On the test bike, I had trouble with the rear swapping a little, whereas my 24-Hour bike would stay straighter. Both bikes turn great. I can lean over and not feel I am going to fall over. I think this is because the clutch is so easy to engage that I actually use it to accelerate out of the turn, hence keeping myself upright. Our 24-Hour bike felt stronger right off the bottom (it had a Pro Circuit 496 muffler and the competition jetting), whereas the stock 250X feels less aggressive. It comes on strong but later in the revs, and it requires more shifting.
Compared with bikes such as the XR400R I ride, the CRF250X has plenty of power. I just need to learn how to shift more and ride it more like a 125. The height of the bike doesn't bother me, but I wouldn't mind the lower seat height of our 24-Hour bike for trail riding. The stock 49-state model had some engine-braking at low speeds, but I didn't notice it above 10 mph. All in all, I like this bike because it's light, is easy to ride, has a great clutch pull and, most of all, has a quiet and smooth motor.Heather Lewis/5'7"/150 lb/Women's A
I sold my XR400R and switched to a CRF450R because I wanted state-of-the-art handling and suspension with a more-modern motor. The switch was a great one for me, and to tell the truth, I never would have considered going back to an off-road-only 250cc four-stroke such as the X. Of course, that was before I rode one. I have regular trail loops I ride in the mountains around Gorman and Hungry Valley, and I could not have imagined how much fun I'd have on a 250cc four-stroke trailbike. I just couldn't stop laughing in my helmet. The 450 probably thrills-scares-me more, but I'm positive I go faster, longer on the 250X. I've recommended this bike to every single rider I know who is in the market for a new bike.Don Kelley/5'11"/200 lb/Intermediate trail rider
My normal mount is a Honda CRF450R, and after a day on the trails, I've had big fun but am sore, and my knees really pay the price. Even after a gnarly day of riding on the X, I didn't feel beat up. I'm sure the plush suspension is a big part of it, but that electric start sure saves on the knee and the lower back. It is super-easy to kickstart, but that button is worth its weight for me. I sure would miss the power when we got to the big hills, but it would be worth the trade-off.Rob Waite/5'9"/160 lb/Expert trail rider
I don't think of myself as a motocross guy or a trail rider; I think of myself as a wet-dirt guy. When the ground is wet, I'm an off-road rider, and when California dries out, I head for watered tracks. Having the CRF250X in my garage changes that dynamic. The bike is so much fun I don't let a little dust stop me. I rode more trails in the summer of 2004 than I have in years, and the main reason is the X. This bike is pure fun and distilled luxury. It doesn't beat me up or tire me out. It does everything I ask of it and continually surprises me with what it will do. I wish the piston and valve life were more XR-ish, but I'll deal with the added maintenance. I mentally rate bikes on a dollar-per-smile factor, and even with the added bucks for parts changing, the DPS number is off the chart.Karel Kramer/6'1"/205 lb/B enduro rider