New bike - best deal for the dollar in your opinion

flopper12
Profile picture for user flopper12
Posts
183
Joined
6/22/2017
Location
Chillicothe, OH US
Fantasy
2310th
flopper12
Edited Date/Time 2/3/2018 4:51am
I’ve seen a few posts on here asking “What bike should I buy” and these dudes claim they can get brand new Suzuki and Kawasaki 250f’s for $5k OTD or something like that? I’m more of a Suzuki fan than a Kawi, and while I’ve worked in dealerships for both, I know the 17-18 KX 250f isn’t a world beater, but it’s better than the Zook by leaps and bounds. For a guy that rides off-road maybe 50 hrs a year can you go wrong at $5k? People want $7k for used KTM’s. Hell I’ve only spent over $7k on a vehicle a few times, and none of those vehicles were dirt bikes. What do you think?
I have a few nice RM 125’s in the garage, a cherry 04 YZ 250, and an 09 YZ 250f I’m going to turn over to my step son. It’s convinced me that 4 strokes are the real deal.
|
Vegas
Profile picture for user Vegas
Posts
58
Joined
12/9/2014
Location
FM US
Vegas 2/2/2018 3:57pm
2/2/2018 3:57pm
The Suzuki dealer near me has '18 rmz450s for $6800 and often has left over rmz450s for $6000, I do not race competitively enough to worry about if my bike was first in a shootout, I look for a good deal on the newest machine I can get.
mattyhamz2
Profile picture for user mattyhamz2
Posts
10879
Joined
7/6/2015
Location
So Cal, CA US
Fantasy
846th
mattyhamz2 2/2/2018 3:59pm
2/2/2018 3:59pm
I think that if you're not trying to race and be competitive that you'll be fine on anything. Honestly, pick what is in your price range and just do it. Cant go wrong with either bike. The Suzuki is down on power, but again, if you're not racing you probably wont notice it anyways
mattyhamz2
Profile picture for user mattyhamz2
Posts
10879
Joined
7/6/2015
Location
So Cal, CA US
Fantasy
846th
mattyhamz2 2/2/2018 4:00pm
2/2/2018 4:00pm
Vegas wrote:
The Suzuki dealer near me has '18 rmz450s for $6800 and often has left over rmz450s for $6000, I do not race competitively enough to worry...
The Suzuki dealer near me has '18 rmz450s for $6800 and often has left over rmz450s for $6000, I do not race competitively enough to worry about if my bike was first in a shootout, I look for a good deal on the newest machine I can get.
A few dealers near me have left over 17 RMZ450's for $4799 before tax and fees
flopper12
Profile picture for user flopper12
Posts
183
Joined
6/22/2017
Location
Chillicothe, OH US
Fantasy
2310th
flopper12 2/2/2018 4:01pm
2/2/2018 4:01pm Edited Date/Time 2/2/2018 4:14pm
450’s are out of the question for right East Coast off-road riding / racing, but I agree you can’t go wrong with any of the current 450’s.
It’s pretty much do you have a local dealer that treats you right, right? If so, then you should buy from them I think. Custom Powersports Kawasaki / Yamaha Chillicothe is going to get my money when I buy. He tries hard and is trying to build something from the ground up. I respect that. Also, no close Suzuki dealers to me. I just can’t bring myself to sell my sweet RM 125’s.

The Shop

See All »
theycallmeebryan 2/2/2018 4:03pm
2/2/2018 4:03pm
Seriously, just pick the color that's the best deal. Unless you are a very skilled rider and are already squeezing every ounce of power out of your current bikes, its not going to matter to you. You'll run the same lap times on whatever bike you ride.

