driftevo361 said:

I will be riding trails every weekend and possibly race harescrambles. I might mess around on a mx track like a couple times a year, but I am more focused on getting a bike that will be the perfect woods weapon. I have $2300 to spend, but I don't want to spend all of that upfront on the cost of the bike (I want money at least $500 for parts)

MotoMan40 said:

Then you deffinatly want to go with a used 125 2t. You can find one cheap probably for around $1500 or so that is in good shape and you will still have money left over for aftermarket stuff to make it an off-road beast. Try to find an 05 or newer YZ125 and put an FMF SST pipe on and a USFS legal silencer either FMF or Pro Circuit. I would suggest the FMF turbinecore2 silencer. Then get some hand gaurds or a barkbuster, fly wheel weight, and Vforce's 3 reed valve system. Thats wat I would do if I were in your situation.

rdungey28 said:

You'll want to make sure the spark arrestor is US Forest Service legal (USFS) rather than US Air Force (USAF) legal unless you plan on doing some serious flying with it.

shrubitup said:

yeah sorry about that, those were the first letters that poped into my head

Not a problem. I just thought it was funny.

What is the best 250f? The rm125 deal just didn't work out, but I found a 04 kx250f already with some aftermarket parts on it for $2200 only 30 minutes from our house and I might be able to shake them down to $2000. How does the kx250f rank next to the other jap brands? Is this a good deal or should I keep looking?

MotoMan40 said:

Run away from that.  You'll be working the rest of the summer to pay for that thing when it blows.

Look at a KDX200

2strokenut said:

Are you saying that the 04 was a bad year for kawasaki or are you just saying if I were to blow the engine it would be expensive?

The KXF early years were known to be rattle traps.

MotoMan40 said:

Definatly a first year motor.  You have to drain the coolant in order to change the oil, poor quality valves, springs, cams etc etc.  No way I would spend 2k on one.

Thanks for the warning! Does anyone know what the brand had the best 125 or 250f and what year? Keep in mind that I can't afford an 06 or newer 250f.

MotoMan40 said:

Dude if you have only 2k to spend, a 125 should be your only option.  If you were to go 250f the only way to go is blue.  Very reliable but for your price range your looking at 01-03 bike which can have a gazillion hours on them which will make you fork out money for the rebuild.  As far as 125s go they are all excellent.  The cr is slow and the Kx is as well but both handle well and are very reliable.  As far as performance goes, I love the RMs and the YZs, the KTMs as well are fast as heck.    I see 04 05 rm125s go for 15-1700 around here.  You could pick up an 04 rm125 for 1500 and have 500 left over for a few top ends and oil.

2strokenut said:

2T nut has recent experience with nearly new 125s. If you're used to a 125 4 stroke power then a KX or CR 125 will feel like they're ripping your arms apart. Grab any late model 125 smoker which is in the BEST condition for the deal. Sure, an RM or YZ will be superior but may fetch way more money than a "lowly" KX or CR. With the money saved on these "dogs" you can hop them up to make them better. RM or YZ better? - maybe not but they'd still RIP compared to what you have now.

I just found an 06 yz250f limited edition yellow bike for $2000 about 30 minutes from my house. I know that the price would not leave me with much room for parts, but that seems like a good price for a great condition 06. Would you take the deal or stick with a 125 2t?

MotoMan40 said:

An 06 for $2000:confused: Thats really low. Either the bike has had the sh#t beat out of it or the guy selling it has no idea what hes doing. I wouldnt trust it personally. A bike like that will usually have a resale value over $3000. Just stick with the 125 smoker, its your best bet for wat your looking for in a bike.

im either getting a 125 2 stroke, or a 250 4 stroke, but im only 5'4" so with my height been the main factor which would be better for me?

rooster12 said:

Height really isnt that big of a factor. Weight and your physical strength are more important when chosing one of the two. If you dont weigh that much or dont possess alot of muscle mass then a 2 stroke would be the better bet as they are lighter, easier to manuever, and are more nimble than a thumper. Which would be better for you is a tough question though. There are many more factors than weight and strength that come into play when picking a smoker or a thumper.

There is no bike more fun than a 125. More powerfull yes, more fun no. Some guys are 450 all the way man, and refuse to even consider a less manly bike.

Those that are honest about it will ride them at the track and be hooked on the fun. I was and my Honda 450 riding buddy is too. Not instead of his 450 but in addition. He wants a CR125 though. Too bad I can not talk him into an RM or YZ......

I just took my rm125 offroad btw and I can say not once was I wishing for more power even down low. In fact I was disapointed. I was hoping for more clutch work to strengthen the arms for MX. Almost never used the freaki g clutch. In fat I may have use dit more on my heavy handed torquey trail bike.
I Just  blasted through the trails in second gear with an occational third gear romp, touched the cluth like 5 times in 5 miles.

More torque would have made it a bit easier to do things like lift the wheel when going slow etc but I could bomb through the single track as fast as I could on my trail bike.

Oh, my 450 buddy rides the 450's and sells them at about 85 hours right before rebuild/grenade time and buys another. I simply do not trust used 4 strokes and every used one was owned by a little old lady from pasedena too.

Good luck!

dont be afraid of the 250 2t. I'm 5'5" 105lbs and ride a RM250. As long as you have good throttle control it won't get away on you. I love my RM, its got alot of torque in the lower revs and its not easy to stall.

YZ anything = bad