Posts: 15
Joined: 12/11/2020
Location: Pea Ridge, AR USA
Been battling what bike to get next. Really like both these options. I just don’t know if I’m to heavy for the 250f or if with the right springs I will be just fine. I’m 6’3” 215lbs. Which one of these bikes would perform better for me. And which one is best bang for my buck? Looking at 2021 options for both models. I ride motocross on intermediate terrain. Mostly track but every once in a while I hit a trail.
Posts: 546
Joined: 5/29/2018
Location: CAN
350 all day long in my personal opinion. As a bigger and fit set guy the 350 will give you that bit more of torque you’d be looking for.
Posts: 2181
Joined: 7/27/2009
Location: Saint Paul, MN USA
Posts: 197
Joined: 8/27/2009
Location: Bellefonte, PA USA
YZ250F. Vortex ignition with Twisted settings, 270 cylinder, springs for your weight. Plenty of bike, more money in your pocket.
Posts: 910
Joined: 12/23/2015
Location: Boston, MA USA
Yz chassis suits taller riders better than ktm. Maybe consider a yz450f with a more mild mapping and taller gearing.
Posts: 690
Joined: 9/14/2019
Location: Lynnwood, WA USA
I was trying to decide between these two bikes as well. If GasGas does a 350 I’ll be tempted to get one next time around, but I’m in love with the YZ250F
2020 YZ250F - the daily
2004 RM144 - The princess
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Bike-Builds,46/2004-RM-Corona-build,1374304?exclusive_forum_user=false&page=3
Posts: 34
Joined: 11/2/2020
Location: Walden, CO USA
Edited Date/Time:
You'd be just fine on a YZ250F with stiffer springs. I personally like the 350 better because of the extra power and I feel KTMs suspension is better now days. I find the YZ suspension annoyingly plush.
Posts: 207
Joined: 10/24/2011
Location: Albuquerque, NM USA
Edited Date/Time:
I own a 19 YZ250F and 19 YZ450F, honestly the 250 is one of my favorite bikes I've ever owned. Its amazing how much low end power it has for a 250F. I rode an 18 350SX this past Sunday. My biggest take away what the let down of power over my YZ250F. But it too was great fun to ride. I'm 165 lbs, at 215 lbs I would probably lean toward the 350. But I really love my Yamaha's and their great suspension, come on Yamaha make a YZ350F.
Posts: 9
Joined: 12/26/2018
Location: Wenatchee, WA USA
Posts: 565
Joined: 10/1/2014
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
I loved my 16 YZF 250, decided to try the 350 and I have been having the most fun I have ever had on a dirt bike. I was going to keep both, but realized I only wanted to ride the 350 so I sold the Yamaha.
2020 KTM 350 SXF
Posts: 1268
Joined: 12/23/2009
Location: Coweta, OK USA
Posts: 61
Joined: 12/27/2019
Location: Northern California, CA USA
Edited Date/Time:
Love4Moto wrote:
Been battling what bike to get next. Really like both these options. I just don’t know if I’m to heavy for the 250f or if with the right springs I will be just fine. I’m 6’3” 215lbs. Which one of these bikes would perform better for me. And which one is best bang for my buck? Looking at 2021 options for both models. I ride motocross on intermediate terrain. Mostly track but every once in a while I hit a trail.
Think about the cost of maintenance to if you ride a lot. A 250 will likely cost a lot more to maintain, especially at your size and if you ride pretty hard. 450 would probably cost less in the long run IMO, don't know if you are considering a 450 or not though...
Posts: 153
Joined: 6/23/2020
Location: Grant Park, IL USA
Edited Date/Time:
Here's the questions you have to ask yourself to pick.
Do you want a aluminum frame or steel frame which do you prefer. Another frame one I like is when sitting or standing on one which feels better for you gripping with your legs.
And
Would you like a bike with more overall power and work on the suspension or would you prefer really good suspension but need more motor.
They're both great bikes you can't go wrong with either choice and a lot more similar in terms of motor compared to other 250's and all 450's
Posts: 6
Joined: 9/8/2018
Location: Oklahoma City, OK USA
I recently made the very move that you describe!
I have always ridden 450’s and prefer to ONLY ride Moto, however two of my coworkers and best riding buddies will ONLY ride & race off-road after both had similar bad experiences at the local motocross track on separate occasions!
As I was not interested in turning my pristine 2019 KX450 into a trail bike, I sold it and purchased a KTM XCF350 and set it up for me. I’m 6’1” / 200 before gear and I am very happy with the 350 in every circumstance!
The 350 has more than enough power at the moto track and feels like a VERY fast 250F riding Motocross, and it feels very light and agile with excellent power in the off-road riding environment too!
