One of my friends has a 450x and has commented on how heavy it is on the trail. He said he should have bought the R model instead. Ive road the R model, but just blasting around my friends orchard. It slid well and had an awesome powerband. Ive also road the crf230, and that thing was a dog. If the 250 is anything like the 230, I would pass on it. I would ask on some of the dirtbike forums also, like
Dirt Bikes - Motocross - Supercross - Dirtbikes and Dirt Bike Racing : Dirt Rider . Net , Since 1999 and
ThumperTalk . It also depends on where you ride and your skill level. If this is going to be your first dirtbike, I would buy a used one, as its going to take a beating and be crashed often. If you don't crash once in awhile, your not riding hard enough.
Try and ride a few of your friends bikes if you can too. Im more of an ATV rider. Also, make sure you make it to Hollister Hills, the most awesome offroad park in CA! When I die, I want to be buried there with my atv lol.