Hi all, age 37, 5'10 180, trail riding only, just messing around in the woods.  I came across a 2005 lightly used, with shop maintenance receipts for $3500 (Canada so bikes are more expensive).  

Reading the threads on here it sounds as though the engine could implode and if it doesn't the maintenance is a bear and starting it on the trail is no fun.

Any thoughts?  Anyone ride an 05 in the woods not super aggressively?  

I want this bike to last a long time.  I'm a weekend warrior type, but want a fairly easy bike to live with.

canuckjgc said:

now don't get me wrong.. RM-Zs are cool and trick and fun..  but your descriptions of what you're going to do and pricing range just SCREAMS RM250........   just my .02c

I would not. The manual timing chain adjustment is a pain, and there are more reliable bikes on the market. Take your time and buy once...if you are set on a 450 look at the YZ/SXF for reliability.

I would, I miss my 05 RMZ so much. Buying the 06 KX450F was the biggest mistake of my life. It has made me hate all thumpers even though the RMZ is a awesome bike. When my Kawi sells I will be on a YZ250.

yzboy144 said:

How did you come up with these statements? Im interested

RM250 is the bike you want, 06 is better than the 07 and 08 IMHO

The 05 RMZ450 is a very solid bike that will last a long time as long as you look after it, airfilter everyride and oil and oil filters as often as you can. Timing chain isnt an issue and neither is reliabilty

I'm a little confused -- RM 250?  Doesn't the RMZ450 have waaay more low end grunt?  Seems a 2T 250 would be too high strung for the woods, or is the RM250 forgiving?

canuckjgc said:

if Jimmy jarrett is any indication of what you can do with a rm 250 2st in the off road world. (SIGN ME UP)

I bought my '05 RM-Z with 32 hours on it. I have since put another 118 hours on it and have had no problems with it at all. The valves are still in spec. I would definitely do it again. If you're just putting around on trails and you keep up on the air filter & oil changes it will last a very long time.

IMHO the reason people use two strokes in the woods is because they have less torque at low rppms and therefore are more managable in technical areas.

I have a 2002 EC300 GASGAS that I have had since new and absolutly love. Cheap to maintane and very reliable with tons of power when you open it up but when I'm crossing an old river bed or cimbing a rutted and rooty hill it has just the right low end power.

I'm currently considring an RM-Z 450 as well but only for the track.

the '05 RM-Z is an awesome bike. I bought mine used for 3500 as well and have since owned it for over a year and have had not problems, just regulare maintenance. Valves have been adjusted once and the same with the cam chain. Just like a few others have said, keep the oil/filter and airfilter fresh and you wont have a problem with that bike... as for woods riding i will suggest Engine Ice coolant and maybe going up a few teeth on the rear sprocket.

bjurcina said:

and because they are lighter and feel lighter, they have at least 5 or more gears, they don't overheat and get cranky or flame out when asked to do something  ,will start 1 kick when you stall it, they will accept whacking the throttle wide open from ultra-low RPM without protesting, they cost less to buy, cost less to rebuild,are easier to work on..  and so on

I would only buy a used hi performance 4 stroke like an RMZ (or CRF, or KXF, or YZF, or ...) only if it had just been rebuilt.  Or discounted to the point where I could rebuild it and still end up at a reasonable dollar.

yzboy144 said:

I don't think this person has owned an RM-Z 450, but I could be wrong. That being said, this statement is as far off as it could be. I would definately by a used 05 RM-Z 450 because I actually did. I sold a Very nice YZ 250 to buy an 05 RM-Z 450 and I couldn't be happier. As long as the bike was maintained well you have nothing to worry about, just make sure you ask the right questions and give the bike a good look over. In most cases you can tell how well a bike has been maintained by how clean it is. As far as the manual tensioner goes it is a piece of cake and only takes about 15 mins. As far as "there are more reliable bikes on the market" comment goes, bullcrap:confused: . The RM-Z is just as reliable as the other bikes if not better, this coming from a former YZ owner. This bike will be fine on the trails and you don't have to have the throttle wide open either to have a good time on this bike. Every single time I have stalled mine, "with the bike hot", it started right back up on the first kick without even pulling the hot start as long as you don't try to give it gas. As far as trail riding goes, a YZ450f would probly not be the best choice. They like lots of throttle and NEED a flywheel weight. I think I have said enough:crazy:  Good luck Bud!

heykenny said:

Yeah! What He Said.

I have the same 05 RMZ 450 now with over 300 hours on it. I change my oil every 2 rides in the woods, or 1 race and or practice day. I have had zero problems with this bike. Ive had the valves adjusted every year, and im truly in a position now where I need to either sell it and buy a new bike, or dump some money into the motor. I dont want to get rid of it because im afraid of buying the wrong "new" bike. If the guy that owned it took care of it, I would buy it. Just my 2 cents.

130+ hours on my "05". Just routine maintenance. Manual cam chain adjust becomes a pain in the butt after awhile but it's been a fantastic machine so far!

canuckjgc said:

I have a 2005 for sale to for 3350.00 USD.if your intrested its in new cond and has been a great bike I have an 07 and an 08 on the way so its got to go.if your intrested I can email picts and yes I do have a clear title.Email is laredoconversions@yahoo.com

I have a '05 Rmz 450 with over 80 hours on it and the valves are still in clearance ,I do routine maintance ,had a little problem with the clutch blowing apart but otherwise its been a very good bike and the tensioner is not that bad once you learn how to use it and it starts second kick every time and I've never needed the hot start once. I ride trails ,tight woods and race this bike in our moto-x series.

Get the bike!

I traded an 06 RM 250 for an 06 RMZ 450 and couldnt be happier. I ride mostly woods too.

The RMZ is GREAT in the woods because of the awesome torque and low end pull. The bike starts and runs great and loves to be chugged up hills and through snotty stuff. I find 250 2 strokes stall too easily and suck when they slow down on a hill coz they just dont have the grunt (you really need to keep momentum up).

Dont listen to the haters, if the bike is maintained well go get it! I have never been happier with my RMZ for woods riding and I've ridden lots of different bikes. The RMZ is one of the best handling thumpers with the best bottom end power you will find.

Thats why I stayed with the Rmz it has alot of low end power and carves very hard corners, alot better than my yz 250 ever did.