YZ 250 OEM fork guards....2005-2007

[RCannon]

I want to replace my fork guards. The lower white plastic guard that takes roost damage. My stock ones are not bad, but I like a spare set hanging around.

My first thought was some nice Lightspeed carbon model. However, the 99.00 price made me think again. My next option was the aftermarket. The sets locally run about 30.00. I can save here going through the TT store, but thats scary as its so much fun to add to the order to get free shipping.

Just for fun I decided to price the oem pieces. Price (online) for the OEM fork guards on a 2006 yz 250 were about 15.00-19.00 dollars each. Really not too bad.

One one of the oem sites I screwed up and entered "Model" as 2006 YZF 450.. This bike has the same fork guards (according to the aftermarket) as all of the full sized Yamaha race bikes from 2005-2007. I was shocked to see them priced very differently than the guards intended for the yz 250 two stroke.

Can someone else run this experiment and confirm I am not nuts? Maybe even post back the cost differences? I saw this on all of the oem yamaha places I looked at. I dont want to spill the beans and were not talkign a dollar or two discrepancy.

Again, the bikes I checked were 2006 models., First was the YZ 250V and the second was the YZ450F. Just for fun I entered the same two bikes in the 2007 model year and found the price gap was similar. I did not price 2008 guards as they changed and will not fit the earlier machines.

[moto2000]

Shhh.....$6.44 ea for oem....

....I've been stockpiling 'em ?

[Jomore8]

Wow that is a nice find! I checked a two of the common OEM sites for the fork guards.

Yamaha Sports Plaza:

06 YZ450F: $6.83 each

06YZ250: $14.90 and $15.67

Crotch Rocket:

06 YZ450F: $7.86 each

06YZ250: $17.14 and $18.03

TT store is the cheapest as mentioned above at $6.44 each. It's odd there is no price difference for the guard with the brake line guide mount with the 450 guards. I wonder if there are any other price differences on other OEM interchangeable parts?

[mxjosh]

Highway robbery I tell ya!

Nice find. I wish other brands did the same. Just checked Kawasaki. No such luck. Same price.

[BRM]

There seems to be a concerted effort to stop people buying 2t bikes.

Or is it just that they make enough money from the other parts onthe 4t's that they try and balance it out?

[RCannon]

After staring a the parts diagrams I noticed something. The 2t's fork guards appear to be supplied with the Yamaha sticker. The 4t guards list the sticker as a separate part. Do you suppose that explains the massive price difference?

[mxjosh]

Who needs an $8 sticker anyways!

But that would be lame if thats the price difference.

[BASSic]

Who needs an $8 sticker anyways!

Some idiots (myself included) install graphics on the fork guards, which when purchased separately from a kit cost more than $8... ?

I'm about to drop $30 on a set of UFO guards for my project bike. The previous owner painted the original ones, and we all know what happens to painted plastic (especially in an area prone to getting pelted with roost)

[RCannon]

The 30.00 of the ufo's is what made me look at oem. I dont think I have ever seen oem plastic so cheap....very strange....

[mxjosh]

Some idiots (myself included) install graphics on the fork guards, which when purchased separately from a kit cost more than $8... ?

I'm about to drop $30 on a set of UFO guards for my project bike. The previous owner painted the original ones, and we all know what happens to painted plastic (especially in an area prone to getting pelted with roost)

But would you pay $8 for a thin Yamaha sticker? Big difference. Those stickers are cheap. I have bought some.

[moto2000]

I bought some of those thin Yamaha stickers, but they were only $3.50 or something.

When I updated the plastics on my 426 to the '03-'05 style, I was amazed how cheap the oem stuff cost.....

Side panels $12 ea

Rad shrouds $14 ea

Front fender $16

Rear fender $15

And seems like better quality than the aftermarket stuff to boot.

?

[RCannon]

Some idiots (myself included) install graphics on the fork guards, which when purchased separately from a kit cost more than $8... ?

I'm about to drop $30 on a set of UFO guards for my project bike. The previous owner painted the original ones, and we all know what happens to painted plastic (especially in an area prone to getting pelted with roost)

I put the graphics on my fork guards as well. They came in a kit, but I am sure I paid more than 8.00 for them. I had the guy at the local sop pull up the parts for the 450. When he saw the price he said, "Well order some" He too was shocked at the cheap price. Thats also good news on the oem plastic prices. I remember Kawasaki being really proud of their oem plastic.

[BASSic]

I bought some of those thin Yamaha stickers, but they were only $3.50 or something.

When I updated the plastics on my 426 to the '03-'05 style, I was amazed how cheap the oem stuff cost.....

Side panels $12 ea

Rad shrouds $14 ea

Front fender $16

Rear fender $15

And seems like better quality than the aftermarket stuff to boot.

?

Hmm, you got me thinking about doing that now. Unfortunately I'd need a 03-05 subframe and tank, and I just put a graphics kit on my 426 plastics.

[adam728]

I ordered OEM fork guards from Ron Ayers back in April this year for my 05 YZ250. I just double checked my confirmation email, I paid $7.61 each.

I too was pretty surprised at how cheap you can pick up OEM plastic. Base gaskets on the other hand.....

[mxjosh]

I bought some of those thin Yamaha stickers, but they were only $3.50 or something.

When I updated the plastics on my 426 to the '03-'05 style, I was amazed how cheap the oem stuff cost.....

Side panels $12 ea

Rad shrouds $14 ea

Front fender $16

Rear fender $15

And seems like better quality than the aftermarket stuff to boot.

?

Add in a front number plate and its the same price as an aftermarket complete kit. I never noticed a quality difference. Its all cheapo plastic thats gonna get scratched or cracked anyways.

[RCannon]

Rear fender is funny. I finally ended up getting my Mach 1 graphic kit so I decided to apply it on new plastic. Obviously it must be oem plastic because it will interfere with my OCD if its not.

Rear price for oem rear fender for YZ 250 2006 at my friendly local dealer was 38.00. Not bad considering they are sweet enough to give me 10% off.

And they have the guts to piss and moan abotu mail order.

Well, how about this. I will happily buy from you at list price. This is very generous as it offers your shop, Sodomize Cycle, the ability to make 100% profit in three days, USING MY MONEY! I suspect EXXON shareholders would jump on a deal like that.

OEM TT store no longer asks for the membership fee and wants well under 17.00 for the fender. That means I can order that one item, ship it to my house, and have money left over. Who orders one item anyway? My actual savings will be much greater.

There's always hope. The local shops all offer great discounts when they do the "going out of business sale".

I like buying local if I can, but a mark up of retail plus 100% just wont cut it for me.

[RCannon]

As a follow up, the fork guards arrived today. The guards from the 450 parts catalogue ended up being 6.95 or so each. They even come with the metal inserts in the lower mounting area. Not bad compared to the 29.95 for aftermarket models. No Yamaha sticker. I hope I can live without that!

[harjp1959]

Same thing appears to be true with the 96-04 YZ125/250 and the 98-04 WRs and YZFs. All have the same UFO aftermarket part numbers.

At Ron Ayers, the OEM 2003 YZF fork guard costs $9.55 and the OEM 2003 YZ fork guard cost $21.79 (sticker sold separately for $4.11).