Can I go wrong with a 250X

floridacrf · Joined: 06 Nov 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Florida

I'm looking at purchasing a 2006 250X to ride around Florida trails with my two boys on their 100F and 150F. I really want to make sure that I'm getting the right bike the first time around because it gets expensive otherwise.

For comfortable trail riding in sandy Florida conditions, for a 160# novice rider (who plans to improve), is a 250X a good choice? I don't want to get it and discover that I should have bought a 450X, for example, or a KTM whatever. Do 250X owners seem to be as happy as (insert any brand here) owners with their equipment? Are there trade offs if you go 250X over any other brand?

So that I can understand the trail bike world better, what is the approximate equal to the 250X in the other popular brands?

Can you have a good experience with a stock bike or do you find that you really need to add on this or that to make it pleasurable. If certain add ons are critical, then I might as well find a bike with them already on it, since I am planning to buy used.

When buying a used 250X, what should a novice look for to determine that the bike is in good condition and has not been abused? I'm assuming that just because it is clean on the outside, doesn't mean it is clean on the "inside".

Any thoughts that you can share to give me direction would be appreciated since I really want to get this purchase right. Considering the forum that I'm writing this on, I would expect great bias towards a 250X but I want to learn why you guys chose your 250Xs over competing brands.

Thanks so much for your guidance.

matt watt · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:

I would recommend you test ride it to see if you like it. I fell in love with mine after one short test ride. It still makes me smile after 5 years. These bikes have intake valve issuses. Once replaced with aftermaket valves they are ok . I got two years out of my stock valves. Other guys weren't so lucky. If you read some of the threads in this forum you will get a pretty good idea what these machines are like. The one feature I really like is that the engine oil and trans oils are separate. The single camshaft is a simple design and is easy to work on. The yamaha WR250 is probably it's closest competion.
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04 CRF250X

taylorrep · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject:

I love my 2007 250x. I can ride with anyone of my ability level and have plenty of fun while keeping up. I have done some engine modifications such as new cam, re jetting the carburetor and opening the air box also known as Close Course Competition modifications. I bought mine primarily for trail riding. I do take it to the track to ride with my son as well from time to time and it works good there as well.

jmattor · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:08 am Post subject:

Welcome floridacrf,

I won't tackle all those questions....you wrote:

"I'm looking at purchasing a 2006 250X to ride around Florida trails with my two boys on their 100F and 150F. I really want to make sure that I'm getting the right bike the first time around because it gets expensive otherwise.

For comfortable trail riding in sandy Florida conditions, for a 160# novice rider (who plans to improve), is a 250X a good choice?"

For your intended purpose and your size, you can't go wrong with the 250X.

The bike will enable you to move out of the novice category quickly with just a bit of good ol' fashioned "Seat Time".

Once your boys have grown they can move into your bike as you contemplate a 450....or you can just buy them 250's ! Very Happy

ibow24 · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:07 am Post subject:

my 07 250X was and is the perfect choice for me. 46 years old 170lbs just out having fun in the dirt. For our trails and riding I don't often get above 3rd gear until we hit some power line right away. I see some guys (older and younger) on 450's who have no business being on a 450. You can almost see the fear in their eyes. I don't think they're having much fun either. How many times during a trail ride to you get a little out of shape and maybe twist the throttle at the wrong time. These guys are just about getting their arms ripped off. I know there are also many many guys who can handle the 450 on trails and do it very well. I'm sure not one of them. I love my 250x
Steve

RockstarSMP · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 100 Location: San Diego

I have an '05 250x and it really is a GREAT bike, but it isn't the bike for all conditions and eventually you may want a 450 for the sand...

Honestly, I don't like Honda as a whole b/c of their racing politics, but admittedly, they are by far the best when it comes to build quality, and as far as parts go and long term riding is concerned, Honda parts are supposedly a lot cheaper than the rest... Good to know if you have to rebuild a motor, etc. Honda also uses way better hardware than the rest and it doesn't seem to corrode as easily as the years go by... You can go into a showroom and look at bikes side to side and you'll notice the difference. Especially in parts that are hidden by plastics, companies like Suzuki will tend to have lousy welds in places like the subframe to save money, whereas Honda usually does a good job, even though it's out of site and covered.

You may save a grand by going with a different bike, but the Honda probably is the best choice...
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bocephus450x · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:52 am Post subject:

Rockstar....their sand and our sand isn't the same. Our sand is huge dunes. Theirs is sandy trails (kinda like riding in the washes at Ocotillo - from what I've seen)

I'd think a 250X would make him a happy camper
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dobent4@yahoo.com · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject:

dobent4@yahoo.com · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:33 pm Post subject:

P.S.
For sandy trails run sand tires.(No, not paddles Laughing

).
All the tire companies list mud/sand tires, thats what you want.
A steering stabilizer (Scotts, GPR) will seem worth 2 grand instead of 4OO something. You'll always have one after you run one, just like a Rekluse clutch. Very Happy

Doug
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ibow24 · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject:

If you decide to look for new consider this. I don't know if Honda made way too many 2007 models or what BUT...I purchased my 2007 in Feb. of 2009 from a dealer. It was brand new but obviously 2 model years old. I found my bike on Ebay. Seriously there were over 100 leftover 07's for sale on Ebay at the time.
I paid $4,000 for mine and he delivered it to my house from another state for $75. I had I went to the dealer and picked up they would have required state sales tax of 7% (I think it was 7, either way it was a lot).
I was making working deals with 3 different dealers.
I was having much more luck getting price drops on the 250R but I really wanted the X with the magic button. I was still very happy with $4,000 for an 07 250x.
I don't know if there are so many leftovers every year of if 07 was a mis calculation of demand on Honda's part.
Steve

Riley · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:44 pm Post subject:

The 07's were way over produced.

I have one, that I paid more than $4000 for in spring of 08.

I love it, I was 230 when I bought and it had plenty of juice for me, especially after the CCC mods and a gearing change.

20lbs lighter now, and it's a blast ! I would for sure get a Scotts, plan it out thoughon how you want to mount it.

I think I want a 450, until I ride and get on the trails and the 250 has plenty. Plus, I can still cam it, exhaust and big bore it if I need more. Then, I'll have more power with the lower weight.

I'd be interested to see the power to weight ratio between 250s and 450s. Also, between a mod 250 and stock 450. I think and a lot of others do too, that a 250 is great for the tight and nasty areas with a 450 being harsh.
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chopper · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 144 2007 Honda CRF250X

I currently have a CRF230, CRF250X,CRF450x and ride in the woods. I would have to say that you should definitely rule out the 450 since you have limited experience. I am an experienced rider and I find that the 450 is just too much to control on the trails.My riding buddies have ridden it and usually choose not get back on it after having rode it. The 250x would make a much wiser choice for you, however, you may consider the 230. It is a very low maintance machine, can be bought for less $, and is a very good choice to hone your riding skills on. Also the 230 would be a machine that you could move your sons up to when you've all become more experienced and,at that time, you might be ready for something new like a 250x. I would tend to agree with the others, who are in the opinion that if you were to buy a 250,that you may want to stay away from a used one, but I believe that would not be the case if you were looking for a 230. The reliability of the 230, due to the low reving nature of the engine, would make it less of a risk to purchase used, but I'd look for one that is adult owned/ridden.