To be honest neither bike will accommodate what you're looking for. If you want a solid woods bike that will last a long time without much maintenance at all I would look for a used XR400 (or XR250 if you're only 14) on craigslist. Any of the honda XR motors are basically bullet proof yet provide the torque you'd need for a fun rip around the woods with your buddies.
Any of the modern OHC 4 strokes require way more maintenance than any "hop on and have fun bike" should. I just recently dropped over a grand into the clutch alone of my RMZ 450 and I'm still not completely happy with the feel of it. Not to mention the number of times I've done valve shims on it since buying it.
As far as gear, alpinestars boots are beyond compare, but they also fit pretty slim. If your calves are too big like mine they won't work at all, I settled on Fox's economy boots since they're the only ones that fit around my calves semi-comfortably but still provide the protection I need.
A chest protector is really optional, I haven't worn one since I raced mini's, and although I have a neckbrace I haven't really worn it more than a couple practice sessions cause I don't like the way it makes my shoulders sit.
edit: The CRF230 motor is just like what I described (bulletproof), but the geometry of the bike is way off, it feels like trying to ride a 40ft tree trunk around a hairpin corner
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