What 2018+ bike turns and corners as well as the 06 RM250?

RMZ450 or 250

I rode a 2019 crf250 before Covid and it handled like a dream. It's a bike worth looking into.

Crf50

I love rm250s. I have had two of them, great bikes. I think that the cornering capability of them is bit overrated. Its not like they don't corner, but they don't corner exceptionally better than a modern 250 or 250f.

Spot on.

When I went from an 07 rm250 to a 2012 KTM 250sx I felt the KTM turned in as well as the rm but was more stable and tracked better out of the corner. The 17+ ktm's/husky should be as good or better.

I rode a 2019 CRF 450 a couple weeks ago and that thing was on rails, I could hit any inside line I wanted

I'm now on a 2018 yz250 and I don't think it's that far off the rm at turn in once set up correctly but it is a lot more stable

I went from 07 rm250 to a 19 tc250 and am stoked with the cornering of the tc just the air forks need sorting out.

I went from an '02 RM 125 that I loved to a '15 TC 125 and same.... turns great. Factory Connection did my forks. EVEN SO.... it's startling how GOOD the older bikes can be. I loved my '04 KX125.... it had some front wheel vagueness in corners that I can see on video, but it still turned great.

By contrast my '16 and '14 KX250F is really vague. Wants to stand up in ruts and I cannot for the life of me make a smooth turn. It's always 2 sub-turns in the turn. So far, the best way to turn it is to slide the corner or ignore the ruts and just make the turn. My son's '18 KTM 250 SX-F is a great turning bike... point and shoot, does whatever you ask it to do.

I've spent a bit of time on the 2020 Husky TX & TE bikes. They turn as good as the Suzukis. The TX300i is probably the best "all around" 2T I've Ridden. Ever.

Nothing. Dont sell it.

That's quite the statement coming from Team Green!
I just rode my 04 RM250 yesterday climbing hills at my local OHV park and it was amazing how well a 16 year old bike rides, but I go back to what Reed says about the KTM's and the modern feel that they have. I am being persuaded by my mechanic to upgrade to a current KTM for many reasons in addition to how it handles. (Light weight)
Still won't give up the RM!

MR. TG. I value your opinion on all things dirt bike. I am deciding between the KTM 250SXF and 350SXF for mostly moto with some occasional trail mixed in. Looking at 19's. What say you? I think you do know me enough to have an opinion on my age and ability. I am a friend of Power Curve
in Redding. Any input would be very much appreciated.

I’d get a 350 FX/XCF...because they’re good up at the dam AND @ the track! I think Fator’s has some ‘19s. (I -know- they’ve got a ‘19 450 on sale!) An SXF or FC is fine, too. But, the bigger tank & 18” rear on the off-road models give you more freedom on the trail.

The 350 is a Big-Block 250...& at times it can hold its own against a 450...especially out in the Forest.

Thank you for the sage advice! I know you loved your 350 down in Baja as a do it all platform. I read that the 19' and 20's have a better ride pkg. than previous models. Also, thank you for sticking up for Suzuki based on your long term RMZ project.
My Suzuki's have given me years of good fun. Me and my last KTM, an '86 250MX turned some laps at Carlsbad.
Time to try the brand again! I hear that this fuel injection technology stuff is pretty cool.

I feel like the newer KTM/Husky 250 2strokes are close and overall better. Those bikes corner very well. They maybe aren't as sharp as the RM, but that slight trade-off is worth it, since the rest of the bike is an improvement. And of course all of the new 4strokes handle well, but I still think there is a big difference in feel between a 2stroke and 4stroke. For example, my friend's TC250 (2018) and my FC350 share a lot of parts. They feel quite a bit different, as far as handling goes. Obvious reasons. So I am not sure you would find what you are looking for in a modern 4stroke, even though they handle great. But the TC250 or 250SX would be your best bet, in my opinion.

I had an 06 RM250 and I don't think it handled particularly great honestly. The engine was the best 250 smoker engine I've ridden though!

I have owned RM250 (02), RM125 (05), RM-Z250 (09), RM-Z450 (14), actually more years if I went even further back...

They all handled well, cornering was always the best - probably the RM125 was stand out of all of these

That being said, KX450 '19 is pretty damn great handling bike - forget what you might have read or experienced about past KX-F models. I put cornering on par with any of these RM/RM-Z's

Stock forks are soft and aid this affect, even with heavy springs this bike turns on rails

Agree on the '06 RM250 for handling. When dialed in, it was a dream. And that was bone stock including the pipe! Only thing I changed(in the first year), was going to my familiar henry/reed pro-taper handlebar.

Now I have the '18 RMZ450. Turns great, fun to ride, but feels heavy too. Can't even be compared to the '06 RM250 except that it has a much fresher chassis (design and age). Sometimes, I think we forget that not only do we get tired, but the bikes do too. Every hour on the chassis changes the handling ever so slightly (more so for a steel frame.)

I love my Suzuki 450 but for a lot of Vet or play riders, a 250 4-stroke would/should be a viable option too. For a great deal, you could get that familiar Suzuki (with likely good spring rates for Vets off the showroom floor) feel in the RMZ 250. I haven't ridden one, but I'm sure I would like it.

-Bang for the buck and want to stay Suzuki? - RMZ-250
-Best all-around for your intended purpose? - 350 FX or XC
If your mix was more off-road/trail and a little moto, I'd get the 300 TX or XC.