 stroke would be best used and 250fs are always a gamble but have had both and for my casual riding style (slow, old vet / weekend warrior) a 250f suits me best. Last bike that I loved was a 2016 CRF250R but not finding any with decent hours or years in my budget, same for the Yami’s. Found a clean, trail ridden 15 KX250F with 30 hours in my budget, based on owners maint. routine seems like a safe gamble. Never ridden or owned green. Anyone have experience / input with reliability on team green? Handling? May just wait another year or two and buy red. Just looking for some Vitalmx input.
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tempura
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tempura 10/12/2018 9:01pm
10/12/2018 9:01pm
Didn’t you just buy a 19 yz250f?
I too like the Honda’s in the handling department, good vet bike.
I do also like the kxf, good motor but the Honda does handle better. That said, I liked both more than the yzf (haven’t tested the 19’s).
The Kxf’s are reliable, just buy a well maintained bike.
1
usafwx
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usafwx 10/12/2018 9:07pm
10/12/2018 9:07pm Edited Date/Time 10/12/2018 9:08pm
tempura wrote:
Didn’t you just buy a 19 yz250f? I too like the Honda’s in the handling department, good vet bike. I do also like the kxf, good...
Didn’t you just buy a 19 yz250f?
I too like the Honda’s in the handling department, good vet bike.
I do also like the kxf, good motor but the Honda does handle better. That said, I liked both more than the yzf (haven’t tested the 19’s).
The Kxf’s are reliable, just buy a well maintained bike.
Did but decided to sell it. Too much for me, handling wasn’t thought it would be and didn’t want the payment even though I only financed half of it, still, just trying to be smarter with my money, though moto is definately not a fiscally conservative hobby, struggling not riding almost borderline depression.

If I had a choice I’d be on another Honda but willing to give the Kawi a chance if it at least handles better than the Yamaha, which is good for 19 but still kind of odd, and is reliable. Would prefer not doing top ends until 60 hour point like my Yamaha/Honda’s.

Thanks for the perspective on the Kawi’s handling.


tempura
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tempura 10/12/2018 9:16pm
10/12/2018 9:16pm
tempura wrote:
Didn’t you just buy a 19 yz250f? I too like the Honda’s in the handling department, good vet bike. I do also like the kxf, good...
Didn’t you just buy a 19 yz250f?
I too like the Honda’s in the handling department, good vet bike.
I do also like the kxf, good motor but the Honda does handle better. That said, I liked both more than the yzf (haven’t tested the 19’s).
The Kxf’s are reliable, just buy a well maintained bike.
usafwx wrote:
Did but decided to sell it. Too much for me, handling wasn’t thought it would be and didn’t want the payment even though I only financed...
Did but decided to sell it. Too much for me, handling wasn’t thought it would be and didn’t want the payment even though I only financed half of it, still, just trying to be smarter with my money, though moto is definately not a fiscally conservative hobby, struggling not riding almost borderline depression.

If I had a choice I’d be on another Honda but willing to give the Kawi a chance if it at least handles better than the Yamaha, which is good for 19 but still kind of odd, and is reliable. Would prefer not doing top ends until 60 hour point like my Yamaha/Honda’s.

Thanks for the perspective on the Kawi’s handling.


You and me seem alike in what we prefer, handling wise.
The Honda’s are so good for me.
Kawi has more of a rear steer feel, not as nimble as those Honda’s, but doesn’t take long to get comfortable and then they feel pretty good. Good all-rounder bike, nice power, stable feeling, very adjustable.
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usafwx
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usafwx 10/12/2018 9:20pm
10/12/2018 9:20pm
tempura wrote:
You and me seem alike in what we prefer, handling wise. The Honda’s are so good for me. Kawi has more of a rear steer feel...
You and me seem alike in what we prefer, handling wise.
The Honda’s are so good for me.
Kawi has more of a rear steer feel, not as nimble as those Honda’s, but doesn’t take long to get comfortable and then they feel pretty good. Good all-rounder bike, nice power, stable feeling, very adjustable.
That’s what I keep reading it’s a good bike all around. Dosent do anything great but good overall.

Even with the air forks I loved my crf, by far most comfortable bike. 2nd day out the Yamaha did its weird ass rear end thing that I remember from my 14-15 and sent me to the ground.

