YZ Experts, What Do You Think?

shanes
Profile picture for user shanes
Posts
578
Joined
3/4/2014
Location
AD
shanes 6/23/2015 4:23pm
6/23/2015 4:23pm
Don't buy used 4 strokes unless you can totally rebuild the engine yourself , better off with a 2 stroke and they are far better for enduro woods riding
Torco1
Profile picture for user Torco1
Posts
6585
Joined
4/27/2007
Location
Corona, CA, USA
Torco1 6/23/2015 4:29pm
6/23/2015 4:29pm
Grieby54 wrote:
I'll never understand this. Why are raced bikes ticking time bombs? I don't ride my bike any less aggressively to practice than I do while racing.
Neither will I. I ride my bike much longer on practice days as opposed to a race day......and like you said, I ride it pretty much the same if I'm racing or if I'm practicing. I would rather buy a bike from someone that races it because they are more likely to take a lot better care of it, rather than someone that rides in the sand dunes or submerges it in water by riding through streams and other shit like that. They're race bikes.....they're designed and built to race.
YZBooster
Profile picture for user YZBooster
Posts
334
Joined
7/17/2008
Location
OC, CA, USA
YZBooster 6/23/2015 4:53pm
6/23/2015 4:53pm
'07 Yamaha was toying with, cracked frame issues - and in your specific case, a baked potato with a cracked frame;
'08 was better, but a mellow engine;
'09 the one to get before Yamaha destroyed the line with the '10-'11 design
I have an '06 YZ450F and love it, the beasty motor
TbonesPop 6/23/2015 5:10pm
6/23/2015 5:10pm
Grieby54 wrote:
I'll never understand this. Why are raced bikes ticking time bombs? I don't ride my bike any less aggressively to practice than I do while racing.
I should have clarified a little more. Usually amateur race bikes have been beat up pretty good and who really knows how the internals maintenance has been kept up. I have some friends that race and their bikes are beat to shit on the inside with tons of hours on them (and when they sell them, they dress them up with new plastics, etc to pretty them up and "claim low hours"). I know they aren't alone. I have bought one former race bike YZ250F that had been really well maintained. The kids dad was a motorcycle mechanic and it was obvious the bike had been cared for. Never had an issue with that bike at all.

I think when it comes to buying a good used bike, I have had the best luck buying bone stock, Vet ridden bikes (on trails only) where the bike was obviously too much for them to handle thus they are selling it. The likelihood that he bike is all clapped out, is pretty low. I look at the cases for wear, sprockets (to see if they are stock and how much wear they have), tires (are they the original stock tires?), and always pull the seat and look at the air filter. I avoid dune bikes at all costs. Clear give away on a dunes bike is the little black flapper by the carb hose discharge on the rear suspension being chewed up by the paddle.

I've had good luck with one former 4 stroke race bike and 2 bad experiences with 2 other 4 stroke former race bikes. I've only bought one bike I knew had been to the dunes - got a good deal and figured it was worth the risk (and it wasn't - lesson learned). The bikes I bought that were vet ridden on trails, no signs of dunes or racing were great. Just been my experience.

But at the end of the day, if you get a good enough deal on a bike then just buy it. Get it home or to your trusted mechanic and have a look internally. Doing a new top end and cam chain right off the bat is a good call regardless of the time on the bike. Perfect time to inspect the bottom end and head/valves. At that point, you know exactly what you got (or don't got).

The Shop

See All »
Calhoun117
Profile picture for user Calhoun117
Posts
72
Joined
1/22/2015
Location
Altoona, PA, USA
Calhoun117 6/23/2015 5:24pm
6/23/2015 5:24pm
I don't know what your price range is, but I picked up a brand new 13' for $5000 last December. Look around at some dealerships for left overs, you may get lucky and find a good deal like I did. As far as the bike itself I love it. I ride moto usually once a month and trails sometimes. (I don't have much time to ride or id ride more). Point being is I've heard the stories of the front end being light and I do believe it is, but it's not something that you won't get used to with a little time. The suspension is absolutely phenomenal. Power is harsh off the bottom and keeps going from there in a relatively linear manner till you get to top, so be prepared to adjust your riding for the big bottom end. More power then you'll know what to do with. No mainentance issues thus far, bikes been super reliable. Overall I'd give two thumbs up on a 10-13 if you can find a good deal.
JW381
Profile picture for user JW381
Posts
10638
Joined
7/21/2009
Location
Harrisburg, OR, USA
JW381 6/23/2015 5:30pm
6/23/2015 5:30pm
The Narrator wrote:
Option 3: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/12/26/reedlg_641596.jpeg[/img]
Option 3:

