Hey guys, im 13, ride a crf230 im 5'7 and 180. i ride suuuuper tight nasty rocky slick hillclimbs and single trackers, and all of the above types of trails. i sssccccrrrream my 230 and ive been contemplating a 250 2 stroke, kdx 200/220, ktm 125, and a crf250r. no crf250x. too gay. haha.

Not sure about your budget, but the obvious choices to look at given what you are riding are:

KTM200 XCW/EXC
KTM 150 XC (not the SX)
KDX200

I think a 250-300 2t (KTM, GasGas, Husaberg, Husqvarna, YZ, KX) is going to be too much bike for a 13 year old.  A purpose built 125 enduro like the GasGas or Husky with a wide ratio trans would work too...but these are quite few and far between.

I would stay away from the 250F MX bikes and I think the WR450F or CRF450X are too much bike as well.  Given what you want to ride, I dont see a a close ratio transmission MX being very good for enduro/single track riding unless you gear it really low by changing front/rear sprocket and that will greatly limit your top speed.

Of course, the CRF250X and WR250F are pretty good enduro/trail bikes that wouldl be a solid move up from the CRF230F given that they have at least 50% more HP and much better suspension and brakes than the 230F...but you have indicated you think they are gay.  They also can be had for $2500 or less in very good condition.  Other than these and  the KDX200's, very few bikes can be had in for $2500 or less that would meet your criteria.

Edited by SilvFx, 13 July 2012 - 08:56 AM.

Kdx's are GREAT bikes, but they are also a little heavy, and primitive as far as suspension goes when you get faster. I started on one when I was about your age and it was a great until i got faster and wanted to moto down a little more. If you like to scream a bike, a 125 would be my vote. But as above mentioned, a KTM200 would be my second vote.

keep in mind that coming from a CRF230F, a KDX or any two stroke bike will feel light (KDX200= 223 lbs dry weight).  No argument about more primitive suspension....but again better than CRF230F.

I do see a lot of folks doing front fork upgrades to the KDX by using the KX1125, KX250 and KX500 forks ....so that is a possibility down the road.

How is a 250X gay in your eyes? It is twice the bike of a 230. Are you meaning by looks alone? Completely different feel than a 230. I have ridden both. On tough hill climbs you do have to be up on a 250F more than a 450, but that is good in a way....but both are way more forgiving and lazy than a two stroke.

I do agree, however, that you would probably love a 200 XCW.

ok, i test rode a crf250x with  a 270 kit and it didnt have a whole lot of power for me. my dad says a 125 would be to small (yes the 2 stroke) so i dont know what to do really.

crf230 scottxr8, on 13 July 2012 - 01:19 PM, said:

Is green/red sticker a consideration?

red sticker and green dont matter too much  up in nor cal its 110 in the red sticker non riding so... its not a big deal

im thinking about a 125 but there too windy... i like low end.. my budget is 1900. or less. hahha

crf230 scottxr8, on 14 July 2012 - 09:06 PM, said:

Where is there? And why is it too windy? Does it blow so hard you need a torquey bike?


Get an older, good shape YZ250. You will have loads of power for years and years to come.

kdx 220 or ktm 200 or ktm 300 xcw

I love my KDX 200 and we ride nasstuff here in the east. The second choice would be an enduro KTM 2 stroke if you can find one cheap