Switching to a CRF150R

[crfchick]

Hey CRFChick!!!!!

hows your decision going re: which bike you gonna burn off into the sunset on?

I have ridden a 150, this was before I got my 230....... I found it to be too small and gutless, not as reliable and steady as the 230 was for me.

I have only met you one time, and you did not seem to be that much smaller in stature to me (not like our wee friend Midget LOL!!) So dont know that a 150 would be suited to you?

Personally I went from my lovely, reliable, user friendly CRF230 to a wanky barstardy hard to start - easy to stall CRF250R........ I would not recommend you go that way if you are not confidant in yourself and your abilities....... My Ego is almost as large as my mouth - and I have found it a very frustrating struggle at times!!! (Poor old Ego finds it hard you see when things go up shit creek )

My genuine advice to you would be hang on to ya 230 until you are ready to GO F*&^KN HARD!!!! tis a great bike for building your confidance and experiance on - when you get to the stage where the power is not enuf ....... get a 250 or......... GET A PERM

Thanks for the advise Buffy!! I'm curious also if you rode the 150F or 150R?
I adore my 230, rode it on the weekend and it went perfectly, is a great bike for me apart from being heavy! I sat on a 150R in the shop and it seems to be the same height as the 230...with any luck will get to test ride one soon (fingers crossed!!)
The 230's are lovely user friendly bikes arent they?!
How did you find the 250's weight wise though Buffy?

[cheese]

but what about the 230?

don't get a 230, they are pretty shit. Don't get me wrong, good reliable bike, but you can't set up the suspension at all and you get drum rear brakes. FFS drum brakes!! welcome to 1970 technology!

Just get a 85 in whatever colour you like the best and ride the wheels off it!

[scott411]

but what about the 230?

sorry i ment the 230 has the 21 and 18" wheels

[B0000M]

sorry i ment the 230 has the 21 and 18" wheels

it does? i thought they were smaller...(im probably wrong) i know the 250x has 21 / 18

[Midget200]

don't get a 230, they are pretty shit. Don't get me wrong, good reliable bike, but you can't set up the suspension at all and you get drum rear brakes. FFS drum brakes!! welcome to 1970 technology!

Just get a 85 in whatever colour you like the best and ride the wheels off it!

I'd have to agree, the 85, when I get use to the lack of lower end power and use the clutch more, it will be nearly the perfect bike. Wish I could change the wheels but Scott has let me know that won't work, so I'll just suck that bit in! The 85 went well on the Women's Ironman, loved it around the tight stuff. Picking it up is a breeze, can get yourself out of any problems! On the open stuff it goes for it! Gets bogged down in the deep sand, but if you're short you have to compromise and learn to 'ride' it better!

I tried the Honda 230 and felt it didn't have much more power than the 140. Tried the Yamaha version, same problem, heavy and not that much more power. Well that's my 2 cents worth.

[oldguy]

No one game enough to say it so I will, what about the KDX 200 its got just about all you are looking for. A&R's daughter went from the CRF230 to a KDX200
they are designed as a trail/endro bike, so coming from the 230 you will have no trouble adapting, it's easy too ride, light, plenty of power, and not too shabby on an MX track, where as going the MX bike way, your going to have to change a little of your riding style for the way the bike is setup.
I don't know you, so Im not too sure if the seat hight would be a problem, but I think they can be lowered.
I can say this with out prejudice, as I don't own one, but i think it is at least worth considering.
Have a chat with ether, Scott, Clmintie, or A&R

Cheers John.

[B0000M]

No one game enough to say it so I will, what about the KDX 200 .

trouble is they are still heavy, which for the smaller ladies seems to be the biggest issue, - they cant pick a 100+ kg bike up once theyve had a couple of crashes, this is where the 65~ kg 85's win that 35kg makes a BIG difference

[scott411]

Booom does have a point here, they are a fair bit lighter than a CRF230, but a fair bit heavier than a 85,

is worth considering tho if you want something a bit bigger than an 85cc, they are fairly easy to lower if height is an issue,

[oldguy]

trouble is they are still heavy, which for the smaller ladies seems to be the biggest issue, - they cant pick a 100+ kg bike up once theyve had a couple of crashes, this is where the 65~ kg 85's win that 35kg makes a BIG difference

Cheers for that, didn't relies,

[Midget200]

Booom does have a point here, they are a fair bit lighter than a CRF230, but a fair bit heavier than a 85,

is worth considering tho if you want something a bit bigger than an 85cc, they are fairly easy to lower if height is an issue,

Yeah CRF Chick that's a thought! They're quite mellow, although they're a 2 stroke. I've ridden one and liked it! I would definitely consider one if I wasn't 5 foot nothing! They can be lowered, but just not that much. Yeah add that to your list! That was actually the nicest bike I've ever ridden! Good power, lighter than the 250. You're not that short, so it could be lowered to fit you! I think, without having much knowledge of course. It would be less maintenance than the 150!

