Moto Monkies
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I'd go 250x. A little lighter than the wr, rides like a dream. Honda reliablilty. I would ride a honda if I didn't get the hookup on cheap yamaha parts
The CRF is more like the YZF than the WR. The WR is electric start, so it's a little heavier and more of a backwoods bike, than a motocross. The CRF would whoop the WR's ass, but I think the YZF would be a nicer bike.
I like the CRF250X a lot and would be a solid bike for sure, but for an enduro, I would go with the WR for the ease of use (magic button).
If I am mistaken on the CRF being kick start only, sorry for that.
I like the CRF250X a lot and would be a solid bike for sure, but for an enduro, I would go with the WR for the ease of use (magic button).
If I am mistaken on the CRF being kick start only, sorry for that.
You might PM ncj01 on here... he races MX...
The whole "which bike" threads, with respect to Dirt Bikes are as hot and heavy (or more) than our own 29er vs 26er threads.
For MX bikes (generally meaning dirt bikes, not specifically motocross bikes), it reaaaally depends on what you want it for....i mean you really need to soul search about where/how you ride it.
I learned the hard way, by buying the WRONG bike for how I was using it...later had to switch. Here's a great write up with lots of photo's on that process: http://pingertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6090
There's also a big back/forth thing going on now in the MX world on 4strokes (thumpers) vs 2 strokes (pingers). 4strokes are all the rage these days, having less polutants/emissions, and more torque (nasty little caveat: yes, they have more power/torque, but at 2x the displacement to acheive it). They also weigh more and maintence is more intensive and expensive.
If you are strictly interested in a woods bike, that definately narrows it down (you did say HOW WOULD IT BE ON THE TRACK though - so that makes me concerned you might want to take it on the track).
The best enduro/offroad bikes on the planet are KTM's. Depending on your size, area, strictness about emmissions, etc, what kind of racing you want to do, or if you're just into trail riding, there are a ton of them available. The fastest/baddest off-road racing dudes in the world ALL RIDE 2 STROKES...and the top of the top ride KTM's.
However, KTM also released a new KTM250XC-F this year, which is a 250cc thumper, based on the 250SX-F motor, but tuned for the woods, in a woods chasis, so if you are serious about the thumper thing, that would be the definitive way to do it.
If you're thinking a Japannesse bike is the only route for you, AND you're convinced you only need a 250cc thump-thump, definately it's between the CRF250X and the WR250F.
Now folks will argue until they're blue in the face about which is better and why. Here are some comments that are pretty close to fact:
*they are both great bikes, you really can't go wrong
*the honda fits a larger rider better
*the yammi fits a smaller rider better
*the honda may handle a little better (you'd only notice that if you take it to the edge)
*the yammi has the better valve durability reputation
If you're stuck between these two bikes, I would choose based on your physical size and which local dealer you like to deal with.
If I was YOU (i'm not, see my above link for what my buying decisions have been FOR ME) I would buy a KTM 200XC or 250XC pinger...or if you're stuck on a thumper, the new KTM250XC-F, or possibley 400XC-F.
Let us know how it goes.
If you decide you want to RACE harescrambles, you might want to rethink things some more.
For MX bikes (generally meaning dirt bikes, not specifically motocross bikes), it reaaaally depends on what you want it for....i mean you really need to soul search about where/how you ride it.
I learned the hard way, by buying the WRONG bike for how I was using it...later had to switch. Here's a great write up with lots of photo's on that process: http://pingertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6090
There's also a big back/forth thing going on now in the MX world on 4strokes (thumpers) vs 2 strokes (pingers). 4strokes are all the rage these days, having less polutants/emissions, and more torque (nasty little caveat: yes, they have more power/torque, but at 2x the displacement to acheive it). They also weigh more and maintence is more intensive and expensive.
If you are strictly interested in a woods bike, that definately narrows it down (you did say HOW WOULD IT BE ON THE TRACK though - so that makes me concerned you might want to take it on the track).
The best enduro/offroad bikes on the planet are KTM's. Depending on your size, area, strictness about emmissions, etc, what kind of racing you want to do, or if you're just into trail riding, there are a ton of them available. The fastest/baddest off-road racing dudes in the world ALL RIDE 2 STROKES...and the top of the top ride KTM's.
However, KTM also released a new KTM250XC-F this year, which is a 250cc thumper, based on the 250SX-F motor, but tuned for the woods, in a woods chasis, so if you are serious about the thumper thing, that would be the definitive way to do it.
If you're thinking a Japannesse bike is the only route for you, AND you're convinced you only need a 250cc thump-thump, definately it's between the CRF250X and the WR250F.
Now folks will argue until they're blue in the face about which is better and why. Here are some comments that are pretty close to fact:
*they are both great bikes, you really can't go wrong
*the honda fits a larger rider better
*the yammi fits a smaller rider better
*the honda may handle a little better (you'd only notice that if you take it to the edge)
*the yammi has the better valve durability reputation
If you're stuck between these two bikes, I would choose based on your physical size and which local dealer you like to deal with.
