03 vs 06 YZ250

Lightning78
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Lightning78
Edited Date/Time 11/18/2014 8:22pm
Looking at getting a YZ250 to moto down on and currently im down to two options, wanted your input on these 2 bikes

03 YZ250 Literally BRAND NEW all stock $1500

06 YZ250 Been ridden, not really beat up but it's got some hours on it compared to the 03 im looking at. $2200

Question is, I know how much better the SSS suspension is and the 06 is about 7.5lbs lighter than the previous steel framed bike but if you had to choose at those prices and overall conditions, what do you guys think?

I know the 03 wasn't a bad bike by any means and the aluminum frame isn't the biggest selling point, its the SSS suspension. I have subtanks for the 03 to put on if I feel it needs them.

I will be replacing my 06 RM250 with the YZ strictly as a moto bike that I plan on racing once im in better shape lol.

PS: Craigslist etiquette 101.....If you sell a bike over a WEEK AND A HALF AGO please pull the ad down! I was ready to buy a MINT 04 YZ almost new all stock and the asshat sold it over a week ago and never took the ad down, that irritates the shit out of me!...Rant over.
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Spagina767
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Spagina767 10/10/2014 11:03am
10/10/2014 11:03am
Is that asking price or final price? Ether way I would go with the 06. Better bike, and also better re-sale value when you go to sell, since it's last-gen. 2200 is a decent price. Depending on how nice you make it I'm sure you could sell it for the same or more when you are done with it.
Ted722
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Ted722 10/10/2014 11:07am
10/10/2014 11:07am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2014 11:13am
Keep the RM250...spend $500 and freshen it up! Smile

Which YZ? The '06
Lightning78
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Lightning78 10/10/2014 11:20am
10/10/2014 11:20am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2014 11:23am
My RM is about as prime as it gets, I am selling it because its still in incredible shape and was just freshened up with a new top end and tires (2nd piston and 2nd set of tires). I love the bike but currently I have to let it go and free up some cash.... the best available option is to pick up a YZ, plus I live literally around the corner form Beach Yamaha and somewhat know the owner Steve. The closest Suzuki dealer is about 30-45 mins away.

Im leaning toward the 06 but man this 03 is so close to brand new its disgusting Grinning
keeptwostrokesalive 10/10/2014 11:24am
10/10/2014 11:24am
Post the craigslist adds so we can give a good opinion on the two bikes

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Lightning78
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Lightning78 10/10/2014 11:35am
10/10/2014 11:35am
Here is the 06




Here is the 03 and yes he has the stock tank I despise desert tanks... Grinning




keeptwostrokesalive 10/10/2014 11:57am
10/10/2014 11:57am
I would lean more towards the 06, and offer him around $2000. I have an 06 and love that bike so much, matter of fact I just sent the suspension off this morning to be revalved, so it will be even better when I next ride herCool
baker_25_ccso 10/10/2014 12:14pm
10/10/2014 12:14pm
I have an 02 and 07, I like the feel of the steel frame better, But the SSS suspension is light years better for moto, I like the old forks on the 02 better for woods riding.
MicMcDude375 10/10/2014 12:18pm
10/10/2014 12:18pm
I have ridden both models, and I would go with the 06. The SSS suspension is great on the track and worth the extra cheddar in my mind
Lightning78
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Lightning78 10/10/2014 1:16pm
10/10/2014 1:16pm
Dammit! The 06 is sold and another person who left the ad up after the bike was sold....looks like its either that 03 or wait until something comes up.....I would REALLY like to get ahold of an 04 with the 48 open chamber forks or keep looking for an 06 or newer.
Matt Fisher 10/10/2014 1:30pm
10/10/2014 1:30pm
Why do you want the 04 forks?
Cygnus
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Cygnus 10/10/2014 1:33pm
10/10/2014 1:33pm
Grab the 03 and find some sss stuff on fleabay.
Lightning78
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Lightning78 10/10/2014 2:07pm
10/10/2014 2:07pm
Matt Fisher wrote:
Why do you want the 04 forks?
I would prefer the SSS stuff and if I got an 04 the swap would be really easy plus the 04 forks are 48mm and if dialed in they can be really good vs the 46mm. Im no pro but I do think the larger forks have a better feel to them than the 46mm ones.
Underground 10/10/2014 2:36pm
10/10/2014 2:36pm
Cygnus wrote:
Grab the 03 and find some sss stuff on fleabay.
This. But you'll need the whole front end including wheel due to axle and they has better brakes to boot. If you want to save some bucks and your not a pro, Enzo is the man for KYB and the ride is very good on these older forks once sorted. Problem stock with the opens was the standard valving and fade towards the end of the motos from foaming oil by real fast guys. You wont notice that if you have to get in shape to ride.
bsharkey
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bsharkey 10/10/2014 2:40pm
10/10/2014 2:40pm Edited Date/Time 10/10/2014 2:41pm
you want the 06 period, the older model forks are junk ask any Yamaha guy . 06 or newer plus the bike will have less run time too. id hold out and not get in a hurry to make one bike something its not already
Lightning78
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Lightning78 10/10/2014 2:52pm
10/10/2014 2:52pm
Cygnus wrote:
Grab the 03 and find some sss stuff on fleabay.
Underground wrote:
This. But you'll need the whole front end including wheel due to axle and they has better brakes to boot. If you want to save some...
This. But you'll need the whole front end including wheel due to axle and they has better brakes to boot. If you want to save some bucks and your not a pro, Enzo is the man for KYB and the ride is very good on these older forks once sorted. Problem stock with the opens was the standard valving and fade towards the end of the motos from foaming oil by real fast guys. You wont notice that if you have to get in shape to ride.
Yes it is more complicated to put the SSS on the 02-03 models, when I made the comment about not being pro I meant that with regard to still being able to feel the difference between the feel of a 46 vs a 48mm fork. I can still move pretty quick that's why a good set of forks is important I just need to get my stamina back up!! Grinning

