BannedCR500Riders.com

I know this is a CR500 forum but I figured you guys would know anyways. I was planning on a CR 500 conversion but its a little out of my budget:( SO I am looking to pick up a CR 250 and was wondering what the better year was to look for and what sort of mods should be done to it to make a good woods bike that will include some fairly technical terrain?

Thanks

Pretty much everyone I know (myself included) prefers the older motor (pre-2002) for most types of riding. The case-reed motors (02 & up) made great peak power, but no low-end, which would hurt you in the woods. The new motor can be made to work in the woods, but the older motor is easier to ride and just as fast. But, here's the problem: if you're thinking of a conversion down the road, then you're probably gonna want the newer (02-up) Gen 3 frame. The guys on here could debate Gen 1 vs Gen 2 vs Gen 3 til the cows come home, and with plenty of valid points. I'm sure each has pros and cons and all could be made to work. The 97 CR250 was the only year model that I didn't care for the handling. It didn't want to lay into turns, but tended instead to want to stand up and go straight, which is a good trait for a desert bike, but not moto. A friend tried to ride one in the woods and never could get it to cooperate. All other year models I've found to be great handling bikes, some better than others, with 93-96 and 02-up being my personal faves handling-wise. As for conversions, I've only ridden mine (an 02) and I absolutely love it. Hope this helps.

If you keep the conversion aspect out of the consideration which years and mods would be recommended for the woods. I am looking to stay with the aluminum framed bikes though.

Thanks

I had an 01 cr250 and I really liked the motor and I really disliked the way the chassis handled in the woods, didn't like the way it turned at all. I am pretty meticulous on set up (spring weights, sag and comp and rebound tuning) and I spent a lot of time and money trying to like the bike. I do like the handling of the gen 3's though the motors are kind of soft compared say to my previous 04 250SX Ktm and my prev 05 YZ 250. the older motor in the gen 3 frame would be pretty nice (:

hmm...pre 02 250 motor in gen 3 125 frame...

bro had a nice '00, but it didnt have the low end grunt of the 02 250 i ran, it revved higher and probably made more power up top, but down low it was all '02, both were stock stock stock

I just sold the pipe from my 02 CR250 chassis donor to a guy who races an 03 CR250 in the woods here. He has an FMF pipe and s/a silencer, V-force reed assy, a flywheel weight and lower gearing and says he loves it in the woods, although he admits that he has to work a little harder than some of his competitors. Between his testimony and that of Roostius, maybe I'm just being too hard on the case-reed CR motors. Unless you are just partial to Hondas, you should try out a YZ250. They have much broader power than a CR250 and make great trail bikes. Check one out and judge for yourself. Ultimately, your opinion is the only one that matters. If you have the chance, ride as many bikes as possible before you buy one. Happy hunting.

I do have a small preference to the honda's My cousin has a Yz 250 I think a 2000 or so and I wasn't really impressed in the way it works, I think it needs some jet work as it seem way to blubbery and seems to fall on its face in the lower speed stuff.

I have an 03 cr250 with an 00 motor and it works good, atleast for moto. Honestly before I'd go through all of the hassle, I would look at an 06 and newer YZ250 or an 04+ RM250. Both of these bikes have the complete package for a 250 and will outrun a newer cr. The RM is said to be the best turning bike and that year (06) YZ comes with the KYB SSS suspenssion which is suppose to be awesome and a great motor. Both of these bikes can be had for $2500 or less.

i have an 2000 cr250, and it is an awesome woods bike. i can lug it up some mild hillclimbs in second, completely out of the powerband. it has tons of low end pull. idk whats done internally, but it does have a Vforce 2 reed system in it. i think it has more low end pull than our 87 KLR250 (4 stroke)