Should I buy Honda crf 150f or crf 230?

[SunsetValley17]

I'm newish to dirt biking. I've ridden my brothers 100 and I'm not the best I'll admit that, because it's not my bike and I don't get to ride it very often. Anyway I've been wanting to get my own bike for a while know and I've been asking friends and family about which is better, a 150 or a 230 but everyone has different opinions. 

I'm female, I weigh 130lbs, and I'm 5'6".

I'd say I'm a beginner. 

I'm worried about getting a 150 and getting used to it too soon and end up having to buy a 230 anyway.

[Albertasledder]

Depends what type of rider you are. My wife has a 150, and honestly I'm not sure if she'll ever want to upgrade. She's roughly the same size and just putts around a few trails, avoiding any obstacle she can. Some people push there limits everytime they ride and go after every obstacle they can. If your the second type of person you might get tired of the 150 pretty fast. I've never owned a 230 so I can't say how those are but lots of people on this sight love them.

[Br0ck]

I'm newish to dirt biking. I've ridden my brothers 100 and I'm not the best I'll admit that, because it's not my bike and I don't get to ride it very often. Anyway I've been wanting to get my own bike for a while know and I've been asking friends and family about which is better, a 150 or a 230 but everyone has different opinions. 
I'm female, I weigh 130lbs, and I'm 5'6".
I'd say I'm a beginner. 
I'm worried about getting a 150 and getting used to it too soon and end up having to buy a 230 anyway.

I would get the 230, the power difference isn't very noticeable between the two but the 230 has a 6 speed transmission. I would get the 230.

[chadzu]

Which one are you more comfortable on right now?  The limiting factor on both of these bikes is going to be the abysmal suspension.

I'm thinking that by the time your done with the 150 the 230 isn't the bike you would choose anyway.  The 150 is going to do anything the 230 can and its lighter.

When you have outgrown the 150 you will likely be ready for something with suspension that will allow you to go faster and jump higher.

 

[SunsetValley17]

1 hour ago, chadzu said:

Which one are you more comfortable on right now?  The limiting factor on both of these bikes is going to be the abysmal suspension.

I'm thinking that by the time your done with the 150 the 230 isn't the bike you would choose anyway.  The 150 is going to do anything the 230 can and its lighter.

When you have outgrown the 150 you will likely be ready for something with suspension that will allow you to go faster and jump higher.

 

I've only ever ridden a crf 100. I don't think I could ever ride anything even as big as a 250, I can barely touch my toes to the ground on my brothers, the weight isn't a huge issue but the height is. I'll probably never go bigger then a 230 just because of the height.

[chadzu]

36 minutes ago, SunsetValley17 said:

I've only ever ridden a crf 100. I don't think I could ever ride anything even as big as a 250, I can barely touch my toes to the ground on my brothers, the weight isn't a huge issue but the height is. I'll probably never go bigger then a 230 just because of the height.

So the 150f has 19/16 wheels like the 100.  The 230 has 21/18 wheels, and is going to be taller because of it.

My wife loves our 100 because of how low it is.  For her the 230 is too tall and she doesn't like to ride it.  When I replace the 100 it will be with another 19/16 wheel bike because that is what my wife and daughters will ride.  Go try them both and pick the one you like best.  You can't really go wrong with either.

[Bricktop72]

Crf150f for sure. The 230 weighs double what you do, and you won’t be able to touch the ground. 

[230 Sausage]

I'm 5'6" as well. At your weight and skill level though, I would say the 150 may be the best starter. But you are also correct to be concerned with outgrowing it quickly. If you were to stay consistent with riding, I'd have no doubt you could tame the 230. Had mine for 10 years so far. Check out the review I made, might help a bit.

[highmarker]

sit on a kawasaki klx 140G ,  full size 18 /21 wheels and disc brakes. The big wheels roll over stuff so much better you'll fall less.

[76xtdrvr]

Nice thing about both the 150's and 230's are resale. You can pick up a nice used 150 for ~$1500, in the U.S. anyway, if you shop around. If/when you outgrow it, you can sell it for nearly the same and repeat the process with a 230. The 230 is heavy, but the 150 isn't much lighter. My adult son is about your size. He rode the 150 for a year or so, and switched to the 230. 

[Center Punch]

I may have missed it if someone already asked, but...

 

Are you done growing ?  ( I'm in my mid- 50's and done growing... vertically  )

 

If you're specifically looking at the CRF's, then get the 150 with electric start and you should always be able to get solid re-sale value out of it - assuming that you keep it well maintained and clean.

