General Discussion Forum

Never being content is the nature of my being...

Went out today and did a few motos on the 250F, I did the MXA type test on the YZ250 vs. the YZ250F thing. I can also test with a 450 too. How cool.

I may not be the appropriate test pilot being that I am light, and that heavily weighs my opinion on the 450 Motocrossers, but I will tell it how I feel it.

Weight: 165 in gear
Ability: B class MX, A class Crasher
Rides: 80% MX, 20% Woods
Bikes: 01 YZ250, 06 YZ250F and 06 YZ450F. I also had extensive testing this weekend on a newer alum. framed YZ250 for reference.


Which is the fastest?

Fastest on the track, and fastest off the start are two very different things. Its obvious that the long powerful spread of the 450 is fastest off a start or in a drag race. However, for me, on the track, the tables turn. I can easily throw down a fast lap on the 450, but doing that 1 lap full out tires me out way to fast, and from then on, I make mistakes and just cannot keep the pace up.
The YZ250F is a fast bike, and I can ride this bike very fast, but the maintenance of 250F's are their major downfall. In order to stay on top of things with the 250F, you must ride the bike with the throttle pinned all the time and carry corner speed so the bike doesn't get bogged down. Rough sandy tracks are big in Michigan, and it seems like when riding a 250F fast in these conditions, the bike is on the rev limiter more then it is anywhere else.  
The YZ250 is a weapon. I have never ridden a bike that makes me smile so much. Its flickable, can lay over easily in a rut, and has power on tap that can get you out of trouble. This bike likes to be ridden aggressively, and it makes any 4 stroke, especially the 250F, feel boring.


Which one handles the best?

No doubt, the YZ250. Since I am light, I just cannot seem to persuade the 450 to go where I want it to. Its a beast. When I try to rail a berm and lay the bike over, the bike pushes and I have to let off, then use the 450's power to exit with some speed. My best guess is that some of it involves my skill level, some of it is the legendary YZ/F push, and a lot of it is just my light weight.
The 250F likes to flow. Find an outside berm and keep it pinned and you are good. I find it hard at times though. I still have yet to be able to get my 250F to turn as precise as the YZ250's do. I think some of it has to do with the engine breaking. If I am not aggressive enough and I let off the gas coming into the corner, the front wants to tuck, or just not track right. Overall, this bike also likes to be ridden aggressively, but its harder to recover from mistakes. Come in to hot, let off the gas, and I bury the front tire, and it just doesn't get back up to speed quick enough.
The YZ250 seems to like tighter lines then either of the 4 strokes, but if you take an outside line, it likes to be ridden like the 250F, just pinned the whole way around the berm. I honestly have yet to fault this bike. Both 01, and the Alum. framed bikes steer precise. The biggest difference I notice between the steel frame and the Aluminum frame is that the Alloy frame is much easier to lay down in a rut. You can really feel the 5 lbs lighter bike under you, and the mass centralization is amazing. Much better then any 250F I have ridden.


Various notes and thoughts

I have made up my mind, the choice is clear after riding today. Both 4 strokes have to go, and a new YZ250 is coming home.

I like riding the 250F quite a bit, the power is smooth (actually boring) but it never gets out of hand. I like holding the bike pinned everywhere, and knowing that I am using pretty much all she's got. However, maintenance comes into play, and its not so fun. I don't have as much fun on this bike, nor ride as fast on it, so why keep it? Maybe if money was not an object, I would keep this bike, but it is...

I actually hate riding my 450. I am so lazy on it, but its because I can't be anything other then that on it. I think if I had another 30 lbs on me that I would like the 450 about as much as I like the 250F now, but for me, I just can't ride that stinking thing. On my 450, overjumping is a often occasion!

I can't understand for the life of me why everyone still rides 4 strokes. I did not start riding until I was 13 and I never rode an 85 2 stroke, so when it was time for a full sized bike, I went to the only thing I knew how to ride...4 stroke. Throughout the years of riding I had never really had much time on a 2 stroke and never wanted to spend the money to buy one because everyone talked these new 4 strokes up so much, I thought I would hate the 2 stroke. How wrong are they! They are so simple to maintain, blah blah, you guys know the deal.

I guess what I wanted to say is, I guess I'm INSANE because... The 4 stroke craze is a joke. You cannot beat a 2 stroke dollar for dollar. I'm getting rid of my 4 strokes to make room for a 2009 YZ250!

Now I hope those 4 strokes of mine sell!  

Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.

so i take it u no longer want a 125  

Sweet! Do a 01 vs. 09 comparo for us.  

yzrider2:
so i take it u no longer want a 125

Did I say that?

Dont think so...  

Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.

chud:
Sweet! Do a 01 vs. 09 comparo for us.

Will do. I should have my bikes sold in 3 weeks to a month because this sunday im leaving for vacation for 2 weeks. And if the 09's are in yet, then I will buy one. The 09's are listed for 5800 right now, so im hoping they do 6K OTD.

Not gonna lie, if they made a 350F, my story might be different.  

Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.

Are you rich or something?  
2006 cr85 big wheel
Long live the 2-stroke
No Fear Factory Honda Racing

Pin_it,

YZ250, eh?  I vaguely remember all the vets around here telling people the same thing you just discovered.. what... a few hundred times?

 welcome to the 2-stroke madness!  The real fun is when you hang back behind a leader who's on a 4-stroke.  Let him get nice and tired, then in one of the last corners take an inside line and square it off - he can't take this line even if he was fresh!  Nail the throttle and take the win.  
I think the politics of racing overplay the advantage of the 450.  I'd bet my lunch money that if they allowed Villipoto or Stewart to race with a 250 2-stroke, they'd still win and have more fun doing it!  
Since when is Dirt blue??!!!

this thread should be stickied so that next time someone tries to argue 2 4 stroke thing we can just show them this.  
1998 cr125
2002 cr80

yeah two strokes are bad ass, tow bad they dont try to imporve the technology, honda quit maken them  
2 thinks to do freestyle: good insurance and 110% pure high grade stupidity

Muddy honda didn't necessarily quit making 2 strokes they just no longer put them on the show room floor my bud just bought a 2008 CR 250R you just have to dig for them a little  
"No Great Thing is Created Suddenly"

Are you in Canada? In the US honda did quit distributing them to dealers, not sure if they even distribute them to other places though..

You sure your bud didn't buy a leftover 07?  

Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.

I dont think Canada has them either, Haven't seen any around here.  
-1998 cr125
2 stroke 4 life

Frm what I know Honda did not manufacture any 08 CR's in the US or internationally.  HOWEVER - I have pretty reliable info that they are bringing back - in limited numbers - the CR250R, possibly as early as 09.  
Since when is Dirt blue??!!!

i mean when you think about it though they can't really totally discontinue them they would lose all there MX / FMX riders  
"No Great Thing is Created Suddenly"

and yeah pin i am sure papers conclude it  
"No Great Thing is Created Suddenly"