CRF250 vs. RMZ250

[adamdf]

I know both bikes are GREAT, i just would like to know why you guys here opted to go with the KAW/SUZ over the honda... all reasons you guys could come up with would be good, thanks for the input.

[Slowmotion426]

The RM looks way cooler.

[Cyclepop]

I rode a CRF, it was nice. But the RMZ seemed to handled a bit better. Both the CRF & RMZ I rode were stock. The power difference was not that relevant. The only thing I noticed was that the RMZ had way more engine braking. Don't know if this is a good thing or bad, I cant seem to get used to my RMZ when it comes to this. But I still dig 2-strokes, I am trying to learn this 4-stroke thing.

[motoxbluedog]

Price, the Honda's were still selling for $9500 when I bought a KX250F for $7800. There wasn't $1700 worth of difference.

I think the quality of your dealer is worth considering as well. The local bloke might charge a little bit more, but his help and parts prices etc might pay off in the long run.

[Sipe3]

I did allot of research on this very subject before I bought my RMZ. Couple of items lead me to buy the RMZ.

1. Price....... Boy is Honda proud of their products.

2. If you read the Honda post.... seems like there are more valve problems with the Honda. Doesn't necessarily mean there is. Maybe people just post the valve problems more.

4. Did I mention price. At least here in Las Vegas the Honda dealers didn't want to budge on the price.

5. Oh yeah I think yellow looks faster.

Just my two cents. I think either bike will serve you well. I guess it all comes down to what color you like and of course the deal you can get.

[nzkiwi]

A couple of reasons a got a KXF (after riding both bikes):

- I liked the handling of the KXF better

- Also the power (more bottom end)

- IMO the KXF/RMZ look cooler than the CRF

- The Kawi dealer was better than the Honda dealer

- I would have gone green regardless of $, but the KXF was still considerably cheaper

[MotoX178]

I don't like Honda's at all, but I did check them out and leave it as a option. To me the Kawasaki just seems like a better bike all around and it also looks way more awesome. Also after checking out the Honda forum it seemed the CRF250 had more problems, some clutch issues, valve issues, transmission problems and other little things and that was with the 05. I have not read anything on any problems with the 05 KXF as of yet. I also had a friend loose his clutch on his CRF after 2 rides, so that also helped me make my choice. All in all the KXF is a better bike and has stepped up for 05.

[freestyle694]

I know a guy that has a shop and he said he works on more hondas than anything else. Besides Im sponsored by a suzuki dealer!

[markh]

Unless your a pro who can tell the differance between any of the big four. Truth be known any of the four super thumpers are too much bike for 80% of the people reading these articles anyway!

[nmx]

Preference for the Suzuki dealer. No good Honda dealers in my area!

[mnmbb01]

Suzuki pays great Contingency Money for races!! My next Thumper might be a Zuk!!

[adamdf]

I forgot to ask, howcome the CRF and YZF both seemed to do better in mag shootouts than the KXF/RMZ? Also, do you guys ride motocross mostly? I only ride mx, i am 20 years old now and i started riding motocross when i was 6, for me, performance and maintenance comes first, i am looking for a weapon, not just a sweet looking bike, for those of you that can relate to me, am i looking in the right forum? thanks again and look forward to more input.

[Jingle]

yeh i feel you. Im frineds with my dealer's owner so i got a deal. They gave me good money for my 400ex trade in. And the shop is awsome

[Jingle]

i just rode a Crf and it didnt impress me. The bottom end sucked. No engine braking. Reminded me of a two stroke.

[adamdf]

I forgot to ask, howcome the CRF and YZF both seemed to do better in mag shootouts than the KXF/RMZ? Also, do you guys ride motocross mostly? I only ride mx, i am 20 years old now and i started riding motocross when i was 6, for me, performance and maintenance comes first, i am looking for a weapon, not just a sweet looking bike, for those of you that can relate to me, am i looking in the right forum? thanks again and look forward to more input.

any thoughts on this?

[Jingle]

suspension on the 04 rmz BLOWS i think so atleast.

[freestyle111]

any thoughts on this?

Yamaha always wins the "Bike Shootouts" in Motocross Action and Honda always wins the DirtRider mag Shootouts.Yamaha spends more money advertising in motorcrossAction and Honda spends more money advertising in dirtRider.If you notice you Yamaha always has first 2page advertisement in Motorcross action and Honda has first in Dirtrider.You can check for yourself just pick up a couple old magazines and you'll see what im talking about.

[Jimbo45]

Yamaha always wins the "Bike Shootouts" in Motocross Action and Honda always wins the DirtRider mag Shootouts.Yamaha spends more money advertising in motorcrossAction and Honda spends more money advertising in dirtRider.If you notice you Yamaha always has first 2page advertisement in Motorcross action and Honda has first in Dirtrider.You can check for yourself just pick up a couple old magazines and you'll see what im talking about.

Oh. Who is "funding" Transworld then?

[RC876]

those of you that can relate to me, am i looking in the right forum? thanks again and look forward to more input.

Most members here are woods rider or causal weekend warriors. Even though there is a fair amount of Vet A riders. This in no way means that there arent many serious racers who frequent T talk.

What is written in the Mags means little to me. I think the RMZ is a better bike than the honda. In stock form the CRF is dirt slow.The only 2 negatives issues I have with the zukes are the kayaba suspension and some of the reliabliity issues.

[justarider]

I too think the RMZ\KXF has more motor than the CRF. I own a 04 KX250F and a 05 YZ250F. I have ridden a 04 and 05 CRF. My (used but not abused) 04 KX has more motor than a either the 05 YZ and the 05 CRF. The CRF has ok suspension, better than my KX. The YZ suspension shines, it's leaps and bounds better, especially the forks.

I'd rate the CRF better on suspension and the RMZ noticeably better in the motor. As far as reliability, I don't know. My bikes get frequent maintenance and it's how hard they are ridden and how well you take care of them.

If you want a sweet suspension, the YZ is one smooth ride with a pretty good motor. If you want a great motor with somewhat harsh forks that are hard to tune, then the RMZ\KXF. CRF falls below the RMZ\KXF\YZF in my opinion.

But who knows what 06 has in store for us? KX with the YZ suspension, that would be one sweet package.

I am partial to kawi though.