New Guy on Dirt Bike (250 or 450?)

[JrGman]

I hope to buy a dirt bike for trail riding this summer and like Honda products. I have no experience riding off road. I have a friend who recommended that I buy the CRF450X over the 250X. He said I would prefer the power available with the 450 and not need to worry about upgrading if I found I really enjoyed riding in the dirt.
I weigh about 180 pounds and like the idea of more power but am I better off with the 250?

[DNA]

I think I can provide some direction here as a relativly new guy that went through similar issues a few years ago.

I a bit bigger at 220 lbs and 6'0" and I have a fair number of years on street bikes adn mt biking, I thought dirt bikes would be a snap. Not so much.  There is much technique and fitness required as well.

As to the main issue - it depends on where and how you will be riding.

I see you are in TN.  I do the majority of my trail rides in WVA, and NC and the reails are tight and technical.  I rode both 450's adn 250's from HOnda adn KTM.  The power difference is significant and that lets you be really stupid adn still get through stuff.  Power is a great asset when you are trying to climb stuff and have poor technique.

However, that power comes with a downside - weight.  If you are having issues - weight is you enemy - more so than I could imagine. I went to Baja and rode a 450 and it rocked, but heavy was not that big an issue inthe desert, but inthe tight (or slimy) stuff we have back east it killed me.

SO I bought a KTM 250 for myself, soon thereafter they guys with the 450's sold them and got 250's as well.

Once i got the 250 properly set with good jetting, correct pipe, gears adn bar set up - I never noticed a power issue.  They all come from the factory plugged up to the point or worthlessness to meet street legal issues, but once properly set up )a learning experience in itself) the 250 has WAY more power adn performance that I iwll likley ever need, and I have less weight to push around and pick up whne i drop (which I still do a lot).  I can asily keep up and pass the guys on 450's when trail permits, and except for the 300 3 smoke, all seem to be far more rider department.  The 300 is pure evil.  

The fastest guy I ever rode with was an ex GNCC racer - his tool of choice - a 125.  200 yards inthte trail - and that was the last we ever saw of him until lunch.  The better riders seem to like the smaller bikes - there is a reason for that.

My recomedation - buy a used 250 that has been well set up already but not too trashed - they are not that expensive or hard to find and after a few years you find you are doing hare scrambles adn winning - get a bigger bike.

BTW - it costs quite a bit of coin to set up abike from new - none of which the seller will recoup.

Let me know if you have more issues.

 

[R.Markus]

That's actually kind of tough to answer. It really depends on what kind of trails you're riding and how comfortable you are on the dirt.

When I first rode in the dirt it was on a 450 (actually a 426) and it was really too much bike. You can find yourself in an "oh shit" situation pretty quick if you aren't used to tighter woods and riding a 450. A little throttle goes a long way. Even now a 250 four stroke would be plenty for the tighter trails I ride (we don't have hills or anything else, so we make do with creating trails that are just stupid narrow and tight).

I'm assuming you have a ton of off road opportunities down there that are fast wide dirt trails in the mountains. A 450 would probably be more fun in the open than a 250, but the learning curve will be a bit higher. Plus when you get into some tighter single track it may be a little more to muscle around.

Either way I doubt you'd be dissappointed in your decision.

By the way...This not a knock on Honda at all, but every person I've ridden with on a Honda 450 has had a hell of a time starting it and restarting it after breaks. We usually let the guys with them start kicking them first and wait until they get them going before we even bother starting ours. That's kind of the nature of the 450 in general, but when the Honda's get warm, they seem to be a pain to get going again. My WR was that way until I messed witht he carb a bit and learned the secret method, then it only took about two to four kicks.


Edited to say that DNA's post above is pretty much right on. I didn't mention buying a bike set up already used, that is the best way to go also. It does take a ton of money to set one up properly...and you don't get any of it back when you sell it. Take advantage of tht and look for a nice used one.

[falcofred]

I've ride both street and dirt, have been for years.
I've got a CFR250X, opened up the top of the air box and re-jeted the carb with Dr D jet kit.
It has plenty of power for my 215 lbs. without the weight and arm jerking of a 450.
I did lots of research on the same question you have prior to the purchase of the 250X and came to the conclusion that for riding in the east all you need is a 250, out west for desert riding a 450 might be necessary.
I ride Durhamtown in GA, Brown Mt. in NC and Hatfield / McCoy in WV.

[phoenix]

so how difficult is it to get the Honda 4-strokes restarted with electric start (after they are hot)?
Just curious. I would have liked to get a CRF250X but I didn't find any in my price range. Maybe next year.

Maybe my biggest dilemna when shopping was trying to evaluate whether I felt comfortable with someone else's mechanic abilities if they did work on the bike.

[sprocket]

No experiance riding off-road, the 250X will be much easier for you to handle. You'll have to do years of ridin before (if ever) you can needle out that 250X.

Keep up with, pass etc... Guys on 450's 300's 250's whatever. Dont be fooled by this kinda talk, its all about the rider, period. There are plenty of guys who can rip snort a 450 through the tighest crap imaginable.

The main thing is this "If you really want to learn how to ride dirt bike, then be prepared to pay the price. Your gonna pick yourself and the bike up off the ground more times than you can count. Thats just part of it. The 250x will be a lot easier for this.  

[falcofred]

so how difficult is it to get the Honda 4-strokes restarted with electric start (after they are hot)?
Just curious.

Just takes a push of the button  

[RRdvark]

I've ridden Honda and Yamaha 250 & 450 MX bikes and I prefer the 250's on the track and in the woods.  Kind of like a 600 vs. a liter bike, they are easier to go fast on.  I might be a little faster on a 450, but I'm working twice as hard and I'm not as smooth.  Not to say the 450's aren't fun (there is something about landing off a jump and powering into a wheelie before the front tire hits the ground), but I am smoother and more consistent on the 250.  I rode street before dirt, I'm 5'11" & 185#.

If your riding is not going to turn into a speed contest with your buddies, go ahead and get the 450 because you can ride it easily at a 7 or 8 tenths pace.  It's when you push it that things get hairy.

[nater]

Go with the 250X.  It has nice, friendly power.  A 450 might be a little much to start with.