weight difference between yz250f and 450, does it make that much difference

[rljjredhed]

I have an 03 450 and after a twenty year layoff, the bike is fun but it flat wears me out. If I drop down to 250 will I really feel a difference? I know it is a dumb question but is the power difference that noticable.

[Derekj426]

I have a 01 YZ426F and have rode my buddies 03 YZ250F and could tell right off the bat a difference in power and defiantely weight..

[mxchase]

I ride 450's. Honestly though, if I didn't race I'd have a 250f no doubt. They're the funnest bike made for just playing around in the dirt. I still might get a 250f this year and run both classes.

[riderman329]

i have raced a 250f for over a year now! i flat out love the thing!

i made the switch to the 450 i have not riden the 450 on a track yet but i will soon, as far as i can't tell the weight difference is not as that bad, they both fell about the same.

i'm planing on taking both bikes with me arenacross racing in two weeks, so i'll tell you more then!

but if you do get a 250f you will have tons of fun on the bike!

[Miller Racing]

I have a 450 and my son has a 250. The 250 feels more than the approx. ten pound difference but the power difference is unbelievable. After riding my 450, the 250 feels like a 125. It's a tractor in the best sense.

[Scooter426]

The 250f is a lot of fun. You might notice the power issue on short launch sections where you need to clear a big jump, but I tell all my buddies that weigh under 160 lbs that they will love the 250f. I weigh 190-195 and like the big 450 power. Occassionally I ride a friends 250f and it is fun, but the grunt is not there. If you weigh over 200 lbs, get the bigger bore bike. If you can afford both, get both!

[Doug.]

I have an 03 450 and after a twenty year layoff, the bike is fun but it flat wears me out. If I drop down to 250 will I really feel a difference? I know it is a dumb question but is the power difference that noticable.

Yes you will feel a big difference, the 250F feels MUCH lighter than the 450F. Its night and day.

[grayracer513]

The power thing is like comparing a Porsche 911 to a '70 Chevelle 454. One's has to be run up the scale some, but screams, the other is big, brutal, and immediate. Most places with a little elbow room, the 450 will be faster, but in the tight stuff, the 250F ain't going to give anything away cheap. 36 HP is still 36 HP, after all.

The 250F is around fifteen pounds lighter, and because some of the extra in the 450 is a bigger, heavier crank, which adds to the "gyro" effect, the 250 feels a lot quicker in and out of turns. Feels less top-heavy, too.