450 for 250?

[984]

i have a 2006 yz450f and like it alot, except for the fact that it wears my arms out and takes alot to corner. i've been on 450's for three years and before that was on 125 smokers...so, i've never been on a 250f. i ride mostly track and a little trail. i'm 33 and in good shape, but don't want to own and maintain two bikes. i posted this here, because yamaha is the only choice. can you guys give me some help?

[warrior04]

i know a couple of my buddies have made the switch to 250fs from 450s none of them were happy. The only thing they did like was that they could ride longer, but in the end the missed the power and went back to 450s.

Then again that is just my personal experiences others may say differently

[984]

i do like the power, especially on jumps, and nothing i've ridden in a 450 jumps better than a yamaha. i don't like it in corners. i'm thinking that maybe i need to pump more iron, ride more and save the cash?

[teedubya46]

Save the money and just try to ride more and work out. Try to lift weights 3 times a week. I have an 04 yz450f and it is the first bike that doesn't totally ware me down after a day of riding. Next time you go riding or racing experiment a little in the corners. Change things up a bit and see what works.

[dano945]

Funny I have a 06 YZ450 (for sale, see classifieds) and also think its just a little more than I need. I found a great deal on a 06 YZ125 and love it!!! I used to have 250f's and I think it would be a perfect fit for you. I dont miss the power of the 450 as I can ride the 125 harder than the 450... More fun less work, less speed but less work....

[MaxPower]

. can you guys give me some help?

what exactly are you asking for? An opinion or a bike?

[984]

just an opinion.

[AlkalineOne]

you'll be making a big mistake going from a 450 to a 250. the power doesnt even compare. also, valves tend to go bad sooner on the 250f's because you have to use higher revs to keep the bike going. i suggest getting a set of those forearm exercise things, to help with the arm pump.

250f's are for pansies!!!

[ivesy]

Definatly stick with the 450. Most of my mates ride 250's and they have to thrash the hell out of their bikes to keep up with me on my 450 track or trail (all 06's). And i wouldn't say I'm the better rider. When I ride my mates 250f I keep getting caught out down low where there's a lot less power.

[OUCR250R]

Funny I have a 06 YZ450 (for sale, see classifieds) and also think its just a little more than I need. I found a great deal on a 06 YZ125 and love it!!! I used to have 250f's and I think it would be a perfect fit for you. I dont miss the power of the 450 as I can ride the 125 harder than the 450... More fun less work, less speed but less work....

A 125 less work than a 450? In the turns MAYBE, but definitely not anywhere else on the track. 450= put it in 3rd gear and just ride. 125= Screaming, clutching and using all your energy to get it over the jumps. One thing though those 125s are a BLAST to ride though. And I really like the aluminum framed ones I bet yours is sweet

[bboyce]

you'll be making a big mistake going from a 450 to a 250. the power doesnt even compare. also, valves tend to go bad sooner on the 250f's because you have to use higher revs to keep the bike going. i suggest getting a set of those forearm exercise things, to help with the arm pump.

250f's are for pansies!!!

I beg to differ...

I have had some good seat time on a 2007 RM-Z250 and let me say, I could ride just as fast on it because I felt that I could ride it harder, push it harder, keep the throttle on longer, and come out harder than I can on my YZ450.

Did I miss the power when I got on it? You betcha, but sometimes too much is not always what makes you fast.

Now I know this may not be the case for everybody, but this is my case. I am 145lbs and can ride 2 moto's and my 2 practice sessions 100% and not get tired, but on the 250f I could push that much harder for even longer.

Am I going to get rid of my 450 to get a 250f? Heck no! I just want a 250f in addition to my 450.

[AlkalineOne]

I beg to differ...

I have had some good seat time on a 2007 RM-Z250 and let me say, I could ride just as fast on it because I felt that I could ride it harder, push it harder, keep the throttle on longer, and come out harder than I can on my YZ450.

Did I miss the power when I got on it? You betcha, but sometimes too much is not always what makes you fast.

Now I know this may not be the case for everybody, but this is my case. I am 145lbs and can ride 2 moto's and my 2 practice sessions 100% and not get tired, but on the 250f I could push that much harder for even longer.