Solid advice guys, thank you ....looks like unless I find an 04 for a good price ill hold out for the 60 and newer.
Underground 10/10/2014 3:00pm
10/10/2014 3:00pm
Cygnus wrote:
Grab the 03 and find some sss stuff on fleabay.
Underground wrote:
This. But you'll need the whole front end including wheel due to axle and they has better brakes to boot. If you want to save some...
This. But you'll need the whole front end including wheel due to axle and they has better brakes to boot. If you want to save some bucks and your not a pro, Enzo is the man for KYB and the ride is very good on these older forks once sorted. Problem stock with the opens was the standard valving and fade towards the end of the motos from foaming oil by real fast guys. You wont notice that if you have to get in shape to ride.
Lightning78 wrote:
Yes it is more complicated to put the SSS on the 02-03 models, when I made the comment about not being pro I meant that with...
Yes it is more complicated to put the SSS on the 02-03 models, when I made the comment about not being pro I meant that with regard to still being able to feel the difference between the feel of a 46 vs a 48mm fork. I can still move pretty quick that's why a good set of forks is important I just need to get my stamina back up!! Grinning

Solid advice guys, thank you ....looks like unless I find an 04 for a good price ill hold out for the 60 and newer.
Your wife tell you that? Joke bud. I'm the same. I've been doing a little bit of BMX for fun and my tongue dragging on the ground is really slowing me down. No spring chicken here.
Matt Fisher 10/10/2014 5:50pm
10/10/2014 5:50pm
Matt Fisher wrote:
Why do you want the 04 forks?
Lightning78 wrote:
I would prefer the SSS stuff and if I got an 04 the swap would be really easy plus the 04 forks are 48mm and if...
I would prefer the SSS stuff and if I got an 04 the swap would be really easy plus the 04 forks are 48mm and if dialed in they can be really good vs the 46mm. Im no pro but I do think the larger forks have a better feel to them than the 46mm ones.
I was curious as I have an 04 in the garage. Thanks.
loftyair
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loftyair 10/10/2014 6:38pm
10/10/2014 6:38pm
Just make sure the fork and shock are 06 or newer no matter what the vin says. Lots of 05 saying 06 to sucker someone. Or even 06 or newer with the older crap on it.

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michael.hillion 10/10/2014 6:46pm
10/10/2014 6:46pm
Cygnus wrote:
Grab the 03 and find some sss stuff on fleabay.
you can make it work too
Deetsmx
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Deetsmx 10/10/2014 8:45pm
10/10/2014 8:45pm
I had an 06 and recently picked up an 03 that was in the same condition as the one you posted. I threw on a set of 09 250f forks ($400 on ebay) and the bike is awesome. The aluminum yz's are much more rigid and I could never get the bike to feel plush in the rear.



Lightning78
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Lightning78 10/15/2014 12:30am
10/15/2014 12:30am
loftyair wrote:
Just make sure the fork and shock are 06 or newer no matter what the vin says. Lots of 05 saying 06 to sucker someone. Or...
Just make sure the fork and shock are 06 or newer no matter what the vin says. Lots of 05 saying 06 to sucker someone. Or even 06 or newer with the older crap on it.
HAHA totally Lofty, you mean like this ad??? Dude has the 46 or 48mm openchamber KYB's off an older yz on there and its painfully obvious, I feel sorry for the poor bastard that actually buys this thinking he's got SSS forks on his bike

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/4656315625.html







Lightning78
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Lightning78 10/15/2014 12:39am
10/15/2014 12:39am
Deetsmx wrote:
I had an 06 and recently picked up an 03 that was in the same condition as the one you posted. I threw on a set...
I had an 06 and recently picked up an 03 that was in the same condition as the one you posted. I threw on a set of 09 250f forks ($400 on ebay) and the bike is awesome. The aluminum yz's are much more rigid and I could never get the bike to feel plush in the rear.



