YZ250 for first "dirt" bike...

[cj_desmit]

Hey there,

I have been looking to get into dirt riding for a while now. I am by no means new to bikes. I've been riding on the street now for a little over 5 years. I own a 05 GSXR 750 and a DRZ400SM as of now. I was originally going to get a 125 smoker to start with and go from there but what I have been finding is that the 250's are going for nearly the same price. I came across a mint 01 YZ250 that has less than 10 total hours on the bike. Everything checks out legit and the owner wants $1400. I tried talking him down more but he wont budge (originally wanted 1500). So... am I crazy? I will be using the bike for mostly trail riding, maybe hit the track once I get my feet wet; as I do take my other two bikes to the track...

A little bit about myself... I'm 23m, 6'2, 180lbs... Like spicy food

Also, do you think the price is right for that bike?

Thanks for your help and recommendations ahead of time!?

[mach1jonny]

If it is indeed mint I think it would be a good buy? Easier and cheaper to maintain than a four stroke. In California this would be a green sticker bike, which means that you could ride this all year long. This is the extra bike I'm looking for, if you don't buy it can you give me the sellers contact info?

[scalejockey]

Less than 10 hrs?????? Total?? Really?? So it's been riden 2 or 3 times in 10 years?

I gotta see this one!

[Dillier23]

If it's a nice bike, buy it, hell it's only 1400 bucks. You can ride a bike like that for a first timer with your previous experience.

[cj_desmit]

So he says...?

He sent me pics today and the thing looked pretty freakin clean. Pegs look new, no real marks on either side of the cases or frame, no rust or dings on the header. Pretty much 100% stock except for Renthal fat bars.

Is $1400 to much? Everything else I looked at from years 2000-05 were the same if not more expensive and not nearly as clean... Thats including 125's.

[Vintage Not Pimpage]

I had an 01, great bike no issues to speak of. Probably not ideal as a first off-road bike, your riding skills would progress better if you started on something like an XR250, but sounds like an awesome deal so I would jump on it.

[mach1jonny]

So he says...?

He sent me pics today and the thing looked pretty freakin clean. Pegs look new, no real marks on either side of the cases or frame, no rust or dings on the header. Pretty much 100% stock except for Renthal fat bars.

Is $1400 to much? Everything else I looked at from years 2000-05 were the same if not more expensive and not nearly as clean... Thats including 125's.

Just do you due diligence when you go to buy the bike, look at everything. I think it is a screamin' good deal, if the bike is as good as he says. I knew a guy who found a Ford Boss 429 in some guy's barn and bought it for a song. Sometimes deals just land in your lap.

M1J

[mach1jonny]

I should have added, don't be afraid of the 2 stroke, as you have experience riding. Just remember that when a 2 stoke hits the power band it will take off. Just take it easy for a while and get used to it. Have fun ?

[Helmet_Hair]

I think it'll be OK for you...it'll kinda remind you of your Gix at about 9500 RPM...really starts to get wild. Just remember it's happening on a bike that weighs 212 lbs.? I think you might have your hands full in the woods with it, but you should have a ball on the track. I'd start there and get used to the motor and handling characteristics, then try some woods.

$1400 is a rippin' deal, you should jump on that.

[skisnh]

Buy it and put a heavy flywheel weight on it..you'll be fine. $1400.00 for a clean well maintained YZ with 250 hours would be a fair price IMO

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/2126458286.html

Edited January 13, 2011 by skisnh
added link

[YamaRider287]

Sounds like a pretty good deal..I had a 02 yz250 that I loved. Where u located in Indiana ?

[cj_desmit]

Well, I am almost convinced...

If he still has it this weekend, I will be going to look it over... And if everything checks out the way he has claimed I'll pick it up. What should the compression reading be around if its in good condition?

Cleanconcepts: I am in Greenwood, just south of Indy. How about yourself?

Thanks for the help everyone!?

[YamaRider287]

Evansville , about 3hrs south west of Indy .. I'd ur ever down around my area , we should hit some trails once I land a new ride .. Needed more people to ride with now that I've been out of it for a few years , a lot of my riding buddies have quit

[cj_desmit]

Yeah for sure man... There are some good places to ride down there. I don't have to many guys to ride with either. They are mostly strictly street riders. What bike are you looking to get?

[YamaRider287]

Looking to get another yz250.. Last 4 bikes have been Yamaha ( 3 yz125s and a yz250) and I've had good luck with em all and like the egros on em.. I'm about ur size ( 6'1 195) so u should feel pretty good on the 01 ur lookin at

[cj_desmit]

Yeah im still a bit in the air about the 250. I came across a 03 YZ125 that looks really clean. Its due for a top end but isn't locked up or anything, just low compression. The guy has been trying to sell it for a while now and I offered him 800 and he said ok. Having a hard time deciding... Honestly, I think a 125 would be a better bike to start on and get a feel for everything before stepping up to a 250. I'd rather ride a slower bike fast, than a fast bike slow; if yah know what I mean.

[skisnh]

Yeah im still a bit in the air about the 250. I came across a 03 YZ125 that looks really clean. Its due for a top end but isn't locked up or anything, just low compression. The guy has been trying to sell it for a while now and I offered him 800 and he said ok. Having a hard time deciding... Honestly, I think a 125 would be a better bike to start on and get a feel for everything before stepping up to a 250. I'd rather ride a slower bike fast, than a fast bike slow; if yah know what I mean.

The 125 will be harder to ride in the woods if your trails are technical. The lack of low end and quick hit to the pipe = no traction. JMO

[YamaRider287]

125s do require more work and are a little harder to ride in the woods but that's part of the fun.. When I've never road a 250 in the woods honestly.. When I had my 125s I did a fair amount of trail riding and managed fine with em .. They teach ya good riding skills and gear selection is vital on em.. I don't have any personal experience on the 03 yz125s.. Ive heard mixed reviews on the 5speed trans as some feel like there is a "gap" between gears but that's mostly heard from on Mx tracks.. For 800 bucks I think it's hard to pass up.. Get it , drop aroud 1000 bucks on the top end and start havin fun

[skisnh]

125s do require more work and are a little harder to ride in the woods but that's part of the fun..

good thing there are no hills in Indiana :smirk:switchbacks up a loose rocky hill without torque = ?

[YamaRider287]

good thing there are no hills in Indiana :smirk:switchbacks up a loose rocky hill without torque =

Haha I imagine rocky switchbacks on a 125 would be a hand full.. We actually have some pretty decent hills around here and we host a few rounds of the mid south harescramble series.. We don't have a lot of rocky terrain tho which is fine by me ? .. Don't get me wrong the 250 is a far better suited bike for trails but if he's more comforbale on the 125er to start out on , then I say go for it.. Myself , I'll be sticking to picking up a 250 or a ktm200sx if I can find one close for the right price