I’m very happy with my 350, it is a great “do it all” machine and glad I made the move although for what its worth you couldn’t possibly go wrong with a YZ250f either!
My son had several of that very bike over the years too and that is one fabulous machine too!
The KYB SSS suspension is hard to beat and a happy bonus is the legendary Yamaha reliability too!
Either way you go, both are really great bikes and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
Good luck with your decision!
Posts: 565
Joined: 10/1/2014
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
yzf162 wrote:
Here's the questions you have to ask yourself to pick.
Do you want a aluminum frame or steel frame which do you prefer. Another frame one I like is when sitting or standing on one which feels better for you gripping with your legs.
And
Would you like a bike with more overall power and work on the suspension or would you prefer really good suspension but need more motor.
They're both great bikes you can't go wrong with either choice and a lot more similar in terms of motor compared to other 250's and all 450's
Very true, but with being over 200 lbs will have to adjust the suspension no matter what. I am lucky that I took mine to Fineline in St. George and they did an amazing job and made the air fork work for me. I honestly believe its about personal preference and what is comfortable to the rider.
2020 KTM 350 SXF
Posts: 406
Joined: 9/14/2018
Location: FRA
Well i just went from a 350 FC 2019 with Factory KYB fork and shock to a 250 YZF 2021 (GET ECU, full fmf pipe). You can find both of my bike on "bike checks" or in the bike build topics.
My 250 YZF has the suspension revalve to my weight (210 lbs) and man i tell you right now it is my favorite bike by far !
I didn't gel with the 350 (but many does so don't base your choice on one opinion). The power of the 350 is soft down low (which is fine) but then hit like rocket ship mid/up top. It's not a 250 and it's not a 450 in terms of power so after 40 hours on it, i never get confortable.
Then the new frame, for my speed (B rider) and on my tracks (hard packs all year long) the new frame is too rigid (compared to my 250 sxf 2017) and the handling is not like a 250, don't expect to felt light like a 250.
Now onto the new Yamaha, man that bike has really good low end (even for heavier rider, you can use 3rd in many corner if you want too) and the GET ECU gave me the top end power i was looking for.The handling is awesome, so stable, safe and yet remain light in the corner.
For a B rider weekend warrior the new 250 YZF is just perfect. But if you are a racer, A level, maybe the 350 will match your speed better
Posts: 118
Joined: 6/4/2018
Location: Worcestershire, GBR
I’m around 200lb and I’ve always had 250fs as in my opinion, unless your one of the best in the world a 450 is too much but recently got a 2020 350.
It’s an amazing bike and can’t fault, feels just as light as any 250 I’ve had but that lil extra torque is really handy especially in soft stuff.
Heard the yzf is amazing though and I don’t think you can go wrong either way, I was in the same boat and only went ktm because I spotted a great deal and as I’ve never had an Austrian bike before i wanted to give it a try.
Posts: 108
Joined: 3/23/2013
Location: GBR
Pete The Fisherman wrote:
Yz chassis suits taller riders better than ktm. Maybe consider a yz450f with a more mild mapping and taller gearing.
Coming from 6 years on YZ250Fs (2013-2019) to now riding a 2020 250/350 i wouldn’t agree with that. The current YZF has a smaller cockpit and feels a lot more condensed than the current ktms.
Posts: 1275
Joined: 10/14/2017
Location: 86oh, CT USA
Pete The Fisherman wrote:
Yz chassis suits taller riders better than ktm. Maybe consider a yz450f with a more mild mapping and taller gearing.
ronniemacwannabie wrote:
Coming from 6 years on YZ250Fs (2013-2019) to now riding a 2020 250/350 i wouldn’t agree with that. The current YZF has a smaller cockpit and feels a lot more condensed than the current ktms.
100%
The peg to seat height seems shorter on the YZs. If your a taller rider you will notice it. Even at 5'10" it bothered me especially when wearing knee braces. I felt it took more effort to go from sitting to standing and getting my foot back on the peg after a corner. The YZs look like a bigger bike but the cockpit is smaller feeling when your on the bike.
Posts: 9196
Joined: 1/4/2014
Location: FIN
Edited Date/Time:
Pete The Fisherman wrote:
Yz chassis suits taller riders better than ktm. Maybe consider a yz450f with a more mild mapping and taller gearing.
ronniemacwannabie wrote:
Coming from 6 years on YZ250Fs (2013-2019) to now riding a 2020 250/350 i wouldn’t agree with that. The current YZF has a smaller cockpit and feels a lot more condensed than the current ktms.
fourfourone wrote:
100%
The peg to seat height seems shorter on the YZs. If your a taller rider you will notice it. Even at 5'10" it bothered me especially when wearing knee braces. I felt it took more effort to go from sitting to standing and getting my foot back on the peg after a corner. The YZs look like a bigger bike but the cockpit is smaller feeling when your on the bike.
