Better buy? 426 vs 250F

[mike rasponi]

which is the better buy? i hear all this about guys that race there 250F in the 250 class, why? if your going to do that why not just buy the 426? what are the differences of the bikes? In a all out drag race will a 426 beat/be close to a CR450F? does the fact that the 250F can rev farther allow it to stick with the 250's? whats the ACTUAL weight of a 250F?

 

[Anssi]

Originally posted by mike rasponi
which is the better buy? i hear all this about guys that race there 250F in the 250 class, why? if your going to do that why not just buy the 426? what are the differences of the bikes? In a all out drag race will a 426 beat/be close to a CR450F? does the fact that the 250F can rev farther allow it to stick with the 250's? whats the ACTUAL weight of a 250F?

To answer your questions in order: That depends on what you want. People race the 250F in the 250 class because it's easy to ride. The 426 might be too much for some weaklings or small dudes. The 426 has more power and weighs a bunch more. No. No. Some of the mags have surely weighed it, but it's somewhere near 2-stroke 250s and a lot more than 125s.

 

[snaggleXR4]

I would also say it depends on what you want to do with it. Normally, I would say go for the big power, you won't regret it. On the other hand, if you want something more agile, get the 250. From what I hear, the little 250f is one of the most fun to ride bikes. I love big thumpers, I have a 650R now, so I would go for the 426 if I was in your position, or better yet a CRF (I'm a Honda guy). Good luck.

 

[whyz]

so i've been reading>>Larry Ward was the only four-stroke rider to ever win a 125 national--and his bike tipped the scales at 228 lbs. / 1 lb. heavier than stock.....dry weight i believe>without gas...
The 250F>>227lbs.
The 426F>250lbs.
The 450>234.5 lbs.

Now the AMA wants to drop the 227 to a 216lb. weight limit...Cool..:) IMO

 

[Mike Hubert]

I have owned both and drastically prefer the 250F, it feels much lighter and seems more nimble. It still has plenty of power.