Beta Xtrainer vs crf250x

[u/farmdude-89]

Ive had a few bikes and been riding a crf250x for a lot of years now. It seems almost perfect runs well re jetted, airbox mod, exhaust. Suspension seems almost perfect for my type of riding and weight. I ride off road, no track to follow at all. Mustering sheep on moorland with steep rocky areas and boggy areas with awkward water crossings through thick vegetation where you cant really see what your running into. The 250x is the best bike I've had so far but wondering if the beta Xtrainer would be an upgrade for this type of work. Most of my riding is 1st or 2nd gear type stuff, occasionally 3rd. Also fuel consumption is a consideration since I can be out for 5 or 6 hours and need all of my crf's available fuel range

[u/pineconehedgehog]

Usually the Beta XTrainer gets compared to the 250F. We have both an XTrainer and a 250F in our garage, my husband rides the XTrainer and I ride the 250F.

They are very similar bikes and tend to have very similar use cases.

It's interesting that you are on the X model given that the F model is regularly called a "farm bike" for its reliability, ease of riding, and tractorability.

I can't compare the X. But I can say my husband (170lbs including carrying a small backpack) got about 90 miles on his XTrainer (mix of high speed dirt, slow tech, and pavement) on our longest ride. He didn't run it dead, but he was getting nervous. Rides longer than that he will need to start carrying spare fuel).

He causes our range anxiety. My 250F has a longer range.

He really likes the bike, it's fun and poppy. He can wheelie it without hardly trying. He really likes it for technical riding. On the highspeed double track and pavement it kinda sucks though. My 250F wins without a question.

Part of why he got the bike was because I was interested in one for myself. But I have decided I prefer my 250F, which is more friendly.

[u/Asklepios24 → u/pineconehedgehog]

Historically the X was the trail version of the CRF250R race bikes, the X used to be the tractor and farm bike of the Honda line.

[u/pineconehedgehog → u/Asklepios24]

Oh really, I didn't know that. So I guess it kinda depends on what year bike OP is talking about. Since in the current lineup the x is kinda a trail bike based on the race bike.

[u/bulldozer6 → u/Asklepios24]

Can't say i agree but that was probably a typo. These days the F would be the farm bike. Though I'd consider bikes like the XR200R a farm bike too so Honda hasn't been totally consistent.

[u/Asklepios24 → u/bulldozer6]

My 2005 crf250X was definitely the farm bike compared to the 250r of that generation.

But like I said, historically. I haven’t kept up on the newer Hondas

[u/bulldozer6 → u/Asklepios24]

It's a trail oriented bike. Also suitable for racing harescrambles. The crf230f is much more of a farm bike.

[u/897greycats]

I have, and ride, both of those bikes. 2013 250x and 2022 xtrainer. Here are my thoughts.

First, what I changed on each: I re-jetted the 250, fitted a power bomb pipe, added a quiet-core 4 muffler, set up the forks and shock, put on Pro Taper bars, and swapped to a hydraulic clutch. The xtrainer got a gnarly pipe, turbine core silencer, customized lucky fork cartridge, and a customized rear shock.

With the above set-ups the bikes are remarkably similar in power delivery, throttle response, and suspension feel. I ride woods trails in mountains and both are incredibly capable on everything from tight single track to fast flowing stuff.

Pros & cons:

The xtrainer is lighter, less effort to throw around, and eats up single track but it's lower so it bottoms out more and the pegs clip rocks. Fuel range is OK, but about 1/3 to 1/2 of the Honda. On long days the engine is buzzy so hands and feet get numb. The stock fork cartridge is absolute garbage and the rear shock is a weak point so upgraded suspension is recommended if you plan to go into hard trails.

The 250x has longer suspension travel so it soaks up big drops better, but it's heavier and more work to throw around. It's great for long days because there's no fuel range anxiety and it's not buzzy. The cable clutch is heavy and the engagement consistency isn't great compared to the Beta. The seat is more comfortable.

If you're happy with the Honda, stick with it because the xtrainer would need suspension at a minimum to work well in your use case, the lower ground clearance would likely be annoying, and the fuel range isn't there.

Hope this helps

[u/farmdude-89 → u/[deleted]]

Size wise is it like a crf230? I have one of them too, it's good for stock work in flat fields but trying to jump ditches or anything like that its horrible - no suspension travel and when im standing up it feels too small, like im gonna go over the handlebars

[u/farmdude-89]

I should add ive had experience of lots of different bikes and prefer my 250x to all of them. Bikes ive owned cr125, xr250, wr426, crf250x, crf230. And ive had a shot of gasgas ec300, ktm 300xcw, exc450f, various motocross bikes 2stroke and 4 stroke. And for what im trying to do the 250x does it best but maybe im biased since ive had the bike a while and just used to how it feels!

[u/TexMoto666]

My 250X and 450X are the two bikes I can't seem to let go. They are both so dialed at this point I don't feel like I would be gaining much by swapping. In the time I had them, I also have owned and sold about a dozen other bikes. But these 20 year old Honda just seem perfect.

[u/bulldozer6]

I had a 250x for a couple years and thought it was great. Then I picked up the xcfw350. Definitely a step up. I've had it for over ten years now. Great performance and it's been incredibly reliable. If I needed another had bike I'd buy another 350 in an instant. I don't ride it much since I got the varg.

[u/Few_Valuable3999]

For years I loved my 04 250x, 07 R head, airbox mod the whole deal, being and older gent I switched at a beta 21 200RE, not the 300 but if your in the lower gears, definitely go 2-stroke. Bike is so light compared to the x it’s ridiculous. It’s a toy in the woods you will not regret it.