2000 CR250 Reviews

It was the best bike in a few shootouts and the best bike ever in my opinion. I have been riding one for three years and love it.

I had that bike. Great bike. The reviews said the motor was mid-range only. I half agree. The top end, if I remember, wasn't very free-reving. But I didn't experiment much with jetting or anything to try to improve the top end. I never had a problem with the bike in two years or riding/racing MX.

I do think that bike vibrated more than the newer CR250s (at least more than the 03 that I had).

I had my suspension re-valved on that bike and it made a big difference. Maybe bigger than on any other bike - but it may have just felt SO much better because back then I went way too long before having the suspension serviced.

I believe that bike has a Kehin carb. You'll find posts all over here saying that carb is great, and once Honda went to Mikuni the problems began. I can say I was playing with jetting on my 03 all the time. My Suzuki has a Kehin and it's been great. If I remember right, my 2000 CR was never finicky with jetting.

The next generation CR frame (02 - present) seemed better to me. It seemed less harsh, and vibrated less. Which would I rather have? The 03 - but it probably will cost more, and the engine isn't as rider-friendly / solid as the 2000.

The 02 and up chassis isn't THAT much better than the 00. I'd rather have the 00 with some suspension work as opposed to paying more for a newer one.

Rumor has is that if you are going to buy newer, look at the Yamaha, or the 04/05 Suzuki.

My 04 RM 250 is great. The power is so smooth I was instantly jumping with more confidence than I ever did on my 2003 CR 250. Everyone says Suzukis turn great. Well, I don't disagree, but I think I turned better on my CR. I jump so much better on my RM, though. I think the smooth power that I can count on is the big difference.

My Suzuki has been totally reliable. Zero problems in over a year, and that's riding/racing MX every weekend. The bike really great in ever way, except...

After about three months the bike started to feel 'different.' I can't really put my finger on what changed - maybe the suspension broke in and the bike felt unbalanced, or maybe the steel frame 'loosened up' and got flexy. I really don't know. I've been playing wth springs - I think somehow the bike stinkbugs on me now going into corners, where it was PERFECT when I first got it. I'm kinda scratching my head on what changed.

So I feel like with the Honda, you get a frame that is totally consistent, and with the Suzuki you get a motor that is totally consistent. I don't know if this helps or not. Would I buy another Suzuki? Yes. It really is a great bike. And there is a chance this whole 'flexy frame' / unbalanced suspension thing is in my head.

Just to end on a positive note - MXA wrote there is something 'magical' about the Suzuki in flight. I have to agree with this. My Honda was a ballistic missile in the air, my Suzuki is a guided missile.

And mx702 - I agree with you on Yamahas. I never felt right on one, either. The Honda and Suzuki both feel right, so they're both good choices.

Have you changed the suspension fluids? I'd do that as a first pass.

mtk,

That's the first thing I did. That helped for one ride. Just one ride. Weird, huh? Then did a revalve, that helped for one ride. Just one ride. Weirder, huh?

Then I expermented with softer springs (I weigh 160-165). First went sofeter in back, then both front and back, then back to stock. Never felt like it used to.

Today I went to Glen Helen with a softer rear and stock fronts - first time I've had the softer rear on in several months. It felt better. I slowed the front re-bound, it felt worse. I went faster on the front rebound, and now... It looks like I'm on the right track. I think the suspension broke in months ago, and the front got soft (and the rear didn't). I think I've been stinkbugging for months. Today the bike felt great in the chop, and was turning perfectly.

I think Suzuki's are more sensitive to rider input, and they're also more sensitive to set up. I've heard this before and I have to agree with it. If I could have ridden any bike today it would have been the bike I was on. It really felt 'confident.'

Maybe on the next ride it will be back to weird...

And mx702 - the aluminum frame Honda's have a reputation for being sensitive to set up, too.