crf 150f or yz250f

[timpearson26]

As some of you know, I started the thread asking about the 150f making a good SM bike. And thanks for all the replies and pics btw. Anyway, my 600RR track bike just sold, so now I have about $4,000 to burn.

My choices are a crf 150f and doing a SM conversion. Or possibly going with a 250, like a yzf or crf. I just want to do track days, probably just at Stockton, and maybe have the dirt set up as well. I currently own a 97' YZ 250 2-stroke that I want to get rid of b/c it is too much for me. I actually have more fun riding my wife's crf 150 than my yz 2-smoker. I have never ridden a 250 4-stroke. Can I expect that to be about half the power of the 2-stroke?

This one caught my eye. I think this guy has the bike posted here on barf too but I couldn't find the link. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/487564552.html

What do you think. I don't want something I will out grow real fast, and I don't want something that will be overwhelming.

Tim

[nadrojp]

get that bike immediatley... his name is jeremy and its posted in this section... the bike is very well sorted, and in good condition... seriously... that bike rocks my world and if i had the money i would grab that thing! pm stout510 ( jeremy) tthats your man

[timpearson26]

I sent him a PM just now. Have you ridden the bike nadrojp? How does it compare to a 250 2 stroke. I'm looking for something less intimidating than my 97' yz 250.

[VTRZA]

That CRF would also be wayyy easier to get cool shit for than a 150.

[pacifisticuffs]

I sent him a PM just now. Have you ridden the bike nadrojp? How does it compare to a 250 2 stroke. I'm looking for something less intimidating than my 97' yz 250.
Hey Tim,

I'm a new dirt rider on an '02 YZ250f. While I've never ridden the YZ250 2-stroker, I can say that as a conservative rider, I don't find the power of the 250f to be overwhelming. It's pretty linear with a *little* something extra up on the top of the band, but nothing that will launch you over berms.

I'd definitely go check out that bike. It looks like it'll fit your bill!

[DukeD]

As some of you know, I started the thread asking about the 150f making a good SM bike. And thanks for all the replies and pics btw. Anyway, my 600RR track bike just sold, so now I have about $4,000 to burn.

My choices are a crf 150f and doing a SM conversion. Or possibly going with a 250, like a yzf or crf. I just want to do track days, probably just at Stockton, and maybe have the dirt set up as well. I currently own a 97' YZ 250 2-stroke that I want to get rid of b/c it is too much for me. I actually have more fun riding my wife's crf 150 than my yz 2-smoker. I have never ridden a 250 4-stroke. Can I expect that to be about half the power of the 2-stroke?

This one caught my eye. I think this guy has the bike posted here on barf too but I couldn't find the link. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/487564552.html

What do you think. I don't want something I will out grow real fast, and I don't want something that will be overwhelming.

Tim


That yzf250 is basically two bikes for the price of one with both dirt and supermoto wheels. Heck the wheels alone will cost over a grand! I'd buy it over the 150F since this one is already set up and can do dirt and stockton duty out of the box. Don't get me wrong, I love my 150F but this 250 is a great deal.

[timpearson26]

That CRF would also be wayyy easier to get cool shit for than a 150.

Do you mean the yz would be wayyy easier to get parts for than a 150?

[timpearson26]

Hey Tim,

I'm a new dirt rider on an '02 YZ250f. While I've never ridden the YZ250 2-stroker, I can say that as a conservative rider, I don't find the power of the 250f to be overwhelming. It's pretty linear with a *little* something extra up on the top of the band, but nothing that will launch you over berms.

I'd definitely go check out that bike. It looks like it'll fit your bill!

Thanks for the info. Sounds like it will fit me well.

[timpearson26]

That yzf250 is basically two bikes for the price of one with both dirt and supermoto wheels. Heck the wheels alone will cost over a grand! I'd buy it over the 150F since this one is already set up and can do dirt and stockton duty out of the box. Don't get me wrong, I love my 150F but this 250 is a great deal.

thanks for the reply. You're right. 2 bikes for the price of one. I'll probably go check it out.

[timpearson26]

Also, the guy said he just turned off the gas 5 months ago, but he didn't drain the carb bowl. Besides draining the gas do you guys think the carbs will have to be taken apart and cleaned?

[DukeD]

5 months isn't THAT long for the bike to sit. If it were a two stroke with premix in the tank then yes he should have drained the bowl but on a four stroke the gas shouldn't go bad that fast. If the bike was running properly when stored it should start right up with fresh gas and a charged battery.

