2005 YZ250F vs. 2005 CRF250R

[Yamaha329]

Which bike is better? Or are they about the same?

[Yamaha329]

I think the YZF is better I think its way different the way it handles that the 04 did, but I heard the CRF is lower and has better handling and easy to lay down in corners.

[MooseRacing552]

Im really not to sure, but i voted the honda. So far i hear diff. chararistics for every one that makes it better in some places than the other.
i heard the yz250f has more power
I heard the crf250r is smoother
and i here the kxf/rmz250 is the best handling

[crfjedi393]

We're a long-time Honda family and I can't say much about the YZF's, '05 or otherwise. But we rode yesterday with a bud of my son's and it was his first ride on the '05 crf 250. My son and I both ride '04 crf 250's and all the talk is about the harder hit in the bottom end with the '05's. My son rode the '05 and could definitely tell the difference in the low end torque but said he would stick with his '04 without question. (he's 14) He's got new Michilen S12's that make all the difference and probably wasn't thinking about that. The 756 Dunlops that come stock on the Honda are okay but they don't hook up as well for the serious racer. My vote goes for the Honda but they all can be brought up to near-equal performance with a replaced part here or there.
I've also let several veteran MXers ride my bike since the "new" 4-stroke is so comparable to their old 2-smokes. (they were curious) They are unanimously amazed at the cornering charachteristics of the Honda and they all were comfortable with laying it WAY over and pulling themselves out of a near disaster with the throttle!
Sorry I don't have much to say about the YZF. Just don't have any experience there. I know they are good bikes. Technology has blessed us all.

[SirFallsALot243]

Unless the CRF had some major engine/valve work done... id say the YZ.

[yz250fkid]

It's personal preferrence, people.

[Aus_Rider_22]

Pick your colour and go!

But personally, I would go YZ250F.
Minimal valve and piston problems compared to CRF250R.

JMO, and I am partial to blue!

[jrambo426]

If they fixed the honda valves problem then they would be AWESOME just like the YZ250f

[ejensen]

Honda has made alot of refinements on the 05. Power increase in the lowend. But everyone know that Honda's are better bikes. Yeah the yamis have a edge in horse power but the honda has the whole package.

[redrider8]

I have ridden both bikes. As a matter of fact I rode them just two weeks ago. My friends I ride with have both. The Yami has a little more motor and comes into the power a lot harder. But one thing I did notice about yzf it is still a little harder to start if you stall it. As for the honda it is smooth and still has some kick just not as hard as the yzf. They are both great bikes. I like to ride them for little while then I got to get back on my pinger. I agree with everone else. Get what ever color you like. You wont be sorry. I feel they are about the same except the color.

[Satch0922]

Originally posted by crfjedi
The 756 Dunlops that come stock on the Honda are okay but they don't hook up as well for the serious racer.

ummmmmmmm ok ,......cough cough.....

[gonzo]

I think the CRF is overall a better bike. I liked it. I used to own an 04 YZ250F. That was a good bike but the CRF has pretty equal power and handled alot better. The only thing I didnt like about the CRF was I felt cramped. But skip both bikes and get an 05 YZ125!!!

[m2g4b]

that was kinda my thought as well Satch....CRFjedi...the 756 that comes on the Honda is probably one of the BEST tires out there for the serious racer and all us wannabe's as well!!! Alot of the top pro's use the 756RR which is the same tire just a softer compound. The main reason some other people use another tire, me included, is that the 756 doesnt last very long since it is so soft and hooks up so good!!!! Now the front 742 that comes stock is not that great and I can see replacing it ASAP....Didnt mean to jack the thread, just wanted to put my input in on the tire comment...also I like both bikes, I ride CRFjedi's 250f ALOT and I wish it had the pull of the YZF but other than that the Honda rocks with everything else!!!!

[Satch0922]

pair of 756s $100 shipped to my door. My last ones were on for a year....and I ride a little here and there....

$6000 motorcycle.......$100 once a year for tires.....I don't get it.

See ya soo Mike!

[m2g4b]

WOW, if you got a SET of 756's for $100 to your door, I want your supplier!!! I love the 756 front tire, and yes I can get it to last about a year or more, but I have never got the 756 rear tire to last more than 6 to 8 months, but I used to ride ALOT!!!! I actually ran a 756 front tire for awhile on my yamaha, then switched to the Michelin S12, just liked it a tad better for more diverse conditions...my preference, LOL...but the rear, I have been running the Michelin MS2 on it and I love it, not that it hooks up better than the 756 to me but I really really think it outlast it by far...once again personal preference, LOL....

yeah, and see you soon Satch, let us know when you get your bike so we can all hook up and go riding again asap...I want to introduce you to Hilltop MX in Randlett Oklahoma!!!

