Posts
15
Joined
5/14/2022
Location
MI
US
Hi gang!
First time poster.
240lb, 6'3, 40 year old vet rider. Getting back into the sport after being away from it for over 15 years. I raced B class when I was younger so I am not new to the sport. But new to the newer generation 4 strokes.
I was laid up for a few months which resulted in some weight gain. Typically average between 210lbs and 220lbs. Working on shedding that excess weight but obviously will take a few months to get back to my normal.
I have been looking at the 2019 yzf250 and crf250r. Couple of questions.
Out of these two bikes, which would have the better ergonomics or be easiest to modify to work for a taller guy?
Would the 250f's be underpowered for my weight? I read a lot of conflicting information on this. Some say the newer 250f's are on par with older 250 2 strokes so it shouldn't be a problem, just different power delivery. And others saying that over 200+ lbs a 450 is the better choice. I will be mainly track riding for fun with my kids. May get back into racing vet classes again when I build up my fitness levels. I realize the 250f would be leave me lacking in comparison against 450s. That is *some* consideration but not heavily weighing my decision at this point.
On the crf250r, my understanding is that it is shy on the low-end, where the yzf250 motor has more grunt which would likely be better suited for a bigger guy like myself. I do not have a problem spending a bit of money to get some more bottom-end out of the Honda, but not thousands. If a tune, different gearing, *maybe* exhaust (doubt I would appreciate a difference at this stage). Potentially open to a big bore kit *if* it made a noticeable improvement.
I expect to re-spring the forks and shock on either, but would prefer to avoid revalving. In other words I do not want to buy a bike and then have to spends thousands of dollars on it.
Interested to hear some feedback? Considering these two bikes because they both have electric start and as I get older (and lazier) I would prefer that luxury. I am aware of Husqvarna and KTM and giving them consideration as well. But my understanding is that 2018+ Austrian bikes are maybe a little more cramped? Again, I read conflicting information on this.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts and opinions.
First time poster.
240lb, 6'3, 40 year old vet rider. Getting back into the sport after being away from it for over 15 years. I raced B class when I was younger so I am not new to the sport. But new to the newer generation 4 strokes.
I was laid up for a few months which resulted in some weight gain. Typically average between 210lbs and 220lbs. Working on shedding that excess weight but obviously will take a few months to get back to my normal.
I have been looking at the 2019 yzf250 and crf250r. Couple of questions.
Out of these two bikes, which would have the better ergonomics or be easiest to modify to work for a taller guy?
Would the 250f's be underpowered for my weight? I read a lot of conflicting information on this. Some say the newer 250f's are on par with older 250 2 strokes so it shouldn't be a problem, just different power delivery. And others saying that over 200+ lbs a 450 is the better choice. I will be mainly track riding for fun with my kids. May get back into racing vet classes again when I build up my fitness levels. I realize the 250f would be leave me lacking in comparison against 450s. That is *some* consideration but not heavily weighing my decision at this point.
On the crf250r, my understanding is that it is shy on the low-end, where the yzf250 motor has more grunt which would likely be better suited for a bigger guy like myself. I do not have a problem spending a bit of money to get some more bottom-end out of the Honda, but not thousands. If a tune, different gearing, *maybe* exhaust (doubt I would appreciate a difference at this stage). Potentially open to a big bore kit *if* it made a noticeable improvement.
I expect to re-spring the forks and shock on either, but would prefer to avoid revalving. In other words I do not want to buy a bike and then have to spends thousands of dollars on it.
Interested to hear some feedback? Considering these two bikes because they both have electric start and as I get older (and lazier) I would prefer that luxury. I am aware of Husqvarna and KTM and giving them consideration as well. But my understanding is that 2018+ Austrian bikes are maybe a little more cramped? Again, I read conflicting information on this.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts and opinions.
Regarding 250 2-strokes: my old 250 2-smokers are vastly more fun to run than a 250F, but I'm probably faster on the four-stroke.
Finally, changing the springs significantly without revalving is a mistake. You'll be riding a pogo stick.
Mentioning it as it's all you'll see talked about on forums etc, the recent air fork has been a big improvement over the first few years of it, and apparently it's still getting noticeably better every year (I haven't tried a '22, plus I'm slow and out of shape so they're all fine for me anyway).
Modern Austrian 2 Strokes are pretty sweet too, very little vibration and massively adjustable power on the 250s.
P.s. when I last left the sport, KTM were for weirdos and broke all the time, I fought it for a while, but I can accept them as being as good as anything else now, maybe better.
The Shop
450.
Just buy the bike that gives you most fun and feel home on it :-) I have ridden a crf 19 , felt very slow was bit better with yoshi pipe . I would stay away from it...Perfect bike for a beginner but not for someone who was fast in the past...
350 is a lot to handle...many guys coming back from it but if racing is your thing it's the best choice ;-)
Good luck :-) and enjoy :-)
450!!
And don't shy away from the Austrian 350s. Those things are legit too. Better stock ergos than the YZ for most people.
The other bikes, even the 350 is going to feel a bit slow out of corners at your size. Then as you get faster and lose weight you can do the fun mods to make it rip like changing the gearing for more bottom end, ECU changes, Pipes, etc.
Plus, the reliability of a new 450 is unmatched. Least work to keep up by a long shot.
Loved above where the 60 plus guy was saying 250s aren't enough power... lol.. gotta meet that dude, he has to be psycho...
If you haven't raced in a decade... get the 250... why? Super easy to ride... and it is the bike that takes the least effort to go fast... something most people really appreciate when 40 plus....
450s are a lot faster... you'll notice they have a lot more low end yank.... but they take more our of you during a moto....
Start with a 250.... go from there imo...