 

I'm betting that the 150 will most always have enough power for you for many years to come, but if you do find that you've indeed outgrown the 150, then research what your next bike could be. 

 

Most bikes out there are able to be lowered to your specific height.

 

( I kinda like the Kaw - 140 idea with the larger wheels... )

[Center Punch]

On ‎12‎/‎7‎/‎2018 at 2:08 PM, 230 Sausage said:

I'm 5'6" as well. At your weight and skill level though, I would say the 150 may be the best starter. But you are also correct to be concerned with outgrowing it quickly. If you were to stay consistent with riding, I'd have no doubt you could tame the 230. Had mine for 10 years so far. Check out the review I made, might help a bit.

That was a fun review to watch !

 

I have had a CRF230f for a few years now and just recently sold a TTR230.  Even though there are better bikes to be had for a little more money, they're both really fun bikes.

[230 Sausage]

That was a fun review to watch !
 
I have had a CRF230f for a few years now and just recently sold a TTR230.  Even though there are better bikes to be had for a little more money, they're both really fun bikes.

Thanks for watching!

And I agree 100%. Searching for a nice 200-300cc 2 stroke atm, but like I said I ain't getting rid of this 230!

[jakethesnoke16]

Get the crf230f u may be a lil to short now but trust me if u get the 150f now you will be regretting it later 

[delawhere]

I'd go with the CRF150F. The 230 is a really heavy beast n may be a tad too tall for u to feel comfortable n confident. The 150 will hold its value very well (unless u buy brand new, it won't hold that value) so if u want to move up later u should get a good return when u sell it. I think you'll be very happy starting out on the 150 especially since you've really only been on the 100... the 150 is a much better n versatile bike imo. Good luck!

[todd727]

Too bad Kawi abandoned the KDX200.  Would've been perfect for you, IMO.

[GavMac78]

Either one would be good.  I'd probably got with the 150 to build confidence.  They absolutely hold their value when you decide to sell.

As a far as "getting bored" or "outgrowing it quick".  That's really more about you, how often you ride, your skill level and how hard you want to push the bike.  Even if you have aspirations of being an expert rider, you have to start somewhere.  Better to do it on something that is lighter, easier to manage and most of all Fun!  The 230 weighs 20+ pounds more than the 150.  That's more weight that you have to control and pick up when (not if) you dump the bike.  The 150 can push upwards of 55mph at top speed.  It's more than fast enough to get you into trouble and test your skills.  But at 5'6" you should be able to put both feet on the ground.  

I'm a 40 year old guy that hasn't been on dirt in 20+ years.  I ended up with a huge XR400R.  I bought my girlfriend a CRF150F.  Then I bought another 150 so we could ride mini bikes together.  I also went out a dozen times on the 150's with my best friend.  Picture 2 old dude, that are way too big for 150's screaming around the desert.  The 150 was tons of fun, but still enough of a handful at times to get me into trouble.  I am currently an Intermediate rider.  I liked the 150, but at 5'10" I wanted something a tad bigger and 21/19 wheels.  But the xr400 was just too big for me.  So I just bought a 230, so did my buddy.  I sold one of the 150's in a day for more than I paid for it a month ago.  (I've owned 3 150's in the last 6 months.)  And just sold the xr400.  GF now has her 150 and I'll be on the 230.  GF is also 40, 5'3" 135lbs.  She's older and more of a mellow trail rider.  As much as I'd love for her to ride the 230.  I think she'll stick with the 150 for a long time.  I will most likely upgrade the suspension as her skill level increases.

I vote the 150.  When you feel like you are super confident and need more bike.  Sell the 150 and get the 230.  Should take you roughly a month to find a decent 230 and sell the 150.   It actually took me about 2 weeks.  Most of that time was looking for the 230.

Best of luck!

[Rickybobbyiwgf]

I would go for the 230. It’s got a rear drum break and is less performance oriented. It would probably be easier to maintain than the 150, because theirs less moving parts. And many people say it’s a great beginner bike to just go hit the trails on.

[GavMac78]

5 hours ago, Rickybobbyiwgf said:

It would probably be easier to maintain than the 150, because theirs less moving parts.

Oops.  I think you are confusing the CRF150RB with the CRF150F.  The "F" model's are nearly identical.  The "R" is the liquid cooled racebike and yes definitely more complex to maintain.  

[SteveThe Snakes]

230.