CRF 150 vs CRF 230

[Kei]

Ok I have lowered my choices to these 2 bikes.

My Info:
Height - 5 ft. 4 in.
Weight - 110 lbs.
Age - 14 (15 in August)
Skill Level - Beginner (never ridden a dirtbike)

I'm not sure which out of these two I will get. The crf 150 is a good bike for beginners, but I'm afraid that I will out grow it quickly and will end up only using it for less than a year. The crf 230 is a little heavy but it has a e-start which is a plus, but I can grow into it. How long do you think the CRF 150 will last me? How long do you think the CRF 230 will last me? Which is a better deal?

***be sure to add the factors of me growing taller and getting heavier/stronger/more experience

 

[DougRoost]

Went through the same process recently for my 14 year old son. Ended up getting him a KX100 as it was just more bike in every way and only weighs 150lbs. It was a very good decision.

There is some good info on BBR's Web site on this class of 4 strokes if you still want to go this way (or just learn more). They have FAQs for the CRF150/230 (essentially the same bike as you'll learn!) as well as the TTR125/TTR125L.

 

[mxchamp85]

You will quickly grow out of the crf 150. Buy the 230

 

[drk98]

The CRF150 is a 230 with a smaller bore. The weight is 2lbs different. For as much power they put out they are too heavy and undersuspended. Thats what you get with a play bike though. Get a KX100 and do all the usual mods. Lower the suspension and change sproket. Or a 125EXC or EC would be neat but probably to tall(might as well get the 200 for that matter). I think you would grow out of a 80 MXer too soon. If you're a beginner and really want to take it easy a play bike(XR200, TTR250, CRF230) might be right but will be heavier. Besides that I think you should always get a kick start bike if you're strong enough esp. if its you first bike. If you want a tamer bike you should go with a used XR200 because the 230 just came out to get people to buy a new over priced play bikes. They're practicly the same bike. This way you can get a different bike when you get tired of this one without have spent 4 G's on a CRF.

 

[DougRoost]

According to the BBR Web site FAQ, there's very little in common between the old XR200 and the new 230. Still, a used XR200 would be a much more economical choice (and less complexity) than the 230F. BBR's point is if you're looking at the 150 and 230 get the 230 since they are the same bike, with just different wheels and displacement.

Comparing a KX100 at 150lbs to a CRF230 at 230lbs is a no-brainer, especially since the KX100's brakes, suspension, and cooling are in a totally different league. The 150/230 are really meant as wife bikes (not that there's anything wrong with that!)

 

[Kei]

well im only looking at honda's because a friend of mine can get me a good deal on any 2004 hondas... so i guess the crf150/230 isn't a good choice?

 

[drk98]

I think you'll be sorry and wish you got something else real soon. It would be better(as a learning expirence) to get a used 80MXer and sell it after you build up some skill. The 80's aren't killer bikes like everyone says(esp. the KX and RM). I think a KX 100 is a good choice and if you wait much longer a KDX wouldn't sound bad. Unless you want to be really safe and take it easy maybe the 230 but I think its a waste. Again a used XR200 or 250 is a better alternative. BTW whats a "good deal" on a CRF.

 

[Porstala F9]

I don't think that either of those bikes will last you very long. What kind of riding are you going to be doing? Trail riding? Tracks? Flat land? etc..

I think that an 80 or 100 would be good for you if you want a 2-stroke. They are very powerful, and you won't outgrow them very quickly. Im 15 / 5'6-5'7 / 115 lbs and I ride a KX 125 and so do a lot of the kids I ride with around here around my age, so you know what the kids are riding these days.
and don't be intimidated by starting on a two stroke either. One kid around here started on a YZ 125 (probably one of the harder 125s to start on) and two months later, he was kicking out asses! And 80s and 100's are very easy to learn on.

Many people use the KX 100 and mod it for trails, and even if you don't it is an easy to ride bike, so it can be used for both trails and mx beautifully.