A couple questions with respect to 450's. Maybe better suited to a dedicated topic but I will ask here first. If I were to opt for a 450, say either 18-20 CRF or YZF how do they compare in terms of power delivery to something like the KTM SXF or Husky FC? Are they as smooth or significantly more abrupt? How does a KX450 compare? I have heard the '19 KX450 is a real nice bike with easy to manage power, a good suspension with some heavier springs and ergos that can easily accommodate taller dudes. I would like to stay in that year range due to budget because I want to keep money for some new gear, and any mods needed for the bike to adjust ergonomics, maybe gearing, suspension, track fees, fuel, etc.
I just do not want to get myself into a position where I have to ride very conservatives and always being super delicate to not have the bike throw me to the ground due to power getting the better me. Feeling like you are walking on the edge all the time would suck the fun out of it I think. I know my weight would push towards a 450, but I always read about guys saying how tiring the 450 is to ride. I am not sure if that is because they are trying to ride it like a 250, because they weigh less and as a result the bike is more of a handful, or whether I would experience the same thing.
Again, thanks for all the opinions so far. It really does help.
Pit Row
Fall of 2020 I bought a '21 crf250r. Wow what a fun bike....IF you like to rev the piss out of them and ride just like a 125 to get it to move. While it was very rewarding because it can be ridden very hard while not ever being too much, it was pretty slow. Had FC do springs/valving and suspension was ok. I think this bike made me really wonder about the 350's so I sold it at 40 hours and bought a '22 350sx-f. Handling on the ktm is pretty great. Corners great and suspension surprisingly good. But the way the 350 builds power can be annoying for me. The Austrian bikes rev way high just like my Honda, but do not sign off. The 350 freaking rips the longer you hold the throttle on. At times this has gotten me into a whiskey throttle scenario and sketched me out. Was able to ride several 250's back to back with the 350 and made me realize I LOVE 250's for track riding so I bought '22 yz250f a few months ago.
Depending on what kind of riding you want to do and how you like to ride should dictate what bike to get, but really they are all great bikes. I do not think anyone is at a disadvantage on a 250f for local vet class racing. With good technique and reaction time a 125 can holeshot against 450's, see it all the time in vet moto.
My quick summery:
crf250r - super fun playful bike with quick handling, great ergos and just feels right. Shifts ok not great which I noticed because well, you have to shift a lot. Front brake very strong but very touchy, not a lot of modulation.
350sxf - very good ergos and very comfortable for me but never did settle on the right bar bend. Suspension is pretty decent stock, but checking air and playing with pressure kind of annoying. Corners great. Brakes very good. Hydraulic clutch ok, seems its either on or off at times. Spokes a noodles and won't stay tight. Power is very versatile, depending on what track I'm at I can damn near ride the entire track in 2nd (smaller sand track), or 3rd(Washougal). I think the power is great off-road and just got my suspension back valved for woods racing.
yz250f - amazingly strong engine, but does seem to rev through the gears pretty fast. Seems like I shift more than the Honda as it doesn't rev as far but signs off. Shifting is butter smooth. Suspension is very good, very confidence inspiring for me to send it further or try a jump that I may case. Clutch is great, brakes very good. Ergos are a little cramped and going from the ktm to this can be a struggle, but once on the yamaha for a moto or two it's fine. Build quality and durability is great.
Pick your favourite colour/best locally supported model and have fun!
A 250 4 stroke is gonna leave you wanting… a… BB kit, head, cams, ignition, exhaust, and race fuel.
So let’s review:
smoker 250
Built 250 4 stroke or 350
450
Just remember to ride it a gear high and be real smooth, things happen quick on a 450!
id get the yz250f and upgrade the motor
My opinion: If you are looking to stop in every corner and drag race to the next corner then I would go 450. If you have any type of mediocre to good cornering skills the yz250f is plenty. I would add taller seat foam at your height and you will be super happy.
I am timid of a 450 myself because of the power and the feel of the engine inertia.
On second thought I got a 96 XR600 I'll sell ya, super easy to start and ride I promise.
First up, all of those 250f's I rode felt gutless, I rode them like a 125. I know the modern 250f's are more powerful but that is all the real world feedback I have.
After riding 250 2 strokes a 450 is no harder to ride. Yes, there is more power but it comes on much smoother and I find I can concentrate more on line selection because I'm not also trying to control the power so much. You do notice the weight in the braking area's and if they get out of control they can take some effort to reign them back in but you're a big dude, you'll be fine
Now crf450 vs yz450f vs sxf. For a taller guy the crf is going to be more comfortable. The yz can be a little cramped but i know plenty of guys over 6 foot who just run a tall seat and move their bars forward and they have no issues. To me the sxf was similar to the crf, just a little more compact
As for power, the crf is smoother off the bottom, about the same through the mid and pulls like crazy up top. The yz snaps hard off the bottom and then pulls smooth through the mid and then seems to pick up a bit at the top but then feels like it falls a little flat compared to the crf. I took 1 step of timing out on my yz from 0-15% throttle and now i love the power. Sxf was just smooth the whole way, a really easy engine to ride fast
Biggest thing for me between the 2 is the chassis and suspension. The crf felt like i was riding a razor blade that deflected off bumps and ruts where on the yzf I don't even feel the bumps. The crf can hit inside lines just by thinking about it where the yz takes a bit more effort. Again, the sxf felt like it fit right in between the other two, just smooth and predictable. I did 1 race day and 2 practice days on the crf before a traded it in on the yzf and don't regret my decision one bit. I was tossing up the idea of the sxf when i bought the yzf but the air forks and the issues that they sometimes have pushed me to the Yamaha
If you were in this position in the 90s, would you get a 125 or 250?
Because a 250f is really close to a 250 two stroke… and definitely capable of going faster around a track for the majority of people.
Post a reply to: Vet Guy Returning to The Sport - 250f Enough?