i would cross out the yfz 1000000000 times just for being sooooo uncomfartable i rode my friends and he is about 5'7-5'10ish and pretty husky and he rides it and im like 5'3 and 120 pounds and it felt very small and cramped up i never even saw a 450r up close and have ridden the 250r and out of them i would choose the r the 450r

 

agreed. i have both the 250R and 450R. People can say what they want, but the 250R is still lighter, more stable at high speeds and can run like a bat out of ^$&*. My 86 with just a pipe and RAD Valve can whoop up on a Raptor. Do i dislike the 450R? NO! It has great power and handles good and is one of the best bikes out there. But what is that saying? All I can tell you is that when I get off of it and ride the 250 (maybe im more used to the 250R - i dont know) i think the 450R needs a slightly longer wheelbase, frontend work, and lower center of gravity to truly be called the replacement for the 250R.

I'm a honda man but sorry, for what was at stake here, Yamaha beat them on this one. I have to admit the yfz is a better 250R replacement, even though the seat is as hard as a rock.

 

By "uncorking", I mean removing the guts (baffle) which will allow it to breathe better, and flow more.
This combined with the other mentioned things will add a lot more H.P.

 

Twentycharacters, I too in another thread have stated that the YFZ is a more worthy replacement to the 250R and I got my head bit off for it so I'm glad someone else feels the same way!

 

yup the YFZ is just better. IMO, feels more like a 250R and is domanting like the R did in its day. I had to admitt it.... Mabey honda will smartin up and give it a make over for next year,.

 

Maybe this is way off topic, but isn't Bill Balance(going on 5 time GNCC champion) riding a built 250r?? That to me says something.....I like the 250r, and would put it first.....and then the 450r

 

dragracer789- yeah i know its slower on top end, but we raced with the stock gearing on the 250r (13-38) also, and the 450 would get a little bigger lead but top speed wise they were about the same, the 12-39 pulls a little quicker and is better in the woods to me. i think that honda should have taken the exact 88-89 250R frame and put the 450R motor in it. may had to do a little fabricating but u could have made it fit. the 250r to me feels better, lower, doesnt try to tip in corners,lighter.

 

I would put my wife on her 330R up against anyone on a yfx508, and would even put out money on it. She nips right on my heels with her bike.