Which 250F would suit me best? Tall Vet

Grovesy98
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Grovesy98
Edited Date/Time 6/28/2021 8:05am
So after 18 years of racing and at the ripe old age of 37 I've had experience of most bikes available. In fact the only displacement I haven't had is a 500 2 stroke! One day maybe. I've mainly raced 450s, but have had plenty of 125s, a few 250f, and most recently a 16 YZ250 and now a 17 KTM SXF 350.

Ive found the 350 to be hard to get to grips with, as it doesn't have the torque of the 450, but when you get on the gas it's lightening fast, maybe too much for me in most situations. So I find myself not really feeling comfortable.

I rode a couple of bikes yesterday to see what they were like compared with the 350. First up was a 20.5 KTM SXF 450 Factory Edition, and that thing was nice to ride but the monster torque was just way too much in tighter slower sections. Most tracks I ride are fairly tight.
I then tried a 19 KXF250 which I found really fun. I could clear the jumps no problem, just had to rev a bit more. It cornered well, not great, and the suspension was OK. Trouble is it felt absolutely tiny, and way too small for my 6ft4 170lb frame.

I've had various 250F over the years, and most recently was a 15 KTM SXF 250. That thing was real fast for a 250 and good fun. Also didn't feel too small at all. My current 350 has a powerparts tall seat and Renthal 997 bars, which makes the bike real high, although maybe too high for some corners.

So after my waffling above, I'm asking what 250F around 2018 - 2019 would have the better low end power, sharp cornering, good suspension, and be better suited to taller guys?

I'm an intermediate level rider, back of A or front of B class

Cheers
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yz133rider
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yz133rider 9/6/2020 1:19pm
9/6/2020 1:19pm
Grovesy98 wrote:
So after 18 years of racing and at the ripe old age of 37 I've had experience of most bikes available. In fact the only displacement...
So after 18 years of racing and at the ripe old age of 37 I've had experience of most bikes available. In fact the only displacement I haven't had is a 500 2 stroke! One day maybe. I've mainly raced 450s, but have had plenty of 125s, a few 250f, and most recently a 16 YZ250 and now a 17 KTM SXF 350.

Ive found the 350 to be hard to get to grips with, as it doesn't have the torque of the 450, but when you get on the gas it's lightening fast, maybe too much for me in most situations. So I find myself not really feeling comfortable.

I rode a couple of bikes yesterday to see what they were like compared with the 350. First up was a 20.5 KTM SXF 450 Factory Edition, and that thing was nice to ride but the monster torque was just way too much in tighter slower sections. Most tracks I ride are fairly tight.
I then tried a 19 KXF250 which I found really fun. I could clear the jumps no problem, just had to rev a bit more. It cornered well, not great, and the suspension was OK. Trouble is it felt absolutely tiny, and way too small for my 6ft4 170lb frame.

I've had various 250F over the years, and most recently was a 15 KTM SXF 250. That thing was real fast for a 250 and good fun. Also didn't feel too small at all. My current 350 has a powerparts tall seat and Renthal 997 bars, which makes the bike real high, although maybe too high for some corners.

So after my waffling above, I'm asking what 250F around 2018 - 2019 would have the better low end power, sharp cornering, good suspension, and be better suited to taller guys?

I'm an intermediate level rider, back of A or front of B class

Cheers
19 or newer rmz250, or a Yamaha yz250f.
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BikePilot
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BikePilot 9/6/2020 1:32pm
9/6/2020 1:32pm
The Yamaha or your favorite flavor of Austrian would be my suggestion. If you are keeping the 350 might as well go Austrian to keep the same chassis, be able to swap wheels, etc. 19-21 have the same frame/chassis.
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Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 9/6/2020 1:35pm
9/6/2020 1:35pm
I'll be selling the 350, but do have quite a few parts that would transfer over to the 250. I like the sound of the Yamaha, but after looking at a few at the track they look tiny like the kxf, but with wide rad scoops that look real out of place
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Michael_Winter 9/6/2020 1:39pm
9/6/2020 1:39pm
Husqvarna fc 450 power delivery is so easy to control and it turns on a dime. Why buy a 250 or 350 when you can have the best. All joking aside , honestly the fc 450 has such an easy to control Power delivery And has enough when you need it.
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BikePilot
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BikePilot 9/6/2020 1:42pm
9/6/2020 1:42pm
The 450 is the easy button for sure, but it's awfully fun to wring the neck of a small bore. I'm still harboring some 125 lust...
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Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 9/6/2020 1:44pm
9/6/2020 1:44pm
Michael_Winter wrote:
Husqvarna fc 450 power delivery is so easy to control and it turns on a dime. Why buy a 250 or 350 when you can have...
Husqvarna fc 450 power delivery is so easy to control and it turns on a dime. Why buy a 250 or 350 when you can have the best. All joking aside , honestly the fc 450 has such an easy to control Power delivery And has enough when you need it.
Cheers, I've done years on 450s and to be honest I get pretty bored riding them now. I raced a 2018 Kxf450 for a year and had some great results, even won an open vet race. Size wise that bike was absolutely perfect, but it felt heavy and tired me out pretty fast. I was considering another 450, but the fun factor just isn't enough when I'm riding smaller tracks that suit smaller bikes better
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Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 9/6/2020 1:49pm
9/6/2020 1:49pm
BikePilot wrote:
The 450 is the easy button for sure, but it's awfully fun to wring the neck of a small bore. I'm still harboring some 125 lust...
I do love a 125. I've had quite a few and have so much fun on them, but get too frustrated racing open class. The YZ250 I had from May 19 to June 20 was absolutely awesome fun, but I went back 4 stroke as I just couldn't get technical or big jumps right on it like I can a 4 stroke
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BikePilot
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BikePilot 9/6/2020 1:57pm
9/6/2020 1:57pm
We need a vet 125 class! I think it'd attract lots of people. Of of us who grew up on 125s are vet age (or senior!) now.
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KMC440
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KMC440 9/6/2020 2:52pm
9/6/2020 2:52pm
Go sit on all of them ..
. Years ago i raced a friends ktm450, I was told I made it look like a supermini ... 6'2" vet ... and yes it was cramped.