Hell, i can run pretty close lap times on my 04 KX 125 vs my 2015 KX 450F. Maybe that just means i don't need 450cc power at the SoCal tracks i ride.
flopper12
Profile picture for user flopper12
Posts
183
Joined
6/22/2017
Location
Chillicothe, OH US
Fantasy
2310th
flopper12 2/2/2018 4:06pm
2/2/2018 4:06pm Edited Date/Time 2/2/2018 4:07pm
I think you are right ^^^^ Honestly I love my 09 YZ 250f, but my step son is wanting to get back into riding and he’s a 14 yr old man now, so I may as well hand him down my current bike and get a new one.
TheOriginalPancakee 2/2/2018 4:08pm
2/2/2018 4:08pm
None of us are good enough to tell the difference between a Suzuki and a KTM. Get what’s cheapest you’ll go fast on any brand especially if your riding 50
Hours a year
flopper12
Profile picture for user flopper12
Posts
183
Joined
6/22/2017
Location
Chillicothe, OH US
Fantasy
2310th
flopper12 2/2/2018 4:10pm
2/2/2018 4:10pm
Last year I got 36 hrs in on my 09 YZ 250f. I didn’t ride for 18 months after my son was born. He’s getting older and I’ll be able to ride more, and I want to get my step son into the sport more before he leaves the house in a few years
Rockinar
Profile picture for user Rockinar
Posts
1064
Joined
9/16/2016
Location
Katy, TX US
Rockinar 2/2/2018 4:17pm
2/2/2018 4:17pm
From what I have seen, Kawi and Suzuki pretty much give away the old models. But you need to be buying during that model transition. Otherwise they think they are made of gold like everyone else.
captmoto
Profile picture for user captmoto
Posts
5153
Joined
4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
captmoto 2/2/2018 4:29pm
2/2/2018 4:29pm
Get the Suzuki if the dealer is a good shop into moto or off road. When your skill starts improving you can start adding go faster items one at a time.
In all honesty, most of us could easily get by with something like the RMZ
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
10117
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
Fantasy
856th
Falcon 2/2/2018 4:32pm
2/2/2018 4:32pm
I'd say go with the Suzuki. Then again, I'm biased. Cool
JW381
Profile picture for user JW381
Posts
10642
Joined
7/21/2009
Location
Harrisburg, OR US
JW381 2/2/2018 4:36pm
2/2/2018 4:36pm
There are tons of leftover kawis and Suzuki's I see going for dirt cheap. I'd go with the Kawasaki if I have to choose, but I would never buy a RMZ/KXF/250/450 unless a gun was to my head haha
Speeder757
Profile picture for user Speeder757
Posts
101
Joined
10/17/2015
Location
Roseville, CA US
Speeder757 2/2/2018 5:06pm
2/2/2018 5:06pm
You can easily pick up a New 2017 CRF, RMZ, KXF for 5K.
xr70
Profile picture for user xr70
Posts
914
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
La crescenta, CA US
xr70 2/2/2018 5:32pm
2/2/2018 5:32pm
U live only once, buy what u like and enjoy it !
darkbelow13 2/2/2018 5:44pm
2/2/2018 5:44pm
I got a '16 RMZ 250 for 5k last year and love it. If you aren't a serious racer then it being down on power compared to the others probably isn't going to matter to you. For someone of my level, which is pretty low, it has more than enough power.
TeamGreen
Profile picture for user TeamGreen
Posts
29071
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
TeamGreen 2/2/2018 5:47pm
2/2/2018 5:47pm
Vegas wrote:
The Suzuki dealer near me has '18 rmz450s for $6800 and often has left over rmz450s for $6000, I do not race competitively enough to worry...
The Suzuki dealer near me has '18 rmz450s for $6800 and often has left over rmz450s for $6000, I do not race competitively enough to worry about if my bike was first in a shootout, I look for a good deal on the newest machine I can get.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
A few dealers near me have left over 17 RMZ450's for $4799 before tax and fees
BOOM!
flopper12
Profile picture for user flopper12
Posts
183
Joined
6/22/2017
Location
Chillicothe, OH US
Fantasy
2310th
flopper12 2/2/2018 5:48pm
2/2/2018 5:48pm Edited Date/Time 2/2/2018 5:49pm
My thought is I really like my 09 YZ 250f. I’m not sure I can afford a new YZ250FX like I really want, but if I can get a new / left over KX 250f it has to be a better / more fun / cabeable machine than my old 09 YZ 250f carb model. I just don’t know if the lil Kawi thumper can take off road abuse like a Yamaha.
APLMAN99
Profile picture for user APLMAN99
Posts
10106
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Dallas, TX US
APLMAN99 2/2/2018 5:59pm
2/2/2018 5:59pm
flopper12 wrote:
450’s are out of the question for right East Coast off-road riding / racing, but I agree you can’t go wrong with any of the current...
450’s are out of the question for right East Coast off-road riding / racing, but I agree you can’t go wrong with any of the current 450’s.
It’s pretty much do you have a local dealer that treats you right, right? If so, then you should buy from them I think. Custom Powersports Kawasaki / Yamaha Chillicothe is going to get my money when I buy. He tries hard and is trying to build something from the ground up. I respect that. Also, no close Suzuki dealers to me. I just can’t bring myself to sell my sweet RM 125’s.
RMZ450 and a Rekluse clutch. We've got a few trees here too........

