Refresh the CRM or Replace

[xander77]

Hi I am happy with my Mk3, the only thing it could benefit from is less wieght and an elecy start.
But do I spend money on getting it really good, i.e. suspension engine coated frame, or do I ditch it and buy something newer?
I have done a few bikes up in my time,KH250 400S3 KL250 twin shock trail bike, GSX750ES, and I don`t know wether to just spend the money on something newer.
I do like the idea of getting the CRM just right! but would that be as good as a newer trail bike?
I am not into competion so don`t need that mainley green lanes and nothing too mad!
Too cold to start a strip down at the moment, so time to decide?????
I geuss its a personel choice more than anything! just thought some opinions would be good?

Xander

[CRM3]

I would stick with what you have got.
A more modern bike,doesnt mean you wont have to spend more money on it.Trust me I have been there.Especially anything orange.
Besides,look at the help and advice you can get on this forum.
Alot to be said for that alone.

[Sorbs]

Xander

Agree with you less weight and elect start and you will have the all round best green lane and hare and hound bike going, thrown in with decent on road manners too - how many times has this been said before.
I have seen various ways of reducing weight but nothing too significant and there is no getting away from the fact that compared to todays two strokes she is carrying a few pounds around the middle.
Depends ultimatley what you are after, a change, a lightweight, or a 4 stroke (sorry for swearing) & what your budget is.
Comparisions with other older bikes, KDX250, XR's, DR's for me stick with the CRM
More modern bikes, I have owned and liked the Yamaha WR250F, Modern plush suspension, leccy start, reliable, but a 4 stroke, that said it has one of the best power deliveries of any 4 stroke I have ridden (bit like a 2 stroke) the only downside I found was the maintenance schedule. I say 'schedule' as from memory it was oil change every ride, valve check far to often etc. in reality I changed oil every hard ride or every two rides if a day on the lanes. I had the bike 2 years and sold it to a friend who only got the valves checked a month ago (about 2000 miles) and nothing needed doing. From what I have read this is pretty standard so all round a good bike. - Got to be a contender.
I have toyed with a KTM 200EXC, absolutley fantastic bike, light weight, great on the lanes, reliable but no elect start. - still worth a look as ticks one if not both of your boxes.
You have to go to the 300 for electric start and what a monster this is, I had this all figured out in my head and I thought this was going to be the one to replace my CRM but good as it was, I found it a little tiring a bit to buzzy and edgy for me and also I never got near its full power (my lack of ability not its) and there is something about riding a bike on or near its limits - god knows where the EXC 300 limits are! - Others swear by the 300 and rate it as an all day bike, you can change ignition maps and throttle cams, add flywheel weights so I'm sure this could be pretty much everything you are after.

All of the above is my opinion, go out and experiment, great fun trying! If you get rid of the MK3 give me a shout.

[fallenmikethebike]

Yes, it's quite sad that a decade after the last CRM rolled off the production line, the nearest contender to ticking all the boxes bar one, namely the weight penalty is a WR, but IMO, not the one previously mentioned, but the WR230, yes, the heavy weight Lanza, 2 stroke, but, electric start and an older bike .
I'm absolutely convinced there's a market out there for a lowish tech, Air cooled, middle weight thumper, with an electric boot, and fuel injection, like an XR, 400, BUT with a modern twist, oh well, here's to dreaming.
Mike

[Cupid Stunt]

What options have you been considering ?

Given your criteria there's not a lot to choose from

More modern
Trail bike (not enduro)
Electric start

WR250 R ( not a nice trail bike in my opinion, you need to wring it's neck to get the power out of it and it's very vibey)
KLX250S (underpowered)
XT250 Serow (great machine but only for people under 5ft8in
Any one of the above is going to set you back multiple thousands

Me, I'd stick with "the best trail bike ever to come out of Japan" TBM, none of the above have the same combination of fun factor and smoothness and none of them are any lighter than the CRM

If I was looking at more long distance road work then I'd maybe make a different choice

[john7780]

i have a few mates with some of the newer bikes, and while they have the updated technology they end up with more problems, one of my friends who has a track bike has a cr 250 and even the carb has wiring! in my opinion a lot of the older bikes are more reliable, easier to fix by yourself and easier to strip too, where i go ridig my bike ive seen some of the newer bikes going through the giant puddles and struggling to the point where they have to spend the rest of the day drying their bike electrics out while i can go through the puddles and my bike doesnt even cough i remember an old saying age is like a fine wine, the older the better, crms like ours (the older ones) get called classics because they do the job and do it well!
My mk2 out performs many of the newer bikes when im up at shotton paper mill without me having to thrash it to within an inch of its life to the point that i regularly get lads approaching me with a view to wanting to buy it, stick with the crm, refresh it, feel good and appreciate the handywork youve done, ride it and feel the bikes new refresh exuberance thanking you

[xander77]

Hey people,
Thanks for the replies, I have looked round and can`t really find a bike to replace it! just did not want to go down the road of all that work and then want something newer!
But I reckon it will be a CRM rebuild, just over a period of time rather than all at once!
Gonna get the suspenson rebuilt, well the rear shock, me mate who is a bike mech say`s he will rebuild the front forks! and try to get the frame coated and then add new bits as and when I can! maybe rings and a rebore this winter as well.
I will post before and after pics once I actually start! which might be after its warm slightly!!!!

Xander

[Sorbs]

Well Done - good decision made you wont regret it.

[john7780]

good man

[Active Rascal]

Ya will need a piston (which you will have to get first) if you're having a re-bore!!

Good luck with it, been meaning to overhaul mine for ages, but it's just getting round to it! :)

[back off road]

are you riding the crm flat out everywhere overtaking everything in sight and never getting stuck every time you go out ?

if so you obviously need something else or your real name is David Knight

[john7780]

oooh catty lol

[xander77]

No but I can ride faster on an R1 than and RD250? so whats your point?

[quote="back off road"]are you riding the crm flat out everywhere overtaking everything in sight and never getting stuck every time you go out ?

if so you obviously need something else or your real name is David Knight[/quote]

[john7780]

fight fight fight lol

[twistednuts]

Think back off road just meant is the crms ability now less than yours.

Dont think he was trying to be insluting or anythin.