I like Yamaha and Suzuki, they seem to "fit" best.
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Dirty Points 9/6/2020 4:59pm
9/6/2020 4:59pm
Doesn't the '21 kx250 get the 450 chassis? That is generally considered one of the roomier 450s, especially with the adjustable footpegs.
FGR01
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FGR01 9/6/2020 5:17pm
9/6/2020 5:17pm
Sounds to me like you'd love a newer YZ250F. They are tall and you can get a taller seat if need be as they have been trying to make the bike smaller the last few years. The engine is incredible for a 250F and has serious bottom grunt, perfect for tighter tracks. And the tuning app is just too cool.
HighPlainsSquid 9/7/2020 6:47am
9/7/2020 6:47am
Yamaha.

I think so because I'm opposite of you... I'm 5' 6" and Yamaha is the most uncomfortable and "big" feeling for me. I get along great on Kawasaki and I do well enough on KTM's. In spite of the KTM's on-paper height, they sag enough and the cockpit is small enough that I feel comfortable.

nascarnate326 9/7/2020 6:49am
9/7/2020 6:49am
Im 6'4'' 33 and have a 2018 KX250F. Adjustable bars and pegs are a darn nice feature. Power wise its plenty for a professional practice rider. You may be able to get a deal on a 2020 if you are cool with a kickstarter still.

Depending on your weight the RMZ and KXF may need less suspension work as they come pretty over sprung for the typical 250f rider.

Go sit on all of them and see what you think. Im a long time Honda fanboy but can't deny that the KXF chassis 17-2020 just "fits me".
Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 9/7/2020 8:34am
9/7/2020 8:34am
Cheers guys. I've never sat on a newer YZF, I had a 04 YZF250 back in 06, and a few YZ125s and a YZ250. My mate has a 14 YZF250 and says it feels heavy and wide.

As I said above I rode a 19 KXF 250 on Saturday and it just felt way too small for me, even though it had already had the pegs lowered and bars forward. My 18 KXF 450 felt great, but not the 250.

Id like to sit on a YZF but to be honest I'm not sure I dig the weird airbox/exhaust setup, it just bugs me Laughing

What's the CRF250 like size wise? I hear they have a poor bottom end but handle on rails
WhatsStoppingU 9/7/2020 8:43am
9/7/2020 8:43am
The latest generation Yamaha’s have more compact ergonomics but the myth about them being good only for taller/bigger riders is still being perpetuated. They are now more comparable to the other brands and, in fact there are some that have a significantly more roomy cockpit than the Yamaha’s.
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WhatsStoppingU 9/7/2020 8:47am
9/7/2020 8:47am
That being said, a taller rider can certainly adapt to the new Yamaha’s just fine. My advice would be to avoid going the tall seat and bars route on whatever bike you get.

If you are not only taller, but heavier than average, the reliable power of the Yamaha should be a factor to consider.

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Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 9/7/2020 8:59am
9/7/2020 8:59am
WhatsStoppingU wrote:
That being said, a taller rider can certainly adapt to the new Yamaha’s just fine. My advice would be to avoid going the tall seat and...
That being said, a taller rider can certainly adapt to the new Yamaha’s just fine. My advice would be to avoid going the tall seat and bars route on whatever bike you get.