Pit Row

See All »
TeamGreen
Profile picture for user TeamGreen
Posts
29071
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
TeamGreen 2/2/2018 6:00pm
2/2/2018 6:00pm
flopper12 wrote:
450’s are out of the question for right East Coast off-road riding / racing, but I agree you can’t go wrong with any of the current...
450’s are out of the question for right East Coast off-road riding / racing, but I agree you can’t go wrong with any of the current 450’s.
It’s pretty much do you have a local dealer that treats you right, right? If so, then you should buy from them I think. Custom Powersports Kawasaki / Yamaha Chillicothe is going to get my money when I buy. He tries hard and is trying to build something from the ground up. I respect that. Also, no close Suzuki dealers to me. I just can’t bring myself to sell my sweet RM 125’s.
APLMAN99 wrote:
RMZ450 and a Rekluse clutch. We've got a few trees here too........

What kinda trees y’all got?
flopper12
Profile picture for user flopper12
Posts
183
Joined
6/22/2017
Location
Chillicothe, OH US
Fantasy
2310th
flopper12 2/2/2018 6:15pm
2/2/2018 6:15pm Edited Date/Time 2/2/2018 6:18pm
Like tight as can be boil your bike over stuff. I belong to two m/c clubs, we put on enduros and harescrambles in Southern Ohio. This 09 YZ 250f is my first modern four stroke. I’m going to race it this spring and see what I think about flogging the little 250f off-road at race pace. I rode a few dual-sports on it last year, and two HS’s. It’s a nice bike. I totally went through it when I got it, put in a full GYTR clutch (eBay cheap) with a Rekluse Radius X insert. It’s bitchin’.
TbonesPop
Profile picture for user TbonesPop
Posts
3467
Joined
1/26/2010
Location
Gilbert, AZ US
Fantasy
321st
TbonesPop 2/2/2018 6:22pm
2/2/2018 6:22pm
flopper12 wrote:
My thought is I really like my 09 YZ 250f. I’m not sure I can afford a new YZ250FX like I really want, but if I...
My thought is I really like my 09 YZ 250f. I’m not sure I can afford a new YZ250FX like I really want, but if I can get a new / left over KX 250f it has to be a better / more fun / cabeable machine than my old 09 YZ 250f carb model. I just don’t know if the lil Kawi thumper can take off road abuse like a Yamaha.
Don't undervalue the 09 YZ250F, great bike and a very good year. I had an 09YZ450F and loved it., I now have a '13 RMZ450 and love it as well, granted I have a full aftermarket suspension which was pretty much a requirement for that year bike. When a carb is properly jetted (which mine was on my YZ), going with EFI isn't that much different. In all honesty, you can't go wrong with either bike you're looking at. Just get the best deal. I personally believe the RMZ's are the best overall value bike out there, but Kawi's are certainly good too. You aren't getting some of the high end performance you may get on the other bikes, but you aren't paying for it either. Getting a brand new 2017 450 of any brand is a really nice machine and paying
flopper12
Profile picture for user flopper12
Posts
183
Joined
6/22/2017
Location
Chillicothe, OH US
Fantasy
2310th
flopper12 2/2/2018 6:24pm
2/2/2018 6:24pm
I’m absolutely for sure not buying a new 450.
Racer111
Profile picture for user Racer111
Posts
2767
Joined
5/23/2009
Location
Concord, NC US
Racer111 2/2/2018 6:32pm
2/2/2018 6:32pm
flopper12 wrote:
I’m absolutely for sure not buying a new 450.
I just got one of these......

