CRF450R vs. CR250r, can anyone tell me the differances in the powerband?

[shnalln]

450f-need oppinion on all the propaganda

Ok, here's the deal. I grew up on dirtbikes, but have not riden in about ten years. I picked up an old cr250 for dirt cheap, but it will cost more to fix right than it is worth. So I am thinking along the lines of a crf450, or a yz250f. I got the new DR mag and am looking at the dyno results for all the '03 bikes. Now I'm 5'11" and around 215lbs. I need a bike that I can use in the woods, and mix it up alittle on the mx track.
This old cr of mine I'm sure is even lower on the dyno than these bikes, since it needs a top end job, but is still a pretty strong bike. My concerns lie in the power of these new bikes, do you think a 450f would be too much for me? I know what its like to ride a bike that will scare the socks off you, and I also know what its like to get bored with a bike. There is way too much propaganda on these bikes. First I read that the 450f is a great bike for any level of rider, and then I hear that the 450f has nearly as much power as the older cr500s. What do you think? Your input would be much apreciated!

 

[zeke]

The 450 is very fast. Your 250 is very tame in comparison. The 450 delivers power in a very tractor,stump-pulling way. It flat out hooks up,is very smooth and very fast if you twist the throttle far enough.It's all about torque and tractable power.It is very EASY to ride,so don't worry about that. You may not even want to ride the old 250 much more after you ride the 450.Believe the hype. I would have never thought I would be preaching 4 strokes but this bike made me a believer.It will not scare the socks off you and you won't get bored with it.

 

[rooster1713]

hey zeke- I'm in the same boat as shnalln. I have lots of MC experience but havent ridden dirt in ten years, and weigh 180. I hear everyone saying how easy the CRF 450 is to ride but I mean the bike has like 50 HP so I'm still struggling with the idea of riding one. I almost settled on getting a yz 250 f but now I think I might get bored with it. Is the CRF really that easy to ride? Do you think I would outgrow a yz 250 f?thanks and good luck to you shanlln. I hope I'm not stealing this thread from you.

mark

 

[James]

I have actually ridden both.

The CR250 IS NOT TAME. This is more of the propaganda that you mentioned. If a CR250 in stock form is jetted right (I can only vouch for 2000-2002), it is more than enough for guys like us to try and hold onto. They have pulled my 240lb carcas up hills and around tight corners over triples with short approaches without much effort (I don't use the clutch much).

The CR250 is more snappy than the 450. The 450 comes on low and pulls through to a very strong mid and revs out very far. The 250 doesn't pull as well down real low (two stroke disadvantage), hits hard in the middle, and doesn't seem to rev out like the 450. In short, the 450 has much broader power. The 450 is easier to ride because you can lug it around if you need to....the 250 doesn't lug as well. The 250 pulls the front wheel up and breaks the back end loose a whole lot easier than the 450. Seems like you have to twist the throttle more to get the same result on the 450 but there is no shortage of power in either. I have been riding CR250s for a while and I am no where near bored with them yet.

I wouldn't say that either one of them is preferrable over a decent trail bike in the woods but since you mention occassional MX, you need something with an MX setup (XRs and DRZs won't do). If I planned on riding mostly trails with some MX as you say, between these two, I'd go with the 450. But if I could pick any bike, I'd go with the KTM 400sx or similar KTM. The power is smoother than the CRs, it is designed with MX in mind, EXCELLENT beginner - intermediate bike in stock form and can be suspended and tuned for a fast guy. BUT, it will NEVER have the power of the CRs and if you become serious about MX, it may not be enough. I was thinking of getting a 450EXC and regearing and setting up the suspension for MX. I think this would be the ultimate compromise bike since new 400sxs are hard to find.

Just my opinion

 

[shnalln]

Thanks for the input Zeke, and thanks for the Luck Mark, And after all this is a community forum right? Good luck to you also. "Tractor, stump pulling power" sounds managable to me, and ergs sound awsome, depending on who are of course. Managabilty is the biggest question here coming from a rider who hasn't riden in ten years. And I too was refering to getting bored with the 250f. I'm partial to hondas anyway, and who want's to wait till next fall for the new 250x/r?! Anyone else have any coments for Mark and I? Thanks again!

 

[darringer]

I currently have a 99 CR250 and a riding buddy has an 02 CRF450. He is 6', 225# and I am 5'6'', 170#. The bikes pull in a virtual dead heat through the gears. In my opinion, the 450 is alot easier to ride in almost all situations.( We switch bikes often.) It handles very well on the track and is great for hillclimbs and woods riding. The 450 has a tractor- like powerband that is very smooth. Yet it pulls very hard when you twist your wrist. My CR actually has more bottom end punch but flattens out at high rpm. My bud absolutely loves his CRF. He found it a little cramped so he put on lowered footpegs and a taller seat. He says now it is a more comfortable riding position for him with his long legs.( I should be so lucky!) I guarantee you would not get bored with either bike. It takes all of my concentration and strength just to hold on!
Good Luck!

 

[zeke]

When you say you bought an older bike,I'm assuming it's around ten years old or so. I have ridden nearly all the cr 250's from 89-on. I have spent all my time on 250's till this year.I have a friend with an 02 cr250 and another with a 00 cr250. My earlier comparison was assuming you had a early 90 bike. That being said,the new 250's are faster than the older ones and make good peak power,but are no match in terms of broad power,with the 450. My friend with the 00 cr decided to sell it after 1 ride on the 450.
The other friend with the 02 calls my 450 a cheater bike because of the power and how easy it is to ride. If you ride the bikes back to back on a track,you will find the 450 is the one you don't want to get off of. the back to back comparison is what really opened my eyes.Again,the bike is very easy to ride.It is a do-all motor.Check out thumpertalk.com and see how many guys made the same switch you're talking about.Good luck.

 

[shnalln]

Yes Zeke, your right, actually it is an '85 cr, that is why I wanted to talk about the power/"snap" of the 450. I know the power of this older bike does not compare to that of the new two-strokes. I know if a person gets a bike that's out of their riding level, it can become very frustrating if not down right dangerous. I don't want to drop to a 125cc bike because I'll grow out of it too fast. But your description and others description of the 450 kind of sets my mind at ease, I know this is a very powerful bike, and I respect that. The bike sounds more controllable than the low end snap of a two-stroke which can be very intimidating for a begining rider. Thanks all for your input, I think I'll try to ride one first, but I've pretty much decided to get this bike, I don't think it'll take too long for me get back into the swing of things, and i'll be sure to you know how it goes. Thanks again!!!
Shane

 

[James]

Originally posted by zeke
If you ride the bikes back to back on a track,you will find the 450 is the one you don't want to get off of. the back to back comparison is what really opened my eyes.

Agree 100%, same experience here. If I didn't already have 2 250s, I'd have a 450.