[SpikedPunch]

Yeah CRF Chick that's a thought! They're quite mellow, although they're a 2 stroke. I've ridden one and liked it! I would definitely consider one if I wasn't 5 foot nothing! They can be lowered, but just not that much. Yeah add that to your list! That was actually the nicest bike I've ever ridden! Good power, lighter than the 250. You're not that short, so it could be lowered to fit you! I think, without having much knowledge of course. It would be less maintenance than the 150!

Yup, the KDX is a cool bike! If they made them in a small size, I'd have one. I really like krad's. I think the little 100 is more nimble in the tight stuff (for me, cause I can manhandle it a bit more), but the kdx has nice smooth power and kicks my 100's bum on the open stuff! Admittedly the littler bike wins for me cause of the weight, but that's just what's important to me in a bike, cause I crash lots. If I didn't crash so much a heavier bike might be ok! I can pick up a kdx alright at 5'1" (would just prefer not to), anyone with a bit more leg leverage would be sweet probably.

[vr4king]

Well this may have no barring what so ever in your decision but heres where i stand

Im just a tad under 5.4ft and have never weighed more than 59kgs(yes i am built like jockey)

I think picking up a bike is more technique as opposed to pure strengh
My father used to ride big heavy ass road bikes and i could always manage to pick these up(yes he used to get me to ride them dont ask)

My only real gripe is the damm seat height on these modern bikes,But hey look at Ricky Carmicheal the guy is also 5ft fuck all and well he sure knows how to ride a bike doesnt he

I think you just gotta ride what you feel comfortable on just as importent what your budget allows(a broken bike that you cant afford to fix is no fun)

If it was me personally i certianly wouldn't discredit a 2 stroke just cause of there supposedly "hit" its a myth you just get used to it after that anything before the pipe just isnt fun hehehehe plus they like to be abused so do it when i realised that my clutch on my cr125 is only there to be beaten it made for soooo much more fun riding

just my 5c............Oh I still like 150r hahahaha they are just down right cool

[Reckless]

Everything in the last few posts still brings me round to a KX100 for my daughters next bike. Slightly higher seat height, more torque, low end power, more power overall so if you mellow it out it will still pull ok, disk brakes, good suspension nice and light, bigger wheels.
Quite frankly I'd rather buy a fly wheel weight and a pipe for an imported 08 KX100 than shag about maintaining a crf150R every ride. We had a KX85 it was to much of a fire eater. Even if I have to get one in or buy an 04 model here be cheaper in the long run for a better suited bike. Someone please convince me I'm wrong? LOL!!!

[SpikedPunch]

Everything in the last few posts still brings me round to a KX100 for my daughters next bike. Slightly higher seat height, more torque, low end power, more power overall so if you mellow it out it will still pull ok, disk brakes, good suspension nice and light, bigger wheels.
Quite frankly I'd rather buy a fly wheel weight and a pipe for an imported 08 KX100 than shag about maintaining a crf150R every ride. We had a KX85 it was to much of a fire eater. Even if I have to get one in or buy an 04 model here be cheaper in the long run for a better suited bike. Someone please convince me I'm wrong? LOL!!!

If we're out at the sandpit at the same time she can give mine a spin, I don't have a fww though. May get one in the future, was planning on it originally just have found other less fun things to spend my hard earned on and sort of forgot about it Will get a pipe eventually too, just don't see the need just yet. Sure would be nice tho!

[scott411]

the KX100 is not really any mellower than an 85, just the power comes in a little earlier,

imo a flywheel weighted 85cc big wheel is a better trail ride bike than a std 100, a 100 with a flywheel weight is a bit better again,

and they are exactly the same size as a big wheel KX85,