[Weissawoni]

New to the forum and just started riding again after a 26 year layoff, thanks to my persistent 13 year old son. After searching all summer, I finally settled on a 2005 CRF250R, mainly because it needs some work and I got a good deal on it. I say "settled" because I was really looking for a 250X. Definitely not going to be racing and speed is not important to me. Just want to ride trails with my kid, so I fealt the "X" would be a better fit. So my question is... Why are used 250X's so hard to find? Are there less out there or do people like them so much that they keep them? (I'm still looking for an X and would trade or sell the R and a few other toys to get one.). Or should I just shut up and enjoy the 250R if I don't kill myself on it? Thanks for any replies.

[JimDirt]

Welcome to the site !!

It's a little of both , usually people that trail ride , tend to continue to trail ride on the same bike for the most part , a bike can last them years , for example i bought my 450X brand new in late 05 (its a 06) , I still have it and ride it with almost no serious malfunctions (with the exception of valves) , so i have absolutely no need or desire to replace it even after 12 years , where a R/MX bike tends to get beat on a lot more , revved higher , suspension abused more , etc. , so people that ride aggressively or track ride even without actually racing tend to replace them frequently (as you found) so there is just more of them available on the market for that very reason , there are X's around , i see them on Craigslist all the time , but what you will most likely find is that the ones that are available , are significantly higher priced than their R equivalent , but when they are on the market , they tend to get snatched up quickly , so timing is important when searching , you can't find one and come back to it a week later and expect it to still be there , if the price is real high , it may be , but if its any kind of "deal" chances are , someone is going to pounce on it ......

Not sure if I actually answered your question , but that about sums up why X's are not as available as R's

[Weissawoni]

Yes, that makes sense, thanks. I'll keep looking, but maybe I'll like the R just fine when it gets out of the shop.

[JimDirt]

You can always do a revalve on the forks and shock to make it a bit more trail compliant , also you can for now , soften the compression clickers (top adjuster on the fork and small slot on the top of the canister on the right side of the shock) and turn them out CCW a few clicks (2 at a time till it feels better) and see if you get some comfort out of that , you can install a aftermarket kickstand to make it easier on rest stops when a tree or rock is not available to rest it against , and add a Flywheel Weight to make it less prone to stalling , and adding a bit of smoothness to the engine , and don't forget you will need some kind of Spark Arrestor when riding Off-Road , so maybe a Pro Moto Billet End Cap , or another muffler that has a S.A, no answer for a E-Start , not really possible on the R (except the 2019 model) ,...... Or if you want to keep the budget low till you find a X , then just do the clicker adjustments and deal with the rest , and then jump on a X when you find one within your budget , and then get rid of the R and have some cash back in your pocket afterwards ....

[Weissawoni]

Good advice. First project will definitely be a spark arrestor. Already getting odd looks from the neighbors when I have my toys out.

[JimDirt]

Good advice. First project will definitely be a spark arrestor. Already getting odd looks from the neighbors when I have my toys out.

The Spark Arrestor won't do much for noise , but if you did go the Pro Moto Billet route , they have a "Silent Insert" that quiets the noise down , which will make the neighbors and non riders happier , most of the aftermarket mufflers (FMF , etc.) are actually louder than the original R muffler , so keep that in mind when choosing , I believe that the same year 250X muffler will fit , so that may be a option as well , maybe find a used one on EBay for $50 or so , it would be quieter yet and have the Spark Arrestor already built in

Endcap:**look where it says "Available Options" there is a drop down menu that has the Silent Insert**
https://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/produc ... ts_id/1080