[Dirt_Soldier09]

Okay, right now I have an '05 CRF230f and an '05 660 Raptor SE. I thought I would like haveing a quad but... I don't. At my local Honda dealer there is a slightly used '04 CRF250R. I don't really need all the power of the 450R but I could deal with it. I'm 6' and around 200 lbs. depending on my appitite. Should I try to get the 250 or go down the road and get a 450?

[nedirtbikr]

I went from the 230 to the 450R and it worked for me. There are a couple similar threads over at that "other" thumper site where a lot of folks recommended going to a 250 before heading up to the 450.

I guess I probably would have improved in my riding skills quicker with a 250 first, but am glad I went the way I did. From your size/weight description, technically, you would be more suited for the 450.

My two cents...

[Sammy Davis Jr.]

200 lbs. and 6ft. tall, huh? Kinda big for a 250. It'd be fun for a while and then you'd realize you need more power, in my humble opinion.

[jtcohenour]

I'm kind of dealing with the same quandary right now. I have a 06 CRF230. I would like to have the better suspension and extra power. I think you would be better of going with the 450 instead of trading in the new 250 after a few years when I doesn't have the power you want.

[woodsman]

Go with the 450. I came off a xr100 went to a 250x and about 1-1/4 years later went to the 450r.

P.S. I'm 6' 135-140 pounds and 15 years old and the 250 just didn't have enough power for me, even after I tuned it.

[Dirtbike_Crazy6656]

I just went from a 250x to the 450r. you'll love the power of the 450 plus on a 250 your going to have to keep it high in the rpms to really get the power. I'm 5'10 175lbs and I have no problem throwing it around. Going from a 230 to a 450 is a big jump but with your size and weight it shouldn't be a problem.

[Monkeywrench]

I just went from a 250x to the 450r. you'll love the power of the 450 plus on a 250 your going to have to keep it high in the rpms to really get the power.

I think he and I may have done the same thing, around the same time, in different states.

This is a long response, but bear with me... I think I can shed a little light on what you're going thru.

Going 230 to 250 is plain out exciting. More power, better suspension, and (yup believe it or not) it's lighter. (the 250). And by a good chunk, too.

Going 230 to 450 would be quite an adjustment.
Your height and weight aside.
While I would never recommend it to a friend, I do have one that did this very thing and was happy he did... well, a little while later anyway. (see below).

Some reality checking: "nothing" about the 230 is very similar to the 450... (except the brand and the color... and maybe the fact that it's on 2 wheels and not 4). I have a buddy at the track who did exactly what you're pondering, and he said the first few days his focus was more on safety than making any strides toward becoming a more skilled rider. That having been said, he is now 100% pleased that's the move he made (230 to 450) but do not get on this thing and expect to have it down pat in 10 minutes, or even 10 days. The power is literally on tap, on demand. But it is a friendly power - doesn't really show up unless you ask for it to (if that makes any kind of sense). Give yourself several rides to accomodate your throttle-memory, because you won't need to be grabbing anywhere near the amount of throttle you are used to. Do this in an open space if you must, where you can pull the clutch and hit the brakes if need be. When you feel you understand how the power comes on, try the bike in your normal element (trails or track). Also may help to choose a gear higher than you normally would. The transmission is close-ratio which means a snappier response than you're used to, even if you are in a gear higher than you should be... that's not a bad way to start off, as you'll be lugging the bike just a bit.
Just realize this thing WILL move on demand. It will also putt putt. (but it likes to move more). At first exposure, it might seem complete overkill to the unsuspecting weekend warrior. If there is any way you could test ride a friend's 450R, I would recommend that.
Better yet, see if you could ride someone's 250R. I would bet you'd be impressed more than you think you might. They cook.

124 gave me some great advice about a month back when I was mulling over the switch. If you're looking to advance in skill, speed, and control -- take the next logical step (which is 250). There is definately power to be had there (as well as enjoy). If you're looking for a fun play bike, go 450. I grabbed the 450 only because of a deal I could not pass away (got it with 1 ride on it, for less than a new 250R). But I had come from a performance-modded 250 and had been track riding about a year. I say that not to uplift any skills I might have (I would tell you I feel like I'll be learning to get better for the rest of my life) but only to show there was progression through where my intentions were headed. So the extra power was looked at in anticipation (rather than in "uh oh" fashion).

