Which Bike Would You Buy

'17 RMZ 450
Easy choice....

Wherre are these prices from?? Out the door?

Close to OTD. Depends on dealer if i can negotiate no set up/freight. I have a house in Oregon so no Sales Tax

Speeder757 wrote:

Looking to get back into riding after a hiatus. I just bought my son a Honda CRF50 so we can start riding together and he can start riding with his cousins. With work, in all honesty i won't be able to ride more than a few times a month and i definitely won't be racing. I am just looking for something to go out and have fun with. I stand a towering 5ft 6in so i would be looking at bikes that fit shorter riders. I normally go for the newest and greatest but i just don't see the point with the use this bike will get and my current skill level. I have been looking at some left over bikes, which can be had pretty cheap it seems. I would like a KTM with electric start but from what i am seeing those are at least $3K more money which i can't really justify. I am leaning towards the Honda, then switching out the forks to the 2014 springs. Can you give me your opinion on these bikes? Or any others i should consider? YZ's can also be had fairly cheap however i would have to cut the subframe etc to fit me. Thanks Appreciate.

New 2017 Honda CRF250R $5,000.00

New 2017 Kawi KX250F $4,500.00
New 2018 Kawi KX250F $5,500.00

New 2017 Suzuki RMZ250 $5,000.00
New 2018 Suzuki RMZ250 $5,650.00
New 2017 Suzuki RMZ450 $5,750.00 (pretty mellow for a 450? and people say its a comfortable bike to ride?)

OP,

Adjustable YZ subframe

Able to fine tune your ride height.

langhammx wrote:

'17 RMZ 450
Easy choice....

You think so? Worried it might be to much bike for me (more than i need) and kind of heavy. However i have never ridden one.

Honestly, get out and ride as many of them as you can. Sit on em all do whatever you can to get the best feel for the bike then pick.
There are alot of brand loyal people that will say buy this bike it's the best.
All ill say is get something fuel injected so u don't have to clean the carb and enjoy the time riding with your son. Make some life long memories.
There are really no bad choices, on any current bikes. Just give and take with each brand. One shines here where the other shines there.

Just for fun with a kid on a crf50? Unless you're planning on sticking to the track, I'd consider something with a kick stand and wr gearing. Yzf250x might be right if the KTMs are a little pricey.

2T gems!

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/d/cr-125/6447940154.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2004-kawasaki-kx250-2-stroke/6461802701.html

https://goldcountry.craigslist.org/mcy/d/price-reduced-clean-2008/6410645729.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/d/suzuki-rm-250-ricky/6425504156.html



Not knowing your weight but at 5'6", I'd vote 2017 CRF250R or KX250F from the list. Lots of aftermarket availability...Just need to decide if you're a PC Kawi or Geico Honda kind of guy

Just buy a good used KTM.

Track and Trail wrote:

Just for fun with a kid on a crf50? Unless you're planning on sticking to the track, I'd consider something with a kick stand and wr gearing. Yzf250x might be right if the KTMs are a little pricey.

I should have mentioned i will also on occassion take it to the track and go trail riding with my brother.

Speeder757 wrote:

Looking to get back into riding after a hiatus. I just bought my son a Honda CRF50 so we can start riding together and he can start riding with his cousins. With work, in all honesty i won't be able to ride more than a few times a month and i definitely won't be racing. I am just looking for something to go out and have fun with. I stand a towering 5ft 6in so i would be looking at bikes that fit shorter riders. I normally go for the newest and greatest but i just don't see the point with the use this bike will get and my current skill level. I have been looking at some left over bikes, which can be had pretty cheap it seems. I would like a KTM with electric start but from what i am seeing those are at least $3K more money which i can't really justify. I am leaning towards the Honda, then switching out the forks to the 2014 springs. Can you give me your opinion on these bikes? Or any others i should consider? YZ's can also be had fairly cheap however i would have to cut the subframe etc to fit me. Thanks Appreciate.

New 2017 Honda CRF250R $5,000.00

New 2017 Kawi KX250F $4,500.00
New 2018 Kawi KX250F $5,500.00

New 2017 Suzuki RMZ250 $5,000.00
New 2018 Suzuki RMZ250 $5,650.00
New 2017 Suzuki RMZ450 $5,750.00 (pretty mellow for a 450? and people say its a comfortable bike to ride?)

kzizok wrote:

OP,

Adjustable YZ subframe

Able to fine tune your ride height.

Thats pretty trick. Would definitely help out with the YZ

I'd get a YZ250F. Great bottom end, suspension and reliability. As mentioned, grab the YZ250FX if you can find a deal on one, which is pretty unlikely around here as I'm sure you've discovered.

byke wrote:

I'd get a YZ250F. Great bottom end, suspension and reliability. As mentioned, grab the YZ250FX if you can find a deal on one, which is pretty unlikely around here as I'm sure you've discovered.

