Posts
31
Joined
9/5/2017
Location
North Lima, OH
US
Edited Date/Time
9/9/2017 12:18pm
So I'm looking for a practice bike and stumbled upon a 2003 yz250... I'm gunna pick it up regardless but are these good bikes? I've read all good about the 03 but the 98 I was looking at before (and am no longer) had tranny problems. So basically just seeing overall opinions on the 03 steel framed yz250.
Same basic motor as current YZ. The rest of the package is great, too. Suspension is a little outdated, but current-spec YZ stuff bolts right up. Lots of other current YZ parts can be made to work, as well.
Easier to ride than other smokers of the same era, but still a ton of fun,.
The Shop
But it was and is a fantastic motorcycle.
Pit Row
forks were the only difference.
engines were pretty much the same.
i ran the stock forks and got them revalved. It took a bit if fleshing out, but i got them working good enough.
I have an 2006 YZ250 (with TTX rear and 2009 SSS front suspension and 2002 mill), but I will put an 2003 frame on it the winter. See how it feels compared to the aluminium one.
DV, Reed had tons of rigidity issues with the 2005 YZ250 when it came with the new aluminum frame, but that frame got altered for the 2006 version, Reed said he lost 1 sec per lap with that. He was very disappointed. I tried to ask DV on Twitter of this matter, as does it matters for slow riders as well (but no answer). Do we notice more flex, is it worth the extra 6 lbs (steel frame is heavier)?
I love the yz250. Very predicable bike, doesn't do any crazy, while don't stand out either, but so many parts, solid motor. Basically the same mill from 1999-2018, different porting and ECU, and ECU contact don't fit 99-01 on newer bikes, the contact is different, 99-01 had a smaller diameter for the swingarm axle, smaller diameter of the flywheel axle sticking out from the mill, and thicker kick axle (some retro fit when going big bore, because 2002-2018 axle is a bit fragile) and the 2002 had a one year nock off flywheel with an added flywheel weight to smooth out hit. So you can put any flywheel weight from 99-02 between each other, while the 03-2018 needs a different one. If you need a new crank, you can put in anyone from these year into any bike, but think about the flywheel.
2003 mill can interchange all parts with 2003-2018 (not that neutral electric crap of course) to my understanding.
More info than you asked for, but after working and owning with plenty of them... I need to spill it.
If you get passed, its not the bike!
The engine has pretty much remained the same since 99 - to present with slight oem porting & ign. timing changes through the years.
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/mcy/d/2003-yamaha-yz-250-2stroke-…
Post a reply to: 2003 yz250