2005 KX250 vs YZ250 vs CR250

R

RAR

Member
Nov 30, 2001
29
0
Here is my dilemma. I sold my CRF450 and I want a 2 smoke. I've ridden the '05 KX250 and really liked it. I'm most comfortable on Honda's. I've never ridden an YZ/YZF I liked. They just feel different than a Honda; uncomfy ergos. My friend has a mint '05 YZ250 with a MXT-Tech re-valve and the Hannah Hurricane yellow plastic kit; very few hours on the bike. He's willing to sell it to me for around 5k if I like it; since he also has a '05 CRF. My other friend is also willing to sell me his '05 KX250 for around $5400 since he has 2 bikes too! I just got off the phone with my Honda dealer and he mentioned he has a '05 CR250 in the crate, that he'll sell me for a $100 over cost. I don't know what to DO! :bang: I know everyone says the CR motor sucks, but for 100 dollars over cost, I can send the cylinder off to Varner or someone else, right? Do you think it's possible to make the CR motor more YZ like or KX like? Arghhh!!! What do I do? :bang: :bang: :ohmy:
 

steve125

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Oct 19, 2000
1,252
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The new 05 CR 250 is closer to the YZ/RM motor than you may think. Most riders won't have a problem keeping it stock, but it does need straight race fuel or at least 50/50. It pings bad on pump.
 
D

Dirtbikehunter7

Member
Feb 6, 2005
26
0
aye 05 CR 250 has higher compression i believe. go with the honda dude if you can get it at cost. besides... most people could never tell the difference in the first place.
 
J

john3_16

Member
May 17, 2004
808
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If you really like the KX then maybe you can find a dealer that will give you a similar deal on a new Kawasaki...

If not then I'd go with the Honda...


The 05' Honda makes more torque than any other bike and peak HP is just a few tenths below the KTM...You may not have the exact amount of bottom end as the other two but you won't be hurting for power that's for sure...

I rode an 04' CR250 modified by Varner the other day and I can tell you that there isn't a stock 05' that can match it powerwise and after he bought a new extra cylinder with the modifications by Varner he paid $4,200 total for the bike....
 
B

bikepilot

Member
Nov 12, 2004
804
0
I would go with which ever bike you are most comfortable on, the power differences are all very minor, and unless you are a pro you will not be fully utilizing the stock power anyway, if you are a pro you probably dont care what the stock power outputs are because you will not be riding it stock....

my 2 cents :)
 
S

Satch0922

Member
Aug 30, 2003
124
0
you can't go wrong with the YZ. Buy and love it. The others are good too but not right out of the box.
 
R

RAR

Member
Nov 30, 2001
29
0
Thanks Guys! I think the CR250 will be my best bet. I will ride the YZ before I buy the Honda, just in case! :aj: I'm not a pro and I know these bikes have plenty of power. Besides, I weigh 250 lbs and I don't think these bikes will have enough low end to make a difference with my fat ass! :laugh: I know the KX didn't; had to slip that clutch! :p Satch, it's funny how it all comes down to prefrence. My buddy did not like his YZ out of the box, at all. He thought he had made a mistake. The suspension re-valve finally made him happy with the bike. :ride: The YZ250 is a kick ass looking bike, but I just love the way Hondas feel and handle.
 
C

Camstyn

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Oct 3, 1999
2,246
2
I think you can't go wrong with any of these bikes.. But keep in mind that you should be able to get any of the bikes for the same price, new. I don't think your buddies are trying to rip you off but I think they likely paid too much for theirs, which is why their prices aren't lower. You can probably get a new YZ or KX for close to $5000.

I'd take dealer support strongly into consideration.. That plus purchase incentives is what made up my mind.

Good luck!

Cam
 
R

RAR

Member
Nov 30, 2001
29
0

Thanks.. The CR250 went up in price for 2005. It now retails for $6400, while the YZ, RM , & KX still retail for $6000

The price I'm getting for the CR250 is $5650. I really don't know what the dealer cost is, but the price sounds pretty good. I will try the YZ250 this afternoon. The best dealer support I've received has been from my Honda dealer. Service after the sale has been top notch.
 
J

john3_16

Member
May 17, 2004
808
0


If that's the OTD (all fees included) price then it is probably close to cost...
 

CR3999

Member
Feb 28, 2000
163
2
If that is OTD price grab it. I got mine for $5600.
 
S

Satch0922

Member
Aug 30, 2003
124
0
if your 250lbs...get the YZ.....more low end and midrange...and torque. And yes...most people CAN feel the difference.

