I'm looking at a '06 CR with about 50-60 hours of ride time on it.
Has sat for long periods of time, but fired right up with in the first few kicks of sitting. Idled a little high, but has the Mikuni. .
The owner is a Marine who was in Iraq and didn't get much chance to ride it.
The bike is straight, the left radiator has a slight dent from a drop ... but other than that the bike just needs general maintenance from sitting.




The '06 YZ was raced, but rebuilt regularly, and is well, an '06 YZ250 with that great engine Yamaha made.
So which bike do I buy ... and WHY?



Thanks for your help!

Edited by 2strokes4me, 23 April 2012 - 01:20 PM.

2strokes4me, on 22 April 2012 - 01:09 PM, said:

I've owned a few YZ250's and the power didn't suit my riding style and I did not care much for the handling. However, after riding my 03, I was pretty disappointed. I could put the time into my 03 to make it run better, but after riding my friends 06 YZ295 back to back with my CR, I wish I had bought a YZ. Working on a YZ is generally easier because of the narrower frame. The suspension will be better on the YZ. It's kind of a toss, but after my experience I would go the YZ route.

I would go with the YZ.   I would think the YZ would be better maintained since it has been ridden/raced regularly.  I'd rather go with that than something that has been sitting for a while.  Having said that, they're probably both great bikes.

The paddle in the background is a deal breaker. The 02-07 CR's were notorious leakers around the air filter and if it spent time in the dunes, it could suck sand. I learned my lesson. No more dunes bikes. The YZ is a better motor out of the box but the CR can be made to run as well or better. I own a 05 CR250 so my opinion is from experience. I would have bought a YZ but they just don't come up that often in SoCal.

dont you already own a cr?

i think id buy the yam just for a change of pace.

I am a honda only guy.  The decision would be a no brainer for me.  Not a fan of Black plastics though so I may keep looking for a different deal but I would never buy a blue bike for any reason.

YZ may seem a bit more maintained but that CR is clean too. You may be able to get a better deal on the CR. It depends what your bike's purpose is. The YZ might be a better racer with the strong motor but the CR handles better and the motor is better in the longevity department provided you seal up the air box.

i personally like cr250's... but 50-60 hours on a bike thats not rebuilt and has been sitting... well its already at the point of needing a top end and bearings are pry corroded.. i would prefer a bike thats been rebuilt... so in this case i would say go with the yz

The paddle tire has zero wear, and he said he only took it on a trip to Florence, OR for a sand trip with buddies once. Said he wished he had more time than that.
He also told me the bike had about 30-35 hours on it, and was mostly ridden at his Dad's property place in Ellensburg.
When someone says 30-35, I figure that is more like 50-60 .... might not be though, but the bike is low hour because the mag clutch cover has only slight scuffing.

It still has the original tire on it, Dunlop 742, but is time to replace it. Original piston, still has low-end power, climbed up the hill on the road in front of his house no problem. Air box has been addressed. Bottom ends don't need bearings at 30-60 hours, but if corroded, oh boy!

The YZ is just what it is too ... so this is purely a which should I get situation, and I like how both bikes ride. The YZ motor has power everywhere, but the '05-'07 is comparable to my '01.

Edited by 2strokes4me, 22 April 2012 - 06:10 PM.

Both sound like good bikes. Get the blue one just to learn something new.

Ahh, but I've ridden an '06 YZ before and it was a great bike too. That is why I am having such a hard time, because I would love to have either.
My helmet and goggles have red in them, so maybe I'm stuck buying a Honda again, lol.

Edited by 2strokes4me, 22 April 2012 - 06:09 PM.

SMarquez, on 22 April 2012 - 02:38 PM, said:

Yeah, we don't get too many '06/'07 CR's nor '06+ YZ pop up ... and when they do, the owners usually want $4500 for them.

mynewcr250, on 22 April 2012 - 02:40 PM, said:

Yeah, I currently own an '01 ... great bike, but I just wish its ergonomics were better for me, or I was a shorter person.
I sold my '98 which fit me better, but now I'm aching to get something newer to make parts availability easier for me for the next 5 years.
Trying to buy a wheel for a plentiful '01 and having little success showed me that it is time to sell the short man's bike and get something newer.

When did you sell your 98 and for how much?

2strokes4me, on 22 April 2012 - 07:09 PM, said:

isnt the chassis on the 3rd gen hondas pretty much the same as the 2nd gen, and the yz even more cramped? thats what ive always heard anyways.

I didn't read every single post, but has anyone asks, HAVE YOU RIDDEN BOTH?

If so which did you like best? I haven't got much dirt experience, but I know what I like and don't, that's pretty simple. An example my 04' CR250 is wide up front and hurts my knees a little from gripping on. My mates 00' RM250 is a lot more narrow and feels much smaller and I like it.

As for the toss up, I'm not much help sorry, but the PWK mod on the CR is good and getting everything sorted is a must if it's been sitting around. Mine was sitting for a year or more when I got mine and it's been a long road!

Good luck with which ever one you choose.

Ps I thought everyone on here would be Honda bias too! Seems not.

frdbtr, on 22 April 2012 - 03:44 PM, said:

Why so?

shrubitup, on 22 April 2012 - 07:23 PM, said:

Just the other day, Thursday or Friday.
I sold it for $1100, but I priced it low to get it out of my garage fast.
I could have got 1400 for it, within a week or two, but I still wouldn't have been able to retire, so why hassle with it.
The calls poured in and I had to delete the ad to save myself the headache.
I made sure it went to a good home ... the kid had owned '97's before and knew his stuff.
So I was happier about that than selling it to some idiot for $300 more.

Edited by 2strokes4me, 22 April 2012 - 08:52 PM.

2strokes4me, on 22 April 2012 - 08:44 PM, said:

Thanks. Mine will be up for sale soon.

mynewcr250, on 22 April 2012 - 08:04 PM, said:

From my limited experience on 3rd gens, they feel like they have more stable geometry.
Getting on them I instantly feel more comfortable going fast.
But that is based on my size and body shape, and personal feel for the bikes.

Standing on my '01 is fine, but the foot peg to seat height is shorter than my '98 was, and the 3rd gens are.
So to go from sitting to standing is a longer process.
The ergos on the '01 feel like they are better suited to a smaller rider; ie a McGrath or Carmichael, not a Tortelli or Vuillemin.

I found when riding that '06 YZ around that it was equally comfortable to the 3rd gen CR.
Maybe someone else had a different experience, but I felt right at home on both ...
Which I've never felt that way with the '01.
I feel like I could just turn my head a little and take a bite outta my knee.