CRF250X or YZ250X?

[Jayzonk]

Wondering how pronounced the differences will be between the four stroke Honda and the two-stroke Yamaha.  I can get either one for pretty much the same price.  All I'm going to do with it is set up some jumps and boot around the yard, maybe some light trail stuff.

[Doc_d]

Light years different.  The Honda is long in the tooth.  It hasn't had a redesign in a long time.   Comparing an old trail oriented 4 stroke 250 to a enduro two-stroke 250 is a bit odd but let's take a shot.

 

Weight

CRF250X - 250 pounds

YZ250X - 229 pound

 

Power at the wheel

CRF250X - 27HP

YZ250X  -  44 HP (estimated based on YZ250 dyno charts)

 

Suspension

This is subjective but the Yamaha is known for having excellent suspension.  I've not ridden either bike, but I'm guessing the Yamaha would be considerably better.  

 

Electric start

The CRF250X has the advantage here since the YZ250X doesn't have it.  Although I find a 2 stroke 250 much easier to kick than a 4-stroke.

 

 

Flexibility

The YZ250X works great on the track and the trail.  The CRF250X wouldn't be at home on the track.  This is completely irrelevant if you're not doing any track riding.

 

Ultimately I think a comparison between the YZ250FX and and the YZ250X would have been much tighter.  Then it just comes down to if you want a 4 stroke or a 2 stroke.  

 

Good luck!

Doc

[Jayzonk]

Light years different.  The Honda is long in the tooth.  It hasn't had a redesign in a long time.   Comparing an old trail oriented 4 stroke 250 to a enduro two-stroke 250 is a bit odd but let's take a shot.

 

Weight

CRF250X - 250 pounds

YZ250X - 229 pound

 

Power at the wheel

CRF250X - 27HP

YZ250X  -  44 HP (estimated based on YZ250 dyno charts)

 

Suspension

This is subjective but the Yamaha is known for having excellent suspension.  I've not ridden either bike, but I'm guessing the Yamaha would be considerably better.  

 

Electric start

The CRF250X has the advantage here since the YZ250X doesn't have it.  Although I find a 2 stroke 250 much easier to kick than a 4-stroke.

 

 

Flexibility

The YZ250X works great on the track and the trail.  The CRF250X wouldn't be at home on the track.  This is completely irrelevant if you're not doing any track riding.

 

Ultimately I think a comparison between the YZ250FX and and the YZ250X would have been much tighter.  Then it just comes down to if you want a 4 stroke or a 2 stroke.  

 

Good luck!

Doc

Yeah, you're right, there's a bit of night and day here.  For trail, I'm thinking the two-stroker will involve a lot more clutching, feathering, etc.  Thinking the Honda might be faster.  I was pushing toward the Honda because I hear they handle really nicely, which I like.  That being said, they're all dirt bikes, so how much different could the handling be?

[jacoB1234]

I had a 2006 CRF 250X and it was a very good bike. Thanks to the wide ratio tranny, you dont have to shift nearly as much as a 2t. The biggest reason that I sold mine was the weight. Even with weight saving upgrades, i felt like a mammoth to pick up. One thing that I really did like about it was how it lugged. You could be in first gear and idle up about anything(not really but you get the point.). The YZ 250X is so much different. It is way more of an aggressive bike. Its a race bike. The YZ will have way better suspention and much more power. You can also get it to lug as well as the Honda by changing fly wheel weight. My point is that the YZ is the better bike on paper, but it always comes down to preference.

[Doc_d]

Yeah, you're right, there's a bit of night and day here.  For trail, I'm thinking the two-stroker will involve a lot more clutching, feathering, etc.  Thinking the Honda might be faster.  I was pushing toward the Honda because I hear they handle really nicely, which I like.  That being said, they're all dirt bikes, so how much different could the handling be?

 

The YZ250X is going to be a much better bike in my opinion.  If you'd prefer a 4 stroke the 2016 WR250F and YZ250FX and also much better than the Honda. 

Then if you really want to step it up, look at the KTM and Betas.

 

Out of the entire class of enduro bikes, the Honda CRF250X is probably the least desirable in my opinion.  Honda badly needs to redesign it.

 

Doc

Edited April 29, 2016 by Doc_d

[Piney Woods]

Forget the yard, hit the trails. Both are very excellent bikes, just very different. For what you describe the CRF230 would be a great choice.

[Jayzonk]

Forget the yard, hit the trails. Both are very excellent bikes, just very different. For what you describe the CRF230 would be a great choice.

I thought about a CRF 230.  I'm 5'11", 204lbs.  Is it going to be low on power?

[BOAB]

I thought about a CRF 230.  I'm 5'11", 204lbs.  Is it going to be low on power?

 

You are too tall and too heavy for a CRF230.

[Jayzonk]

You are too tall and too heavy for a CRF230.

It's 300 bucks to move from a 2015 Honda CRF250x to a 2016 YZ250X.  Hmmm

[BOAB]

It's 300 bucks to move from a 2015 Honda CRF250x to a 2016 YZ250X.  Hmmm

 

How about the YZ250FX?