[stout510]

Doesnt matter now. The YZ250f is sold. Now I have a complete SM setup selling separately. Shooze and Loose. I was really surprised the dual setup did not sell right away. Oh well, now I will just have to settle for more money selling the SM parts separately. Darn.

[VTRZA]

Do you mean the yz would be wayyy easier to get parts for than a 150?
the CRF or YZ 250s

[timpearson26]

Doesnt matter now. The YZ250f is sold. Now I have a complete SM setup selling separately. Shooze and Loose. I was really surprised the dual setup did not sell right away. Oh well, now I will just have to settle for more money selling the SM parts separately. Darn.

Dang it. I guess I'll just camp out till something similar shows up again.

[jake28]

Dang it. I guess I'll just camp out till something similar shows up again.

Wrong, buy the set up NOW and then find abother YZ250F. I started on a TTR150F with a sportsman set up and then moved up to a YZ250F with set of seventeens and slicks. The 250F is hands down the best dirtbike/motard candidate I have encountered and everyone who has ridden my bike has come off with a fat grin.

A short anecdote: A coworker of mine has a late 90's YZ250 smoker that he loves but after a five minute moto on my bike, he was had fallen for the four-stroke. He couldn't get over how the suspension simply worked, the power was buttery smooth, and the bike handled like a BMX bike. His bike meanwhile, rumbled and vibrated and just spun the rear and in my opinion, just wasn't very fun to ride.

Experienced riders who usualy ride 450s and 650s and sportbikes ride my 250 and just laugh. It is small enough to be ridden like a toy and big enough to compete with the big bikes on. You can abuse it, late brake, and get on the gas with a wide open throttle mid corner and it just goes, no hesitation, no bobbles, just speed.

The YZ250F is the longest established and most reliable 250 four-stroke on the market. Some say that it doesn't handle as well a the CRFs or KXFs, and while it may feel like it requires a little more force to flick into corners, if you haven't ridden a comprable Honda, you don't know what you're missing.

The YZ is incredibly reliable: change the oil and go. In three years of dirtriding and motard trackdays, I have never even had to adjust the valves. They are cheap, and plentiful. Expect to pay between 2800 and 3300 for a decent 04-06 model on CL. Avoid going older than 03 simply because they tend to be a little more clapped out.

With the right rider, the 250 will keep up with any other bike on the track, providing you're not on a roadrace track like Reno-Fernley. If you want proof, go and watch some of the local kids go after the big bikes on their 250s, it will leave you breathless.

I have never had a moment of regret with my bike, on the track or in the shop. It reacts predictably in every condition and has been an awesome platform to start slow and get fast on. Get the supermoto set up, get a bike, don't look back.

[timpearson26]

Wrong, buy the set up NOW and then find abother YZ250F. I started on a TTR150F with a sportsman set up and then moved up to a YZ250F with set of seventeens and slicks. The 250F is hands down the best dirtbike/motard candidate I have encountered and everyone who has ridden my bike has come off with a fat grin.

A short anecdote: A coworker of mine has a late 90's YZ250 smoker that he loves but after a five minute moto on my bike, he was had fallen for the four-stroke. He couldn't get over how the suspension simply worked, the power was buttery smooth, and the bike handled like a BMX bike. His bike meanwhile, rumbled and vibrated and just spun the rear and in my opinion, just wasn't very fun to ride.

Experienced riders who usualy ride 450s and 650s and sportbikes ride my 250 and just laugh. It is small enough to be ridden like a toy and big enough to compete with the big bikes on. You can abuse it, late brake, and get on the gas with a wide open throttle mid corner and it just goes, no hesitation, no bobbles, just speed.

The YZ250F is the longest established and most reliable 250 four-stroke on the market. Some say that it doesn't handle as well a the CRFs or KXFs, and while it may feel like it requires a little more force to flick into corners, if you haven't ridden a comprable Honda, you don't know what you're missing.

The YZ is incredibly reliable: change the oil and go. In three years of dirtriding and motard trackdays, I have never even had to adjust the valves. They are cheap, and plentiful. Expect to pay between 2800 and 3300 for a decent 04-06 model on CL. Avoid going older than 03 simply because they tend to be a little more clapped out.

With the right rider, the 250 will keep up with any other bike on the track, providing you're not on a roadrace track like Reno-Fernley. If you want proof, go and watch some of the local kids go after the big bikes on their 250s, it will leave you breathless.

