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7/25/2011
Location
Lakewood Ranch, FL
US
Edited Date/Time
1/26/2012 4:25pm
I'm looking to get back into the sport after about a 10 year hiatus. Right now I'm looking at 250 2 strokes in the $2K - $3K range. My question is, what do you think is the better buy: A bike that has been raced, and nicely modded, or a stock bike that has been owned by the average guy that really doesn't know much about dirt bikes or the sport of Motocross in general.
My opinion is that someone that races and is in tune with the sport typically maintains their bikes much better than the guy that owns the bike that just sits in the barn and occasionally beats on it. I think a lot of these bikes have been neglected.
What do you guys think?
PS: Before I took my long break I was winning 250B, and open B races so I'm hoping it comes back to me quick, and I plan on getting back into racing.
My opinion is that someone that races and is in tune with the sport typically maintains their bikes much better than the guy that owns the bike that just sits in the barn and occasionally beats on it. I think a lot of these bikes have been neglected.
What do you guys think?
PS: Before I took my long break I was winning 250B, and open B races so I'm hoping it comes back to me quick, and I plan on getting back into racing.
Does he have a title ? does the bike look like it's been road hard and put away wet ?
Vet owned, raced , used for Porno flick, does not matter buying a used bike is a gamble.
even the average guy might just take it and zip around the woods and not really put too much wear and tear on it... where the moto guy probably beat the living shit out of it for a couple seasons, albeit with oil changes and regular maintenance, it's still a beat bike. though there are the occasional OCD guys that take immaculate care of their bikes and hardly ride them, they are few and far between.
i live a couple hours from the biggest sand dune area in North America, i would have a really hard time buying a used bike from anyone here.
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
What about mods? Any must haves? I figured it would be nice to have a bike that had the suspension done, and all the basic bolt ons. Seems like this would save you a lot of money.
Bolt on stuff is nice but don't pay extra for it. On most 250 2 strokes a decent pipe and Reed Valve is about all you need along with proper jetting.
I would be more concerned about sprockets, chain and tires.
The only obvious mod is spring the suspension for your weight. Ride it stock to get back into the flow of things, if you just wanna blow money put a pipe and silencer on it. But if you want power definitely go the stroker kit route via Eric Gorr or someone else instead of scratching out a few HP from doing work to the stock motor.
If it looks whored out it probably is. Look past the lipstick.
best bang?
YZ250 2 stroke
Spend 2,ooo, put a set of fresh tires on it, get a baseline on the factory bumpsticks that work good for you,
go.
Weekend warriors who may only ride the bike a few times a year and not do much maintence are common. These bikes usually don't look the prettiest and usually need some work up front, but underneath all that is usually a solid bike that just needs some TLC. Don't be afraid of these bikes, within reason.
By far the worst used bikes to buy used are from racers who run GNC, hare scrambles, enduro, etc. The abuse those guys put on the bikes is brutal. Nearly constant muddy conditions wear parts out fast. Water crossings with sand/rocks/pebbles tear up seals and bearings faster than you can say maxima waterproof grease. Bikes get smashed into trees, ravines, ledges, drop-offs, logs, stumps, etc. These obstacles put so much stress on the bikes. I once bought a 2005 RM 250 that was used for hare scrambles for 3 years. My cost to rebuild that bike back to good condition was $1,900. I had to replace almost everything on the bike besides the cases, forks, shock, and swingarm because everything was worn in some way or another.
When you look at the bike, the engine covers and frame near the pegs tell how much time is on the bike. If these areas are rubbed raw, that bike has been rode alot. Put the bike on a center stand, check all the linkage and suspension bearings, wheels and spokes. Look at the frame for cracks. Lean the bike over on it's side and look at the underside of the engine to make sure the crankcases have never been cracked and welded. Other than that, just use good judgement. If it looks worn, it probably is. When I am considering a bike I always try to run a parts bill through my head of the obvious parts that are immediately going to need replacing. This will influence your purchase decision and also be used to barter the price.
2002 KX 250.Low hour original. New engine from crank up due to previous owner running a dry rotted air filter. $1750.00
Try to find one that has not been raced. Look for frame cracks. Look under the fenders for signs of hard bottoming. Look under the seat, see if the air filter has been cleaned or if it is super dirty, take the filter off and see if there is dust on the rubber boot. Look for bent rims. Look for hard hits on the bottom of the swingarm smashed then straitened chain tensioner. See how much wear on the sprocket tensioner.
Check radiator fluid level, oil level and blackness, spoke tightness (in other words things that will help you determine if the guy did maint on the bike.
Look on the bottom of the frame for hard hits from bottoming or from hitting rocks. Look at subframe has it been bent. Look at bottom of front forks for damage, see if tubes have dings or scratches.
I prefer bikes from noobs that rode the bike 3 times crashed broke a bone and are trying to get ride of it.
I will almost always take a novice bike with little time over one that has a ton of mods. Find one that has not been raced.
The bike that has been ridden the least will probably last the longest.. It is in the end a crap shoot but the steps above will help you stay clear of obvious beat bikes.
Pit Row
The answer is very simple.
Get the 2-Stroke that you've always wanted and go have a good-time on it.
Newmann, where is that KX located? Looks extremely clean!
Ask what he sets his sag at. If he doesn't know he doesn't know wtf he's doing.
Pull in the levers. If the brake is spongey or the clutch pulls abnormally hard he doesn't know wtf he's doing.
If he doesn't know wtf he's doing to set up a bike, he probably doesn't know how to properly maintain a bike either.
2002 CR250 bought from a 70 something year old man. It was one of those all originals down to the gips, chain and tires. Tore it down and cleaned everything. Went back together with lots of new stuff. Too much to list. $2400.00
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