[Jayzonk]

How about the YZ250FX?

I'm interested in the 250FX.  I suspect it's a little better trailwise, but will it still do a bit of MX stuff? Recreational MX stuff that is...

Edited April 29, 2016 by Jayzonk

[BOAB]

I'm interested in the 250FX.  I suspect it's a little better trailwise, but will it still do a bit of MX stuff? Recreational MX stuff that is...

 

From what I've read in reviews its much more of an MX bike than the CRF.  The CRF is basically a hard core play bike, the Yamaha is a competition enduro bike.  But I have to say I am considering a CRF250X because of the price, there are 2015s for a decent deal.  I don't race, just play hard.

[jay bird1138]

Get a yam, Fx or x. I would not get the crf from what I've heard it's slow and heavy for its power.

Or dare I say it, get a used ktm.

[Jayzonk]

From what I've read in reviews its much more of an MX bike than the CRF.  The CRF is basically a hard core play bike, the Yamaha is a competition enduro bike.  But I have to say I am considering a CRF250X because of the price, there are 2015s for a decent deal.  I don't race, just play hard.

You know, that's what had me thinking this way in the beginning.  I'm no racer, never was, never will be.  Really, I used to do a little jumping on my XR80 when I was a kid, and I just want to start doing a bit.  Start with a two foot, then a three foot, etc.  That's all I'm going to do with it.  CRF250X will do?? 

[Jayzonk]

There is a leftover 2015FX kicking around for about $400 more.  Does that change things?  Would the CRF250X be less maintenance?

[Doc_d]

Maintenance between the CRF250X and the YZ250FX would be similar. The YZ250FX is the better bike. It's a new design with fuel injection, stronger motor, better chassis and better suspension.

But it sounds like you have your heart set on that Honda. At the end of the day it's your money and you should get the bike you want. Just make sure you understand the pros/cons of the decision.

[Jayzonk]

Maintenance between the CRF250X and the YZ250FX would be similar. The YZ250FX is the better bike. It's a new design with fuel injection, stronger motor, better chassis and better suspension.

But it sounds like you have your heart set on that Honda. At the end of the day it's your money and you should get the bike you want. Just make sure you understand the pros/cons of the decision.

 

Sat on both the YZ250X and the FX today.  The FX seemed a little taller, but when I check the specs, it's actually .2" lower.  I couldn't understand that at all. 

However, I noticed that the sag on the YZ250X was much much more (ie. it sunk down more when I sat on it), so is it just a matter of setting it up differently? 

[NW_drZ]

Sat on both the YZ250X and the FX today. The FX seemed a little taller, but when I check the specs, it's actually .2" lower. I couldn't understand that at all.

However, I noticed that the sag on the YZ250X was much much more (ie. it sunk down more when I sat on it), so is it just a matter of setting it up differently?

Don't listen to the specs, you are right. The FX is definitely a taller bike than the yz250X. If you look at them next to each other the FX just looks bigger all around. I have a FX and my buddy has the new X. We swap bikes sometimes and I can tell the difference every time I get on it. Overall both are great machines. You can't go wrong with either.

The crf just doesnt compare to these bikes. But that's to be expected considering it's a 12 year old design. That said, the crf250x is actually a fun bike to ride and is completely capable. My best friend has one and rides the crap out of it. It would be my easy third choice out of these three however

Edited May 1, 2016 by NW_drZ

[Jayzonk]

Don't listen to the specs, you are right. The FX is definitely a taller bike than the yz250X. If you look at them next to each other the FX just looks bigger all around. I have a FX and my buddy has the new X. We swap bikes sometimes and I can tell the difference every time I get on it. Overall both are great machines. You can't go wrong with either.

The crf just doesnt compare to these bikes. But that's to be expected considering it's a 12 year old design. That said, the crf250x is actually a fun bike to ride and is completely capable. My best friend has one and rides the crap out of it. It would be my easy third choice out of these three however

 

Yes.  The CRF250X is the cheapest at $7300.  The YX250X is $7600, and the YZ250FX is $8700.  For bombing down gravel roads, I'm wondering if the FX is going to be the best?  The most versatile?  You can still jump/wheelie it, right?

[NW_drZ]

The FX is a full blown race bike.  It will pull wheelies whenever you want and shred the moto track when needed (may be a touch soft, but clicker adjustment will help).  Its considered a cross country race bike, so logging roads will be nothing for the FX.  It's the only 6 speed out of the bunch, and it's tall (the 6th gear that is).  It will cruise comfy at 60mph no prob.  The YZ250X is in a similar boat, and will rip the moto track and destroy the woods.  Don't sell either of these bikes short, they are designed for competition.  The crf on the other hand is a good trail bike.  Easy to ride with a decent bottom end (falls flat up top) and confidence inspiring motor (pretty tame).  I wouldn't hit  hard moto with it unless the suspension was dialed in a bit.  Even then id still keep it to a minimum.  It can jump, but I wouldn't take it too big.  

 

Im actually surprised to see that the FX is that much more than the YZX