YZ250F Vs CRF450.......

[99CR125OK]

Ok, I'm not asking which bike is better, they are not comparable, different classes, etc.

Here's my dilema........
I don't have access to a CRF450, but I've ridden my friend's YZ250F and I really like it, with the exception of the suspension and it's a little lacking on power for me. What I like about it is that I can go lap after lap and not get as tired as I do on my bike. Do you all think this is because it's a four stroke, or because it has less power and doesn't take as much effort to hang on to? I've been eyeing the 450's at the dealership and I must say, it's tempting.

Thank All!

 

[zcookie49]

I am surprised you dont like the suspension of the 250F, that is one of the best traits of it...
I will be riding a 450F soon, so I cant really tell you what to do...But if you are a Honda fan, you wont go wrong with the 450F. I'm sure the bike will be as easy to ride as your CR250. I rode my 4stroke and some 2 strokes and had the same conclusion as you, it seemed to not take as much effort with revving up and shifting all the time. I dont think it is because of "lacking power" because the bike pulls, but the 450F is sure to pull harder, at least I would imagine. IMO, the 450F should have the same 4stroke ease as well. I dont think you should hesitate, pull the trigger!
.
and dont get me wrong, 2 strokes are great, it depends on the rider and what they are looking for.
.

 

[dejackson]

Have a friend that raced CR250's for years and bought the firstCRF450 in our area. Kept it a month. Liked the smooth power but did not like the handling. It threw him and he broke his collar bone(while wearing a chest protector). He has ridden the YZ250F, and if he wasn't such a die-hard Honda fan he would own one. He is waiting for Honda's CRF250.

 

[Smitty]

Not a rip on Dejackson (might not be what he meant), but I wouldn't take the case of a guy who switched from a 2 stroke to 4 stroke, rode it for a month, then crashed and broke his collarbone as a fault of the bike. The handling is superb after a little bit of routine setup and riding style adjustment.

It is definitely faster than the YZ250F, this thing can really get moving!

 

[99CR125OK]

I liked the handling, but the suspension was too soft. Some of that might be fixable with some clicker adjustments, I don't know how my friends was set. I bottomed the fork at least once or twice a lap, that was my only complaint.

dejackson, I know your friends problem, I wouldn't be able to stand the abuse if I showed up for a ride on a yamaha! I might still consider it though, I can take it.

 

[Coach in ND]

One thing that you have to realize that a smaller chassis, lighter bike like a 125 or a 250 4-stroke will handle much better than a bigger chassis, heavier 250 or big bore 4-stroke. The 250f is one of the best suspended small bore bikes in years.

If you have your suspension set up correctly you should bottom once a lap.

The power of the 250f is real smooth and doesn't pull on your arms like a 250 2-stroke or a 450, most 125's feel the same except don't have that great grunt right off idle.

Coach