Am I going to get rid of my 450 to get a 250f? Heck no! I just want a 250f in addition to my 450.

a very good point... im not going to disagree, but you'll also be spending a lot more $$$ on maintenance when you ride a 250f as fast as they can go... i would never buy one for myself... sorry

i way 190, so its a definite NO

[Budlite]

Before you buy anything, see if you can borrow a 250F for a couple of laps. You also might want to try to get on a yz250 for a lap or two, they might just surprise you.

[984]

i'm gonna ride a 250f definately first. i did learn though, that the used market on 450's is in the crapper. and i have a nice one, too. i'll probably end up with a yz250f and keep both, then trade them both in for an EFI bike. yamaha has o% and no pmts for 6 months now, so that's adding fuel to this thing.

[The Italian Stallion]

i have a 2006 yz450f and like it alot, except for the fact that it wears my arms out and takes alot to corner. i've been on 450's for three years and before that was on 125 smokers...so, i've never been on a 250f. i ride mostly track and a little trail. i'm 33 and in good shape, but don't want to own and maintain two bikes. i posted this here, because yamaha is the only choice. can you guys give me some help?

It sounds like you need to set your bike up a little better for turns.Raise your forks 10mm set the sag at 95 to 98mm, get higher bars and a good front tire. this makes it turn way better.It sounds to me like your not groovin with your machine. What is different than the other 450s you have ridden the last 3yrs? I have the 06 and find the power to be very smooth compared to other brands.When I first got my 06 I wasnot happy about the turning I felt like I was fighting the bike to much, also the bottom was a little soft for my taste.But now I flat out love this machine now that I have it set up. Dr d pipe rg3 22 offsets ,renthal fatbar 971 and a 50 tooth sprocket.Forget the 250f be friends with the blue ox!

[984]

It sounds like you need to set your bike up a little better for turns.Raise your forks 10mm set the sag at 95 to 98mm, get higher bars and a good front tire. this makes it turn way better.It sounds to me like your not groovin with your machine. What is different than the other 450s you have ridden the last 3yrs? I have the 06 and find the power to be very smooth compared to other brands.When I first got my 06 I wasnot happy about the turning I felt like I was fighting the bike to much, also the bottom was a little soft for my taste.But now I flat out love this machine now that I have it set up. Dr d pipe rg3 22 offsets ,renthal fatbar 971 and a 50 tooth sprocket.Forget the 250f be friends with the blue ox!

i have my forks slid up 5mm, run pro taper windham bend, high bars, my sag is set at 95mm, i run a 48 tooth rear sprocket, i have a powercore ti slip-on pipe (with insert) that smooths' the bottom end, a rekluse clutch, with perch and over-ride, a 952 front tire (i've run wide dunlops also- they suck), i'm in good shape and stay hydrated, and have an e-axle and run a 24 mm offset, rear axle close to the front (one link removed), and am a 5'6" 163 lb, B rider

dude great input, but i'm considering fasst bars or something. oh, i did fab rubber bar mounts out of conveyor belting. they're tightened right down. can this be a cause of it. i mean, first two laps, i'm on, then blam! instant numbness.

[bboyce]

984, It is to my best knowledge that no 450 can turn like most of us are used to; the 2 stroke way.

It seems like the 450's all want to go wide and push in corners, where as a lighter bike, 250f, will take the inside rut without pushing you foward to the outside. I think that is the reason why 450's are not so good in tighter situations.

While the YZ may be the best handling 450 and is best of the 450's in tight stuff (I don't know if it is), it still won't be near as good as a 125 will falling into a tight rut.

Do you catch my drift?

[kxman]

I would keep the 450. All I ride anymore is woods. Went riding with a friend the other day on my private hare scrambles course. I laid the course out myself about 3 years ago. It is very tight woods, many turns and hills. Little over 5 miles long. Much tighter than a GNCC. I got my azz handed to me by this guy. He was riding an 06 KXF250. So I start thinking to myself maybe his 250 is better in the tight stuff than my 450. We switched bikes. It wasn't the bikes fault i was getting beat. I hated the KXF250. That think was a pile compared to my Yamaha. He liked my YZ450F and is thinking about buying one. I hope he doesn't because I will never keep him in sight if he gets a 450. Most times it is not the bikes fault if you are not winning.

[984]

nice post. i think i'll have to ride them back to back.