I'm a honda guy but Yea I would get a yz250f all them bikes on the list have horrible forks

I don't think anyone can give you a good recommendation without knowing a little bit more, people are shooting in the dark at this point.

What are you mostly planning on riding, track, trail, both?

What was your skill level before you stopped?

Are you going to be riding yourself, or mostly just using the bike to chase your kid around for a while?

How much do you weigh?

Also, at 5'6" I don't think you're going to need to cut any subframes, that isn't really all that short to be honest. If you're just going to be chasing the kid around then I would think a smaller bike with electric start would be great, but if you're planning to do any serious track or trail riding then obviously a full sized bike is what you're looking for. If you're a lighter guy and want something that can cruise along with your kid then a 250 is probably the way to go, but if you're heavier and want to do some motoing then a 450 is probably a better choice. Keep in mind that some brands (like KTM) are a lot more mellow on the bottom and make cruising along easier, whereas on a Yamaha you're going to find a lot quicker hit to the power which would make cruising with the kid a major chore. Just some things to consider, but with a little more information I think you'll get a lot more relevant responses.

Edit: Also, if you're at beginner level, don't worry about fork horror stories, any stock set of forks will work just fine for you.

langhammx wrote:

'17 RMZ 450
Easy choice....

+1- No question. I had a 15' model, and put over 80 hrs on it in 2 yrs.. Just oil changes, chain/sprockets, chain guide. Bike is bullet proof, and very easy to ride.
Very underrated bike IMO-

JM485 wrote:

I don't think anyone can give you a good recommendation without knowing a little bit more, people are shooting in the dark at this point.

What are you mostly planning on riding, track, trail, both?

What was your skill level before you stopped?

Are you going to be riding yourself, or mostly just using the bike to chase your kid around for a while?

How much do you weigh?

Also, at 5'6" I don't think you're going to need to cut any subframes, that isn't really all that short to be honest. If you're just going to be chasing the kid around then I would think a smaller bike with electric start would be great, but if you're planning to do any serious track or trail riding then obviously a full sized bike is what you're looking for. If you're a lighter guy and want something that can cruise along with your kid then a 250 is probably the way to go, but if you're heavier and want to do some motoing then a 450 is probably a better choice. Keep in mind that some brands (like KTM) are a lot more mellow on the bottom and make cruising along easier, whereas on a Yamaha you're going to find a lot quicker hit to the power which would make cruising with the kid a major chore. Just some things to consider, but with a little more information I think you'll get a lot more relevant responses.

Edit: Also, if you're at beginner level, don't worry about fork horror stories, any stock set of forks will work just fine for you.

Good questions. Before i stopped riding i would say i was a solid intermediate rider. I rode for 10+ years before i stopped. Both track and trails. I never raced as i didn't have the time to dedicate and when i was younger my family didnt have the funds. I weigh 165-175 pounds.

byke wrote:

I'd get a YZ250F. Great bottom end, suspension and reliability. As mentioned, grab the YZ250FX if you can find a deal on one, which is pretty unlikely around here as I'm sure you've discovered.

5thgearpinnedJB65 wrote:

I'm a honda guy but Yea I would get a yz250f all them bikes on the list have horrible forks

I am too. Been riding the same '04 crf450r since I bought it for $2k back in 2010.

If you go with RMZ you'll still loose money at those prices if you ever sell. Its a good bike to ride but worst bike to sell.

None of the above. I'd get a used 125 2 stroke.

If your use is following a 50 and you want electric start look at crf230 or ttr230 both are a little smaller than a normal race bike, cheaper, have electric start, kick stands, and gearing slow enough to follow a 50.

Following someone slow or a kid on a race bike sucks, first gear with the clutch pulled in most of the time it's very difficult.

I would buy anything as long as its a Honda!

From the sounds of it you're looking for a yz250fx. With your kid learning to ride you will appreciate the kickstand and electric start.

Where will the kid be riding?

For example my son and great nephew were 3 last year on and only rode on the turn track in my flat field.
I had a lot of fun just riding my pit bike with them.
If you are not going to a mx track then a pit bike is a cheap fun option.

450s are harder to resell where I am.

The CRF230 is not a bad idea. Fun trail bike,, ultra low maintenance,

Rockinar wrote:

The CRF230 is not a bad idea. Fun trail bike,, ultra low maintenance,

X2.. especially if you're primarily going to be riding with a 50. A race bike will be useless.

Rockinar wrote:

None of the above. I'd get a used 125 2 stroke.

Was that on the list?

Don't see the reason for switching forks etc if you're gonna ride with your son that's on a 50.
If you really need to choose one of the above then a new 17 KX250F for 4500$ would be my choice.

A good YZ 250 2 strokes. 250F become fast boring.

Thanks for all the opinions. Like i mentioned i will also take this bike to the track and trail ride occasionally as well.
I have other friends and family that ride quite often.