DILEMMA 250 or 450

[Atomic]

Need advice.
I have been riding my RMZ450 for the last 18months but decided that I wanted a smaller bike (RMZ250). My brother bought an 08RMZ250 which I have had a little blat on and I thought it felt awesome, lighter and easier to throw around, alot easier to kick over! But then I jump back on my 450 and just love the power! Now I dont know what I want! DILEMMA!

Logic would suggest that the 250 is a better bike for me as I am 5'10" and 65kg and while I dont believe I am slow, I am not a racer. I trail ride, dune ride and bash around the MX track so like a bit of variety.

I have put a deposit down at Colemans on an 08 RMZ of whatever capacity. The new EFI 450 aint being released till April but this isnt a deciding factor as I want the best bike for me.

Maybe I need a little more time on the 250 to make up my mind but would like to hear any advice you guys have.

Surprisingly, the 250 aint alot slower in a straight line than the 450 as we lined them up from a rolling start. But you just dont get that savageness of the 450, the angry bark from the exhaust and the massive pull off the line, front wheel doesnt stay on the ground, rear wheel stepping out and loosing traction, top gear wheelies strictly under power!!!

P.S. Could be an 07RMZ with no engine for sale shortly, damn 2stroke in my Aprilia died. Crazy idea, I know!

[scott411]

the age old decision,
the power or the corner speed,

i love riding both as well, i have chosen the 450 in the last few years as i know i can motard it as well, i can not wait to try the fuel inj 450, everyone that has ridden it tells me it is great, a lot smoother than the old model, and extremely easy to ride for a 450,

in the end you have to make the call,

as for the RS250/RMZ450, can i book a ride, that would be a fun bike,

fyi. you will need 15-36 gearing minimum to get you to a 160-170kph with the 17" wheels, its a problem with the RMZ's 4 speed box, but that sounds like a awesome fun track day bike,

[Danger]

Need advice.


P.S. Could be an 07RMZ with no engine for sale shortly, damn 2stroke in my Aprilia died. Crazy idea, I know!

Could be a candidate for an RM250 engine in an alloy frame. How much?

If you want a light do it everything bike with power to burn and have fun on I think you are over looking the RM250 for yourself.

[scott411]

If you want a light do it everything bike with power to burn and have fun on I think you are over looking the RM250 for yourself.

now that sounds like a fun bike,

[Arven]

Why don't you wait, Then ride my brand new RMZ450 Fuel injected beast, and make up your mind then?

That would mean i need to put a deposit down eh!! bummer! I'm broke!!

Or you could just be a man, and get a 450 at the same time as me so we can both go run them in at the same time!

[CaMo]

That is a cool idea having the 450 in the RS.... I'd like to see that. Wheelies on!

How much for the RMZ frame??

[Arven]

Lol. Nobody cares if you get a 250 or a 450 Lance! Just as long as you make your RS a 450!!

It would be awesome tho! Go the thumper RS!!!

[Atomic]

Thanks for the advice guys, I think I do need to have a decent bash on my brothers 250 back to back with my current 450 and make up my mind from there.

I dont like the idea of a 250 2stroke because iv had bad experiences with smokers fouling plugs, giving up halfway through a ride needing new rings etc. My 450 has been 100% reliable, never had a problem with it. I also dont think I am a good enough rider to handle the peakyness of a powerband bike, I am use to the lazy riding style of linea thumper torque.

Glad to hear the positive feedback on the Aprilia RS450! I have been talking about this project for a month or so and have been bagged by Arven, he reckons its a stupid plan! As for the frame...I have no idea, bike is probably worth around 6k+++ complete, lets split the cost 50/50 for engine and bike = $3,000 for complete rolling chassis minus engine, cables, hoses, CDI etc etc. Peoples thoughts on $3k? Any serious buyers out there?

[Danger]

I'm trying not to be impulsive.

[arj127]

The choice of 450 or 250 depends upon the individual.

After owning a few 250 2t's, i bought a YZ426. The bike was cool, but way too grunty, heavy and snappy power for me. I sold it eight months later after i had had enough off it.

I then purchased a 250f after test riding one, it completely blew me away as to how easy it was to ride, and the huge amount of traction it gave. It put the fun back into mx for me. I then purchased two more 250f's following this. I actually could lap faster on a 250f than i could on a 450. And yes i know the newer 450's are not aggresive like the 426 was, but i just really like the 250f as you can throw it around etc. And yeah, you have to cane the 250 to get the thing going, but thats makes it fun also.

Haven't got a 250f at the mo, but am hanging out to get another!

[CRF119]

I had the same choice and im glad i went to the 08 CRF450 i get on my mates 250fs and im bored i also just play on mx tracks trail ride etc and im the same build as you around 65-70 kg and just under 6ft. Sure enough when i got it i was slower as i wasnt used to the power or the extra weight. (i had a 125 b4 the 450) but ive just clicked over 40 ours on it i can now ride it flat out for 20 min no problems. Saying that i do love getting on the 125s and having a play but couldnt go back. Down side it tyres dont last chains are gone b4 40hours and sprokets aint much better lol.

[nonferrous]

you can go from farm bike all the way to full noise MX 450 - this should not be a difficult decision

[arj127]

I had the same choice and im glad i went to the 08 CRF450 i get on my mates 250fs and im bored i also just play on mx tracks trail ride etc and im the same build as you around 65-70 kg and just under 6ft. Sure enough when i got it i was slower as i wasnt used to the power or the extra weight. (i had a 125 b4 the 450) but ive just clicked over 40 ours on it i can now ride it flat out for 20 min no problems. Saying that i do love getting on the 125s and having a play but couldnt go back. Down side it tyres dont last chains are gone b4 40hours and sprokets aint much better lol.

Yeah, that reminds me, chains and sprockets don't last 5 minutes on a 450. So a two fitty is also easier on the pocket. Kinda like a 250 road bike versus a 650 upwards

[Quicker_with_age]

In my opinion you will get bored of the RMZ 250 not to far down the line, But that of coarse is just my opinion, I have been in the same boat as you, Im a smaller guy who has owned an RMZ 450 for 2 years now, I was thinking about trading down to a 250 but I jumped on one and it just felt weak, I would miss my power wheel stands way too much. Good luck with what ever desicion you come too though. QWA

[Atomic]

Seems quite in the favour of the 450 today.
Now ill have to wait till end of April, my name is on Colemans 2nd available 450 but you never know whether or not the release date is going to get pushed further out or not. The longer I have to wait, the longer it will be till I can ride my Aprilia RS450......

Anyone concerned about reliablility when considering that this is Suzukis first EFI off roader???