Do you have to use so many cuss words?
motomike137
Profile picture for user motomike137
Posts
8180
Joined
4/22/2010
Location
Fenton, MI, USA
motomike137 6/23/2015 5:45pm
6/23/2015 5:45pm Edited Date/Time 6/23/2015 5:46pm
TbonesPop wrote:
I should have clarified a little more. Usually [i]amateur[/i] race bikes have been beat up pretty good and who really knows how the internals maintenance has...
I should have clarified a little more. Usually amateur race bikes have been beat up pretty good and who really knows how the internals maintenance has been kept up. I have some friends that race and their bikes are beat to shit on the inside with tons of hours on them (and when they sell them, they dress them up with new plastics, etc to pretty them up and "claim low hours"). I know they aren't alone. I have bought one former race bike YZ250F that had been really well maintained. The kids dad was a motorcycle mechanic and it was obvious the bike had been cared for. Never had an issue with that bike at all.

I think when it comes to buying a good used bike, I have had the best luck buying bone stock, Vet ridden bikes (on trails only) where the bike was obviously too much for them to handle thus they are selling it. The likelihood that he bike is all clapped out, is pretty low. I look at the cases for wear, sprockets (to see if they are stock and how much wear they have), tires (are they the original stock tires?), and always pull the seat and look at the air filter. I avoid dune bikes at all costs. Clear give away on a dunes bike is the little black flapper by the carb hose discharge on the rear suspension being chewed up by the paddle.

I've had good luck with one former 4 stroke race bike and 2 bad experiences with 2 other 4 stroke former race bikes. I've only bought one bike I knew had been to the dunes - got a good deal and figured it was worth the risk (and it wasn't - lesson learned). The bikes I bought that were vet ridden on trails, no signs of dunes or racing were great. Just been my experience.

But at the end of the day, if you get a good enough deal on a bike then just buy it. Get it home or to your trusted mechanic and have a look internally. Doing a new top end and cam chain right off the bat is a good call regardless of the time on the bike. Perfect time to inspect the bottom end and head/valves. At that point, you know exactly what you got (or don't got).
To add tho what TBonesPop said also be on the lookout (be leery of) for fairly well worn 1 or 2 year old race bikes with new or the original plastic put back on. An old racer trick to help sell the bike.
Crush
Profile picture for user Crush
Posts
21092
Joined
4/26/2009
Location
Sydney, AU
Crush 6/23/2015 5:50pm
6/23/2015 5:50pm
If you're gonna buy used, look for vet bikes... Usually have nice parts, haven't been ridden hard, if very much at all and if they're nice then almost always have been looked after too.
mark_swart
Profile picture for user mark_swart
Posts
2524
Joined
11/2/2011
Location
Chapin, SC, USA
mark_swart 6/23/2015 5:54pm
6/23/2015 5:54pm
LOL, ask James Stewart what's better, the 09 or the 10-13!!

(Sorry, couldn't resist)

BTW, I have had five 450Fs and they have all been used. Some were raced, some not. Just look for one that hasn't been abused, whether it was raced or not isn't really the issue.

I'd buy a fellow vet's garage queen that was raced twice a year over a bone stock "never been raced" trail bike any day.
Bressler11
Profile picture for user Bressler11
Posts
383
Joined
9/7/2014
Location
Lock Haven, PA, USA
Bressler11 6/23/2015 9:21pm
6/23/2015 9:21pm
The Narrator wrote:
Option 3: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2012/12/26/reedlg_641596.jpeg[/img]
Option 3:

