Help with choosing the right bike...

[revrider1]

Throw down and get a YZ 250 F!!! Buy a used bike these days and you might be buying someones trash with brand new plastic on it! If you go 2-stroke, resell in the future will be hard because everyone will want a 4. The 5 valve YZ is low maintenance. I ride the 450 but I ride hills/desert alot sounds like you wanna track ride/jump is why I say YZ 250 F!!

 

[cmantle1]

Throw down and get a YZ 250 F!!! Buy a used bike these days and you might be buying someones trash with brand new plastic on it! If you go 2-stroke, resell in the future will be hard because everyone will want a 4. The 5 valve YZ is low maintenance. I ride the 450 but I ride hills/desert alot sounds like you wanna track ride/jump is why I say YZ 250 F!!

haha, i wish man,

 

[revrider1]

Chris, then you'll have to settle for 2-stroke maybe used CR 125. I'd definetly go Honda on a 2-stroke. Work your way up to a 250 maybe next year! You will throw that 125 around well at your ht/wt. Good luck

 

[revrider1]

This otta give you something to shoot for!! My beotch

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[cmantle1]

Chris, then you'll have to settle for 2-stroke maybe used CR 125. I'd definetly go Honda on a 2-stroke. Work your way up to a 250 maybe next year! You will throw that 125 around well at your ht/wt. Good luck

So, you believe a newer two smoke is a better bang for my buck over a older 4 stroke? And thanks man, im really stoked to start riding!

 

[revrider1]

Only because of your budget. I used to replace piston/rings every other weekend for cheap back when I rode 125 2-smoke. I rode daily tho. Older 4-smoke is gonna be alot heavier and break you on a rebuild.

 

[revrider1]

Here's when I got my new 07 450F

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[cmantle1]

Only because of your budget. I used to replace piston/rings every other weekend for cheap back when I rode 125 2-smoke. I rode daily tho. Older 4-smoke is gonna be alot heavier and break you on a rebuild.

your bike is BEAUTIFUL man, thats gotta be a blast. yea i figured since im already gonna be tight on cash, a cheaper 2 stroke may be the way...

 

[montanasledder]

Heres my 2007 wr 450, Nice bike but still miss the 2 stroke, looking for newer yz 250 also. I dont think you could go wrong with any of the newer 2 or 4 strokes




http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj148/chevytruck/lightningandfloatin
[IMG]http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj148/chevytruck/lightningandfloatin031.jpg034.jpg[/IMG]

 

[revrider1]

Thanks Chris, WAY CHEAPER TO FIX a 2-smoke. It's gonna be awesome when you get your bike, I'm stoked for ya man, HAVE FUN!!

 

[cmantle1]

Thanks Chris, WAY CHEAPER TO FIX a 2-smoke. It's gonna be awesome when you get your bike, I'm stoked for ya man, HAVE FUN!!

Right on dude, ill give you a summer update once i get one and get some track time in...

 

[heinracing]

if you get a honda 2 stroke stay away from 98 to 03 04 ish because they lacked power, if you can find a 96,95 they had the best motor pulled like crazy stock, you put a pipe and silencer on them and really want power a port job and a high compression head those bikes are fast and parts for them are cheap you can find a 96 97 95 for $1000 and from 93 to 97 parts are all the same so used stuff is really cheap, 98 switched to aluminum frame gen 1 frame sucked and motor lacked power, nice thing is i heard ama switched the 125 to it's own class and now the 250 4 stroke race with the 250 two stroke and the 450 is open so local districts might also follow and on a 125 you would be with other novice riders instead of A riders on 250 4 strokes

 

[jim]

You need to go two stroke. You can buy a 4-stroke for that much but the motor is going to be suspect and if the valves let go you are looking at around $1000....$2000 if they really fall apart or the piston lets lose.

I rode two strokes forever and really only change to a crf450 in 2006 because I needed to get decent starts in motocross races...two stroke has a disadvantage there.