It's super short, which suits me (175cm and a inseam of 79cm). People need to understand that and drop the old narrative regarding the YZ being a bike for tall people. Most taller people would probably want to get a taller seat to make more space between the pegs and the seat.
Posts: 1380
Joined: 12/3/2018
Location: UT, USA
Pete The Fisherman wrote:
Yz chassis suits taller riders better than ktm. Maybe consider a yz450f with a more mild mapping and taller gearing.
this is not true. the seat to peg height on the yz's is very cramped.
Posts: 69
Joined: 10/16/2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
Posts: 264
Joined: 12/16/2015
Location: Mcalester, OK USA
I just recently bought a 350 xcf after waiting months for the yz250fx to arrive and just giving up. Before I made my decision I had a two day race. On saturday I raced a 250fx, was not impressed, on sunday I rode a buddies KTM 450XCf and could not believe how well it handled and of course the power. This got me to thinking heavy about the 350 (im only 160#). Now that I have a 350 and have approx. 20hrs on it I am so glad I did not get a 250fx. Obviously I ride offroad but the 350 is perfect for what I do and Ill never look back.
KTM 350 XC-F
IG - @mattman122
Posts: 476
Joined: 8/29/2019
Location: Bridgeville, PA USA
I went from the previous gen YZ250F to a 17 FC350. This summer, I will be going back to a '22 YZ250F. That is no slight against the 350, as it is an incredible bike. But I just felt like I gave the 350 a few years to adjust to, tweaked it how I wanted it etc. But the YZ250F is more hop-on and go, for me. I always feel comfortable on then and how the power is. The 350 is smooth down low and really ramps up. But for where I ride, that huge hp jump doesn't really give me much of an advantage over how I would ride the YZ. On the YZ I just feel like I can be on the attack and just know that I may need to shift again for that last little part of the track, even if I don't want to. The 350 is like the opposite. You have to make sure you run the gears out and sometimes since the gears are so long, I find myself in a weird spot. Hard to explain. It truly comes down to rider preference, and how/where you are riding. The 350 would still be my 2nd choice for my next bike, but after trying one, I think I just want to get another YZ again and see how that goes.
Posts: 2397
Joined: 7/3/2009
Location: riverside, CA USA
Posts: 6374
Joined: 5/5/2011
Location: Santa Clarita, CA USA
350 has made my motocross track riding, way more enjoyable. I’m sure the YZF 250 is a great bike, but if you’re not racing it in a non-vet class, I’d try and ride a 350 before making your decision.
Posts: 1275
Joined: 10/14/2017
Location: 86oh, CT USA
Edited Date/Time:
I still don't get why people think that you MUST have a 450 if your over 200 pounds. Any modern 250f will carry someone's 200 pounds ass around the track no problem.
Posts: 82
Joined: 6/26/2020
Location: Hopewell Junction, NY USA
I’m a c rider and was around 210lbs without gear at 6’ in height and ride an 18 yz250f. I can’t see power being an issue unless your an expert or at least a fast b rider. I never once wished I had more power, like Keefer said you don’t need a bigger bike you need to learn to ride it faster. I would buy what fits you the best because you are a taller rider. My 250f has no issues hauling my ass around any track even in sand.
EriCS1981
Posts: 280
Joined: 10/29/2018
Location: Rochester, WA USA
fourfourone wrote:
I still don't get why people think that you MUST have a 450 if your over 200 pounds. Any modern 250f will carry someone's 200 pounds ass around the track no problem.
Exactly. My younger brother is 250# and hes cruises just fine on his 19 yz250f. I mean he isnt wicked fast but he can get over bigger jumps no issue. Just has to carry enough corner speed. 450 would make him just rely on power vs technique. Happened to me, 17 KTM 250 SX then got a 19 CRF250R. Complete opposites of the spectrum, but I got faster on the 250F
Gone:
2006 CRF230F
2008 KTM 200 XC
2017 KTM 250 SX
2019 CRF250R
Current: 2021 YZ250F
Posts: 41
Joined: 12/30/2016
Location: PA, USA
Pete The Fisherman wrote:
Yz chassis suits taller riders better than ktm. Maybe consider a yz450f with a more mild mapping and taller gearing.
Actually that’s not true. I’m 6’2 and the yz peg to seat is very short. My knees was above the seat and very difficult, “almost impossible to grip the bike” so I’d get arm pump bad and the ktm my knee rest against the seat perfectly and grips the bike perfectly. The ktm is narrow but the cockpit is definitely more open on the ktm. I could have lowered the pegs and got a taller seat for my yz but I just didn’t like the bike period so it was replaced.