RandyS wrote:
I'd agree too, if you can get Reeds 05 SX bike get it. If you don't like it you can put it on Ebay for $25,000/
Yeah throw on some 22 Motorsports Graphics too Laughing they won't be around much longer
Jrewing
Profile picture for user Jrewing
Posts
2863
Joined
1/4/2014
Location
AU
Jrewing 6/23/2015 9:32pm
6/23/2015 9:32pm
Crush wrote:
If you're gonna buy used, look for vet bikes... Usually have nice parts, haven't been ridden hard, if very much at all and if they're nice...
If you're gonna buy used, look for vet bikes... Usually have nice parts, haven't been ridden hard, if very much at all and if they're nice then almost always have been looked after too.
exactly. we wish we could ride as much as 20yr olds, but we cant so we work in the garage on them instead.
Underground 6/24/2015 4:42am
6/24/2015 4:42am
For the woods, get one of these. Forget trying to set up an old YZF for woods with a bogging, popping and hesitating old carb (I know cause I have to fix the darn things all the time), too harsh suspension, no flywheel and no lights. Out of the box, you'll be good to go pretty much if you pick up a good one and aren't intending of doing big jumps. EFI is a god send. Upgrade the fuel filters in tank if they haven't been, remove the inline filter from right before the throttle body and get the latest male side of the quick connect/inline filter housing (77707010000) and filter (78141013190) that hoses the inline filter there and is far easier to change, and just ride.
http://www.dirtrider.com/tests/off-road-bikes/141_1110_2012_ktm_450_xc_w_first_test/
I assure you you'll be much happier. There's a reason you see so many off road these days. Get a ride on one if you don't believe.
Underground 6/24/2015 4:44am
6/24/2015 4:44am
And stay well away from the earlier models, unless you know a really good and experienced KTM mechanic.
Crush
Profile picture for user Crush
Posts
21092
Joined
4/26/2009
Location
Sydney, AU
Crush 6/24/2015 4:55am
6/24/2015 4:55am
Crush wrote:
If you're gonna buy used, look for vet bikes... Usually have nice parts, haven't been ridden hard, if very much at all and if they're nice...
If you're gonna buy used, look for vet bikes... Usually have nice parts, haven't been ridden hard, if very much at all and if they're nice then almost always have been looked after too.
Jrewing wrote:
exactly. we wish we could ride as much as 20yr olds, but we cant so we work in the garage on them instead.
haha.. Yep!
jerry atrick moto 6/24/2015 5:48am
6/24/2015 5:48am
mxer512 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/06/23/95420/s1200_.facebook_1435077802553.jpg[/img] Picked it up for $700 with a seized motor. these are good bikes. dependable as long as u take care of em. this 09 was...




Picked it up for $700 with a seized motor. these are good bikes. dependable as long as u take care of em. this 09 was a beast and litterally almost scary to ride. whichever one you buy, if u are going to be doing woods riding, might wanna get a flywheel weight so you can put that torque to the ground. all my friends called it the demon bike
Whats up with the McGrath suzuki in the back? Team name Last name? Nice lookin bikes
mxer512
Profile picture for user mxer512
Posts
293
Joined
5/15/2015
Location
Wichita, KS, USA
mxer512 6/24/2015 6:11am
6/24/2015 6:11am
jerry atrick moto wrote:
Whats up with the McGrath suzuki in the back? Team name Last name? Nice lookin bikes
Not sure they were on it when i picked it up ...graphics still looked good so i just ran with it and matched my #'s to the shrouds. that Rmz looked goood but it was a turd.i had Nothing but probs with that thing. ended up putting a new head on it and selling it.
Tumblin
Profile picture for user Tumblin
Posts
1206
Joined
7/27/2011
Location
Jacksonville, OR, USA
Tumblin 6/24/2015 7:24am
6/24/2015 7:24am
YZBooster wrote:
'07 Yamaha was toying with, cracked frame issues - and in your specific case, a baked potato with a cracked frame; '08 was better, but a...
'07 Yamaha was toying with, cracked frame issues - and in your specific case, a baked potato with a cracked frame;
'08 was better, but a mellow engine;
'09 the one to get before Yamaha destroyed the line with the '10-'11 design
I have an '06 YZ450F and love it, the beasty motor
Yep, I slid an 08 frame into my 06 with 22mm offsets. It's a nice upgrade

Pit Row

See All »

Post a reply to: YZ Experts, What Do You Think?