I'm outgrowing my yz125, so I'm upgrading to a 250. The yz125 is a 1998, and I doubt I'll ever have something that runs as good. But I need more power. My question here is, what brand if any is more known for their great 250's, and what year 250's for that brand were the best, and is there any year/make/model I should stay away from? I'm looking for a 1996-2005 bike. Can't afford anything newer. If you got any opinions or recommendations let me know!

im the same.iv got a rm125 2001 and its a great bike but i just want more power.im also looking for a 250 2 stroker

Any YZ 250 in those years has my vote. In 02 they changed to the current body style and in 05 they went with the aluminum frame. If the money is there try to get an 05.

In a side note, all manufactures sans KTM made great 2ts in the early 2000s. Though the KTMs are good, they just werent quite up to par in terms of handling and suspension but they had good reliability as always. Just look for the cleanest and most current bike you can afford.

any 250 98 and newer is good. i recomend 2000 or 2001 cr 250s. i love my 01 cr250 best bike ive ridden imo. better than new efi 450s. mostly because im a 2 stroke guy and cost. but hell i think its better anyway (i know im gona get heat for that) or any 05 and newer yz 250. i prefer aluminum frames. or any kx and rm 2003 and newer.

for what, motocross, harescramble/enduro or trail riding?

hondarider314, on 03 July 2012 - 12:40 PM, said:

I agree. You could also get a CR/KX500. You'll never be thirsty for more power again.

MrBlahh, on 03 July 2012 - 01:13 PM, said:

Trail riding and occasionally motocross

I have a 98 YZ250 and have had virtually no issues. It was my first 2 stroke ever coming off of a Dual Sport 350 and it's awesome. I do strictly trails and it works great. Could also look into a 2001 RM250 or around that year. My Dad has one and is a little more trail friendly. The YZ has good bottom, but has amazing mid-top. The RM has amazing bottom-mid, but goes flat at the top. The major factor for me was a nice suspension, which the YZ definitely has over the RM, but the RM is a little better in the handling department. I have no experience with CRs or KXs, but I would suggest a 98+ YZ or RM. They work great in the trails. The biggest difference my YZ and my Dad's RM is the top speed. His has stock(I think) sprockets and my YZ does too, but he tops out in speed while I'm still in 3rd gear. Then I shift up and pull away like nothing. Speed is nothing in the trails so it really doesn't matter. Try a RM, CR, YZ, KX, KTM? out and see which has the hit you like the most.

get a 2006+ yz 250. they are all the same from then on and they have the magic sss suspension.

Edited by thestuz, 03 July 2012 - 06:18 PM.

DR350S93, on 03 July 2012 - 05:58 PM, said:

Something is wrong with your dads RM or it is geared terribly. Does he ever take it out of 3rd?

Edited by timmyp8823, 03 July 2012 - 09:32 PM.

thestuz, on 03 July 2012 - 06:17 PM, said:

Agree.Go for the 2006 and up yz 250.I would think they would hold their value a litte better just because of the suspension.If you dont get in a hurry you can find one at the right price.

timmyp8823, on 03 July 2012 - 07:28 PM, said:

I did say "I think" he has stock sprockets. That is probably the problem and yes smart ass there are times we are wide open 5th gear why even ask?

DALPowersports, on 03 July 2012 - 03:45 PM, said:

I would avoid a motocross bike if possible, they are gonna beat you to a pulp offroad unless your pretty fast,  a revalve is a must have

if you cant find a mx bike with revalved suspension for woods, look for a harescramble/enduro bike,   ktm/gasgas/husqvarna all make woods setup 250's that can do light mx

thestuz, on 03 July 2012 - 06:17 PM, said:

So magic that it resprings and revalves itself based on your weight/ability/planned terrain for the day.

DR350S93, on 04 July 2012 - 10:38 AM, said:

According to you he is tapped out in 5th when you are still in 3rd,so you must really leave him in the dust when you are WFO in 5th. If his bike is geared that low he must never touch 1st and 2nd.

timmyp8823, on 04 July 2012 - 05:11 PM, said:

Yes that is exactly what I said. He is tapped out when I am  in 3 or 4th. Again, yes I do leave him behind when I get in 5th. You are wrong on that though. We ride in tight trails and are usually in 1st 2nd or 3rd. Mostly 1st and 2nd.

Edited by DR350S93, 04 July 2012 - 05:17 PM.

DR350S93, on 04 July 2012 - 05:17 PM, said:

Seems to me 1st would be nearly unusable on a bike geared so low. Like first gear in my dump truck,only used to get it rolling.

MrBlahh, on 04 July 2012 - 12:31 PM, said:

I really like motocross bikes for trails. I'm usually WFO in 4th or 5th gear in my single tracks in my woods. I love the speed and the feeling like I'm gonna die! But when I'm in high gears past 3rd I really don't have the power to wheelie over dips or go up any major hills. I have ridden 250's before and I know they have the power for that. So I want one, but I don't want to get something crappy.

DALPowersports, on 04 July 2012 - 08:45 PM, said:

I'd like to see a picture of this single track trail that you're blasting WFO in 5th. They're usually twisty/hilly/undulating/rocky/rooty/rutty, less than 24" tread width, stumps and logs on the edges or extreme drop offs.

shrubitup, on 04 July 2012 - 12:49 PM, said:

not quite, just magic enough that it makes cr250 owners look stupid!