[CRF230dad]

My 16yr. old son has out grown his 05’ CRF150 in height and riding ability. He needs a 250cc. That’s fine only problem is he is hell bent on a lighter bike he can ride at the track with his friend. We camp and ride off-road allot here in the So. Calif. desert and I don’t want I bike he can not ride 5 months out of the year when we hit the road. I’m looking for a 03-05 to keep the cost down but still get an aluminum frame. The CRF250X is a good choice (pricey) but he claims it’s too heavy (26lbs. compared to the R) and it has a different stance and profile. Honda is 1st choice, Kawasaki 2nd, Yamaha 3rd and KTM 4th (again pricey). I was even entertaining the thought of a 2-stroke 125cc but don't know if it would have enough power to satisfy his young testosterone not to mention how embarrassed he might be riding with his 250 friends (heaven forbid). When I grew up I was trilled to ride what ever I could get my hands on. I read in one of these forums that someone said he had a YZ250F that was a green sticker. Now I read the DMV’s deal on VIN number ID for red vs. green. Which green sticker bike would you guys suggest to fit the bill? Has anyone every modified a red sticker 4-stroke to meet Calif. green sticker emission standards? Is it even possible? That might be my best solution. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

[Asmith]

My 16yr. old son has out grown his 05’ CRF150 in height and riding ability. He needs a 250cc. That’s fine only problem is he is hell bent on a lighter bike he can ride at the track with his friend. We camp and ride off-road allot here in the So. Calif. desert and I don’t want I bike he can not ride 5 months out of the year when we hit the road. I’m looking for a 03-05 to keep the cost down but still get an aluminum frame. The CRF250X is a good choice (pricey) but he claims it’s too heavy (26lbs. compared to the R) and it has a different stance and profile. Honda is 1st choice, Kawasaki 2nd, Yamaha 3rd and KTM 4th (again pricey). I was even entertaining the thought of a 2-stroke 125cc but don't know if it would have enough power to satisfy his young testosterone not to mention how embarrassed he might be riding with his 250 friends (heaven forbid). When I grew up I was trilled to ride what ever I could get my hands on. I read in one of these forums that someone said he had a YZ250F that was a green sticker. Now I read the DMV’s deal on VIN number ID for red vs. green. Which green sticker bike would you guys suggest to fit the bill? Has anyone every modified a red sticker 4-stroke to meet Calif. green sticker emission standards? Is it even possible? That might be my best solution. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

If at the age of 16 my Dad would be considering getting me a CRF 250X, I would be beside myself!!!!

Too heavy??? How about this one. Give him your CRF230 and get yourself a new 250X. See how he likes that! That way he can find out what too heavy really means.

The only way to green sticker a bike is VIN number. It cannot have a 3 or a C in the 8th position. If it does, RED sticker. No way to mod or smog your way out of it.

The CRF250X is an awesome bike. Your son would be lucky to have it and even luckier to be able to ride it to it's potential.

[Dust Devil]

I responded to your same post over at TT....

[Motomike41]

As usual ~ is right!! No mods will do it they only use the vin.

[Motomike41]

Like I said before, I Will Not Repeat Myself!!

[Roady]

Go with the CR125. My teenage son has no problems keeping up with any of the 450's on our rides on his 2002 CR125 (ask others on this board). He won't be embarrased with his buddies on 250's, they will! Nothing like smoking bigger bikes on a 125. Nothing builds skills like a 125. Plenty of power, he'll just have to learn where it is.

[Beast Rider]

