250 2 Smokers... Which flavor?

[honda_power]

Im looking to sell my CRF and buy a 250 2 Stroke, as the maintanace on the CRF is starting to get out of hand, and I enjoy riding the 2strokes more.

The question is... which flavor? im looking at a 06-08 models.

So, if you had the choice, which one would you go for and why?

cheers

[flyingcr250]

has to be honda, alloy frame, great after sales service, proven reliability, my old cr250 took some shocking knocks and never missed a beat. its a bit funny me saying that since ive sold my CR and bought a KTM. ha ha ha. GO THE 2-SMOKES, BWAAAAAAP!!!!:headbang:

[honda_power]

yeah id love one, but they are so damn expensive! at least 2g more than the other jap brands of the same year!

[vazza]

Most definatly Yamaha. Overall rated the best _b. I ride a YZ250 2007 and love it. Huge power delivery, light and agile. Great in the bush and mx track, totally reliable :D!

[flyingcr250]

Most definatly Yamaha. Overall rated the best _b. I ride a YZ250 2007 and love it. Huge power delivery, light and agile. Great in the bush and mx track, totally reliable :D!

honda! honda! honda! oops i mean KTM! KTM! KTM!:girlfight:

only because i havnt ridden a yamahard before

[krad_nz]

Whats wrong with lime flavour? :Pokey:

[vazza]

To be honest bro, they all do the same job.. You'd be sweet going for any of the brands. We've had a KX250 2008, and found that it didnt have the power like the YZ did, and it also felt very small..

[B0000M]

i rate the CR, ive got one, heaps of mates have them, they definately need an aftermarket pipe to perform, once thats out of the way youve got a well handling rocketship. east to pull apart, especially compared to the crf, - just everything is better designed to work on it- not to mention the fewer parts of the 2 stoke design.

i also know of one for sale - one of my mates who weighs aboug 55kg decided his was too much for him and got a crf instead.

the other advantages of the honda are the fact that the late model ones are becoming a bit of a collectors item, and seem to maintain their new look through a lot more knocks than the others - in particular the yamaha

[honda_power]

my mate has an 07 kx250... i know what you mean about it feeling small... thats what i thought. It also vibrates alot... do they all do that? or is that something to do with the steel frame? the kx's seem to be a hell of a lot cheaper than anything else.

[honda_power]

i rate the CR, ive got one, heaps of mates have them, they definately need an aftermarket pipe to perform, once thats out of the way youve got a well handling rocketship. east to pull apart, especially compared to the crf, - just everything is better designed to work on it- not to mention the fewer parts of the 2 stoke design.

i also know of one for sale - one of my mates who weighs aboug 55kg decided his was too much for him and got a crf instead.

the other advantages of the honda are the fact that the late model ones are becoming a bit of a collectors item, and seem to maintain their new look through a lot more knocks than the others - in particular the yamaha

yeah thats why im trading up... so I can work on the machine myself.

what year is it and how much? what do you guys reckon is fair for a 06-07 CR? they all seem to be about 7g on trademe which is a bit steep for me im afraid... compared to 5.5-6g for an 08 KX.

[4stroke]

why not look towards a husky?? 12 months full warenty, i moved from my 07 crf450 to and 08 husky txc 450 and now after being a honda man for a good number of years, i now prefer the husky. chop on here a a husky wr250 2t and as far as i know he loves it.

[B0000M]

yeah thats why im trading up... so I can work on the machine myself.

what year is it and how much? what do you guys reckon is fair for a 06-07 CR? they all seem to be about 7g on trademe which is a bit steep for me im afraid... compared to 5.5-6g for an 08 KX.

he's talking 6k, its an 05, which is the same bike as 05, 06, 07, im not sure of the hours, somewhere around 60 i think - really low, and it feels like it!

fmf fatty, fmf shorty, carbon bash guard, new graphics, new fork seals, devol radiator braces, generally a real tidy bike

last person to ride it was me about 3 weeks ago, currently its sitting in my shed as ive borrowed the shock and radiator off it while i wait for my repaired / new ones to arrive. will be officially for sale once these parts are no longer needed for my machine! ;)

[vazza]

6k geez.. That seems alot. If it was me, and you had 6k to spend. Id find an 08 KX250.. Could on trademe with very low prices, and only about 5 hours on the clock to!