So im leaning towards an 03 at this point, given my current financial situation Id rather ride an 03 and make it work for me than have no bike at all. I found another im going to look at that is right in my price range and was ridden so little it even has the original steel bars on it from the factory! I think I can get the 03 suspension Particularly the forks to work well enough with my TooTech subtank until I can get a SSS front fork setup. Other than that the bike is the same thing they are selling today aside from a few minor details not referring to the aluminium frame thats a personal choice.

Can anyone give me a legitimate breakdown on everything needed to make an 03 to the SSS swap? Should I use 04 clamps because of the stops being in the right place and the 04 clamps already accept 48mm forks???

Do I really need a newer brake caliper?

Ive read atleast 20 threads about the swap and it seems everyone has a differing opinion on what needs to be replaced along with the forks.....

DEETSMX, can you PM me or post on here and let me know what you experienced and what parts are needed for the swap? Your bike looks sweet! I want mine to be just like yours!!
FI2T
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FI2T 10/15/2014 1:46am
10/15/2014 1:46am
I just snagged a couple 04 yz250's! I really like steel frames. Going to sell one.... the other is getting the treatment a esr 345 kit, sss forks and some other goodies! Lightning let me know if your interested in a 04.
Lightning78
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Lightning78 10/15/2014 2:35am
10/15/2014 2:35am
FI2T wrote:
I just snagged a couple 04 yz250's! I really like steel frames. Going to sell one.... the other is getting the treatment a esr 345 kit...
I just snagged a couple 04 yz250's! I really like steel frames. Going to sell one.... the other is getting the treatment a esr 345 kit, sss forks and some other goodies! Lightning let me know if your interested in a 04.
I specifically want the 04… .I'm posting from my phone so it doesn't show your location nor allow me to access peoples profiles…. Where are you located FI2T?
Deetsmx
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Deetsmx 10/15/2014 7:35am
10/15/2014 7:35am
Lightning, you'll need the triple clamps off a newer bike to fit the sss with the steering stem from old one pressed in (forgot which, but one is longer). You'll also need to get a newer front brake caliper (cheap on eBay). I also bought new wheel spacers and front axle but I don't remember if it ended up being necessary.
FI2T
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FI2T 10/15/2014 7:40am
10/15/2014 7:40am
Saint George, UT
Lightning78
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Lightning78 10/15/2014 7:41am
10/15/2014 7:41am
Deetsmx wrote:
Lightning, you'll need the triple clamps off a newer bike to fit the sss with the steering stem from old one pressed in (forgot which, but...
Lightning, you'll need the triple clamps off a newer bike to fit the sss with the steering stem from old one pressed in (forgot which, but one is longer). You'll also need to get a newer front brake caliper (cheap on eBay). I also bought new wheel spacers and front axle but I don't remember if it ended up being necessary.
Thanks Deets.....so would clamps off of an 04 not work? The 04 had 48mm forks on it, same size as the SSS plus the steering stops would work with the steel frame.

Did you have to do any modification to the steering stops with the newer clamps? I seem to have read that a lot in the research I've done.

Also, from what I understand, the steering stem off of the 450 is the (longer) correct length and will work with the YZ250 steel frame. Plus the 250f forks I read are shorter too and the 450 forks are the correct length, did you put 250f or 450f forks on yours?
Adam43
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Adam43 10/15/2014 8:15am
10/15/2014 8:15am
I bought an '03, planning on doing the SSS swap at some point. The forks and shock really are garbage. I threw a set of .46kg in the fork and its at a point where it's rideable for now.
loftyair
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loftyair 10/15/2014 8:29am
10/15/2014 8:29am
Yep, the shock on the 06 and newer is much improved over older models, its just not as noticeable.
loftyair
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loftyair 10/15/2014 8:30am
10/15/2014 8:30am
loftyair wrote:
Just make sure the fork and shock are 06 or newer no matter what the vin says. Lots of 05 saying 06 to sucker someone. Or...
Just make sure the fork and shock are 06 or newer no matter what the vin says. Lots of 05 saying 06 to sucker someone. Or even 06 or newer with the older crap on it.
Lightning78 wrote:
HAHA totally Lofty, you mean like this ad??? Dude has the 46 or 48mm openchamber KYB's off an older yz on there and its painfully obvious...
HAHA totally Lofty, you mean like this ad??? Dude has the 46 or 48mm openchamber KYB's off an older yz on there and its painfully obvious, I feel sorry for the poor bastard that actually buys this thinking he's got SSS forks on his bike

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/4656315625.html







2600? Ouch! Try 1500 with that shady fork.

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