TO CRF230 Dad from a CRF230 Mom with a 16yr. old son. We too spend most of our riding time camping in the desert. First let's address the red sticker thing, I believe that all two stokes after 2002 are red sticker and if you ride the desert a used bike that old may be unreliable. Next I see that you also have a younger child (I assume because there are three bikes in your picture) if that is true any bike you buy for the older boy will be an exellent bike for the younger one,( but chances are he won't outgrow this one unless he is over 200lbs....just thinking out loud here)What we told our boy was to research all the bikes that he may want regardless of price, that means the maintenance required etc. etc. He spent weeks doing that. He read all the magazines searched the internet and presented us with a great report. He chose the CRF250R and gave us very acceptable reasons,(the 250X is a trail bike and does not do well on the track but the 250R does both very nicely) I too was not happy with the Red Sticker thing because the rest of the family is green. We bought his 05 bike in Dec. of 05 and got a great price. Remember this is the bike he chose so there is never any complaints about it. He loves the bike and we do too. Remember any bike he gets you can ride too. (We thought if he out grows it then it would replace Moms 230)All the angles were covered.He has had the bike for two seasons. He has access to a crf450X and a YZ450f and he still likes his bike better. His 16yr.old friend bought the YZ250f this season and they love their bikes, the competition is fierce between the red and blue. My husband just sold his KLX300 and just tonight brought home a brand new YZ250f WHY you ask....because it doesn't weigh as much!!!!!!! Buy the boy what he wants, it will be the last bike you will have to buy, it will certainly last until he is 18 and riding together as a family is something you will all cherish forever and ever. Oh ya and the red sticker has never been an issue we just go to Kennedy Meadows when it is too hot for the desert. Did I mention you can ride it too!!!!

[CRF230dad]

Thanks all for your input. If I had it to over again I would have bight myself a bigger bike (for better suspension) but my 230 is OK. I'm not that of an aggressive rider anymore. My friend and I have about the same amount of what we call the chicken factor. When we get to the bottom of a big hill our thought is not can I make up but how long will I be out of work if I eat it big. I have to work on Monday so that keeps me caution but I still tear it up a little to show the youngsters a thing or two. My youngest will move up to the 150 (after I sell the 80). I really I'm stuck on the green sticker because we primarily ride desert (Gorman sometimes). I have found posts on forums about the 250X valve problems, is anyone aware of this? I don't want something that's going to require continual adjustments. I found this deal, what do you guys think?
2004 HONDA, 250X, elec start, new SS valves & piston, Pro Circuit pipe, JD jetting, pro taper bars, complete guards, IMS tank, new tires, Scotts mount, well maint, trail ridden only, $3500 obo

Thanks again!

[Asmith]

Thanks all for your input. If I had it to over again I would have bight myself a bigger bike (for better suspension) but my 230 is OK. I'm not that of an aggressive rider anymore. My friend and I have about the same amount of what we call the chicken factor. When we get to the bottom of a big hill our thought is not can I make up but how long will I be out of work if I eat it big. I have to work on Monday so that keeps me caution but I still tear it up a little to show the youngsters a thing or two. My youngest will move up to the 150 (after I sell the 80). I really I'm stuck on the green sticker because we primarily ride desert (Gorman sometimes). I have found posts on forums about the 250X valve problems, is anyone aware of this? I don't want something that's going to require continual adjustments. I found this deal, what do you guys think?
2004 HONDA, 250X, elec start, new SS valves & piston, Pro Circuit pipe, JD jetting, pro taper bars, complete guards, IMS tank, new tires, Scotts mount, well maint, trail ridden only, $3500 obo

Thanks again!

I'm with you on the Chicken factor. Something we all didn't have before the marriage, kids, mortgage, responsibilties of being the breadwinner.

The 04 250X was the model that had the biggest issues with the valves. Sounds like the bike has been corrected. Get receipts and talk to the guy who did the work.

[124]

Excuse my ignorance:

Is it illegal to ride a red sticker bike in the desert or in the trails? I assume this is a Cali thing. Are there other states that do the red/green sticker thing?

[Asmith]

Excuse my ignorance:

Is it illegal to ride a red sticker bike in the desert or in the trails? I assume this is a Cali thing. Are there other states that do the red/green sticker thing?

No. The RED sticker in California pertains to State and Federal lands only. It restricts the riding to only the winter months. November thru March in most places.

[124]

So you can't ride a red sticker bike in the summer (Apr-Oct) on state or federal owned property??

[JAWS]

So you can't ride a red sticker bike in the summer (Apr-Oct) on state or federal owned property??

If you really are curious and need more info, go here:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/ohvredgreen.htm

Joe

[Asmith]

So you can't ride a red sticker bike in the summer (Apr-Oct) on state or federal owned property??

Correct. I get a little wordy sometimes.

[Dust Devil]

Most of the places that are not red sticker legal year round get too damn hot to ride anyway.