If I was YOU (i'm not, see my above link for what my buying decisions have been FOR ME) I would buy a KTM 200XC or 250XC pinger...or if you're stuck on a thumper, the new KTM250XC-F, or possibley 400XC-F.
Let us know how it goes.
If you decide you want to RACE harescrambles, you might want to rethink things some more.
Nice photo, Nathan...
.....now get off that moto and on your 29er! The Womble Classic is coming up fast!!!!
.....now get off that moto and on your 29er! The Womble Classic is coming up fast!!!!
The CRF250X has an electric start.
Yeah, the 250x is the enduro version of the regular CRF250. Basically they are the same bike, but check for features you like man. Which has the bigger tank? Which weighs more? Which comes with tires you like etc?
Power and suspension will be pretty close on the two.
EDIT: I mean compared to the WR.
Wow, thanks for your response.
I'm finally big enough to ride a full size MX bike. My first bike was a TTR 125L. I liked it but the suspension sucked, so I got a CR85 Expert. That thing was way too hard to control for me. I think a 4-stroke suits my needs better than a 2-stroke.
No problem....sounds like you're on the right track.
If you're coming off a 85, a 250 thumper will be great.
Both the 250X and WR have electric starts...again, it comes down to ergonomics (mostly height), and which local shop you prefer to deal with...and/or which will give you the better deal...
The "features" will be near identical, so really you can't choose on those...
Whatever you do, DON"T buy on the basis of tires...tires wear out fast on a MX bike, you will buy lots of them...so making a massive purchase decision based on that would be like buying a mt bike based on the grips or something...
Best of luck.
Not sure what your basing this on.
Yamaha
38.6in standover
58.2in wheelbase
Honda
37.7in standover
58.3in wheelbase
I'm 5'4" and ride the Honda 250x. The yamaha wasn't even an option because that extra inch made it just too tall, even with custom suspension tuning. Yami's always seem to run just a touch larger.
Weight and fuel capacity was also asked about here, the Yami weighs 234, the Honda 225 (both dry weights). Fuel capacity is nearly the same with the yami at 2.1, and the Honda at 2.2.
Good luck with bike shopping.
Good info!
Also, Bicyclist, the moto mags actually have meaningful tests (unlike MTB mags) where they put the bikes on a dyno to measure power, etc... it wouldnt hurt to look into one of the new bike shootouts for comparison's sake. There will be some hard data there in Dirt Rider (if that still comes out).
....not on standover height or wheelbase.
....but On COCKPIT...
1) pegs to seat (yammi will make you more cramped if taller legs - making the seated to standing transition more difficult for taller riders - like doing a squat from all the way down, verus doing a squat and only going 1/2 way down- if that's making sense)
2) bars will be closer to body on yammi (gives a taller rider that "I'm going OTB's" feel when standing)
Again, I'm not making a judgement on which is better than the other....I am merely suggesting that fitment is one of the objective differences, a real consideration based on if you're taller, shorter, or regular sized...
For me (if you read my link), I ride Honda's, and I even went further by adding low mount pegs, tall seat, and tall bar mounts. If I would have bought a yammi, those changes would have been even more necessary...
Well, as a small rider (really small), the yami is all around too big. I'm too stretched out on them, and my legs just don't fell comfortable. I feel like the Honda's feel more compact, which for me is good. My BF has the opposite problem, he's really tall 6'4", and feels like the Honda is too small, and therefor rides a yamaha. He also uses bar mount risers, plus extra tall pastrana bars, and had to make a custom tall seat.
But, just like pedal bike fit, motorbike fit is also heavily influenced by personal preference. The best thing to do is ride both bikes and see how they fit you.
to me, it's near everything.Oh.... that whole 'fit' thing... is that really importaint?
What cyclists don't realize is that dirt bike riding is massively fatiguing...and fit is very important if you're going to be riding/racing in the woods for several hours at a time...
Now if you're into hanging out at the local motocross track, with a lawn chair, cooler of drinks, and some shade, so you can ride 5 minutes, rest, drink a cold one, and repeat...well, then you're having a ton of fun...but you can "afford" to be artificially fatigued due to less than stellar fitment...
But that seated-to-standing transition is all-important...you go much faster when standing, but it fatigues you...each time you stand is like doing a squat...so do you want to do your squats from being all they way down like you're crappin' in the woods, or do you want to do it from a position like you're seated in a chair, with your legs at ~90 degree angle at the knee's....?? The difference in a 2+hr full-tilt intense woods race is no less than massive. In a race where less than 1 minute seperates the top 3-4 guys after 2+HOURS of racing, beleive me, having good fit is paramount.
