Adding a new (used) bike to the stable...need your helpful opinions please...

EastFlorida
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EastFlorida
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 12:08pm
I'm looking for an '04 (maybe older) or later YZ, KX or RM 250 2 stroke.

I'm leaning toward the '04 YZ 250 as I'm not sold on the aluminum frames.

I'm not considering the Honda CR250s.. while they may be great bikes, they are not what I'm looking for...

I'd like personal experiences on the other three...

Any significant mechanical or handling issues?

I'd appreciate any engine/suspension info to help in the decision.

Thanks!
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Denn700
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Denn700 12/14/2011 7:45pm
12/14/2011 7:45pm
I had an 06 kx250 and an 07 YZ 250 and have ridden and raced several of my friends RM250's. Go with the YZ or KX.
Denn700
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Denn700 12/14/2011 7:46pm
12/14/2011 7:46pm
I meant YZ and RM.
mx757
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mx757 12/14/2011 7:52pm
12/14/2011 7:52pm
Honestly the YZ didnt have the same problem a lot of the other manufacturers did when they went to the aluminum frame, mainly because they didnt use the giant paremeter frame. They stuck with a traditional fram design that stiffened the bike a little, but its still not ooverly harsh. plus 06 got the really good front end...
crashnburn11 12/14/2011 8:12pm
12/14/2011 8:12pm Edited Date/Time 12/14/2011 8:13pm
My best friend has an '04 RM250, when I've taken that bike out, good low end power and handling. He did drop one piston in it, but considering we were hill climbing it wasn't really surprising.

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newmann
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newmann 12/14/2011 8:21pm
12/14/2011 8:21pm
What else can you get for $1750.00?? Fresh engine from crank up, fresh plating on cylinder, air filter, reeds. Original paint on frame , not touched up. Original chain, sprockets......... been sitting in my garage for the past year not getting ridden. Maybe ten minutes time on top end out in the lot next to the house



mjskier
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mjskier 12/14/2011 8:41pm
12/14/2011 8:41pm
If you are thinking YZ, 04 and before had the weird routing for the front brake hose. So it was harder to bleed. And the 99 front master cylinder was junk (no stopping power)

If you can borrow a copy of Eric Gorr's Motocross & Off-Road Performance Handbook he does a pretty good job of going over the different model years and their strengths and weaknesses
kyle450rider
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kyle450rider 12/14/2011 8:46pm
12/14/2011 8:46pm
newmann wrote:
What else can you get for $1750.00?? Fresh engine from crank up, fresh plating on cylinder, air filter, reeds. Original paint on frame , not touched...
What else can you get for $1750.00?? Fresh engine from crank up, fresh plating on cylinder, air filter, reeds. Original paint on frame , not touched up. Original chain, sprockets......... been sitting in my garage for the past year not getting ridden. Maybe ten minutes time on top end out in the lot next to the house



That is one nice KX. I just picked up an 06 RM2fiddy. Going to be tearing it down this winter for a rebuild. Its a nice bike and these RM's really turn.
Deetsmx
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Deetsmx 12/14/2011 9:16pm
12/14/2011 9:16pm
mx757 wrote:
Honestly the YZ didnt have the same problem a lot of the other manufacturers did when they went to the aluminum frame, mainly because they didnt...
Honestly the YZ didnt have the same problem a lot of the other manufacturers did when they went to the aluminum frame, mainly because they didnt use the giant paremeter frame. They stuck with a traditional fram design that stiffened the bike a little, but its still not ooverly harsh. plus 06 got the really good front end...
I'm going to disagree with you. I have an 06 yz, ride that thing on anything but loam and it's rigid, especially on acceleration chop. The newer CR's are much better feeling and do not feel half as rigid. I had an 06 kx250, once I got that thing set up it was pretty good, but I had to drop the forks and run more sag than usual to get the thing balanced. Out of your choices I'd go with an RM if possible, but I'd probably just buy whatever is the cleanest and cheapest. Sometimes half the fun is trying to get the bike dialed to your liking. Just know that you're going to have to run half race (or Avgas) or they will ping.
mx_563
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mx_563 12/15/2011 3:01am
12/15/2011 3:01am Edited Date/Time 12/15/2011 3:06am
I've owned a 2004 RM250 and a 2006 YZ250. Here are my thoughts:

engine: RM felt like it had a stronger hit when it came on the pipe. The YZ was much smoother. I liked the hit. but the YZ engine was easier to ride.

handling: the YZ is narrow and felt more flickable to me. But the RM's radiator shrouds are shaped such that you can almost rest your leg on them in a deep rutted corner whereas on the YZ you had to rely on your muscles to hold your leg up.

suspension: despite all the praise that MXA gave the SSS forks and "works" style YZ shock, I think the RM was much plusher. The RM was not as good on big impacts and flat landings, but on acceleration bumps the RM was smoother than the YZ, hands down. I ended up getting the YZ suspension revalved and I had new springs installed. But it was never how I wanted it. I suppose the aluminum frame could have played a part in what I was feeling.