If you are not only taller, but heavier than average, the reliable power of the Yamaha should be a factor to consider.
Thanks. I do have the tall seat and bars in my 350 now, and it feels great everywhere apart from tight corners. I'm tall but skinny, and weigh 170lb
Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 6/27/2021 12:59pm
6/27/2021 12:59pm
Hi guys, so a year later and I'm back in the same boat! Sold the 350 a year ago and went to a showroom for a look around. Ended up walking out with a 2020 KX450 haha. It was what I was used to so felt like an easy purchase. I've done a year on it and enjoyed it and had zero problems.

I rode a friend's 2014 YZF250 at a track a few days ago and absolutely loved it straight away. The power was perfect, it handled well, and the suspension was amazing. I was really surprised as I've always thought they felt strange to sit on! I was probably faster after 1 lap than I have been on the 450 all year. When I got back on the KX it felt awful, heavy and way too much power for what I need, which was strange because I felt comfortable all year.

This brings me back to now wanting a 250F again. I'll be looking at 2018 - 2020 price range. Obviously my first choice is the Yamaha after riding the 14, but I hear the 19 and 20 are much smaller? This wouldn't be good for me as I'm 6ft 4. Is the 18 still the same size as the 14?

I also rode a newer KTM and just didn't like the ergos, and don't think I want another KXF, so also considering a CRF. Any info on the blue and red bikes to help my decision would be great! Thanks
MelonFan123
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MelonFan123 6/27/2021 2:24pm
6/27/2021 2:24pm
Have you considered lowered pegs? I have the Flo pegs on my KTM (I’m 6’3”) and it made a HUGE difference. They are -12mm lower and it’s better than any taller seat and bars I’ve tried. I know the newer Yamahas have a short peg-to-seat height so the lowered pegs are popular for them

Only drawback is you will def drag the pegs more in ruts. I’m in CA and ride primarily off-road so deep moto ruts are not an issue for me.
Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 6/27/2021 2:28pm
6/27/2021 2:28pm
I'd definitely consider them, as I have been running the pegs in the lower position on my KX which feels good. They aren't quite that low though, and I would be worried about catching my size 12s on the rutted tracks that I ride in the UK
luke11
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luke11 6/27/2021 2:36pm
6/27/2021 2:36pm
My mate is 6ft 2, big lad about 16stone and has 2021 yzf250. No complaints from him size was abs says he’s comfier on it that his fc350 he had before.
I ride a 2020 sxf350 and after riding his bike I’d say it’s just as roomy if not more and the power is perfect so I’m also after a 250 now. Tempted by the 21kx250 or wait for the new 22 crf250 I’m 5,10 though. Only reason I’m not getting a yam is cuz my mate has one and I want to be different, it’s an amazing bike.
Up Wind
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Up Wind 6/27/2021 3:23pm
6/27/2021 3:23pm
Did you see AP7 on his YZ250F? Worked good for him.
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Ray Knight
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Ray Knight 6/27/2021 3:44pm
6/27/2021 3:44pm
I'm similar to you. 6'6" 215#. 42 year old vet. I have a 350sxf as well as an FC250, YZ250F, KX450, RMZ450 and others. I have had just about every bike and the best of the best for me has been my 21 YZ250f. The bike is just magic. Super aggressive power and perfect suspension. Handles better then my 350sxf and FC250 as well. Its really the best all around 250f especially if you want easy to ride! Bonus is the wifi tuner you can set whatever power style you want in seconds. Super comfortable ergos! Well i am running the Acerbis X seat air for a little extra height and comfort, stock bars are tall and comfortable and i have lowered footpegs from Flo motorsports.
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 6/27/2021 4:40pm
6/27/2021 4:40pm
The current Yz250f is a great bike, I think you’re over thinking this a little bit. I never liked them either but after riding my buddy’s 20 at two different tracks I loved it. And I’m a bigger guy as well. The previous generation was wider and didn’t turn as well, but I think that’s all been fixed after 19.
Leeham
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Leeham 6/27/2021 11:24pm
6/27/2021 11:24pm
Get a 19+ Yamaha and you wont regret it. Almost gave up the sport after my 19 Honda 250. 19+ YZ250Fs are the best Jap 250 and arguably the best 250 in general for some. My brother is 6'2, 230 lbs and he loves his 19. He doesnt feel super cramped, and he has his bars in the back holes. 14-18 yz250fs had more bottom, 19/20 little more top less bottom, 21 a little less bottom and more top than the 19/20s. All bikes are good
Yeti831
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Yeti831 6/28/2021 12:53am
6/28/2021 12:53am
For a tall rider and new bike, Kawi or Yami. All day long.
quadzrulebro 6/28/2021 4:59am
6/28/2021 4:59am
I’m 6’4” and I race a Kawasaki. I really appreciate having the ability to move the footpegs down and the bar mounts forward to open up the rider triangle. I have ridden them all, and the Kawasakis are the most comfortable for me.

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