Agreed! Parking lot riders don't have to worry about it so much, but if you are putting in 8 hour days in the desert, or on the trails, it can make or break you literally. Most people don't realized that fit applies to dirt bikes too. You don't just buy a bike off the floor and go ride it. You spend time and $$ dialing it in so it fits. In my case that meant $800 in suspension mods on top of the cash I dropped to purchase the bike.
I actually get to ride my dirt bike this weekend for the first time since July when all the forests shut down for the summer. I'm so stoked! I get to try out my new Scotts steering stabilizer!
Also, keep in mind that each manufacturer takes their measurements differently and what year the numbers are from. Some stop the measurement at the bottom of the seat (Honda and KTM, I believe) while others stop the measurement at the top of the seat where you actually sit.
The 05 WRs and newer are lower than before and they also have a narrower seat. I have an 05 WR250 and tried an 05 CRF250X (I'm also 5'4") and I was able to touch the ground with the balls of my feet on the WR but barely on my toes on the CRF. You're best bet is to actually sit on one and see how it feels.
Also, equal size bikes (like 2 WR's for instance) might seem to "fit different" on the sales floor depending on other factors, such as suspension set up, and weight of rider sitting on it.
Soft set up, lots of sag: rider sits flat footed on the floor, says bike is small.
Firmly set up, very little sag: same rider is tippy toeing to touch the floor, says bike is too large.
Same for heavy versus light rider: heavy rider blows through say 1/2 foot of the travel, announces it's too small, whereas light rider barely activates suspension, says it's too big....
etc...
The other rough think is that you typically can't "test ride" a MX bike before buying it...so you really have to do your homework first.
At the risk of getting WAY OT, I bet smaller women riders are excited about the new CRF150R thumper...awesome...
Soft set up, lots of sag: rider sits flat footed on the floor, says bike is small.
Firmly set up, very little sag: same rider is tippy toeing to touch the floor, says bike is too large.
Same for heavy versus light rider: heavy rider blows through say 1/2 foot of the travel, announces it's too small, whereas light rider barely activates suspension, says it's too big....
etc...
The other rough think is that you typically can't "test ride" a MX bike before buying it...so you really have to do your homework first.
At the risk of getting WAY OT, I bet smaller women riders are excited about the new CRF150R thumper...awesome...
One more thing about fitting a bike. When doing the dealer sit/ride around the parking lot test, make sure they adjust the sag properly for your weight. If they want to sell you the bike, they will do this, and it's not too hard. That will give you a better idea of how the bike really fits. I don't think a large number of people run the right sag on their dirt bikes, which will make them seem taller when you sit on them, and they will not perform optimally.
Edit** Looks like NCJ01 beat me to the sag thing! Also, You can't track test a bike, but a good shop will at least let you putt around the parking lot.
Edit** Looks like NCJ01 beat me to the sag thing! Also, You can't track test a bike, but a good shop will at least let you putt around the parking lot.
A ktm is the way to go if you have the cash. Often dealers are hard to find, and oem parts are a tad more expensive. Alos remember ktms have no linkage between the shock and swingarm, and this will give you an odd ride until you get used to it. I know, it really weirded me out the first couple of time I rode my buddy's 450sx.
As to how it will do on an mx track, it should be more or less right at home. I personally have a 2003 yz250f that primarily gets ridden on technical single track so it has the gearing set up a little differently.
Honestly if you aren't dead set on getting a full on enduro bike it may make sense to go for an mx bike. They tend to go a little cheaper and are more prevelant in the used department.
As to how it will do on an mx track, it should be more or less right at home. I personally have a 2003 yz250f that primarily gets ridden on technical single track so it has the gearing set up a little differently.
Honestly if you aren't dead set on getting a full on enduro bike it may make sense to go for an mx bike. They tend to go a little cheaper and are more prevelant in the used department.
You can say that again! I can't wait until others follow suit and then they start making trail worthy bikes!
I'm not sure what you mean by "trail worthy" but the xr250s and 400s were some of the best trail bikes ever made.You can say that again! I can't wait until others follow suit and then they start making trail worthy bikes!
Its just too bad that the new 150s are so damn pricey. They look like wayyy to much fun. Makes me want to put my xr100 cr80 chassis conversion up for sale after I finish it...
Edit: never mind, I miss read that. Yes it is about time that the other manufacturers make some trail worthy bikes.
I have the opposite problem as DH Diva. Being 6'4" and finding a bike that doesn't feel like a pit bike is tough. My Husaberg FC400 was a good mix of power and size.
The only 2 stroke that has ever fit that wasn't a death machine was a Gas-Gas 125 I saw at the pawn shop last year. CR500's are fun, but to try and ride something like that in the woods is scarry to me.
The only 2 stroke that has ever fit that wasn't a death machine was a Gas-Gas 125 I saw at the pawn shop last year. CR500's are fun, but to try and ride something like that in the woods is scarry to me.
It's all about the yellow bikes.
RM250!! HAHA "RM" 250!!
RM250!! HAHA "RM" 250!!