That said, I now own a 2005 YZ125, and 06 and 07 CRF450s. 125 is one of the funnest things I ride and it keeps up just fine when my buddies are on 450s (takes more work, yes).

If I were you, I'd aim for a YZ250. Market is bad for those because nobody races 2s anymore, but you can get a good deal and they run forever. You should be able to get an early to mid 2000s range for $3K. They changed the frame in 2005 (awesome handler) but the prior years were excellent as well. There are other brands to consider, but the YZ is a great all-around bike in that era. Good luck.

 

[cmantle1]

You need to go two stroke. You can buy a 4-stroke for that much but the motor is going to be suspect and if the valves let go you are looking at around $1000....$2000 if they really fall apart or the piston lets lose.

I rode two strokes forever and really only change to a crf450 in 2006 because I needed to get decent starts in motocross races...two stroke has a disadvantage there.

That said, I now own a 2005 YZ125, and 06 and 07 CRF450s. 125 is one of the funnest things I ride and it keeps up just fine when my buddies are on 450s (takes more work, yes).

If I were you, I'd aim for a YZ250. Market is bad for those because nobody races 2s anymore, but you can get a good deal and they run forever. You should be able to get an early to mid 2000s range for $3K. They changed the frame in 2005 (awesome handler) but the prior years were excellent as well. There are other brands to consider, but the YZ is a great all-around bike in that era. Good luck.

Thanks Jim, i knew you would chime in here at some point. Even though im gonna get nagged for it by my buddies, im gonna look for a yz250, or something close. I dont plan on racing seriously just yet, but who knows. If anyone has a 2005ish yz for sale near bozeman, MT let me know!

 

[jim]

If it's any consolation, I'm considering buying a 2008 YZ250R....they are super light and just a blast to ride. And, nothing beats smoking a 4-stroke with a two stroke. I raced the 125B class as Washougal in 2005 with my 125....I was the only two stroke out of 84 bikes (split class). Start was the main disadvantage...but, sure was fun being a 33 year old at 200 lbs. racing teenagers on a 125.

 

[xrated]

I feel I have to reply to this thread as I have a bit (A TON) of experience with moto/ offroad. I raced the ISDE last year in Chile and spend the majority of my time (almost every weekend) racing. If you are looking into a used bike in that price range, DO NOT buy a four stroke. Esp. a Honda. They are by far the most unreliable bikes on the market right now. They have the best fit and finish for sure and you can make a very used one look really good, really easy. Their problem comes in the top ends. Once your valves come out of spec, they will forever be a problem no matter what you do. Cut seats, stainless valves. 450 and 250. The valve will fall out of spec. Yamaha has by far and away the best quality and longest lasting fourstroke right now. The rest of the manufaturers are getting better, but Yami is still #1 in dependability. My recomendation, especially being your just getting into off road/ moto is to buy a two stroke. 250s will get you your best bang for your buck. All brands are pretty good. 125s are a dying breed and tend to be more abused then their big brothers. Don't listen to the BS on how unreliable two strokes are. Plugs don't fould because it is a two stroke, they foul because they are jetted wrong.... Plus two strokes are WAY easier to jet if you need to change something. Top ends on 250 will generally last a full season under race conditions if properly maintained. Oiled filter, good gas, good oil) As far as fourstrokes go. These aren't sleds. These engines are getting super hot and ingesting dirt no matter how well you maintain them. Fourstroke bikes are not on par with fourstroke sleds as far as reliablility goes, period! Any 2003 or newer two stroke from the big five is going to be fine. Top ends are easy to do on two strokes as well. If you do go the four stroke route. I would get a Yamaha if you go and get a 250f or go with any of the big five minus a Honda, if you go the 450 route. If there is any more advise you want, I will happily give it to you. By the way, the ISDE is a six day enduro, in which the rider is the sole mechanic on his bike, no one else can touch the machine. Each day consists of up to 200 miles of offroad and can last up to 10 hours. You couldn't pay me to race a fourstroke in this type of reliability event. We tourtured our machines day in and day out with very little maintenence.