 

[Kei]

ill be doing trail riding

 

[DougRoost]

The KX100 is really a better choice as we've all noted and can be found used at amazing prices. The CRF230 is a great play bike, just quite heavy and will probably bore you quickly as has been noted. But if you can get one for a really good deal, you'll probably do fine even if you sell it in 6 months since they are popular (again, great wife bikes since they have e-start). Don't waste your money on the CRF150 since it is essentially the same weight and will be harder to sell later than the 230.

 

[Porstala F9]

Just keep this in mind:

The CRF-230 retails for $3399 US$ and the KX-100 retails for $3250 US$.

The KX-100 will have twice the power, ten times the suspension, half the weight (the crf 230 is a whopping 238 lbs!) , will last you much longer, and will suit a more versitale type of riding, be it trail riding or motocross riding. Not to mention only has an electric start, so youve got expensive batteries to deal with and if it dies, your only other option is jumpstarting it.

I used to ride my friends old CR-80 in the extremely tight trails around here, and I used to have a lot of fun on it. Keep in mind that Kawasaki packs more low end power than Honda does a CR, and not to mention puts in powervalves to deliver smooth powerband. So IMO a KX-100 would do great in the trails.

 

[Kei]

well what about a CR85R Expert? it has just a bit lower power than the KX100. It's cheaper, lighter, and has more suspension...

 

[Porstala F9]

well what about a CR85R Expert? it has just a bit lower power than the KX100. It's cheaper, lighter, and has more suspension...

CR 85s dont have powervalves, so they won't have the smooth powerband delivery that the KX 100 is going to have. Not to mention that KX's will have better low end power making them much more suitible for trails. I am sure that you will do fine on either, but if I had to pick, I would pick a KX in the trails over a CR any day.

 

[Excalibur]

My boy sounds a lot like you! Same height, weight, will be 15 this summer. His first bike, WHAT to get???? KX100 is very tempting. KLX125 might be a better choice I'm thinking. WAS considering a KX200 but I think thats TO much for a first bike.

I'll go with a used KX100 or KLX125 depending on what I find at what price.

150 Honda? I checked it out, NO FREAKIN' WAY! To heavy and NO power! 230? OK power but still WAY heavy!

Ernie

 

[Kei]

ok if i get the kx100 or the cr85 would I need to work on them and ride them often? I've done some research and have heard that 2strokes take a lot of matinence and you have to ride them often to keep the bike from losing reliability. Is this true? If not what is true about 2strokes?

 

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[70 marlin]

Ok I have lowered my choices to these 2 bikes.

My Info:
Height - 5 ft. 4 in.
Weight - 110 lbs.
Age - 14 (15 in August)
Skill Level - Beginner (never ridden a dirtbike)
I'm not sure which out of these two I will get. The crf 150 is a good bike for beginners, but I'm afraid that I will out grow it quickly and will end up only using it for less than a year. The crf 230 is a little heavy but it has a e-start which is a plus, but I can grow into it. How long do you think the CRF 150 will last me? How long do you think the CRF 230 will last me? Which is a better deal?

***be sure to add the factors of me growing taller and getting heavier/stronger/more experience

Do you have any older brothers? How tall is your mother father? How tall do you think your going to get in the next two years what size is your foot?

Kx100 might be a bit too much for a first time bike, maintenance and all.
Four-stroke power is a bit easier to learn on. Plus you don't have to deal with jetting and mixing fuel. If you’re a smaller framed boy, get the smaller Honda four stroke, XR100, CRF150, KLX125, and TTR125. The TTR has better brakes and suspension. And they been out long enough to get a better price on. Don't buy an older starter bike. You should be focusing on learning to ride not how to repair a whipped bike. If you think you’re going to grow like six inch this year because your mother & her father are all taller people. Then buy up to the XR200, CRF230, and DR200. Bigger is not always better on Dirt bikes. Younger rider out on the trails with smaller four strokes has smoked me. Just because having a bike that gives them the confidence to learn faster and they can throw it and round. Instead of the bike throwing them around. :thumb:

