PDA

View Full Version : starter dirtbike.. 250 or 450?

Scorpio
11-16-2007, 05:19 PM
have tooled around a bit on smaller dirt bikes as a kid, but now that I'm a bit older and, ahem, heavier, what would be a good size dirt bike to start out on?
It will be used for trail riding mostly and possibly some supermoto far down the road.
I'm considering either the honda 250x or crf450x.

input appreciated.


the two that I'm looking at are nearly new with about $1000 seperating the two.
BigComfy
11-16-2007, 05:36 PM
It all depends on throttle control. The 450 scares the crap out of me for now but again throttle control my friend. You will learn a lot about sliding(btw at the bar come up!)
ysr612
11-16-2007, 06:38 PM
trail riding a wr250 no one makes a bike to compare

mx crf250 or similar
Patrick
11-16-2007, 08:23 PM
250!
Scorpio
11-16-2007, 08:31 PM
I'm thinking 250 also.
This is gonna be just something to goof off on during the off season and it seemed like the 250's were going plenty fast at moody gardens a few weeks ago. The 450 just seems like a beast. Almost every for sale ad I've seen on the 450 had "scary fast" somewhere in the description.
Squeaky
11-16-2007, 08:40 PM
I went with a 400, but the XR doesn't have near the power that the CRFs and WRs have. Besides, I'm slooooooo :keke:
XRCajun
11-16-2007, 08:43 PM
have tooled around a bit on smaller dirt bikes as a kid, but now that I'm a bit older and, ahem, heavier, what would be a good size dirt bike to start out on?
It will be used for trail riding mostly and possibly some supermoto far down the road.
I'm considering either the honda 250x or crf450x.

input appreciated.


the two that I'm looking at are nearly new with about $1000 seperating the two.

Tom you can definately handle a 450. You don't have to give it full throttle and the two bikes are basically the same size and weight. If you've riden and you have I wouldn't waste time with a 250 if you think you'll keep it and move on up. I have XR400 Dualsported that I'm going to sell if you'd like to try it out.

Jim
DANtheMan.
11-16-2007, 08:43 PM
A CRF250
FireMalt
11-17-2007, 06:51 AM
CR250X or as glen said... Yamaha WR250(probably my next bike)
The Tractor
11-17-2007, 07:54 AM
first off, you will get used to the power of a 250
second , when your buddy blows by on his 450 you will wish you had more motor
The Tractor
11-17-2007, 07:55 AM
go with the 450, no regrets
wever411
11-17-2007, 08:01 AM
what is the difference between the xr, crf, and wr designations? is one better for a certain style of riding?
Scorpio
11-17-2007, 08:18 AM
5 votes for 250
4 votes for 450 soo far

maybe I'll take one of you guys up on that offer to try your 450 out first before I make the call.

Bigcomfy,
you and Hotnana's still going to 3 palms sunday?
ysr612
11-17-2007, 09:02 AM
what is the difference between the xr, crf, and wr designations? is one better for a certain style of riding?
xr=trail bike (xr 400 makes maybe as much hp as most 250 modern bikes)
wr= trail bike wr (means wide ratio transmission made for trail not mx)
crf250 = mx bike
crf250x= trail bike

edit I know most of the modern 250s make way more hp then my DRZ400
wever411
11-17-2007, 09:10 AM
xr=trail bike (xr 400 makes maybe as much hp as most 250 modern bikes)
wr= trail bike wr (means wide ratio transmission made for trail not mx)
crf250 = mx bike
crf250x= trail bike

edit I know most of the modern 250s make way more hp then my DRZ400
cool thanks for the info
Squeaky
11-17-2007, 06:31 PM
xr=trail bike (xr 400 makes maybe as much hp as most 250 modern bikes)
wr= trail bike wr (means wide ratio transmission made for trail not mx)
crf250 = mx bike
crf250x= trail bike


Swapped my XR400R and BC's CRF450 today for a little while, and his was certainly more powerful! :eek3:

On mine in the trails I can stay in 2nd gear pretty much all day and not worry about it trying to launch me into the woods.

I like trails better than MX. :nod:
FireMalt
11-17-2007, 06:42 PM
Tom... depending on what type of riding you plan on doing with it, here's my suggestions.

MX riding... CRF250
Trail riding... CRF250, CRF250x, or WR250
Motard... CRF450

If you plan on mainly doing trails like you mentioned in your first post... stay away from the bigger bikes. The extra weight and HP won't be needed.
GABRIEL
11-17-2007, 06:56 PM
Ahhheeemmm.....
http://www.motohouston.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40945
hotnanas
11-17-2007, 07:08 PM
we're going to three trees? since when? okay!
i didn't know that, last i heard, the BC was looking for Rio today.

Tom, a 250f may easily be plenty of bike for you, as will a 450f. it all depends on your riding style, and what you expect to achieve out of the bike. I can handle martin's 450 around the motocross track very easily (except for the broken brake lever). I can also not fully use my 250f. I imagine if I were to try to tard out my 250, i'd run into "lack of motor" problems...but still it would be butt loads of fun...and when it really comes down to my riding style, "fun" is the keyword.

i'm still looking at some technical issues with my bike, but i'd love for you to run around one of the tracks with mine (i'm having starting issues), or my buddy's (that I was telling you about) and you'd see that for an immediate smile, adrenaline shot, and good time, the 250f would probably be plenty.

it's basically a welcoming into something new.

