06' KX450F or 06' CRF250R?

[FlangMasterJ]

Need some help on deciding which of these to beasties to purchase.

Some important info about myself:

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 93kg's (forever going up, gym nut!)

I have a moderate amount of offroad riding experience. Ridden everything from a 200 2 stroke through to a 525 4 stroke.

I have ridden on an MX track a total of 5 times. First time was on an 05' CRF250R (ex Corrie Sargeant bike) and the remaining 4 on an 06' KTM250SXF. Each time I rode I got substantially faster. I was really comfortable with the amount of power these two 250's made.

The question is do I purchase a bike with a capacity I am very comfortable with but most likely grow out of or do I go straight to a 450 which I know will take a little longer to get comfy on?

Also how much of an impact on the smaller machine would my weight have?. Would weighing 93 odd kilos put to much stress on a bike of this size?

I can get these two bikes at fairly cheap prices. The CRF250R for just under $8000 and the KX450F for $8500.


I'm itching to get on a bike after having my previous one nicked so any advice on which bike you think would be the better option would be greatly appreciated.

[merv]

The weight of the 250 mx bike versus the 450 won't be much different and the components such as suspension are much the same and both weigh about the same as you give or take a few kilos so I doubt there's any worry about your weight on either. The difference with the bigger engine is it will be able to haul you a bit easier so I think if I was your size I'd go for the 450 and just get used to riding it.

[cheese]

Do you get in teh tight and twisty stuff or moer teh open straights? if open get teh 450, if twisty tight, get teh 250. I think tht people make mistakes getting 450s thinking that they will be faster when if they rode a 250 propery adn to it's limits they will be quicker. A 450 is a big machine and a lot of power.

something to take serious note of is the Honda has seperate oil for engine and gearbox (big plus in my books)

[Fryin Finn]

If you want to ride all day get a 250 If you want cheap thrills get a 450 but the big bikes are very tiring to ride especially if you get into trail riding.

[scott411]

if you want to become a better mx rider, get the 250f, they are much easier to ride and your corner speed will improve big time, 450's are very hard to ride fast on a mx track, they require much more skill ot get them to corner and get your lap times up, you feel faster but in realty you are going much slower, i would reccomend you get a 250F

[FlangMasterJ]

Thanks for the great responses guys. You've got me leaning towards the CRF250R. I'll do a little more research and weigh up the pro's and con's.

Any of you guys have experience with the two bikes mentioned. How's the maintenance on them and anything to look out for?

[FlangMasterJ]

Also who do you recommend I insure my soon to be new dirt bike with?

[kiwifruit]

Also who do you recommend I insure my soon to be new dirt bike with?

I recommend Tim, aka Jetboy... give him a try, he's a good bugger
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=36644

[scott411]

we can do full insurance for $260 a year though star insurance (for drit cover up to $10000 value), give me a PM if you are interested.

[FlangMasterJ]

Very interested scott. Will PM you when the time comes.

[xxblackbirdxx]

Hi,
I bought a KX450 as soon as they launched it. I am 5'8 and weigh 65 kgs, moreover i was coming back to dirt bikes after a long gap and suprisingly it was easy to ride fast. the four speeed is a bit of a pity and it could do with a heavier fly wheel but over all it was a lot of fun and not hard to get comfortable. quite forgiving as well.
I havent ridden the 250(twin pipes right) so cant really comment.
With the 450 you also have the option of going supermoto. Now that i believe is a lot of fun.

[FlangMasterJ]

With the 450 you also have the option of going supermoto. Now that i believe is a lot of fun.

That's another thing. I'm a Supermoto nut! Did you happen to see the KX450F Supermotard in the latest issue of Australian Dirt Bike? That thing is the balls!

No matter what capacity bike I get it's gonna be sporting a set of 17's sooner or later.

[scott411]

if you want to go Super Moto then you haev to go 450, i would not like to see how long a 250f will last revving that far, i fell worry for my 4 speed RMZ every time i go near a real road race track,