I came off of a thumper (rode one for the past 2 plus years) and I have ridden a CR, KX and RM and the YZ by far has the best motor (have not ridden the 05 CR). IF your coming off a CRF.....you will love the YZ's power. The others are good just more "2-stroke" like...(which isnt a bad thing). The YZ pulls from down low and keeps pulling. I added the PC 304 silencer and it pulls even longer on top with no loss down low. IT's a great engine.....(and the new beer can frame and "Showaba" forks are sweet too.)
 
S

Satch0922

Member
Aug 30, 2003
124
0
john3_16 said:
The CR250 has more torque than any 250cc 2 stroke...Nearly 2 ft.lbs more than the YZ...
Click to expand...


but you have to run race gas!!! LMAO

BTW...where do these numbers come from? You really have to ride the bikes to understand I suppose. So based on that...the 05 CR may have a great engine.
 
S

Satch0922

Member
Aug 30, 2003
124
0
feedback in these types of threads should be limited to people who own or have ridden the actual bikes in question. People who defend bikes or endorse them who have never even put a leg over them should be excluded as they are anything but color blind ! ;) JMHO
 
0

02crf450

Member
Jun 28, 2003
32
0
I have read several tests where the cr dyno numbers rock, but it does'nt feel very good on the track.
 

bclapham

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 5, 2001
4,340
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i would love to ride all the bikes, but i havent seen any 05CR250s at the races yet.

Funny, there are a ton of RMs, YZs, and KXs!
 
R

RAR

Member
Nov 30, 2001
29
0
Well, I rode the YZ yesterday and I guess I have to eat some of my own words. I was wrong about 2 strokes not having enough low end for my fat ass. The YZ motor has some serious balls! It's not what I would consider 4 stroke low end, but rather and explosive low end. Honestly, it was too much for me. I'm trying to switch back to 2 strokes and I realized I like the more traditional 2 stroke power. For some reason it's easier for me to control the power out of turns using a combination of the clutch and throttle. The YZ would instantly want to explode out of turns with a twist of the throttle. I felt like I had no control, especially on jumps right out of turns. I'm sure more experienced 2 stroke riders can appreciate the YZ motor and have no problem adjusting to the low end power. To be fair, I was on an unfamiliar track that was and SX/MX style. I will be riding it again on a MX track I'm used to. I wasn't too crazy about the suspension, which I found out was not redone my MX-Tech, but rather Factory Connection. Didn't work as well for me as the stock KX suspension. The YZ also has a lot of vibration in the bars which numbed my hands. Didn't care much for the ergos or handling; which I suspected I wouldn't like because of past experiences with YZ's. At the end of the day I was asking myself whether or not I really wanted a 2 stroke. I'm not saying the YZ is a bad bike, just not good for my ability, style, comfort, etc. Sorry for the long post!
 

bclapham

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 5, 2001
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RAR- evreyone i know that came off 450fs had a similar experience- you have to give it time, just a few rides.
 
S

Solid State

Member
Mar 9, 2001
492
0
RAR,

From your posts it seems that you are most comfortable on Honda's and you enjoy strong linear low end (no doubt you're used to the 450 thumper) and you are questioning whether you really want a 2-stroke.

The YZ and the RM are going to be most explosive when comming out of turns and hitting the gas (I like that myself, but could do without all that tire spin). Just my two cents, but you might do well with the Honda due to ergos and just get it ported for low to mid - and for the price you stated, it might be the best choice for you.

Good Luck.
 
R

RAR

Member
Nov 30, 2001
29
0
I really got bored with my CRF, and the 05 CRF wasn't much help. When I rode the 05 KX250 I had so much fun and was able to get comfortable with the 2 stroke power delivery after a few laps. I knew it was time for a 2 stroke, but the ergos on the KX don't quite fit me either. The YZ power is a bit much and I don't like the handling and ergos. I'm taking my chances with the CR250. I'm getting it for 5650 OTD. From what I've read, the power delivery is smoother and has no hit. Oh well, if I don't like the motor, at least I'll be comfortable. At my age, I should worry more about handling and comfort than power.
 

marcusgunby

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jan 9, 2000
6,450
2
heres a dyno for you -its not the best comparison -the rm is a 2004 model as i dont have a std 05, the 04 was very similar, the 05 yz 250 is really lacking in top and overrev which i think is due to it being too new and was tight, i think it would have 40hp normally.The cr is a real surprise, over 46hp, decent bottom(only a little behind the others) and decent overrev.

Th cr is blue , the yz is red and the rm is green. I cant change the colours to suit and i cant do it in rpm as one model didnt have the sensor attached.
 

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bclapham

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 5, 2001
4,340
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The CR certainly looks good on paper. I am gonna get a ride on one soon.
 
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