HiFlyin-

I forgot to reply on the shocks. I'm a big guy like you. You don't need aftermarket shocks. You will need to get heavier springs and get the suspension revalved. Check around for a good suspension shop in your area, or contact RaceTech. I paid $600 for the above mods to my bike, and it made a HUGE difference in it. I went from riding a chopper, and pushing the front end, to a machine that just carves the turns, eats up the whoops, and springs off the jumps. The best money you can spend on the bike. The suspension is designed for guys under 200 lbs really. Sometimes it sucks to be big. I messed around with my stock setup, but it never made it much better. I can't stress how big a difference this will make. If possible, get the work done before you ever take the bike out. Otherwise you will lose confidence in the bike, and once you do get the suspension fixed, you'll already have mental notes on where the limits are on the bike for you. It's hard to break past those limits. But once I got the suspension fixed, I tear through stuff now at speeds I never thought possible.

 

That's the great thing about bikes is that all you have to do with the suspension is get it tuned for your size and riding style. The bikes are way ahead of quads in the fact that they are so capable off the showroom floor.

MX

 

Do the 450's weigh more than the 250s? I have my eye on one particular 250, I'll find the link and put it up to see what you guys think. I emailed the guy for a pic but I havent got a response yet.

 

Ok here it is, tell me what you think.

cr250

still trying to get a pic though

 

As far as weight, the 2 strokes weigh 8-10 pounds less. Dry weight for the 04 cr250 is 213 lbs, while the crf450 is 222 lbs. Although, I ripped that anchor of an exhaust system out of mine, and replaced it with the Yosh titanium system, and cut another 8 lbs off. Anyway, the weight is basically the same.

That bike you're looking at is at a great price. $2500 with all those extras sounds like a great deal to me. The Excel rims alone are worth $500! Not to mention the price of getting the wheels laced, etc....You will have a rocket ship on your hands, and will enjoy every minute of it.

 

Steer clear of the Cr's 97-99. The Aluminum frame was WAAAAY to stiff and it will beat you up as it will have no flex. In that price range, I would look for a 2000 CR 250 or a YZ 250.

Here are a couple:

2000 CR 250 $2,800

2000 CR 250 $2,800

2000 CR 250 w/ gear $3,200

2001 YZ 250 $3,200

2001 YZ 250 $3,200

2001 YZ 250 $2,700

2000 YZ 250 $2,950

The 98 KX 250 was a great year as well. Major power in that motor.

Something to chew on [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

MX

 

How important is aftermarket suspension?? I'm trying to figure out if I should be looking for bikes with more suspension upgrades or more motor mods??
Thanks for the help motoxpress and bluerulez.

 

Chances are you will want to get the suspension tuned for your own situation so, I would not make that a criteria. I would put more emphasis on the overall condition of the bike.

If you are getting a two stroke, which it sounds like you are, I would plan to re-do the topend ($150 in parts), get the suspension reworked($500), change all the fluids and maybe do tires($50 each). Then you will have a clean slate.

I would look for a clean, well-kept bike first and if there are extras like bars, etc consider that a bonus.

MX

 

I really can't decide between a 2 stroke and 4 stroke. It seems like there are more 2 strokes for sale and they seem to be cheaper, but i love the torque and power band of a 4-stroke.

 

Overall a little less maintanence on a 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke if that matters to you. Some will argue but oh well.