[Satch0922]

Sorry for the hijacking.......

Originally posted by m2g4b
WOW, if you got a SET of 756's for $100 to your door, I want your supplier!!!

Motoworldracing.com

[m2g4b]

yeah me too...sorry for taking the post another direction....Satch, thanks for the link!!!

[DCox]

I toyed a little some time back with the idea of getting a 250 fourstroke in the place of the 450, but the larger displacement better fits my riding habits.

However, what I read from numerous sources regarding the '05 CRF and YZF I can briefly summarize for you as follows:


'05 YZF250

THE UPSIDE: The engine is as close to bullet-proof as a fourstroke 250 currently gets. The five valve Yamaha design was the first fourstroke introduction into this class and they have it down very well. Like '04, this year it is still the most potent stock engine in the class. Reliability AND power is a pretty nice combination. You may need to confirm this (as I may be getting it confused at this point with the '05 YZF450), but it also has the new twin chamber designed Kayaba forks (like the Showa) and this introduces much better overall handling characteristics.

THE DOWNSIDE: The '05 YZF still feels top heavy to most riders--indeed, it is perceived as being overall heavier than it actually is on scales. At times this, among other things, makes the YZF harder to lay down in corners, and gives the sensation that an individual is riding "on" the motorcycle rather than "in" it--even for tall riders. This phenomena has been speculatively associated with the higher center of gravity found in the rotating mass of the YZF dual cam design. I am not sure if this theory has been confirmed as fact, but it is a common speculation among those who ride it. And, of course, the '05 YZF is still nestled in a steel frame--for good or bad. Yamaha claimed to have come up with a new recipe for their blue plastic, but from initial reports the dreaded "white streaks" still follow the YZF.


'05 CRF250

THE UPSIDE: This is now the second year for the CRF250 and a good number of changes were made against the extremely popular "beta" of last year. Foremost is a thicker cylinder skirt for '05, which was cracking for many riders in '04. Engine power is improved somewhat over '04, but it has not overtaken the YZF. Where the '05 CRF250 shines is still in the handling department. It is claimed that the Honda 250 fourstroke has a lower center of gravity for its rotating mass. And some attribute this "feeling" to the unicam design. Again, I do not know if this is fact or not. One thing is for certain with riders--the seat height is lower and this provides most riders with the sensation of being "in" the motorcycle rather than "on" it--particularly in corners where the YZF can tend to try to stand up. Overall handling of the Showa equipped CRF250 is alledgedly second-to-none. The '05 CRF of course sports a third generation aluminum perimeter frame and has all the expected Honda "fit and finish." The bike also looks real nice.


THE DOWNSIDE: The "weaknesses" of Honda's unicam design become more apparent among the higher-revving 250 fourstrokes. In order to accomodate four valves as opposed to say, Yamaha's five, Honda has a much more agressive cam profile. The bottom line is that one will need to engage in more adjustment and preventative maintenance on the Honda valve clearance than its YZF counterpart. Aftermarket suppliers have stepped up by making stronger springs and stainless steel valves available (so Pro-Circuit, Ron Hamp, and Kibblewhite), which will help address the issue. Ultimately, however, the nature of the Honda valve train design appears to be less a design flaw and more of a deliberate instance where the benefits (viz., unicam, lower center of gravity, etc.) outweigh the inconvenience of more frequent valve inspection and maintenance. Some even argue that the YZF's longevity in the valve train can lead owners into a false sense of security (durability) that will be shattered when an uninspected valve train finally detonates through the stress of prolonged wear. I don't know if that is really the case, but given these are MX bikes based on formula one engine technology, it seems apparent that whichever bike one buys, they should make valve inspection part and parcel of their maintenance routine.

In sum, while I would never toss $5,000 + at any color and just ride, it would be a hard choice between either of these models. It is of course traditional wisdom that it is easier to make an engine faster than it is to make a bike handle better, but I am not sure if most amateurs really use the full potential of any of these fourstroke engines in stock form anyway. Feel free to flame me if any of you are among the chosen few who do so.

So maybe the real answer is as Gonzo suggested--buy an '05 YZ125 and go out and cheaply whip it and your competition . . . . (j/k)

[Satch0922]

both bikes are better than 99% of the riders that buy them. THAT is a fact

[MotoMan]

Originally posted by yz250fkid
It's personal preferrence, people.

Yep....and my preferrence is blue.

Seriously though, you CANNOT go wrong here, I mean you are choosing between the 2 best manufactures there are.