** Warning - These are the wise words of a rather drunk me right now.

so ya...it you were to go dirt/trails...250 will do. if you are going for a supermoto...eh, get a 450.
Squeaky
11-17-2007, 07:22 PM
we're going to three trees? since when? okay!
i didn't know that, last i heard, the BC was looking for Rio today.

Under the "you break it you fix/buy it" rules, y'all can come get my XR for him to try if you think it might be a good fit for him.
hotnanas
11-17-2007, 07:24 PM
it's time to get dirty.
Scorpio
11-17-2007, 07:25 PM
Tom... depending on what type of riding you plan on doing with it, here's my suggestions.

MX riding... CRF250
Trail riding... CRF250, CRF250x, or WR250
Motard... CRF450

If you plan on mainly doing trails like you mentioned in your first post... stay away from the bigger bikes. The extra weight and HP won't be needed.

yeah, I'm mostly gonna be doing trail riding.
Surprisingly,
the 450R weighs less than the 250X. I'm assuming because of the extra hardware like electric start and lights that the X model carry. The 450X weighs 50 lbs. more than the 450R :eek3:, but I like the electric start and wide ratio tranny. I doubt either one of the X models would be any good for a motard due to the extra weight.

link to compare each model (http://powersports.honda.com/tools/compare/?ModelName=CRF450X&ModelYear=2008&ModelId=CRF450X8&ModelStyle=CRF450X8&SERIES=1083&SERIESNAME=CRF450X&MODEL=CRF450X8&YEAR=2008&IS_BTO=0&IS_HWOPT=0&w=999&h=641#)
Squeaky
11-17-2007, 07:35 PM
...Surprisingly, the 450R weighs less than the 250X. I'm assuming because of the extra hardware like electric start and lights that the X model carry. The 450X weighs 50 lbs. more than the 450R :eek3:, but I like the electric start...

Ask BC how much weight he'd be willing to add on for a "magic button" on the trail. :keke:
Scorpio
11-17-2007, 07:37 PM
Thanks to all you that are offering me to ride your bikes. Thats awefully generous of you guys and gals. Cliff, I can't remember where Martin said you guys were riding, but I'd love to tag along. Guess I need to pick up some MX gear somewhere ehh.
Scorpio
11-17-2007, 07:41 PM
Ask BC how much weight he'd be willing to add on for a "magic button" on the trail. :keke:

Yeah, thats what got me looking at the X models also. My right ankle is still kinda weak from my accident and I don't wanna be jumping up and down on it too much, but with the MX boots, it probably would'nt bother me all that much.
Squeaky
11-17-2007, 07:44 PM
Yeah, thats what got me looking at the X models also. My right ankle is still kinda weak from my accident and I don't wanna be jumping up and down on it too much, but with the MX boots, it probably would'nt bother me all that much.

With mine, it was a matter of learning the bike and its nuances. The first week I had it, I went out and tried almost every day for 15-20 minutes with no luck for the entire week. Now it's a one kick process most of the time; two if the bike is cold. :thumb:
ysr612
11-17-2007, 08:09 PM
yeah, I'm mostly gonna be doing trail riding.
Surprisingly,
the 450R weighs less than the 250X. I'm assuming because of the extra hardware like electric start and lights that the X model carry. The 450X weighs 50 lbs. more than the 450R :eek3:, but I like the electric start and wide ratio tranny. I doubt either one of the X models would be any good for a motard due to the extra weight.

link to compare each model (http://powersports.honda.com/tools/compare/?ModelName=CRF450X&ModelYear=2008&ModelId=CRF450X8&ModelStyle=CRF450X8&SERIES=1083&SERIESNAME=CRF450X&MODEL=CRF450X8&YEAR=2008&IS_BTO=0&IS_HWOPT=0&w=999&h=641#)

yes as Tim said the 250x is wide ratio and the wide ratio is great for trails that really low first. The wide ratio hurts you more on mx or motard then the weight. When you shift you miss torque peak.
ysr612
11-17-2007, 08:15 PM
With mine, it was a matter of learning the bike and its nuances. The first week I had it, I went out and tried almost every day for 15-20 minutes with no luck for the entire week. Now it's a one kick process most of the time; two if the bike is cold. :thumb:

I had an xr600l and once I learned it kicking was as easy as the button is on the drz. With the xr600 it was choke one kick with kill on then one kick kill off. Or if hot it was 1/2 throttle one kick, but kick it like you mean it.
Scorpio
11-17-2007, 08:15 PM
yes as Tim said the 250x is wide ratio and the wide ratio is great for trails that really low first. The wide ratio hurts you more on mx or motard then the weight. When you shift you miss torque peak.

gotcha,
looks like I'll probably be going with a 250x and trade up later down the road.

can these things be set up for GP shift, or is that a bad thing to do on dirt bikes?
ysr612
11-17-2007, 08:18 PM
gotcha,
looks like I'll probably be going with a 250x and trade up later down the road.

can these things be set up for GP shift, or is that a bad thing to do on dirt bikes?

see all threads on GP shift I don't like GP our race bike was gp so my street sport bike was GP. Now I am not racing I don't ride much GP at all.
Squeaky
11-17-2007, 08:19 PM
...but kick it like you mean it.

x eleventybilion! :nod:
hotnanas
11-17-2007, 08:22 PM
eh, i think switching one of these to GP would require extra linkage, rearsets, and so on. just more stuff to go wrong. it's probably just easier to resort to how you learned to ride a bike...or at least how most of us did.

you'll be happy with anything, and i think as long as the bike it tuned right, you shouldn't have a hard time kicking one over...so, let's not talk about my stupid kx and it's starting.