Hot rods crank kits any good ?

[terrobelone]

so im sure most of you know i need a new crank

because i want to ride and don't have the money for an OEM crank and fixing the top end what should i do

Has anyone had any issues with the hot rods cranks

My 1999 kx125 had a hot rod in it and it ran fine ....but that crank is very different from the cr250 crank

so what would you do .... Im looking for the cheapest best solution to this ... and the most reliable ...i ride trails mostly and will not be racing this bike

[plynn41]

There will be others who have had good experiences with Hot Rods and will chime in that they're fine. I respect that...

But in my limited experience, my CRF250R had a Hot Rods crank assembly with 2 hours on it that snapped the rod and grenaded the engine. Then again, my boy's YZ85 had a Wiseco crank assembly with about 20 hours that snapped the rod earlier this year and took out both case halves and the reeds. Don't tell me the crank had too many hours on it, because time and wear affects the bearings, not the the integrity of the rod. (And we had checked the rod clearance and tightness shortly before it snapped).

Bottom line, I'll stick with OEM from now on. Might break one of those too someday though!

[pieplatesnductape]

Oem>hot rods> used oem.

[Keith72]

I haven't had any experience with aftermarket cranks in dirt bikes, however I'v had entirely too much experience with them in personal watercraft. I had a 2000 yamaha superjet that I raced for a few years. Bought it brand new in 2000. Proceeded to immediately mod the engine with aftermarket exhaust, high compression head, aftermarket ignition,... anything that could be done other than porting. Anyways, If you asked me my opinion of Wiseco pistons I'd say great get one. If you asked me my opinion of their cranks, I'd say dont even think about it. Same goes for Hotrods cranks. I fed the engine a steady diet of premium pump gas at 50:1 which is recommended by Yamaha. The stock crank lasted for 5 summers of non stop beating 2 or 3 times a week. When it finally destroyed the rear bearing I decided to try an aftermarket crank. Tried Wiseco and Hotrods. Couldn't even get a full summer out of them. Will never use them again.

Just my 2 cents.

[seanmx57]

Pro-x are made in japan, the other junk mentioned isn't other than the honda part. I'd use a pro-x over a honda personally. In fact I'd take a rebuilt crank with a pro-x over a new honda crank provided the rest of the crank is in good nic if a GOOD shop trues it properly.

QC on hot rods = good luck!!

[terrobelone]

damn ill have to bite the bullet and get the oem crank

[shrubitup]

ha ha. Hot Rod user here. 48 hours on it now. Trails only. No problem. $177 new.

I would not use a Wiseco crank however.

[RGVMelb]

Powersportsplus has OEM for about $200, but don't try to get one if you're from a land down under. For the rest of you blokes shouldn't be a problem though.

I had a Hot Rods in my CR250 thing's stuffed, but I don't know how many hours are on it because I bought it as is. Now I'm in the middle of building my motor with all Honda parts ie gaskets, crank, piston.

You can trust OEM!

[kneedrag05]

I would go with OEM. If you have an 02+ its only a 20 dollar difference through powersportsplus. The oem for an older motor is more but still probably worth it. After market parts MIGHT be as good as OEM, but OEM will ALWAYS be as good as OEM. Even tho Im sure oyou wanna ride sooner rather than later you will sleep easier if you wait till you have the money for the OEM parts.

[XCRIDER21]

I have used hot rod cranks in many bikes I've built. Never had a problem with them. I would run one again.

[camman]

I have used hot rod cranks in many bikes I've built. Never had a problem with them. I would run one again.

I agree - me too. They have been around for twenty years. Must be something they are doing right.

[SandMantis]

Powersportsplus sells the OEM cranks for around $195. I think that would be the way to go.

?

[SandMantis]

After market parts MIGHT be as good as OEM, but OEM will ALWAYS be as good as OEM.

Wow. That's true huh.

I like when them aftermarket companies say: "Meets or Exceeds OEM specifications".

So, you might get lucky and get one that happens to "exceed" OEM specs. ?

[mynewcr250]

Powersportsplus sells the OEM cranks for around $195. I think that would be the way to go.

?

if it were me id do this ^^^^. on a cost vs cost basis, the only real contender would be wiseco since they come as a complete kit. with the hotrods you still have to buy a gasket kit and if youve got a good head on your shoulders you'll buy the OEM kit. IMO, hotrods isnt even an option, not because they're bad, but because it doesnt make sense to go aftermarket for that little bit of savings.

Edited August 25, 2012 by mynewcr250

[shrubitup]

if it were me id do this ^^^^. on a cost vs cost basis, the only real contender would be wiseco since they come as a complete kit. with the hotrods you still have to buy a gasket kit and if youve got a good head on your shoulders you'll buy the OEM kit. IMO, hotrods isnt even an option, not because they're bad, but because it doesnt make sense to go aftermarket for that little bit of savings.

Agree. But then there's those who are just REALLY cheap like me. Shipping from PS plus is based on dollar amount vice weight. You end up paying like $30 shipping so that's $225 total vice $177 at RM. Not only that, more spent at RM will result in $50 credit every $1,000 spent. Even cheaper that way.

The Wiseco kit is very cheap. Too cheap for me though.

[sndmn2]

43 hours on my 01 with no problems.

[holden77]

Agree. But then there's those who are just REALLY cheap like me. Shipping from PS plus is based on dollar amount vice weight. You end up paying like $30 shipping so that's $225 total vice $177 at RM. Not only that, more spent at RM will result in $50 credit every $1,000 spent. Even cheaper that way.

The Wiseco kit is very cheap. Too cheap for me though.

yeah but when the connecting rod goes through the cases i bet the extra few bucks for the oem dont seem so bad ?

[Qqqqqqqqqqqq]

No problems with Hot Rods crank.

[XCRIDER21]

Hot rods does sell a complete kit like wiseco just so that is clear. Comes with main bearings, seals, gaskets, and a new crank of course. I would stay clear of the wiseco kit although we have installed many at the shop I work at and havnt had one come back yet. However, there is a history of horror stories on thumper talk about them. I don't really ever hear about hot rods falling apart like the wiseco cranks.

[mynewcr250]

Hot rods does sell a complete kit like wiseco just so that is clear. Comes with main bearings, seals, gaskets, and a new crank of course. I would stay clear of the wiseco kit although we have installed many at the shop I work at and havnt had one come back yet. However, there is a history of horror stories on thumper talk about them. I don't really ever hear about hot rods falling apart like the wiseco cranks.

i did not know this. i never saw any but checking the hot rods site does confirm this. however, the cost breakdown sucks for the kit.

2000 cr250

hot rods complete kit - $339.99

oem complete kit - $394

the difference is even worse if you decide you want the 07 crank instead of the stamped tin honda one

hots rods $359.99

oem complete - $341

so again, IMO, if youre scared to run the wiseco crank, go OEM because it sure as heck doesnt make sense to go aftermarket when OEM is cheaper...

Edited August 25, 2012 by mynewcr250