BTW: I'm about 205 - 210 lbs, 6' 2" vet novice.
Zenn
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Zenn 12/15/2011 4:52am
12/15/2011 4:52am
I've ridden pretty much every year KX250 between 1999-2007, save the '04. Currently owning an '05

The 99-02 gen. bikes feel quite bulky and turdy compared to '03 and onward gen. in my opinion. Also, as you might now, they updated the motor on the '05 Kawis, very noticable difference if you ask me.
EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 12/15/2011 6:11am
12/15/2011 6:11am
newmann, what year is it and what would it cost to ship to Edgewater, FL 32141?

Thanks...
mxtech1
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mxtech1 12/15/2011 6:29am
12/15/2011 6:29am
EastFlorida I have a 2005 RM250 i'm looking to sell for $2100. It's got alot of new stuff on it and a complete rebuild one year ago. I could probably ship it if you made all the arrangements and paid for the cost. PM me if you're interested I can send pictures and details.

The YZ's and RM's are very similiar in performance, but the RM handles alot better so I would nod towards an RM. The YZ has a little bit more power, but the RM features a very smooth and predictable powerband that's strong and pulls far.

The KX and CR were just not on par in stock condition with the 04-05+ RM and YZ models.
newmann
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newmann 12/15/2011 6:52am
12/15/2011 6:52am Edited Date/Time 12/15/2011 6:53am
EastFlorida wrote:
newmann, what year is it and what would it cost to ship to Edgewater, FL 32141?

Thanks...
That is a 2002 KX250 that I rescued from a bad owner. I'm worse about bikes than my wife is about stray cats. Smile I used up all my crating materials shipping my 02 CR250 to Ca. a month or so ago so I would have to spend about $75.00 on materials to build a good reusable wooden crate. Dimensions would be 88" l X 52" h x 24" w and would weigh approx. 350 lbs. loaded. You can call or google freight companies for rates.

I do not have a title for this bike so it would be a bill of sale only. If that presents any issues for your decision making I'm just letting you know up front.

My zip is 77707 and it would ship from a business address, not residential.
danman
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danman 12/15/2011 7:46am
12/15/2011 7:46am Edited Date/Time 12/15/2011 7:47am
I picked this 01 bad boy up for $500 last spring. My wife's cousin had it leaned up against his parents house for 4-5 years OUTSIDE! Not one bolt was stuck. They all came out without any hammering. I didn't get any pics before I started, but I still haven't done anything with the plastic. All the plastic is the original stock stuff. I've got about $1100 in it now and have only ridden it once. The majority of the $ went into the rear shock. There was actually an insect nest INSIDE the shock. Pretty much all new everything inside there.



mxb2
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mxb2 12/15/2011 12:21pm
12/15/2011 12:21pm
EastFlorida wrote:
I'm looking for an '04 (maybe older) or later YZ, KX or RM 250 2 stroke. I'm leaning toward the '04 YZ 250 as I'm not...
I'm looking for an '04 (maybe older) or later YZ, KX or RM 250 2 stroke.

I'm leaning toward the '04 YZ 250 as I'm not sold on the aluminum frames.

I'm not considering the Honda CR250s.. while they may be great bikes, they are not what I'm looking for...

I'd like personal experiences on the other three...

Any significant mechanical or handling issues?

I'd appreciate any engine/suspension info to help in the decision.

Thanks!
How about buy new, help the 2 stroke cause?
NeKawBoy
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NeKawBoy 12/15/2011 12:47pm
12/15/2011 12:47pm
I rode a 2006 KX250 for 4 seasons and had great luck with it. I never really kept track of the hours but I ran 3 cases of premix through it. Everything on it held up very well...it never left me stranded.
I semi-retired it last year and replaced it with a 2011 KTM 250 XC. The KTM is a great bike but I prefered the handling on the KX. I have a tendency to steer from the back of the bike...I'm old and a litle lazy...the KX seems to work well if you ride it from the back. If you ride the way you are supposed to and slide your weight forward entering turns the KTM works better.
The person I ride with the most had a 2007 RM250 that handled great but in my opinion the motor didn't feel as strong as the KX.
I think you really need to take a look at how you personally ride when you choose your bike. Take a look at Chad Reed...his riding style was not suited to the Kawi but RV has tremendous success on the same basic bike.
EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 12/15/2011 1:25pm
12/15/2011 1:25pm
EastFlorida wrote:
I'm looking for an '04 (maybe older) or later YZ, KX or RM 250 2 stroke. I'm leaning toward the '04 YZ 250 as I'm not...
I'm looking for an '04 (maybe older) or later YZ, KX or RM 250 2 stroke.

I'm leaning toward the '04 YZ 250 as I'm not sold on the aluminum frames.

I'm not considering the Honda CR250s.. while they may be great bikes, they are not what I'm looking for...

I'd like personal experiences on the other three...

Any significant mechanical or handling issues?

I'd appreciate any engine/suspension info to help in the decision.

Thanks!
mxb2 wrote:
How about buy new, help the 2 stroke cause?
Once my 3 boys are out on their own I will buy NEW again! Woohoo

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