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4/29/2018 8:24pm
4/29/2018 8:24pm
Ok, so I know this question probably gets asked a lot but I couldn't find any more recent threads so I'm going to ask anyway. I'm 6'2 170lbs coming off a 125. I've always had two-strokes and I'm thinking of picking up a new bike in the next few weeks. I'm average skill, never raced but probably would be mid pack C rider. I've been leaning towards a Honda 250 after hearing peoples complaints about air forks but don't want to regret not springing for a bigger bike a few months down the line. I could probably pick up a 17 450 for roughly the same price as an 18 250 so costs are about even. After riding 125's for a few years I'm really used to wringing the bike out and hanging in the top of each gear, so I think a 250, especially the high-revving Honda, would be best for me in that regards. Curious to hear other people's opinions, so let me know what you think.
The Shop
On the plus side for the 250, its absolutely a blast to ride. Theres never a time i cant wail on the gas and drop the clutch out of a flat corner. The 450 will step out or wheelie if you do that. The intensity required on a 250 is fun and good to sortof cross train for the 450.
Mind you i weigh 250lbs so my view of the power on these bikes is vastly different than most riders.
I like the lighter bike, power that’s there without feeling I’m fighting the bike at every step. I could never get comfortable on my 450 so picked up a 250f over winter.
I can see where that may not be an issue for heavier guys, but for being scrawny the 250 is the way to go. Only spot I used to wish for more power was long straights when trying to pass the slow pokes on their 450s and they could outrun me. Everywhere else I could generally keep up or be faster.
Edit: I’m typically a woods rider so power difference may be more noticeable on the track.
The weight on a 450F may also be a big jump for a 125. I currently have a KX450F in my garage and when the tracks break down and i get fatigued i find myself wish i had the smaller bike again.
I only ride a 450 because I’m 200 pounds in gear and don’t like shifting as much. But I will say that the modern 450 is also a very easy to ride bike. My 16 KX450F is on a whole other level compared to the 00 YZ426F I had almost 20 years ago.
Edit: and yeah, a 350 would be awesome as well. I wish more companies made them.
For me the 250f is the perfect bike. Plenty of power to clear any jumps but not so much you have to worry about whiskeying all the time. The 450 wore me out trying to watch the throttle control especially in whoop sections. The 250f you can just pin it and go. I tried a YZ250 2-stroke last week on my home track and can;t even see how I rode them years ago? YMMV, but I love 250f's adn doubt I'd ever go back to a 450........
Pit Row
Everything people are saying above are true, mostly. I kind of wish I would have spent the extra and got the 250. I do enjoy my 450, but I dont use nearly the power that bike has, not even close. I have whiskey throttled and almost ended up in the woods off the side of the track. I have whiskey throttled it off a double then into the next jump which almost but me into a nasty endo, and I even had a goose fly up and hit my chest on an up jump hill I grabbed a handfull of throttle and was on top of the hill before I knew it and still dont know how I cleared the rest of the hill with out crashing. The 450 has tremendous power and torque. The great thing about the low end torque is you can recover from corning mistakes by just opening (controlled) the throttle. I find myself getting beat up wrestling the bike around.
I have done a few things to my KX to make it more manageable. Kawasaki has 3 ignition couplings, a soft, hard, and standard. The hard coupling takes a little of the hit out of it to try and control traction on a hard pack track. It works slightly, not a huge noticeable difference. The other thing is a Rekluse clutch. Now that made a difference, huge difference. With the auto clutch I can ride in a gear higher which tames the engine braking and obviously takes a little of the steam out of the big hit on the bottom.
The great thing about this bike is I am not abusing the engine at all. I havent hit the rev limiter, knock on wood, yet. Hell I havent been in 5th gear on any of the tracks. So with maintenance the engine should last forever.
Go with the 250F or 2 stroke 250 IMO.
Day in and day out a 250F is the best choice for the “Average rider”.
Also after I returned to riding after 17 years I’ve always felt that riding a 250F is more similiar to a 2T in technique.
Like Tbonepops stated there will be a tad more maintenance on a 250f. But they can also last if maintained properly.
My .02 of course.
Ghost
Post a reply to: Age-old question: 250f vs 450f