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kb228
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kb228 10/12/2018 9:24pm
10/12/2018 9:24pm
Ive been on kawis for a while. Have a kx250f as well. No problems. Its been a fun bike. I did a top end on it when i got it. New piston, valves, head, cams, timing chain. Been rock solid. Even at 30 hours id look into the top end to be safe.
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usafwx
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usafwx 10/12/2018 9:28pm
10/12/2018 9:28pm
kb228 wrote:
Ive been on kawis for a while. Have a kx250f as well. No problems. Its been a fun bike. I did a top end on it...
Ive been on kawis for a while. Have a kx250f as well. No problems. Its been a fun bike. I did a top end on it when i got it. New piston, valves, head, cams, timing chain. Been rock solid. Even at 30 hours id look into the top end to be safe.
Thanks for the input! Really at 30 hours? I was always able to get 60 hours or more on my Yz250fs .
kb228
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kb228 10/12/2018 9:31pm
10/12/2018 9:31pm
kb228 wrote:
Ive been on kawis for a while. Have a kx250f as well. No problems. Its been a fun bike. I did a top end on it...
Ive been on kawis for a while. Have a kx250f as well. No problems. Its been a fun bike. I did a top end on it when i got it. New piston, valves, head, cams, timing chain. Been rock solid. Even at 30 hours id look into the top end to be safe.
usafwx wrote:
Thanks for the input! Really at 30 hours? I was always able to get 60 hours or more on my Yz250fs .
Yes. At least check it out so you know what you got. Rule #1, dont trust the sellers.
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usafwx
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usafwx 10/12/2018 9:37pm
10/12/2018 9:37pm
kb228 wrote:
Yes. At least check it out so you know what you got. Rule #1, dont trust the sellers.
Ya. I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt / trust them cause I’m always straight forward with my bikes. Agree first used 250f and being a bit hesitant, worrying about a ticking time bomb.
matze
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matze 10/12/2018 10:27pm
10/12/2018 10:27pm
Love my kxf 250 2015. Replaced those sff forks with 2009 kxf 450 forks, now its perfect

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usafwx
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usafwx 10/12/2018 10:38pm
10/12/2018 10:38pm Edited Date/Time 10/12/2018 10:46pm
matze wrote:
Love my kxf 250 2015. Replaced those sff forks with 2009 kxf 450 forks, now its perfect [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/10/12/295399/s1200_20181003_125947.jpg[/img]
Love my kxf 250 2015. Replaced those sff forks with 2009 kxf 450 forks, now its perfect

How’s the maintenance been? Bike looks great! The SFF stuff that bad?
matze
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matze 10/12/2018 11:16pm
10/12/2018 11:16pm Edited Date/Time 10/12/2018 11:28pm
matze wrote:
Love my kxf 250 2015. Replaced those sff forks with 2009 kxf 450 forks, now its perfect [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/10/12/295399/s1200_20181003_125947.jpg[/img]
Love my kxf 250 2015. Replaced those sff forks with 2009 kxf 450 forks, now its perfect

usafwx wrote:
How’s the maintenance been? Bike looks great! The SFF stuff that bad?
Havent had any problems so far (70hrs), new piston at 35 hrs. Nah to be honest the sff wasnt that bad. They feel pretty harsh at first but with the right set up they can work pretty good. But then I had the chance to get those 2009 forks so cheap that I had to try them out, and well, I was so surprised how good they work even though theyre not setup for me yet. I was immediately faster.. But then again, the sff are not THAT bad like a lot of people say, just needs the right tuning and youre good to go
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tempura
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tempura 10/13/2018 12:09am
10/13/2018 12:09am Edited Date/Time 10/13/2018 12:10am
matze wrote:
Love my kxf 250 2015. Replaced those sff forks with 2009 kxf 450 forks, now its perfect [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/10/12/295399/s1200_20181003_125947.jpg[/img]
Love my kxf 250 2015. Replaced those sff forks with 2009 kxf 450 forks, now its perfect

usafwx wrote:
How’s the maintenance been? Bike looks great! The SFF stuff that bad?
I swapped bikes with my buddy for a moto. His KXF250 and my CRF250.
We both agreed my air forks with the SKF Glide Kit were quite a bit better. Damn, he didn’t want to give my bike back. His forks were stock.
Those KX forks can work pretty good though. Matze is on the right track with those kx450 forks.
I’m on the look out for some 14 CRF250 spring forks, so much less hassle.
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