[honda_power]

yeah 6k seems a bit too much for an 05... im not sure how much i have to spend just yet... i have to sell my bike. had offers of 5g, so im thinkin 5-5.5.

this one seems cheap. maybe too cheap.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=189909637

[B0000M]

yip, but you'd still only have a kawasaki :Pokey:, not to mention you'd have no radiator guards, a standard pipe, no bash plate etc etc.

i can see however though how the other brands look appealing due to their pricing.

end of the day, hondas are more expensive than the others, always have been, probably always will be. they hold their value really well and seem to feel fresh for a long time, even when theyre not.

[kezzafish]

i don't like any 2 smoke MXers but the hondas definately feel and look the most solid out of the japas... i won't go into the likes of the great euros cos they're just in a different class mummble mummble KTM mummble

[FlangMasterJ]

Here's a well priced 2004 KTM 250EXC which looks to be in mint condish.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-194408435.htm

[LittleJohn]

Unless you a full on racing the difference in the power and weight of each bikes isn't a big one. They are all very similar in what they can do, just comes down to personel preference. When our family is getting bikes we actually look at the local dealers and what they are like. We have a really good Kawasaki delaership and mechanics around the corner who out do any of the service departments from the other makes so they get a big thumbs up, whereas the dealings we have had with some of the others have put us straight of there brand.

[tonyg26]

honda or yamaha cant go wrong, but if buying brand new you get alot of bike for your buck if you get a suzuki, but you wouldnt catch me on a lemon!

[Coyote]

To be honest bro, they all do the same job.. You'd be sweet going for any of the brands.
Agreed. Just play the field and wait for a good deal. Only seasoned vets are really going to appreciate the differences between most models.

[crazyxr250rider]

Im A BIG fan of YZ125-250s and KTM 125-250sx one of the most modern 2 stroke Mx bikes out (note: I said MX bike so dont bring up gas gas or any of the other un obtainable brands Maico,ATK and so on)
Apart from TM's of course but who here is guna pay over $13G for a 250,
when you can go to your local kawi dealer and get a new KX250R for $8995??

[Pierce]

yeah 6k seems a bit too much for an 05... im not sure how much i have to spend just yet... i have to sell my bike. had offers of 5g, so im thinkin 5-5.5.

this one seems cheap. maybe too cheap.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=189909637

Personally i'd steer clear of the green bikes due to mates bad experience. Two had brand new bikes 07's, both of which had major problems with less than 25hrs on them. Fork seals dripping oil out of them (not just leaking but dripping like a tap). Brake fail (one of the guys actually had a major crash due to this breaking his wrist and dislocating his shoulder. I'm sure all new bikes have issues but from that i'd steer clear personally.

I have riden Yamahas which I would rate due to their reliability but don't seem to have the same type of power as the others (any 250 2T will have more than enough power tho)

Good value for money with a Suzuki but they still have the steel frame and look pretty vintage. I almost bought a brand new one but couldn't stray for the might red bikes.

Honda are well designed and engineered machines and you won't see me buying anything else for a long time if ever (maybe Yamaha or Ktm once they bring out injection for 2Ts).
And I think $6k for a mint 05 is a good price with all the goodies on it.

There has got to be a reason why you pay more for a honda or KTM... you get what you pay for!

[flyingcr250]

There has got to be a reason why you pay more for a honda or KTM... you get what you pay for!

i agree the hondas are by far the best bike out of the japas. ive recently moved to a KTM and i cant wait to see how it goes.

[Atomic]

Anyone ridden a KTM 150sx? Interested to know what the power is like? I like the fact that they are as light as a 125 but if the power is bugger all better than the 125 I wouldnt bother.

[honda_power]

Here's a well priced 2004 KTM 250EXC which looks to be in mint condish.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-194408435.htm


nar looking for a mxer. looks like ill just havta sell my bike and buy whatevers cheap at the time. anyone wanna buy an 06 crf250? haha

[kezzafish]

Anyone ridden a KTM 150sx? Interested to know what the power is like? I like the fact that they are as light as a 125 but if the power is bugger all better than the 125 I wouldnt bother.

yeah, that'd be interesting, i read somewhere that one of the junior motorcross classes were being changed from a max cc of 125 up to 150 but the only 150s i have heard of are the ktms so what'll the competition be?

