buying new crf250

[JDR215]

hi there,
im looking at getting a new 2007 model crf250, this will be my first four stroke. finally seen the light i guess. and would like to know if there are any issues with this year model. i dont really want to go out and buy one if it has any mechanicle problems or anything like that. any information would be great thankyou. P.S i am a big honda fan so this is my bike of choice over all the other brands.

[Shoei_391]

Well Honda does make the best 4 strokes...but thats because there 2 strokes arent that good . Back to your question, I am not really that sure, but I do know that the 2004 or 2005's had some valve problems..But damn that dual exhaust looks cool!!!

[Shoei_391]

Dude....watch this...PLEASE

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Damn bog...

[Woody_393]

Great review my motocross.com

I've not read anything else about it, but a bog would keep me from buying one for the time being.

Heck you are close enough to the release of hte '08's why not wait and see.

[JDR215]

yeh, for the money that it costs i am better off waiting till the 08 model comes out, and hopefully they fix that bog that plagues this bike. if they dont, i will have to find another colour. any ideas?

[Woody_393]

Wait and see, that's what I'd do.

All the other bikes are dang good too, but check motocross.com and see what they thought of them. They seem to have the least bias of all the reviews I've seen to date ever.

[JDR215]

yeah, i had never seen a reveiw like it, it was a very well presented. i am going to keep an eye on them when they get tested.

[KKXR400R]

I hope you like changing oil and cleaning air filters. After 4-5 hours we drop the engine oil. Every 2 (sometimes 1) rides we clean the air filter. These 4-strokes require alot of maintenance. We have an 06 and got 70 hours out of the valvetrain, some people say we got lucky to get that much out of it. This can cost anywhere from 800-1500 just in parts alone (not labor). I think they are still shoving that huge 40mm carb in the in the 07's, leaving the bike with its wonderful bog. The twin pipes are a complete joke...they do nothing for you. Yes I have a lot of great things to say about this bike ...don't I? you will understand what I'm talking about when you have to disassemble half the bike just to pull the carb out. I'm not trying to discourage you from getting the bike by any means, but realize no matter what color the bike is you HAVE to stay up on the maintenance. I underestimated the out of work it takes to keep these bikes running....now I wish we kept her 125......good luck with your choice.

-Kevin-

[Shoei_391]

Originally Posted by KKXR400R

I hope you like changing oil and cleaning air filters. After 4-5 hours we drop the engine oil. Every 2 (sometimes 1) rides we clean the air filter. These 4-strokes require alot of maintenance. We have an 06 and got 70 hours out of the valvetrain, some people say we got lucky to get that much out of it. This can cost anywhere from 800-1500 just in parts alone (not labor). I think they are still shoving that huge 40mm carb in the in the 07's, leaving the bike with its wonderful bog. The twin pipes are a complete joke...they do nothing for you. Yes I have a lot of great things to say about this bike ...don't I? you will understand what I'm talking about when you have to disassemble half the bike just to pull the carb out. I'm not trying to discourage you from getting the bike by any means, but realize no matter what color the bike is you HAVE to stay up on the maintenance. I underestimated the out of work it takes to keep these bikes running....now I wish we kept her 125......good luck with your choice.

-Kevin-

Man I'm happy I have to have a 125 2 stroke With all the talk of the carb bogging and everything it really makes me wonder if Honda really does make the best 4 stroke...motocross.com seems to like the Yamaha and Kawi better..

[DRGSin393]

Originally Posted by dirtbikekid1337

Well Honda does make the best 4 strokes...but thats because there 2 strokes arent that good . Back to your question, I am not really that sure, but I do know that the 2004 or 2005's had some valve problems..But damn that dual exhaust looks cool!!!

Man...whered you hear that? Honda makes the most popular 4 strokes, but the best?? Yamaha 4 stroke motors have been solid from day 1. Whichever brand you choose Kevin is right...maintenance maintenance maintenance.

Kev..I realize Tracy rides her bike hard but 70 hrs?? That seems wrong for some reason. Is this something youve found talking to others, as well?

[Woody_393]

I don't care what 250F you ride, you will be spending $$ on valves at some point. The Yami may not need new valves as soon as the others, but at some point, you're going to get sick of adjusting vavles after every 3 rides.

I'm also not sure where these $$$ figures for a rebuild come from? I rebuilt my 450 myself -- new valves, springs, guides, keepers, piston, rings, etc, and It might have cost me $600, oh and that included some rough porting from RHC.

As far as the bog, motocross.com also has some good info on it. -- White Brothers Carb Mod Product Review by Motocross.com

I do agree, Maintenance is key, but it's key on anything you want to last. And that includes a 2 stroke.

[KKXR400R]

Originally Posted by Woody_393

I'm also not sure where these $$$ figures for a rebuild come from? I rebuilt my 450 myself -- new valves, springs, guides, keepers, piston, rings, etc, and It might have cost me $600, oh and that included some rough porting from RHC.