 

[DougRoost]

I've owned both 2 and 4 strokes. At this level the 4 strokes are the older style, air cooled trail bikes, not the racing 4 strokes of the 25F/450F. So they are a bit less maintenance than a KX100, which is a racing-derived 2 stroke. On the other hand, the cooling, brakes, and suspension are a joke in comparison to the KX100. The real beuaty of the KX100 is it's essentially an overbored KX80, which means you get the additional torque which makes it easier to ride than the stereotypical pipey 2 stroke (in fact, a KX100 has less HP than a KX80, but more torque). This is what makes it a decent woods bike, too. And by slackening the throttle cable and leaving the stock muffler on, it's not a pipey race bike and has worked great for my 14 year old.

I returned to 2 strokes because I find the KTM 2 strokes to be quite a bit less maintenance than the racing 4 strokes. Jetting is probably the main thing to learn on a 2 stroke, though you also need to know it for 4 strokes, just a little less so. Mixing gas does NOT count as maintenance, since how hard is it to dump a small bottle of oil in your gas can before topping off with 4 gallons of gas? Complicated valve adjustments on DOHC 4 strokes with shim-and-bucket adjusting on the other hand, is a real PITA and will make you long for a 2 stroke top end job.

 

[Kei]

My dad is maybe 5 11" and my mom is maybe 5 3", but my cousin had a huge growth spurt (he was a little on the short side in middle school) during the middle of High School, so I'm not sure if I'll have one too or stay short like I have been compared to my class mates. I also have really small feet for my age; I currently wear size 8 shoes. I'm a quick learner on how things work so I don't mind working on the bikes, but all I want to know is if I will have to ride the 2 strokes often to keep them in tip top shape. Also I've been reading on the CR85 Expert and the KX100 and many people don't recommend it as a starting bike, but since I'm not made of money I don't want to get a CRF150F then a few months grow out of it. :)

 

[70 marlin]

Sounds like the TTR125 or Xr100 would be the best choice.

 

[250R]

I would go for the 230, you said you would be riding trails, the 230 is the perfect trail bike while the KX100 is for motocross, no electric start and you would have to mix oil & gas, also the 230 is low maintance while the KX is a high maintance MX bike, plus the power isn't suited for trails at all.

 

[Porstala F9]

My dad is maybe 5 11" and my mom is maybe 5 3", but my cousin had a huge growth spurt (he was a little on the short side in middle school) during the middle of High School, so I'm not sure if I'll have one too or stay short like I have been compared to my class mates. I also have really small feet for my age; I currently wear size 8 shoes. I'm a quick learner on how things work so I don't mind working on the bikes, but all I want to know is if I will have to ride the 2 strokes often to keep them in tip top shape. Also I've been reading on the CR85 Expert and the KX100 and many people don't recommend it as a starting bike, but since I'm not made of money I don't want to get a CRF150F then a few months grow out of it.

Well, your not only going to outgrow a CRF-150 rather quickly because of the size, but you are going to grow old of its power rather quickly. If your good with working with things, 2-strokes are very easy to work with, and allthough they require more maintinace (but not too much), rebuilding a 2-stroke top end is a lot easier than a 4-stroke. The only thing I have a problem with on my KX 125 is carb work. I hate it!

 

[KillJoy]

I would say go with the CRF230F. It is an awesome bike to ride (I have one myself) and it has plenty of power for yourself. As for the battery dieing, you can buy chargers for around $30 and when you arent rideing it you just hook your bike up to an outlet (not to mention that when you ride it, it charges). I have been riding it for 7 months now and the only thing I have had to fix is the clutch lever. And i dont really find it that heavy either. But if you want to do some jumping you have to do a few upgrades But if you ask me, it is an awesome begginer bike.

 

[factorykx125]

My friends has a crf150 and my other friends has a 230. I rode both and they are just play bikes. If you want to get serious and hare scrambel and a two stroke 100. Its about the same size as a 80 and its fatset.