Good luck and have fun whaever you choose.

Brian

My bikes- 2007 Gas Gas 300
2008 Gas Gas 515
2006 Yamaha YZ250F - For sale

You weren't running down in Chile with Lynn were you?

I'm gonna agree on him with the 2 stroke. Just started riding 2 years ago and every guy I ride with and talked to said get the 2 stroke. Yes 125s are scarce to see now, but I know a few guys who can make "tough" guys on 450's look like absolute noobs.

Of course this poor sap on a Gas Gas just likes to spend money for his expensive parts when he does need them.

 

[xrated]

I don't think so. I've trail rode 250 mx bikes for many years. Finding a happy medium final gear ratio for the trails you're riding is key.
If you're riding really tight stuff, first gear on an mx bike sometimes isn't quite low enough.

hasslbri is spot on

Nice input guys.

Myself,, I can't wait to get back on the trials bike.

He speaks the truth, when I started on my YZ 125 in the woods I hated it! Didn't have the confidence to wind her out, but 1st gear didn't have the umph I needed unless it was high in the RPMS. Now with 2 years in and having lowered the bike 1.5 inches so I can touch I have no trouble with the gearing for the woods. Still might swap a sprocket out for a little better down low, but that's cause I'm to cheap for a fly wheel weight. Now my father-in-law's bike is a differnt story. He has a KTM 200 and he very sledom rides in 1st in the woods. The hit is so strong on it that if he got in trouble and chopped the throttle in first he would be sitting up in a tree!

 

[xrated]

Jim is on again with the 125 keeping up.

One fo the top woods riders in District 23 was running a YZ 125 this year and still whooping folks. Course he switched to a KX250F but that's cause he can't keep a bike more then 6 months. Also on the lines of being able to hang with your buds, the guy who owns Spring Creek MX track has gone out and raced motos on a 100 and made hard core racers look stupid on 250s.

Also with all the guys I ride with(who are all 40-60 years old and been riding since childhood) every single one of them will sit and talk about how much fun they have had on 125s. One more thing if you are just starting trust me when I say the weight and the ease of kicking over a 125 will pay off. When you get into technical trails and are tipping and stalling every 15 yards you will be glad your not on a F of any kind...even one with a button.

 

[jim]

Also with all the guys I ride with(who are all 40-60 years old and been riding since childhood) every single one of them will sit and talk about how much fun they have had on 125s.

Truth to that...I'm considering putting a big bore in the 125 and running race gas...when you have some momentum on you favor, you can skip past the big bikes. Best part of the two strokes is you can make moves the 4s can't....diving into corners wide and driving around them is a great feeling. And, you can just plant that front tire wherever you want and pull it up over the bumps. Four strokes are more of a plow through the bumps style...two strokes you really focus on reading the terrain and keeping speed. Is lots of fun...reminds me of riding mountain bikes downhill.

Either way...if you are having fun out there with the bike you have, you are ahead of the battle in life...it's all about having fun. The 450s can be a handful at the end of the day.

 

[cmantle1]

Truth to that...I'm considering putting a big bore in the 125 and running race gas...when you have some momentum on you favor, you can skip past the big bikes. Best part of the two strokes is you can make moves the 4s can't....diving into corners wide and driving around them is a great feeling. And, you can just plant that front tire wherever you want and pull it up over the bumps. Four strokes are more of a plow through the bumps style...two strokes you really focus on reading the terrain and keeping speed. Is lots of fun...reminds me of riding mountain bikes downhill.

Either way...if you are having fun out there with the bike you have, you are ahead of the battle in life...it's all about having fun. The 450s can be a handful at the end of the day.

i dont have a bike so i hope im happy....