CR250 01 vs 02 vs 03

[Skreza]

I'm currently searching for a new bike, i'm looking for a CR250 but currently unsure if i'm goin for the 01, 02 or 03.

I have heard so many different stories about these bikes i can't figure out which is the best to go for. I will be using it for all around riding as in trail riding, motocross and freestyle. Some things i have heard are that the 02 frames have a tendency to crack but i haven't heard anything like this happeneing to the 03 and according to honda they are both the same frame "third generation" which they are also going to be using for all the 04's except the CRF250 which gets a "fourth generation" frame. If it were cracking honda wouldn't be using them for the third year...?!

I've also heard that the 02 and 03 have alot less bottom end then the 01 and people are struggling to hit kickers etc with them which i don't understand cause you see millions of riders doing just fine on them, pulling backflips and now 360s. So whats the deal?

Anyone who has experience with any of these bikes could you please clear up any of these issues as well as post any other positives or negatives of any of these bikes.

Thanx for any feedback in advance, it's greatly appreciated.
Skreza

[kyle]

i have a 2000 CR125 and its has the same frame as the 250 and the same frame as the 01, good and no vibration, 02 frame better, thinner lioghtter, stronger, never heard bout cracking?, 01 motor alright good bottom end, kicks real hard in the mid and explosive in the top end. 02 motors better and the 03 even better. go for the 03 as there newest and better frame and engine

[Mungoman45]

I see the problem here........it's called HONDA. ya see, ya should swing ya eyes over the YZ range, then you'll see some performance ;)

hehe, but really, i haven't heard of any problems with the new Millenium range of Honda's, so whatever ya end up gettin I'm sure you'll have a great time :p

[Skreza]

lol Mungoman you sound exactly like my best mate. I gotta stay true to the red team, i have always run with the red guys and haven't had any major dramas with them. I believe that the choice between all major manufactures just comes down to personal preference.

Well thanx to you both for clearing these issues up for me, big thanx to kyle for providing much needed info!

It's greatly appreciated guys, so i'll probably end up with either an 02 or 03. Depending on which ones are goin for the right price and i'll let you know how i go with it.

Thanks again,
Skreza

[Skreza]

Anyone else who has a CR250 01, 02 or 03 that could add a little something about it weather it be good or bad, please do so as i would like as much information about these models as possible!

Again, thanks to anyone who can provide info!

[Rob B]

Have a look @ freestylemtx.com - there is a few simular posts. A few doods still are on the 01's in freestyle because of their reliability and bottom end. I have an 01 and I ride it all the time. I have only changed the piston and rings once! It is bog stock standard and I bought it new in sept 00!
It still Rips......
My friend had an 02 and he had all sorts of shit go wrong with it, he now has a crf450!
If you do buy a second hand one look over it very carefully, you'll soon see if its had the ring flogged out of it!

[Skreza]

Thanx Rob. I did read a fair bit overy at mtx. I finally made the decision of an 02, i like the look of them better then the 01 and although i have heard a lot of bad things about them i have also heard alot of good things. I just recently bought one and i pick it up tomorrow :D and i can't wait! I went over the WHOLE bike before buying it and also had a mate who is a mechanic by trade check it all out for me aswell and he said it was fine, no probs! Its on its second piston and rings but the guy changed the originals to early so they are still fine. Its still on its first set of brake pads which still have a bit of meat left on em and original sprockets to, which are on their way out but still not to bad. So he has done very little riding on it. He has also never had any problems with it. Either way its straight in the garage and up on the bike stand tomorrow night ready to be completely stripped down before i ride it. I like to know my machines are well looked after and maintained before i ride em.

Anyway heres a pic of my new beast!
Thanks again to everyone for their replies. Its greatly appreciated!

[mosh209]

nice bike, the only thing im not likingis ur name thingo on the back guard, i rekon you could make that look so ooooooo much better maybe the words going down the guard like this
s
k
r
e
z
a

[Mungoman45]

Lookin very swish man, looks clean as a whistle. Many good times to be had :p But yeah, as Craig, said, not a big fan of the whole number plate dealio. But hey, your bike. do what you think looks snazy ;)

[Skreza]

Lol no no that aint really goin to be like that, i don't like it either to tell you the truth. As i said i pick the bike up tomorrow but the guy im buying it off has rec reg plates there so i removed the rego number in photoshop and put my nickname on it. But im removing the plates entirely when i get it anyway and replacing the back fender as it will have screw holes in it from the plate. I guess you understand what im tryin to say.

Anyway, thanks for the positive comments. ;)

[Rob B]

I wish we could get rec rego in Canberra.........., also my 01 still has the original pads in it, they just last for ages, I ride it pretty hard and use the brakes heaps, there isn't much left on the front though.
Choice bike dood and have fun riding it!

[Skreza]

Well i picked up my bike yesterday, its so good to have it home! :D

Not much work has to be done, besides the usual clean and replace of oil, coolant, etc, the only problem i have to fix is the front right fork, i think one of the seals have blown as there is a heap of oil on the seal savers and running down the fork, thats like its major problem, apart from that its sweet as. Can't wait to take it for a ride! :p

Heres where im at now...

[Yammi_man]

Thats one hella sick bike Skreza. I wish it was mine!

[Skreza]

Thanx dude...

Well i've done a bit more work to it, all oils have been replaced, petrol tank cleaned out, petrol filter cleaned, still have to dump the coolant and replace that, ahh have to get a fresh spark plug for it, fresh air filter, i just gave it a good clean today...

[Skreza]

Ah i've re-greased wheel bearings aswell, etc, ah changed the bars... meh, startin to go back together.