Ya my cost was a little high there. I forgot there were other parts we bought while her bike was down...
I think we ended up spending about $700 (I'll look at the invoices later) with Chris and myself doing the work. I wanted to make sure the dependability factor was there and replaced some parts that may have not needed to be replaced but I figured I had the jug off and the head sent out...might as well replace it with it all apart. When you race Dez you REALLY beat the piss out of the bike, internally and cosmetically.

This is what we did on the rebuild.
Piston, rings, Complete top end gasket kit, valve guides, cam chain, cam chain tensioner guides, KW SS valves and springs. Pro-x did a little bit of work on the head, pressed the guides in and installed the valves.

Kev..I realize Tracy rides her bike hard but 70 hrs?? That seems wrong for some reason. Is this something youve found talking to others, as well?

I have heard mixed stories. Some have gotten only 30 hours on them (mostly novice riders fresh off a 125) and some have gotten 180 hours on them. Tracy is actually really light on the motor. I'm thinking its the way people ride these things. I hear these young guns screaming at the track, tagging the rev limiter and I just cringe!

I hope I didn't start a debate between the 2 stroke 4 stroke debate, if I did I apologize. That subject annoys me to no end. I have been frustrated with her bike for some time now and I think its boiling over from the RUTS race a few weeks ago when it decided not to start. Sometimes it starts like a dream....next it plays a game with me and I get all paranoid that the valves are tightening up. I have checked the valve clearances 3 times since the rebuild and its driving me absolutely insane cause they are ALWAYS in spec (I guess I shouldn't complain). Tracy and I are die hard Honda fans, we have had 4 in the last 4 years, but next year when I get a new bike I will not be going red.....OK I'll shut up now. Sorry for high jacking your thread.....

-Kevin-

[Woody_393]

Hey Kev, I hear the annoyed (call it down right angry) at a bike that's not behaving, and those bikes certainly can be a royal pain.

[limp1969]

getting ready to buy a 08 crf250, i have had a 06 crf 450 for awhile. I didnt really like it much until i got the suspesion revalved, it was a stink bug.Now its pretty good, way to much power. I found myself riding tracks mostly and the 450 was to big for most tracks so i had an old yz125 02. Really hard to beat that bike on a tight track. Rode a friends 07 yz250f, it was really nice.
But I got to say I am going with the honda. $6300 otd. Not a bad deal.

Really just wanted to give my 2 cents on the valve problem? What valve problem?
You guys arent cleaning your filters and changing your oil. I know who you guys are, Your the lazy friends of mine that use ready filters. Let me tell you, I have 35 hours on crf 450, i write down each time I ride, I use only oem air filters, I use only thick oil ,pour on type not spray, i use grease on the rim, and i change it every ride! Oil changed every 3 rides. I just checked my valves again and everything is fine. By the way I am not a pro, but I am in the top 10 guys at a track like lake elsinore mx park(or any other local socal track) on a busy day. I ride the bike pretty hard.

These bikes are only gonna last 40 to 50 hour before you have to rebuild the top end. on my 2 strokes I do it every 30 hours for a 1/4 of the price and it takes an hour maybe.

The air filter is the biggest thing with these bikes, That is why most people are buying the yz250f, they arent that fast and they dont want to spend the 10 mins it takes to clean thier filters

I got a good bog picture for you danm yz125, I did save it!

[KKXR400R]

Originally Posted by limp1969

Really just wanted to give my 2 cents on the valve problem? What valve problem?
You guys arent cleaning your filters and changing your oil. I know who you guys are, Your the lazy friends of mine that use ready filters. Let me tell you, I have 35 hours on crf 450, i write down each time I ride, I use only oem air filters, I use only thick oil ,pour on type not spray, i use grease on the rim, and i change it every ride! Oil changed every 3 rides. I just checked my valves again and everything is fine. By the way I am not a pro, but I am in the top 10 guys at a track like lake elsinore mx park(or any other local socal track) on a busy day. I ride the bike pretty hard.

I'm hoping your not directing this to me. As far as the the CRF having valve issues....YES there is a valve problem with this bike. Do some research on the coating they use on their valves. As far as being "lazy"??? Besides Big E, I'm one of the most anal retentive person when it comes to maintaining my bikes.

[limp1969]

Originally Posted by KKXR400R

I'm hoping your not directing this to me. As far as the the CRF having valve issues....YES there is a valve problem with this bike. Do some research on the coating they use on their valves. As far as being "lazy"??? Besides Big E, I'm one of the most anal retentive person when it comes to maintaining my bikes.

not coming at anyone here really, But the coating used gets sand blasted off by dirt, this is why the air filter is a big deal to keep clean.

That is all i am saying. I have not had this problem with any of my bikes yet!
You?