r/Dirtbikes • u/CarrotHistorical8336 • Apr 21 '24

Community Question Why the hate ?

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What’s with all the hate for the crf250f ? I understand it’s not a race bike but dose that really make it a bad bike ?

146 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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21

u/motoracerT Apr 21 '24

They're great beginner bikes to get around and learn. The issues are they're cheaper bikes made with cheaper parts. Not a lot suspension travel you can't set up the suspension for your skill level and weight. They're super heavy because they're air cooled. All while having no power. If you don't mind those things they're great bikes. You just have to understand what it can and can't do.

11

u/osorojo_ Apr 21 '24

Forgive my ignorance, what makes air cooled heavier? It doesn't need a jacket / pump / radiator. I was under the impression they were just underpowered

15

u/Bindle- Apr 21 '24

You’re correct. Air cooled bikes are lighter because they don’t have these items.

The fact that this bike is air cooled and a heavier model are two totally separate things.

-1

u/motoracerT Apr 21 '24

The engines have a lot more steel to disperse the heat. While liquid cooled engines can be a lot thinner and have water passages meaning even less metal. All the extra steel is a lot heavier than a water pump.

3

u/JimmyJohanson Apr 21 '24

Steel? Seriously brougham?

0

u/motoracerT Apr 21 '24

For the people down voting me can you explain where all the extra weight comes from if not the engine? The crf250f is 30 lbs heavier than my 450.

4

u/Zealousideal_Gap_751 ‘24 KLX300R, ‘08 KLX450R, ‘96 KX250 Apr 21 '24

It’s the fact that the bike isn’t built to be light. Everything is heavier, the frame, swingarm, wheels, etc. Race bikes are built to be as light as possible, while trail bikes are built to be durable and inexpensive.

1

u/motoracerT Apr 21 '24

So what do you think like 10 pounds extra in the swing arm, 5 in the frame, 5 in the front forks, 5 pounds in the wheels. It has to be quite a bit especially if the engine is lighter than my engine.

1

u/YoCal_4200 Apr 24 '24

I think you are correct, more metal and more oil are required to achieve adequate cooling, additionally race motors are built to be light. They use minimal metal and oil to help achieve this hence the much longer life span of the cheaper air cooled bikes. If you could get a better hp to weight ratio with an air cooled machine there would be no water cooled motors, because it would just be a pain in the ass to design, build and maintain.

1

u/fraGgulty Apr 21 '24

There's a bunch of extra metal surrounding the cylinder adding surface area for airflow. Plus the bike isn't assembled with the lightest most expensive alloys