[kelli]

If so what's involved, how much, and is the bike really comparable to an "R"???

Trying to talk my husband into a green sticker bike, but he's not going for it... "x" supercross racer / 52 yr old

[mariom676]

If so what's involved, how much, and is the bike really comparable to an "R"???

Trying to talk my husband into a green sticker bike, but he's not going for it... "x" supercross racer / 52 yr old

Their is alot involved in making an "X" into an "R."

The headlight, tailight, exhaust, front brake line, gas tank
and kickstand are the all exterior things on an X that would
need to be changed.(if you changed all these to R parts, it would technically look exactly like an R)

In the motor, the camshaft is different, it also has a
wide ratio transmission, smog pump/emissions and electric start...

Other differences between the two would be an 18" rear wheel (R has 19"),
and the X has softer sprung suspension, along with the X frame having a little more flex. And the X
has side access door for getting to the airfilter. (you have to take the seat off on the R). And finally,
the X has a coolant recovery tank, under the rear fender.

[mariom676]

To answer your question, yes it is comparable to a properly tuned X,
but in stock form they are two totally different bikes. The X is really
meant for trails and the R is meant for the track


I have a horrible camera phone picture of my dirty X,
that has some R parts on it. It has an R tank, faceplate, tripple clamp and exhaust muffler.
As you can see the brake line goes very high for the headlight.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e282/mariom676/Image013.jpg

[Old Dude]

Here is mine,
http://crfsonly.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=1336
I started racing MX at 30 years old. I always think of myself as an MXer. Soooo the headlight and taillight thing was a real bone of contention for me. I wanted an R type bike but needed the e start and wanted the ability to ride year round in California. The X will never be an R but you can get the best of both worlds.
The transformation is involved but it is not difficult as many of the R parts bolt right up. Its just a matter of gathering the pieces from here and there. Ebay is a good economical source for OEM R parts but come back and hit us up before you buy. Some of the stuff the seller says will interchange will not. ie '06 rear fenders exhausts systems and seats. I recommend Ken here at CRFsOnly for aftermarket stuff. I even have a set of OEM R triple clamps available.
Putting on the R tank narrows the middle of the bike but requires shaving the seat foam and using an R seat cover. You can shave a lot of weight by removing the battery and starter but as 55 year old with even older (seemingly) knees the e-start has truly been a blessing for me.
All in all, it has been a great project and the results have been well worth it. Unless you look closely at mine you would think it is an R. (I get questioned about it every time I go into the OHV park in Green Sticker season). I would say, having ridden the R, that the with mods recommended to make the X run properly/well as an X and the Hot Cam, mine performs very similarly.
If you should convince him to get the X and do the "conversion" we will be happy to help. And.... we won't tell anyone that he is really riding a "trail bike" (except the Ranger)
Lastly, if he raced a 250 2 stroke and is looking for a similar adrenaline rush he should probably try the 450X. The 250 4 stroke more closely compares to the 125 2 stroke bike. The 450 to the 250 2 stroke. The 450X does not, however, readily convert to an R like the 250X. You can always go 250 and drop the coin for a big bore kit. . Lots of options
Old Dude