Maybe that's the better question to wrestle down: what intentions you have, moving forward.

Final thought: 'you're only as good as your bike' is true to a point... you don't see Bubba or R.C. slamming up the track on the 230F... but keep in mind there are guys on 250R's that blow away 450's all day long every weekend, at tracks all around the country. It's less about the speed of your ride and more about the skills you brang.

Good luck with your decision.

[Dirtbike_Crazy6656]

124 has a good point. If you rip open the throttle on the 450 like you would on your 230 stand by. It will throw you over backwards. Besides the power of the 450 the suspension is another one that you will have to get use to. Its made to race. On your 230 you can sit down almost all the time if you want to. On the 450 the best way that I found to ride it, is to be aggressive. The bike responds and feels so much better when ever I'm riding aggressive. what I mean by that it is you need to be in a racing position standing up. But don't try it on your first ride. Just like 124 said it might take 10 rides on it to feel some what comfortable and thats fine. One of the guys that I ride with who use to race professional and still rides fast told me the same thing. Its not about how fast you go, its all about having fun. And its no fun getting hurt and not being able to ride. So ether bike will be so much better then your 230. For me I wanted a 450 but I would of taken a 250 but like 124 I found a deal that i couldn't pass up.

[124]

124 has a good point. If you rip open the throttle on the 450 like you would on your 230 stand by. It will throw you over backwards. Besides the power of the 450 the suspension is another one that you will have to get use to. Its made to race. On your 230 you can sit down almost all the time if you want to. On the 450 the best way that I found to ride it, is to be aggressive. The bike responds and feels so much better when ever I'm riding aggressive. what I mean by that it is you need to be in a racing position standing up. But don't try it on your first ride. Just like 124 said it might take 10 rides on it to feel some what comfortable and thats fine. One of the guys that I ride with who use to race professional and still rides fast told me the same thing. Its not about how fast you go, its all about having fun. And its no fun getting hurt and not being able to ride. So ether bike will be so much better then your 230. For me I wanted a 450 but I would of taken a 250 but like 124 I found a deal that i couldn't pass up.

Huh? I think yer mis-quoting me. Monkeywrench has all the brains in this one...

[Dirtbike_Crazy6656]

Sorry I mean Monkeywrench. Just started typing and stopped thinking

[dill73]

Well to me the 250ris a good bike for just about anybody. But i guess if i were u, id try and possibly test ride a 250r and compare it to ur 230 and if u think that u could handle more power than go to the 450. truthfully i would buy a 250r even at ur stature and weight, just set it up for u, and u should be good to go. Personally i find the 250r a little easier to throw around than the 450r but ,ya know, people always have different thoughts. so good luck with ur decision.

[Monkeywrench]

If you're coming from a 230f and you've tried to ride it on a track, the 450R would feel lighter. It's a very balanced bike. Turning is excellent, and the power is probably what helps give it that lighter feel in the turns. Just give it gas and it helps stand itself up.

(give it too much gas and it stands itself up even more).

[CRF230RiPPER]

I'm having much of the same problem!!! pretty sure I'm selling my 07 230 tommorrow and the choices that I'm looking at is between a 04 CRF250R And a Yamaha YZ450. Now I don't really want to go to blue,,,but for 2800 , The bike seems like a steal to me. Check it out here

www.kentroad.com

I haven't seen the 250 yet, but the people say it has less than 10 hours on it and was bought brand new.

So what do people think here?...I need some opinions. I'm like 5'8 1/2 and 215 pounds, but carry it well. I do about 50/50 trail to track riding. probably a little more trail, but with better suspension I look foward to more track riding. please help

[woodsman]

Hey ripper, I'd go with that kx250!

[CRF230RiPPER]

Hey ripper, I'd go with that kx250!

HAHA....no way man!....no 2 smoker for me!!, My buddy has an RM125 I can ride whenever I feel the need for a 2 stroke