I have never had a moment of regret with my bike, on the track or in the shop. It reacts predictably in every condition and has been an awesome platform to start slow and get fast on. Get the supermoto set up, get a bike, don't look back.

That sounds like a pretty good idea. Will that 02' set up work on the 04-06 models?

[DukeD]

Wrong, buy the set up NOW and then find abother YZ250F. I started on a TTR150F with a sportsman set up and then moved up to a YZ250F with set of seventeens and slicks. The 250F is hands down the best dirtbike/motard candidate I have encountered and everyone who has ridden my bike has come off with a fat grin.

A short anecdote: A coworker of mine has a late 90's YZ250 smoker that he loves but after a five minute moto on my bike, he was had fallen for the four-stroke. He couldn't get over how the suspension simply worked, the power was buttery smooth, and the bike handled like a BMX bike. His bike meanwhile, rumbled and vibrated and just spun the rear and in my opinion, just wasn't very fun to ride.

Experienced riders who usualy ride 450s and 650s and sportbikes ride my 250 and just laugh. It is small enough to be ridden like a toy and big enough to compete with the big bikes on. You can abuse it, late brake, and get on the gas with a wide open throttle mid corner and it just goes, no hesitation, no bobbles, just speed.

The YZ250F is the longest established and most reliable 250 four-stroke on the market. Some say that it doesn't handle as well a the CRFs or KXFs, and while it may feel like it requires a little more force to flick into corners, if you haven't ridden a comprable Honda, you don't know what you're missing.

The YZ is incredibly reliable: change the oil and go. In three years of dirtriding and motard trackdays, I have never even had to adjust the valves. They are cheap, and plentiful. Expect to pay between 2800 and 3300 for a decent 04-06 model on CL. Avoid going older than 03 simply because they tend to be a little more clapped out.

With the right rider, the 250 will keep up with any other bike on the track, providing you're not on a roadrace track like Reno-Fernley. If you want proof, go and watch some of the local kids go after the big bikes on their 250s, it will leave you breathless.

I have never had a moment of regret with my bike, on the track or in the shop. It reacts predictably in every condition and has been an awesome platform to start slow and get fast on. Get the supermoto set up, get a bike, don't look back.

Some damned good advice Jake28. :thumbup

[timpearson26]

The only thing holding me back is that 03' and up YZ's are red sticker. I like how honda has a green sticker version of their CRF's, like the CRF 250x is green sticker. Does yamaha do anything like this?

[jake28]

I can't remember the differences for set ups. With some manufacturers, the same wheels will work for 02-07 models, for some the wheels are particular to 01-02, 03-05, 06-08. Chech the website for info.
As for the green sticker vs. red sticker, it isn't particular to a bike manufacturer, blame the CA bureaucracy. If the sticker is a deciding factor, get an 02. It will likely be cheaper than the newer models. Spend the difference on putting an 03 auto-decomp exhaust cam in and refreshing the motor if the bike looks like it has seen some hours. www.thumpertalk.com is a great resource for info on the fourstrokers.

[jake28]

The only thing holding me back is that 03' and up YZ's are red sticker. I like how honda has a green sticker version of their CRF's, like the CRF 250x is green sticker. Does yamaha do anything like this?

I can't remember if the older Yamaha WR250F is green sticker or red sticker. It is essentially the same bike, plus a front light, a wide ratio tranny, and a few extra pounds of crap that can (should) be removed. The wide ratio tranny would actually be ideal for motard tracks.

[timpearson26]

I can't remember if the older Yamaha WR250F is green sticker or red sticker. It is essentially the same bike, plus a front light, a wide ratio tranny, and a few extra pounds of crap that can (should) be removed. The wide ratio tranny would actually be ideal for motard tracks.

I have been doing some searching on Craigslist and I have at least seen a 05 WR 250 F as a green sticker. I guess the WR's must be green sticker if they are sometimes converted to street w/ a license in CA.

[Teddy]

Doesnt matter now. The YZ250f is sold. Now I have a complete SM setup selling separately. Shooze and Loose. I was really surprised the dual setup did not sell right away. Oh well, now I will just have to settle for more money selling the SM parts separately. Darn.


.........and I happen to have a 2002 YZ250F (very clean, stock) for sale....Oh yeah, I have a CRF170F for sale too....you can just come by and decide in person which one is best. If you like the 250 then you can get the SM parts from Stout510:p