[B0000M]

yeah, that'd be interesting, i read somewhere that one of the junior motorcross classes were being changed from a max cc of 125 up to 150 but the only 150s i have heard of are the ktms so what'll the competition be?

125s until the others make a 150 i gues

[FlangMasterJ]

yeah, that'd be interesting, i read somewhere that one of the junior motorcross classes were being changed from a max cc of 125 up to 150 but the only 150s i have heard of are the ktms so what'll the competition be?

I think Yamaha have brought out a 144 kit.

I'm surprised Husky haven't developed a 150 2T.

[Paulus]

Easy choice. Only Yamaha and KTM are still making the 2 strokes (of the major players anyhow). Why support a manufacturer that has dropped them? Blue for MX, orange for trail/enduro.

[DocT]

Definitely go for the Yamaha. YZ250 is the choice of champions. Hondas have the bling frame but the engine is not as well suited to trails as the yz. :bleh:Do some reading up on the net (thumpertalk etc) and you will see over and over again...the word is the yz tops them all. Why buy a newer bike from a manufacturer that doesnt make 2T's any more? A honda would be my second choice..but that would change to a KTM if they put a linkage in the rear.

[alistair1]

this look like a pretty cheap yz
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-195766441.htm

[B0000M]

it looks tatty as eh, allthough a clean would help

[alistair1]

^^^agreed with that one.

[cheese]

that bike looks like ass

[crazyxr250rider]

You guys crack me up you would rather buy a bike that is all prittied up than buy one that a littile rough looking aroung the edges that is Mechanicaly Sound :sleep: Compared to the other 250 2t's ive ridden (RM250,YZ250,KX250 98,250sx) the CR250R is mellow and under powered Unless modified,Eg Aftermarket pipe, Wiesco piston , Porting and so on..........The nicest CR250 ive riden powerwise was a standard 97 with a fresh engine.........But had the worst handling:lol:

[noobi]

that bike looks like ass

Exactly, I think the fact that it wasn't cleaned properly before the owner posted the pictures gives a fair indication of how much they care about the bike so I would stay well clear :crazy:

I have some mates who have two KX250s, 05 and 04, and they are awesome, I dont think that they've ever had terminal symptoms and still go strong with lots of hours on them

[crazyxr250rider]

Did any one read the information about the bike??? or did you just scream like a girl when you saw the big dirty bike:eek5:

[B0000M]

i read it, and still thought it looked like arse.


i dont put too much effort into making my bike beautiful, but when you maintain things you tend to replace fucked bits.

its a 07, so its not that old, and its in the condition of a rough 03 to look at. a bike gets in a rough state by being crashed lots, or not being looked after, or both.

someone who cares about their machine maintains it both astheticly and mechanicly. and as its difficult to tell how well maintained a bike is mechanicly from photos and words, when selling you're best to make it look like you give a shit.

the majority of bikes out there that look like shit, are shit.

[takitimu]

I think Yamaha have brought out a 144 kit.

I'm surprised Husky haven't developed a 150 2T.

They do a 144 kit I believe.



Honda are well designed and engineered machines and you won't see me buying anything else for a long time if ever (maybe Yamaha or Ktm once they bring out injection for 2Ts).

Personally I'd steer well clear of the Honda 250/2's, you've only got to meet one guy who broke his back because of a stuck open throttle coming up to a jump to make you very gun shy of them.

[B0000M]

Personally I'd steer well clear of the Honda 250/2's, you've only got to meet one guy who broke his back because of a stuck open throttle coming up to a jump to make you very gun shy of them.


as much as i like to pimp hondas and am somewhat biased, i dont think this can be marked down as a negative point. throttles jam for a number of reasons, one being incorrect assembly, another being poor maintenance. to the best of my knowledge none of the 2 strokers ever had a push/pull 2 cable throttle system as found on the 4 strokes.

also - clutch or brake wouldve been a smart move in that situation for future reference for others

[takitimu]

as much as i like to pimp hondas and am somewhat biased, i dont think this can be marked down as a negative point. throttles jam for a number of reasons, one being incorrect assembly, another being poor maintenance. to the best of my knowledge none of the 2 strokers ever had a push/pull 2 cable throttle system as found on the 4 strokes.

also - clutch or brake wouldve been a smart move in that situation for future reference for others

The slide would wear the coating off & stick, it's not the only instance I've heard of that happening to CR250's.

