Do you guys think the Honda will be able to haul around heavier loads than the Yamaha yz 250f? (based on the other hondas)

I think it will be pretty similar to the Yami version. It might have more HP, but not much if any.

Yea, the XR250 no doubt about it, can haul around heavier loads.

CRF 250 not XR.

I think the 3/4 ton YZF-250 with the optional tow pkg will be able to haul more then the wimpy 1/2 ton CRF-250

A heavy load? Like 2 chords of wood?

5 actually.

So does anybody actually have an answer to this question?

Until someone actauuly rides one, everything here is pure speculation. Typically magazines get test bikes a few months before release.

I would expect an online magazine like offroad.com to be first, unless Honda has some kind of gag order on when they can go to press.

The real interesting story will be why Honda has delayed the release from this summer to next fall.

apparently honda has had problems with the valves...requiring replacement after so many (few) rides. This is unacceptable after you consider the price tag.

Quote

FACT:
02'crf...220 hrs. at lest, NEVER even took spark plug out, needless to say having VALVE Problems.
03' crf..60 hrs.(same as above)

Don't get me wrong......I believe 1 out of 5,000 had problems with them.

most likly not

from what i've heard from my local dealership, that honda is having trouble wih the UNI-cam design, they cant seem to make it durable enough to operate in the necessary RPM range for a 4stroke 250 motocross bike...this is what i heard, and is probably pure speculation..but no offense, but i wouldnt doubt if a one cam engine is having problems with high RPM operation...

Doesn't the cam have 3 lobes, the 2 outside lobes run directly on the 2 intake valve buckets like many other bikes, but then the center lobe runs a rocker arm that drives the 2 exhaust valves. I guess this puts all the load to drive all 4 valves on one cam. Do they run a bearing at both ends of the cam or just a bearing at the sprocket side like the WRF does, and then the other side just spins in the aluminum head with oil pressure. Are the failures with the cam bearings? They would have to carry more load with this design. I don't see why the valves would wear any different, they don't know what they are being driven by. Or are the failures with that rocker arm since it has a long reach from the intake valves over to the exhaust valves.

I have mixed feelings about this rumor. I can see it happening and it could possibly be true. I would think the failures would take place on the rocker arms operating the exhaust valves because at 13,000 RPM those things would be moving in a hurry constantly. Also, all the other manufacturers have chosen a DOHC design for there 250's (even KTM) The bike undoubtedly also will have a smaller oil capacity (in comparison) due to the seperate cavities so that could also play a factor.

It seems weird to me though that they would introduce this design if they couldnt get it to work. I mean, those engineers designed this motor on a computer and through testing and simulations, I'm sure that they would be able to tell if it could sustain that RPM before they even built it. Who knows, the delay could be due to the new frame. It certainly is smaller and possibly less durable than the current frame and perhaps there are fatigue problems.

Look at it this way. The bike isn't up to Hondas standards in terms of performance, durability, something. They have some pretty high standards. When the bike is finally released, we all know it will throw some serious roost.

i don't buy that rumor at all. yamaha did not release thier 450 until jan, and the same with the250f when it was new.

since the crf was the best selling bike EVER i am sure they are just taking more time to produce and arrange the shipping for the masses they will sell. the production lines are already tooled up. it takes a long time to change something, so i doubt if they are fiddiling with anything at this late time

Honda sells WAY more XR50s than CRF450s. Yamaha sells WAY more TTR125s than Honda sells CRF450s.

Honda doesn't care about market demand...if they sell more CRF450s, it is simply because they manufactured more product and jammed it down their dealer's throats. This is a fact...they are still pissed that Harley sold more bikes than them that one year.

It is true that Yamaha released the YZFs in January, BUT that is when they said they would be released....not 6 months earlier like Honda always does.

what yr are you talking about.jam it down the dealers .the dealer orders the bikes it wants to sell not what is sent to them