OK, so this maybe isn't a fair review given they really are completely different classes of bikes. But after riding my 1997 RM250 that had a lot of problems and getting on an 04 CRF250, I felt like I was in heaven. A lot of the trails we ride in SoCal are sort of rocky, rutted out, and tend to have a lot of the stutter bumps/whoops at the base (which really effects your momentum that is needed with a 2 stroke to climb with). When I 1st hopped on the CRF250 after riding my RM, it was soooo easy to climb, it seemed to handle much better (my headset on my RM was waaaaaay too tight) and had great throttle responce (my throttle tube was totally shattered and dirty and I was having a LOT of engine/exhaust problems with my RM, that I didn't realize how bad it was until I just got it fixed). So as you can see, the CRF was very very impressive, partly because my bike wasn't running correctly, and partly because it was a newer bike, newer technology, and a 4 stroke (which makes it easy to climb steep hills without having to get a big run at the bottom).
As impressed as I was with the CRF, I was SOLD that this would be my next bike (I like the idea of having a lighter bike than a CRF450 for the track, and the power seemed to be fine). I hoped on an 05 yz250 with FMF pipe and silencer. WOW, that bike is soooo freakin fast, the powerband hits like a jet airplane. It is intimidating at first if you aren't use to it, but after I just got use to the rear tire breaking lose, and not panicing, I had a great time. It still keeps you on your toes, with NEVER a dull moment.
Now, as I rode the YZ and CRF back to back on a track, it seems that although the wt is very very similar on both bikes, the CRF seems much more top heavy and harder to throw around a track. Even though the wt is similar, the YZ has the power to stay on top of the whoops. It is very hard to describe, but the YZ handling just seems unbelievable. I sort of wonder if since Yamaha went to an aluminum frame, yes it only saves a few pounds, but the wt is MUCH lower in the frame, to the handling is improved?? Where even though the CRF has an aluminum frame and is similar in wt, the engine seems a lot taller because it is a 4 stroke and maybe this effects the handling? (side note-the rear end on the CRF is sooo dang light VS the YZ and my RM, I am not sure why it is such a big difference, other than the slightly larger rear tires??? what else??)
I sort of feel like some of the magic I had for the 4 stroke has gone down after today. Yes the climbing is still much easy/better with the CRF, but I am not sure it is as "fun" as the YZ.
I was teaching my bro how to ride today, but I never wanted him to get on the YZ. I know it would freak him out with the power.
The CRF I think is still probably a much better bike for a beginner or intermediate rider, especially for someone who rides a lot of trails, hills, etc......The YZ is more for a person who has a lot of experience riding, isn't affraid of being on the edge all the time and has quick reflexes with good bike handling skills (to correct from all the oversteer, rear tire breaking lose, and required to climb at higher speeds, etc...)
Both bikes have a slightly different purpose, and are different classes, but I just thought I would write down my thoughts.
After I got home, I picked up my RM250 97, from getting fixed (engine/exhaust, headset bearings and adjustment, etc....). WOW, I never have had my bike feel this fast!!!!! I rode it at the shop it was fixed at on the street, tire was coming off the ground in all of the 3 gears I was in, the thing felt sooo fast. When I got back, the guy who worked at the shop said that I should be "right there" with straight line speed VS even the NEW YZ, which surprised me when he said that. I asked "so, what has changed on the late 90s bikes compared to todays 2 strokes?" He said that the power is gonna be about the same, but most of the improvements people notice is gonna be in the handling. The wts aren't that much difference (2 pounds??) but it is where the wt is placed and the geometry that makes the new bikes faster on the tracks. I was surprised that he said that the power isn't much different. I can't wait to take my RM out now, I am sooooo happy this thing is moving like it was supposed to. In the course of 1 day I went from thinking that I wanted to save up for a used CRF250, to maybe saving for a used YZ250, to wanting to keep my RM250 and NOT waste my money (I don't race, so the slight advantage I might get with a new yz250 wouldn't be worth the price it would take to get into one for me and my skills and my budget). Thank goodness for a good mechanic!!!!
As impressed as I was with the CRF, I was SOLD that this would be my next bike (I like the idea of having a lighter bike than a CRF450 for the track, and the power seemed to be fine). I hoped on an 05 yz250 with FMF pipe and silencer. WOW, that bike is soooo freakin fast, the powerband hits like a jet airplane. It is intimidating at first if you aren't use to it, but after I just got use to the rear tire breaking lose, and not panicing, I had a great time. It still keeps you on your toes, with NEVER a dull moment.
Now, as I rode the YZ and CRF back to back on a track, it seems that although the wt is very very similar on both bikes, the CRF seems much more top heavy and harder to throw around a track. Even though the wt is similar, the YZ has the power to stay on top of the whoops. It is very hard to describe, but the YZ handling just seems unbelievable. I sort of wonder if since Yamaha went to an aluminum frame, yes it only saves a few pounds, but the wt is MUCH lower in the frame, to the handling is improved?? Where even though the CRF has an aluminum frame and is similar in wt, the engine seems a lot taller because it is a 4 stroke and maybe this effects the handling? (side note-the rear end on the CRF is sooo dang light VS the YZ and my RM, I am not sure why it is such a big difference, other than the slightly larger rear tires??? what else??)
I sort of feel like some of the magic I had for the 4 stroke has gone down after today. Yes the climbing is still much easy/better with the CRF, but I am not sure it is as "fun" as the YZ.
I was teaching my bro how to ride today, but I never wanted him to get on the YZ. I know it would freak him out with the power.
The CRF I think is still probably a much better bike for a beginner or intermediate rider, especially for someone who rides a lot of trails, hills, etc......The YZ is more for a person who has a lot of experience riding, isn't affraid of being on the edge all the time and has quick reflexes with good bike handling skills (to correct from all the oversteer, rear tire breaking lose, and required to climb at higher speeds, etc...)
Both bikes have a slightly different purpose, and are different classes, but I just thought I would write down my thoughts.
After I got home, I picked up my RM250 97, from getting fixed (engine/exhaust, headset bearings and adjustment, etc....). WOW, I never have had my bike feel this fast!!!!! I rode it at the shop it was fixed at on the street, tire was coming off the ground in all of the 3 gears I was in, the thing felt sooo fast. When I got back, the guy who worked at the shop said that I should be "right there" with straight line speed VS even the NEW YZ, which surprised me when he said that. I asked "so, what has changed on the late 90s bikes compared to todays 2 strokes?" He said that the power is gonna be about the same, but most of the improvements people notice is gonna be in the handling. The wts aren't that much difference (2 pounds??) but it is where the wt is placed and the geometry that makes the new bikes faster on the tracks. I was surprised that he said that the power isn't much different. I can't wait to take my RM out now, I am sooooo happy this thing is moving like it was supposed to. In the course of 1 day I went from thinking that I wanted to save up for a used CRF250, to maybe saving for a used YZ250, to wanting to keep my RM250 and NOT waste my money (I don't race, so the slight advantage I might get with a new yz250 wouldn't be worth the price it would take to get into one for me and my skills and my budget). Thank goodness for a good mechanic!!!!