2005 CR250R - almost RM250

[christopher in tam]

Looks like I will be bringing one home tomarrow. My local shop is rounding one up for me as we speak.

Anyone here have any actual seat time on the 05 CR250? If so, what did you think? I know what the mags say but I learned years ago that they are not always 100% acurate, so this is why Im looking for people with real seat time.

It was a tough choice between the 05 CR and the 06 RM. But in the end I went CR because I am tired of dealing with the problems that come along with a steal frame. Sad really, I been die hard Suk for almost 8 years now. Hope I made the right choice!

 

[CR3999]

You did, I love mine. Do a search there is a thread in here on the 05 CR

 

[jrm]

I bought one in April -- I think you'll really like the CR. The only issue I had was some detonation. A 50/50 or even 60/40 mix of VP C12 to 93 octane pump gas cured that. The jetting is right on for my altitude (500 feet) and weather so I didn't want to fool with it to try to tune out the detonation. Some say the JD needle kit adds more pop to the engine, but it's very strong as is. Suspension is superb, especially the front. You should be able to adjust the clickers and roost away.

Let us know after you have had some time on it how you like the bike. You made a good decision.

 

[Britt Boyette]

What problems did you have with the steel frame?

 

[christopher in tam]

Well, with steel there is more maintance to start with. You have to worry about rust (mainly from the inside out) and with age they can crack. Also you have to strip them down every so often and give them a fresh paint job. Every steel framed bike I have owned had suffered from a crack or two before I got rid of it.

Also with footpegs. After awhile the pegs will start to slump downward. You can put on new pegs and that will help some but the real problem is where the peg latches onto the frame, this area of the frame gets worn down after awhile and the pegs will slump.

Just 2 weeks ago on my RM I cased a triple and snaped a IMS peg in the middle. Replaced the IMS peg and then noticed that I now have a crack on the inside wall of the frame (same side as the broken peg).

With the CR's, you can replace the latch that the pegs hang onto, that latch actually bolts onto the frame. This is awesome!

 

[steve125]

The 05 CR 250 is a great bike. But IMO the 05RM is a bit more dialed right out of the box.

Both bikes are jetted well but the CR pings bad on pump, the RM runs fine on it.

The forks on the CR are a little better than the RM, but the RM's shock is a bit better than the CR.

The RM really turns well while being very stable. The CR handles in the middle ground much like a YZ. Gets the job done.

The RM's motor is very crisp and quiet mechanically, the CR's really vibrates at higher RPM's.

The CR has the most mid power but falls a bit short on top and has good bottom.

The RM is almost a YZ, good bottom mid and top, real close to the YZ but not quite. The RM and the YZ have a less on the bubble feel to the motor, meaning you can rev them or torque them. The Cr likes to stay in its beefy mid range, it just has a narrower feel to it's powerband.

I feel there's no advantage to the alum. frame on the CR over the RM. If anything the CR's frame vibration is it's most annoying trait.

 

[Chris_S]

I've been a Honda guy previously (had an '03 CRF450 and '04 CRF250), but everything I read about recent Honda 2 stroke engines was negatively biased. You can can an alum. frame in a YZ250, it's a proven winner!

I've ridden an '05 RM250, and liked it equally as well...it's a badass bike, steel frame or not.

 

[CspineRider]

CR's Only, you made the right choice

 

[yfz450]

I have an 04 yz 250 and my buddy just got a 05 Rm250. I really really like the Rm's handling. My bike is alot looser in the trails (soft sugar sand of Florida) his bike is alot more stable. Power is about the same (I still love the engine on my YZ) but his power is comparable. I have yet to ride a 05 CR but have ridden 04's and I really think the motors suck compared to my YZ or the RM, very under powered. The suspension was great. Just my 2 cents... :laugh:

 

[jrm]

The 05 CR250 motor is totally re-designed from the 2004. Different cylinder, power valve, lower end, pipe, ignition mapping, etc. They're apples and oranges.

 

[christopher in tam]

Well... I went to Honda and they started pulling strings and then started raising prices and then raising the % rate, it was a game and I wasnt playing. I walked out.

Did alot of calling around and another dealer offered me a great deal so I brought home a 06 YZ250.

Never thought I would ride a YZ (never wanted to) but in the end it had everything I needed (Aluminum frame, great engine, and great deal), now i just have to adjust from a fast cornering RM to a middle ground corning YZ.

Dont get me wrong, I love the bike... but its a learning curve on how to ride it. I will report back this weekend after its fully broke in and let you guys know what the 06 is all about.

Anyone know of a free pic hoster and I will post some pics?
_________________

 

[Rcannon]

I have an 04 yz 250 and my buddy just got a 05 Rm250. I really really like the Rm's handling. My bike is alot looser in the trails (soft sugar sand of Florida) his bike is alot more stable. Power is about the same (I still love the engine on my YZ) but his power is comparable. I have yet to ride a 05 CR but have ridden 04's and I really think the motors suck compared to my YZ or the RM, very under powered. The suspension was great. Just my 2 cents... :laugh:

A set of 22mm offset clamps for your YZ makes the handling as good as (or better) than the RM.

 

[christopher in tam]

22mm clamps? you mean the clamps for the bars or the tripleclamps? Do you have any brands or examples?

 

[stroker]

I am a long time Honda & Yamaha rider (lots of CR's and YZ's) the latest RM is a much better bike outta the box then the CR or YZ...IMO. Having my best season ever on it, and it has been totally tough and reliable too!!!

 

[MXP1MP]

awesome you'll like that YZ more then you think you will :) I love mine I just installed works connection rad braces/glide plate and frame guards on both my yz's.

 

[steve125]

The quickest and easiest way to get the 05/06 YZ to turn well is to raise the forks up 5-10 mm's in the triple clamps. :nod: I have mine set at 8mm.

I recommend starting at 5mm and if you ride in loose/loamy/sandy dirt, get rid of the stock 739 ft. Dunlop.

 

[oldfrt613]

I thought this thread was for riding impressions on the '05 CR250 - as usual, it has become the YZ's better - no the RM's better - no wait - the KX is better - no .........

 

[Rcannon]

22mm clamps? you mean the clamps for the bars or the tripleclamps? Do you have any brands or examples?

I am talking about both of the triple clamps. You can change the offset just like people did on the 02-04 Honda CRF's. I bought a set of Tag clamps for myself. Scotts performance http://www.scottsperformance.com/products.php?PartType=4&Bike=Yamaha has them as does ride engineering.

The bike steers much quicker. It took about 5 minutes to get familiar with the different feel. After that, I wondered why Yamaha did not spec these in the first place.

RG3 makes them as well. The part number is RGY 5022. I have read that team Yamaha uses this spec for their factory clamps.

The stock Yamaha handles very well. Some of us liek that quick handling "RM" feel. The different offset makes this possible. Oddly enough, the bike looses no stability.

There was a company selling them on egay for 249.00. This included tag bars. I felt the price was good enough to give them a try.

After riding with them, I would have paid full price.

 

[WhiskythrottleKeit]

Good pick on the YZ250...How fast does yours go? I put a 15 tooth from sprocket and a 40 tooth rear sprocket on my YZ250 and now mines hauls BUTTie. Im now faster then a speeding ticket. So if you see the blur while your at the track yep that be me.