flopper12
Profile picture for user flopper12
Posts
183
Joined
6/22/2017
Location
Chillicothe, OH US
Fantasy
2310th
flopper12 2/2/2018 6:40pm
2/2/2018 6:40pm Edited Date/Time 2/2/2018 6:40pm
Me riding that thing = killing a bug with a 12 gauge shotgun. Way too much power for the job. I’d rather buy a new 125 than a 450.
feelit2morrow 2/2/2018 7:18pm
2/2/2018 7:18pm
I researched for months on what i would like to have. I came to the conclusion that i could never use or tell much difference between the class leader and the bottom of the barrel. I decided to go what my heart wanted and i chose a honda. I dont know if its any better or worse than any other bike, but it was what i wanted so thats what i got. Follow your heart OP. Buy what appeals to YOU.
flopper12
Profile picture for user flopper12
Posts
183
Joined
6/22/2017
Location
Chillicothe, OH US
Fantasy
2310th
flopper12 2/2/2018 7:33pm
2/2/2018 7:33pm
I have owned just about every bike, other than a Honda CR. Never ever bought one and flipped it or anything. Plenty of XR’s have come and gone over the years, a good XR 250 will always be worth $1200
TeamGreen
Profile picture for user TeamGreen
Posts
29071
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
TeamGreen 2/2/2018 7:38pm
2/2/2018 7:38pm
flopper12 wrote:
Me riding that thing = killing a bug with a 12 gauge shotgun. Way too much power for the job. I’d rather buy a new 125...
Me riding that thing = killing a bug with a 12 gauge shotgun. Way too much power for the job. I’d rather buy a new 125 than a 450.
Try the FC350.
APLMAN99
Profile picture for user APLMAN99
Posts
10106
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Dallas, TX US
APLMAN99 2/2/2018 7:40pm
2/2/2018 7:40pm
flopper12 wrote:
450’s are out of the question for right East Coast off-road riding / racing, but I agree you can’t go wrong with any of the current...
450’s are out of the question for right East Coast off-road riding / racing, but I agree you can’t go wrong with any of the current 450’s.
It’s pretty much do you have a local dealer that treats you right, right? If so, then you should buy from them I think. Custom Powersports Kawasaki / Yamaha Chillicothe is going to get my money when I buy. He tries hard and is trying to build something from the ground up. I respect that. Also, no close Suzuki dealers to me. I just can’t bring myself to sell my sweet RM 125’s.
APLMAN99 wrote:
RMZ450 and a Rekluse clutch. We've got a few trees here too........

TeamGreen wrote:
What kinda trees y’all got?
Definitely not my video, I haven't ridden in that area for 20+ years, but this is one of the cooler spots. Down towards Ellensburg/Cle Elum (Jonah Street's hometown area) has some great trail rides too.

https://youtu.be/MQoR3eLodOw
GeorgiePorgie 2/2/2018 7:43pm
2/2/2018 7:43pm
Ain’t nothing like a brand new bike. Don’t care what brand it is.....except huskys are real nice. But if you can get a zook for 5000 otd...duh no brainer.

Post a reply to: New bike - best deal for the dollar in your opinion