Regarding Brake/Clutch, it's a valid point assuming you have enough time to work out the throttle is stuck & grab everything, not every situation gives you that luxury.

[B0000M]

The slide would wear the coating off & stick, it's not the only instance I've heard of that happening to CR250's.

Regarding Brake/Clutch, it's a valid point assuming you have enough time to work out the throttle is stuck & grab everything, not every situation gives you that luxury.

my quick search indicates all the jappas use a keihin carb....

[flyingcr250]

The slide would wear the coating off & stick, it's not the only instance I've heard of that happening to CR250's.

Regarding Brake/Clutch, it's a valid point assuming you have enough time to work out the throttle is stuck & grab everything, not every situation gives you that luxury.

you shouldnt judge it by how it looks. although i myself wouldn't put a photo of a dirty bike i was trying to sell on trademe. to me it just sez "who cares" as long as it sells. as for the sticky hondas, i never had any problems with my CR, i think it just comes down to using good oil and strict maintenance.

[cheese]

That guy would have a better time selling it if he put clean photos up.

[takitimu]

That guy would have a better time selling it if he put clean photos up.

True enough, but the bike looked ok apart from the rust on the chamber mount, there didn't look anything other than some reddish mud from the last ride on there, the barrel & air intake looked ok, along with the chain adjuster & sprocket, so my read is it's normally kept pretty clean, though maybe not up to Auckland standards :).
Just my $0.02c.

[flyingcr250]

True enough, but the bike looked ok apart from the rust on the chamber mount, there didn't look anything other than some reddish mud from the last ride on there, the barrel & air intake looked ok, along with the chain adjuster & sprocket, so my read is it's normally kept pretty clean, though maybe not up to Auckland standards :).
Just my $0.02c.

even aucklanders have trouble keeping their bikes up to an aucklanders standard of cleanliness ha ha ha, silly jaffas :girlfight:

[B0000M]

its not just the dirt though,

things that i noticed ratty looking from the pics
pipe, - dented, rusty
airbox, scratched to fuck (left)
front guard bent to fuck and back, graphics looking like shit with an even worse job of the clear on top of them
rear sprocket looks a little tired
rear tyre rooted,
chain appears rigid - links not running straight along the top and bottom - also rubbish connector used.
rear subframe appears twisted to right, rear guard appears to be sagging

by the time you buy a new chain, sprockets, plastics, graphics, tyre, pipe,.... your looking at somewhere around $1300, just to bring it up to a tidy looking condition

[honda_power]

shit. this threads taken off hasnt it? yeah i brushed off that yz due do its shitty looks, but just realised its in hamilton and they want to trade for a 250 4 stroke. hmm. might go have a look at it, but it does look quite rough.

[crazyxr250rider]

even aucklanders have trouble keeping their bikes up to an aucklanders standard of cleanliness ha ha ha, silly jaffas :girlfight:
Exactly, stupid yupie twats......

[honda_power]

why the hell is everything so cheap in the south island?!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-195755108.htm

[crazyxr250rider]

its not just the dirt though,

things that i noticed ratty looking from the pics
pipe, - dented, rusty
airbox, scratched to fuck (left)
front guard bent to fuck and back, graphics looking like shit with an even worse job of the clear on top of them
rear sprocket looks a little tired
rear tyre rooted,
chain appears rigid - links not running straight along the top and bottom - also rubbish connector used.
rear subframe appears twisted to right, rear guard appears to be sagging

by the time you buy a new chain, sprockets, plastics, graphics, tyre, pipe,.... your looking at somewhere around $1300, just to bring it up to a tidy looking conditionhttp://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-for-sale/Other/auction-196011965.htm $230 for complete kit

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-for-sale/Chains-sprockets/auction-195482122.htmEven less for Chain and sprocket .
Nothing wrong with that tyre, OR THE AIR BOX.
As for the sub frame your seeing things.....
and it would be easy enough to get the pipe repaired or just repaint and leave as is, if it has no noticeable affect on the bike:clap:
Ok gaurd is sagging so prolly one bolt missing (This can happen on any 2 stroke not just yamahas believe it or not)......could be worse you could buy a bike thats been all assholed up because hes desperate to get rid of it because its about to blow up............

