Hi, the name's Nic, been a while since I posted up here lol.

Anyways I bring a question to the table here. I'm tired of having to spend more time and money on my clapped out old XR 200 than i do riding the darn thing. Soooo.....I'm looking forward to upgrading to either a XR 250 or a XR 400. I'm about 6'4", 165-170lbs, and I'm 18 years old, still in High School but I'm a Soldier and work 2 other jobs besides my Reserve time. I ride a combination of about 30% tight twisty single track, 30% rocky quad trails, 30% open fire roads, and 10% silty sand. Been riding about 5-6 years and wouldn't call myself a beginner but wouldn't call myself anything better than a novice. Anyways, I'm not sure which of the two bikes will suit my size, experience, and terrain I ride. I've found decent deals (I think) on both of the bikes, so just waiting to figure out what I should go for. Any help from you guys will be greatly appreciated. Please include a few reasons that back up your opinion. Thanks a ton:thumbsup:

400!

It gots more grunt!

For really tight stuff, the 250 would be a better choice because all that power is useable. But in other stuff, the 400 seems like it would be better off, because you're able to open er up more than the 250. I myself ride a 250 but I ride tight narrow trails where anything over a 250 is crying the blues for the ride.

I've ridden both a lot in about every type of terrain. I'm 6'3", 200# and love the 250 in nearly everything except for MX and sand. The 400 has a lot more power and is just as fun to ride but is heavier and sprung a little stiffer. A good rider won't hardly notice the extra 20# or so. With the 250 you will have to learn to carry more speed through things while the 400 will be able to accelerate out things.

Since you're 6'4" and still a teenager, I would go with the 400. You will probably get heavier as you get older and can grow into it. Taller seat foam would be a good idea to keep your knees at a better angle and taller bars or bar risers would be good as well. The 400 will do better in sand and on open fire roads. The 250 is "OK" there but the 400 really pulls away.

Good luck!
Doug

get the 400. Hands down best bike. Soundsl ike your busy with work and your reserve time, so the low maintance of the xr is going to be great for you. Get the 400 you won't regret it. I am about 6'1" and 215 pounds and it is great. I do everything with it. Tight trails, mosterous hill climbs, logging road bashing and desert racing. Great bike that will last you along time. Some say that the 400 isn't good for tight stuff, I would have to disagree. Compared to some 400's that i have ridden with i would say that from a bike standpoint i was much better off. my dad and i both ride 400's and think they are very good for what we do. I have mine opened up without the snorkal, 160/58 jets and a pipe and it is perfect. couldn't ask or need any more power. As fas as the weight difference between the 250 and the 400 goes, the 400 makes up for it in power in my opinion.

by the way where in washington are you?

With your long legs, go 400 !! You will eventually build enough muscle mass to do anything with it !!!!!!!!!

Alex 400 said:

I live in SW washington in Kelso/Longview area if you know where that's at? It's exit 36-37 on the I-5. Where are you at yourself?

I ride tight single track and open trails.
GO 400.
Had the 250, loved it, but need more grunt.

wentz912 said:

Shoreline/North seattle. We go riding up at reiter and walker valley most of the time. might be coming down to capital forest in the spring though or jones creek.

might see ya down there at jone's creek if your talking the tsf one. We like it there since it's so secluded and such you know...not a whole lot of people know about it...