What to choose? CRF of TTR?

[red85]

I've been shopping for a new dirt bike and I'm down to 2 choices; a Honda CRF 150F or a Yamaha TTR 125E. I'm strictly a recreational rider with no aspirations of racing. I've been riding a 100cc trail bike for a while now and I like it but I've been wanting more power. Keep in mind, I'm fairly short (5'8" 140 lbs) and I'm not the hell bent for speed types that tear up the MX scene. Anybody here own one of these bikes or know of any pitfalls about either one? Let the opinions fly!

Phil

 

[sbsumerix]

im hardcore a yamaha fan i have a ttr 225 and all i do is use it on the trails i want to move up to a yz450f. but i've never owned a honda so i cant tell you pros or cons for them i know a couple of my buddies will only ride hondas my grandpa has a foreman and its extremly realiable starts with one tap of the starter and its 10 yrs old but then my yamaha (with alot of hard riding and no oil) takes a while to start i've never had any problems with yamaha i started on a pw 50, then yz 80, went to a suzuki dr 100 which wasnt nice at all it was junk i will never buy another suzuki, now im on my ttr 225. my sister has the 2001 ttr 125le or whatever it is and its a nice bike i rode it a few times im 5'8 240 lbs and it still went everywhere i wanted it i dont know anyone with the honda bike so i cant help on that. i know honda is comeing out with fuel injection bikes that would be a nice change. im sure whichever bike you get will be good one may have more power, the other may have better suspension, seat height might be different i would go out and sit on both get a feel which one is nicer ask for specs on the bikes (could go for the dumb choice and pick you favorite color like i know some people do)

 

[dogboy]

My work does a bunch of work with both bikes, but mainly the CRF150.

But anyway, I would go with the 150 hands down. They have more power, and a much bigger aftermarket if you wanted to go that route.

My cousin has an 05 CRF150 (probably 5'7" and 135 lbs) and it has plenty of powert to move him around and do wheelies and stuff.
Then my family has a TTR125, and it is definitely a smaller bike than the 150.

One of the BIGGEST downfalls of the TTR is that fact that the frame is not connected under the motor. The one we have has a cracked frame behind the motor from where the bike has been ripped apart from riding (if this makes much sense). I'm sure other companies sell parts too, but I know my work (http://www.bbrmotorsports.com/Home/Home.aspx?s=true, the parts can be spendy, but it is made up for in the costumer support!) sells a 'frame cradle" which not only is a skid plate, but it attaches the two parts of the frame, which keeps the motor from being the only thing holding the frame together when subject to riders that weigh anything more than a small kid. Even if you are a kid, it is a good idea to save the frame.

And again, I'm going to refer to a part form my work, but we have the "rev box" for both bikes which replaces the stock box, and moves the factory rev limiter up a ways, and also changes the spark curve.
I have experience with the rev box of both bikes, and on the CRF150, it was the difference in be able to pull an actual wheelie with a 180lb rider, and not being able to. But the TTR does have more power with the box, but still doesn't have the power of the CRF.

Hope that helps, and if you have any other questions I'll do my best to answer. I'd go with the 150 though.

 

[irishblessing]

well i would go with the honda 150 those are great bikes all around have some friends with TTR ive never cared for them ive owned several hondas and a ktm most of my friends that have raced yamahas have switched to hondas if youve owned a 100 i would say step it up a little higher than a 150 i would go with a CRF250 i used to own one i wish i still had it

 

[red85]

LOL pick by colour. Good one! I only started riding this year and I'm 38 so this is new territory for me. I've seen alot of both bikes on the trails I ride. I sat on a Suzuki DR Z and didn't like it at all. It felt clumsy and the controls were a bit awkward to use so the Suzuki's were out pretty quick for me.

 

[red85]

if youve owned a 100 i would say step it up a little higher than a 150 i would go with a CRF250 i used to own one i wish i still had it

A 250 is just too tall for my short little legs lol

 

[dogboy]

You could always look into a CRF230 also. They are almost Identical to a 150, but they have a bigger motor, and electric start.

Honestly, I think a TTR125 would be too small for you, and you would be much better off with a something like a CRF150/230, or maybe even a TTR230. All are smaller than a standard 125/250/450 MX bike, but they have enough power to move you still.

My younger brother has a TTR225 (one bro has a 125 and the other has a 225) and it is a decent bike, but my dad says he wouldn't buy one again. They are just heavy and kind of a tank of a bike.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

*

Go with the CRF230 bud. For sure. It has more suspension travel then the 150 and TTr's. Everything is easier when you have good suspension. I'm 5'9" 140lbs and I ride a KX 125. I'm just about to get an 09 KXF 250 though. Much like you, I'm just a trail rider, not interested in racing, just ride to have fun. Believe me when I say that more suspension and that little bit of extra power helps you in so many ways! It's just simply easier to ride. You will have waaaay more fun.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

And keep in mind, your going to get better and need the capabilities of a bigger bike. You can always adjust the suspension for your height/weight too. It's pretty easy. You don't want to invest in a bike that you (skill wise) will out grow in a riding season, holding you back from getting better, or keeping up with your riding buddies. Bikes loose there value dramatically when you buy them new, you can never get back what you initially pay. So get one that you can ride for years with no regrets of the purchase.

 

[red85]

That's some sound advice ^ New bikes are great, but from everything I've seen the warranty is only 6 mos. That's not enough to make me want to plunk down 3300 bux.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Yeah, you’re very lucky to get a six month. Most places don't warranty at all, do to the modifications that usually occur pretty much immediately after new bikes leave the showroom. Toys are meant to be abused to some extent (unlike a car), and they can't back something that's been modified and abused right from the start. It sucks, but it is what it is. Besides, you can pick up a two year old bike for almost half the price any day of the week. I'm going new because I'm through dumping money in to bikes that were beat up by someone else.

 

[sbsumerix]

yeah i started riding when i was 5 but you being 38 i definatly think the 150 would be to small heck i got my 225 when i was 13 but yeah the new ttr 230 still has the 224cc motor they are just calling it a 230 to compete better with hondas 230 i would go with either bike though i know both are reliable bikes that will last many years

by the way dogboy why no ttr 225 parts at bbr motor i was just looking i want more power (i need a yz450f)

 

[dogboy]

yeah i started riding when i was 5 but you being 38 i definatly think the 150 would be to small heck i got my 225 when i was 13 but yeah the new ttr 230 still has the 224cc motor they are just calling it a 230 to compete better with hondas 230 i would go with either bike though i know both are reliable bikes that will last many years

by the way dogboy why no ttr 225 parts at bbr motor i was just looking i want more power (i need a yz450f)

My bosse's are more into the "pitbike" thing than trail riding bikes. The CRF 150 is about the biggest bike we have parts for. We have some parts for the CRF230, only because they are so similar to the 150.
That and there isn't a huge market for the 225, so my bosses stay out of it.

 

[Roadkill]

LOL pick by colour. Good one!

Yeah, I'm not sure if any manufacturer makes a bike in chicken dink pink.

 

[93Ranger4x4]

I ride a cherry 95 KX250, I'm 6'3 170lbs. It gets me where i need to go, i like to just go out and have a nice ride as well. I would go with the 230 as well, altho i REALLY want to go out and buy a new kaw 450f lol(wouldnt mind a new quad tho, kaw 450r). you can also adjust the suspension some to lower it down. Atm my kx is basically setup for a 200+ lb person, it sits up fairly tall, but i kinda like it that way because the suspension is stiffer, i dont like to bounce up and down heh.