CRF150RB

Hey guys, I most likely won't be gettin another bike soon, but knowin me, I like to think ahead. Right now I ride a CRF230F with a BBR pipe (not sure if that really makes a power diff.) and a CRF 250X. I was looking at 250f's before but after a few monthes i got back on the 250 and thought i might want somethin a little mellower just for riding around the house (and friend's houses) and every ounce in a while hit some nearby trails. I'm 5' 10" and weigh 130 lbs. and want something a little more fun and mx style than the 230, but a little mellower than the 250. I know the 150R (big wheel) would be the size of a 230 which i like so it's easier to just do some hack-around riding. What do you guys think about the 150R compared to the 250X and 230 including power. Thanks in advance.  
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Lancaster, PA
2007 CRF250R
4 Stroke 4 Life!

I have a CRF150RB, so I think I might be able to give you some input on this.  

First of all, I love the little bike!  It's an absolute blast!  I can't compare it to the bikes you listed, because I haven't rode either one. What I CAN compare it to is a CRF250... the CRF150R feels like a scaled down version of it's bigger brother.  It's very light and nimble, it has plenty of low, mid, and decent on top.  It will scream if you wind it up, but for playing around it's a very well mannered bike.

As with all Honda's - the factory jetting is..um... interesting!  With absolutely no motor changes whatsoever, last year's needle and this year's needle have a profile that is 30% or so different!  I'm in the process of getting the jetting sorted out using a 4-gas analyzer on a dyno - however, before I post the jetting specs, I need to get it on the track and out in the woods - the jetting coming off the dyno is typically a little too lean for actual use, but it provides a breat baseline for me to start with.  I'll post those jetting specs in a couple months.

The bike is sprung for 150lb rider.  I know this because I put my bud - who happens to be 150 - on it, and the static and race sage were spot on.  You'l likely want to put a little lighter spring in it but they aren't very expensive, and pretty easy to replace.  At your height, you'll likely want to put Fastway pegs on it to give you keep you from feeling cramped.  But think of it this way - the bike can be had - out the door - for around $4000, so even if you spent a couple hundred in parts, it's still cheaper than a 250.

As a last note, don't underestimate this motor.  Although it only produces around 23 ponies, it really rips it up if you ride it hard.  What's nice is that you can just play around on it and it won't buck you off.... it's a nice broad torque curve right off idle.

Hope that helps!

Skip  
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Here we go again!

Yeah, that helps alot. Thanks!  
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Lancaster, PA
2007 CRF250R
4 Stroke 4 Life!

skip, just out of curiosity how does the crf150r compare to the yz85?? power, suspension, handling (i do realize you have the big wheel 150r)  

Autismspeaks.org
Gilbert AZ
06yz144,05yz85,02yz85

Darn good question, MJP!

Power:  the CRF has WAY broader power than the YZ85.  It drives off the bottom and keeps pulling. The YZ85 has a non-existent low, followed by a vicious mid-range hit, and a strong top.  A novice could much more easily ride the CRF, where as the YZ85 might challange some of the best of us.  In a drag race... I'd have to give this one to the YZ by a nose, simply because it's 25 lbs lighter. On a track?  I think the CRF wins that battle.

Suspension:  I need to ride the CRF some more on a track before I answer that.  I can tell you from the get-go though, the suspension is plenty for a 150lb rider, whereas the stock YZ85 is pushing it with 120lb rider.  My initial feel is that the CRF is better suspended - especially in the forks - than the YZ, but the YZ is pretty good too - the YZ's only big flaw is that it doesn't have great bottoming resistance at all.

Handling:  I like the cockpit of the CRF better - it's roomier (obviously since it's the big wheel) and it's really easy to toss around.  Again, I need to put more track time on it to form a final opinion, but I have no complaints so far.

The one question you didn't ask was "Fun".  Boy that would be a hard call.  If I coould only keep one of them, I'd agonize over it.  The YZ is a blast - just tearing around on that thing puts a big grin on my face!  And make no mistake - it's a fast little beast.  The CRF fits better, doesn't require it's clutch to be constantly flogged, and is easier to ride.  

Did i miss anything?  
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Here we go again!

thanks skip, just looking ahead as my son and nephew (both 11) wont fit into their kx60s much longer. any idea if the valve train holds up better than the crf250r/x's ??

sorry to threadjack honda250rider, but i dont think im the only one with these questions  

Autismspeaks.org
Gilbert AZ
06yz144,05yz85,02yz85

that's fine. I was looking at 85's ounce and was nice to know the difference  
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Lancaster, PA
2007 CRF250R
4 Stroke 4 Life!

I'm sure he'll want to know the answer to that too!  Actually - so do I
So far so good, but it' too early to tell how durable this valvetrain is going to be.
Last year they had a bad batch of camshafts, and had to do a recall - but Honda took care of it. What's on most people's minds is the valveseats - how often these valves will need adjusting, and how often the seats will have to be recut/valves replaced.  Mine haven't moved off their original spec yet, but mine is still pretty new.  The local Honda dealer's kid rode one last season, and all he ever did to the bike was to break the plastic here and there - the valvetrain held up to a season of racing/practicing and if I recall they adjusted the valves twice.  
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Here we go again!

What do u guys think of this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-Honda-CRF150R_W0QQitemZ130197338065QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130197338065  
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Lancaster, PA
2007 CRF250R
4 Stroke 4 Life!

you are nuts!!!! for not considering any 125.
i use to have a crf 230 and it was fun on the trail, but on the track was a shane power and suspension. now i ride a 2002 cr125 and the happiest guy in the track.
ps and smaller thant you, so you have not excuse.
i'm 5'6 125lb.  

well i'm not a track rider. i just do hack around and ounce in a while trails.  
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Lancaster, PA
2007 CRF250R
4 Stroke 4 Life!

still is good for what you are planning.
question why you were not considering it.  

I don't really know for sure, but I've always ridden 4-strokes  
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Lancaster, PA
2007 CRF250R
4 Stroke 4 Life!

skipper, i wanted to know if the crf150rb is good for my kid hes 5'4" 125lbs and 14 years old.  

Skip, I had a CRF150F with a White Brothers Mini R4 exhaust, until it got stolen about 3 weeks ago. I loved the bike but it always lacked the power and performance I need. I am 5'6 and 120lbs. I was wondering if the CRF150RB is the bike I should get for Christmas.