[flyingcr250]

why the hell is everything so cheap in the south island?!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-195755108.htm

far out that is cheap. buy it and go for a road trip to pick it up.:drool:

[crazyxr250rider]

Yea thats a not bad deal, provided it's mechanicaly sound.

[B0000M]

OR THE AIR BOX.


at the end of the day, i couldnt give a shit what anybody buys. all im saying is that this particular bike does a bloody good job of looking ratty as.

that kx in the south looks cheap tho!

by the time you go and check it out and bring it back, it would still be well priced. assuming it is how it looks

[mattwood]

why the hell is everything so cheap in the south island?!


I fuckn know aye!!
Ive been looking at utes, reading along.. oh yep sweet good ute, cheap as... fuck its in christchurch :doh:

[cheese]

I hate trademe at the best of times. I went to look at a "mint as" 05 CR in 2007 and it was fucked as. Still went better than my RM! LOL

[honda_power]

hahaha. this has to be the most ugly bike i have ever seen.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=195563524

[kezzafish]

hahaha. this has to be the most ugly bike i have ever seen.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=195563524

Ha haaaa, tragic... FMX... who cares?
I feel ya on the southern thing. As has been said, go get it. better yet, go on a bike hunting holiday... they're all cheap down there

[crazyxr250rider]

:puke:
hahaha. this has to be the most ugly bike i have ever seen.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=195563524
:puke:

[flyingcr250]

have you made any decisions yet honda_power? youll have to change your kb name if you dont buy a honda, ha ha ha.

[honda_power]

leaning towards a 06-08 YZ eh... wouldnt mind a CR or a SX, but i dont think thats gonna happen. i have to sell my crf, and with the bel ray next week and raglan rox 4hr the following week, looks like itl be a few weeks before things get moving. unless that rugged yz turns out to be just dirty, and he wants to trade for my bike.

also tossing up getting another 125... shit my old rm was fun, and this pumpkin is damn cheap
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-195502180.htm

what about you... you gonna change your name to flying300exc? haha. shit we might as well have tattooed it eh?

[flyingcr250]

leaning towards a 06-08 YZ eh... wouldnt mind a CR or a SX, but i dont think thats gonna happen. i have to sell my crf, and with the bel ray next week and raglan rox 4hr the following week, looks like itl be a few weeks before things get moving. unless that rugged yz turns out to be just dirty, and he wants to trade for my bike.

also tossing up getting another 125... shit my old rm was fun, and this pumpkin is damn cheap
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-195502180.htm

what about you... you gonna change your name to flying300exc? haha. shit we might as well have tattooed it eh?

ha ha ha yea "seemed a good idea at the time" picking the KTM up this weekend might drop in to kimmys on the way home, and then atiamuri 2daya on the 25th :Punk:

[Pierce]

can't believe how cheap that KX250 is. At that Price even I wouldn't mind riding a kawasaki haha. Looks nice from the pic too but ya never know, pics can be deceiving

[noobi]

Wasn't there something about the 07' sx's that wasn't very good, like the cylinder cracked or something?
And it happened to like ALL of them not just some?
Please correct me if I'm wrong

It depends what you want, obviously, I think that a 125 will me more fun and keep you on your toes having to keep it in the power all the time, whereas a 250 will have oodles more torque so will be more forgiveing in that respect and you won't need to rev in out so much!
But i rode a 04' CR250 and the brakes were Shit compared to my 125, they were very much either on or off, not progressive at all, even the owner said that they were shit and that it wasn't just the pads, he also said that out of the 250s, yz,kx,rm, etc the cr is the worst for bottom end and even then it was a tractor compared to my enduro 125

my 0.02c

[honda_power]

Wasn't there something about the 07' sx's that wasn't very good, like the cylinder cracked or something?
And it happened to like ALL of them not just some?
Please correct me if I'm wrong

It depends what you want, obviously, I think that a 125 will me more fun and keep you on your toes having to keep it in the power all the time, whereas a 250 will have oodles more torque so will be more forgiveing in that respect and you won't need to rev in out so much!
But i rode a 04' CR250 and the brakes were Shit compared to my 125, they were very much either on or off, not progressive at all, even the owner said that they were shit and that it wasn't just the pads, he also said that out of the 250s, yz,kx,rm, etc the cr is the worst for bottom end and even then it was a tractor compared to my enduro 125

my 0.02c

nah that was the 07 144s... the first lot had the problem, ktm recalled and fixed them all and all the ones sold after that were sweet.

