If $ is an issue, the 2 stroke will win. Even the 426 is still over $3K. The only real advantages the 4 stroke has are:

-Traction. Less inclined to wheelspin. This is why 4 strokes often get the holeshot.
-Torque. My buddy with a CRF450 can pretty much run our local track in 3rd gear all the time just because of the torque the thing has
-Cleaner running. They don't smoke

Everything else is essentially the same. They both require maintenance. The 4 stroke requires oil changes while the 2 stroke is premix.

You will probably be happy with both. Just buy as new as you can because it will save you $$ in the end.

MX

 

What do you guys think about this one
yz426
If you had to choose between this and the cr250 above, which would it be?

 

The good thing about the 426 is its in driving distance. The others I would have to have shipped. Does anybody know how much that would cost??

 

Thats got to be the most important advice a person could get when going from quads to bikes. Even if you have ridden bikes in the past you will out of habit grab the front brakes and it won't be pretty. I would go from a quad to a YZ250 over the same weekend and find myself trying to use the front brakes, it's a no no. Crashed on a RM125 I used to have because of the same scenario.

YZ250's are scary fast if thats what your looking for.

 

I would stay away from the 426, just because they are so tempermental starting. Once you get it figured out, most people don't mind it too much, but it's still a pain. You will really notice it if you stall/kill/crash on a trail. If the grounds uneven, or it happened on a hill climb, it really sucks to have to fight getting a bike started. The only other bike I would stay away from is the 2001 crf450's (1st production year). There were a lot of issues with improperly sealing airboxes and valve problems (all fixed starting with the 02 model year). Anyone who's kept them around have most likely replaced both, but keep a look out for it.

Another good website to check out for used bikes, in case you haven't looked is: Cycle Trader

You can get 2002 crf450 and yz450f bikes for about $4500. If you search for the 250's you'll save a bit more money. Guess you have to decide which bike you really want, and then target it for your search. Get the newest bike you can afford. Some of the tricked out bikes that are older look good, but I'm sure they've been ratted on pretty hard.

A final note about the 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke dilema (doesn't it suck that you have to make such rough decisions in life! lol), how hard do you want to work when you ride? The four strokes allow you to be lazier. You're not having to keep rpm's up to stay in the powerband, and spend a lot less time shifting and clutching the bike (man, there are some muscles you will find after the first few rides that you didn't know still existed.)

I have a hard time, I love 4 strokes, and I don't want to be too biased here. Get the bike you like the looks of the best, because all of the one's we've discussed pretty much kick a$$. If noise is at all an issue, look more towards the 2 strokes, because the 4's have gotten really loud.

I don't know what to tell you on which one to get. I love my 4 stroke, and like I said earlier, I only regretted it the first few rides because I felt like I had gotten in over my head power wise. I went from an 84 xr500, to a 2003 crf450. The difference was like going from a bicycle to a gsxr1000. But I never rode my raptor or my xr500 after I got on that bike. There is literally so much power that at 250 pounds, if you are sitting on the tank and leaning over the bars, and crack the throttle wide open in second gear, the bike will flip you upside down instantly. You definately learn that rolling the throttle on is going to keep you alive longer. I've done 50 mph wheelies (gps verified). And that's on my crf. The yz450f has a 2 stroke hit in the mid-range that is frickin' wild. My best riding buddy has an 03. We've swapped back and forth before, just because when we had decided on going 4 stroke, the only other choice was whether to go red or blue. He's more happy with his choice, and I am with mine (after laying down 7k for a new toy, you've pretty much convinced yourself it's the baddest thing in the land, and nothing could change your mind anyway).

As far as shipping, I'd call some local bike shops and ask them about it. I have never had to ship one, but I have been told you can get it crated and shipped for about $200. Good luck with whatever to choose to get, and let us know what it is.

 

Hey HiFlyinRaptorRyder,
I have a 01' Cr250 that I would like to sell. I'm going to buy a 04' Cr250 in the very near future.

My 01 has a ProCircuit pipe and a ProCiruit Factory sound Silencer, V-Force Reed valve, Renthal Bars and Grips, a Throttle Jockey Graphics kit ( the one with woody woodpecker, just like whats on RC's bike) and a gripper seat.

Over last winter I had all the suspension rebuilt, new Dunlop tires, new topend, new clutch, new brake pads, and a new clutch cable. The bike runs really stong and I've never had any problems with it at all.

I'm from north central Indiana so I don't think were that far apart, I would be willing to meet you half way. I'm asking $3400 for it so if your interested PM me.

 

I have decided on a four stroke, and after hearing about the starting hassle of the 426's, I'll be getting a crf450/yzf450. Thanks to everybody that has helped answering all my stupid questions.

 

Well, I was just looking on cycletrader.com and found a couple crf's for you guys to look at.

CRF 450 1


CRF 450 2

Im trying to get a pic on a third as well.

 

First one looks hammered but, the second one looks nice. Those blacks excels area thing of beauty [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

MX

 

CRF #2 is the better deal, its got all the good mods already done to it. The exhaust and rims alone justify the price difference.