[Danger]

'06 to '08 MX models hard to beat the RM250 for value for money. Outstanding handling chassis and cheap to buy new, nothing will cut to the inside turn like the Suzuki. Good engine as well. Makes a damn good off road bike too.
More money to spend and want a light light bike go the SX250 would be my next choice although the engines have been tamed down in these years and that could be a good thing if you want to double duty it for off road (you haven't really mentioned what sort of riding you want to do, bearing in mind all these MX'rs are aimed at riding Super X). If I didn't have the Suzuki option I would use one of these and use it for a light weight off road bike with some work as they all would need for my use.
The Yamaha would be the only other I would consider on merit of its engine being similar to the RM250 and decent suspenders but doesn't handle as quick as the Suzuki and its a bit dated looking and the blue plastic gets tatty very quickly.
Honda never finished developing the last generation of CR250's and the engine performance is a weak point along with the electronic engine management, jetting, vibration through the bars causing arm pump and foot pegs that feel too far forward creating a cramped riding position in my opinion and I'm traditionally a front end rider. If you are scared of the front end as many riders are and hang of the back that might not be a problem for you.
Kawasaki is also an outdated looking machine and its green with a funky linkage with those older AOSS forks and would be my very last choice, in fact I probably would never bother to go riding if I had one of those. Rather ride one than a Gas Gas though and thankfully they don't make a 250 MX'r (I hope) lol!
Just my opinions!:2guns:
Good luck with your decision.

[alistair1]

Rather ride one than a Gas Gas though and thankfully they don't make a 250 MX'r (I hope) lol!


not sure if they still make it but.....http://www.behind-bars.co.uk/NewBikePages/MX/MX250OHLINS.htm

[Atomic]

Maico! up to 700cc 2 stroke with 80hp (surely capable of more!) or go for the tamer 500/320/250cc options and they seem to have all the trick stopping and bouncy bits on them.

http://www.maicouk.co.uk/html/mx.html

But really, I know nothing about them.

[honda_power]

'06 to '08 MX models hard to beat the RM250 for value for money. Outstanding handling chassis and cheap to buy new, nothing will cut to the inside turn like the Suzuki. Good engine as well. Makes a damn good off road bike too.
More money to spend and want a light light bike go the SX250 would be my next choice although the engines have been tamed down in these years and that could be a good thing if you want to double duty it for off road (you haven't really mentioned what sort of riding you want to do, bearing in mind all these MX'rs are aimed at riding Super X). If I didn't have the Suzuki option I would use one of these and use it for a light weight off road bike with some work as they all would need for my use.
The Yamaha would be the only other I would consider on merit of its engine being similar to the RM250 and decent suspenders but doesn't handle as quick as the Suzuki and its a bit dated looking and the blue plastic gets tatty very quickly.
Honda never finished developing the last generation of CR250's and the engine performance is a weak point along with the electronic engine management, jetting, vibration through the bars causing arm pump and foot pegs that feel too far forward creating a cramped riding position in my opinion and I'm traditionally a front end rider. If you are scared of the front end as many riders are and hang of the back that might not be a problem for you.
Kawasaki is also an outdated looking machine and its green with a funky linkage with those older AOSS forks and would be my very last choice, in fact I probably would never bother to go riding if I had one of those. Rather ride one than a Gas Gas though and thankfully they don't make a 250 MX'r (I hope) lol!
Just my opinions!:2guns:
Good luck with your decision.

awesome advice there, thanks.

as for riding i do a bit of everything... one day ill be riding a cross country, the next ill be jumping fmx ramps... basically an all rounder. But as it looks now it will just have to be whatevers avalible and in my price range at the time my bike sells.

hell no, i wouldnt get a gas gas either haha.