2015 YZ250F Major Maintenance Schedule?

sgrimmxdad
Edited Date/Time 1/11/2018 10:37am
I would like to know what hours everyone is doing major maintenance to the new yami's?

We are checking the valves at 25hrs.

Did a piston and chain at 58hrs. Was shooting for 50.

Everything looked good at 58 so we where planning on doing complete bottom and top end at 120.

I am being told by a lot of, what I consider, experienced riders/mechanics that I am going overboard. I can't see a crank being reliable past 120hr though.

Also I am considering just selling the bike at 120hr and buying a new one. I figure if I put a complete top and bottom in it, go through all the bearings and all other needed fixes I would be close to the price of the new one.... This will be his practice bike. I have already bought a new 16 that is the "race" bike!

Please no jokes, I am looking serious responses. We all know how much money is involved with this stuff. I am simply trying to give my son the best platform I can to live out his dream!

Thanks in advance!
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kijen
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kijen 1/30/2016 5:49am
1/30/2016 5:49am
If you do the work yourself, you will not be even close to the cost of a new bike. I think your current schedule is pretty close. For the bottom ends I would do during a break in your racing season, I think that is the best way to ensure your bikes are ready and will last the races. Can be a pain trying to do that between race weekends
sgrimmxdad 1/30/2016 5:58am
1/30/2016 5:58am
Well thats the thing. I don't do the work myself. I can do everything but go in the motor. I don't even check the valves myself, to be honest.
His sponsor helps with the parts and he does the work. He helps us out TREMENDOUSLY but I still pay him. Our local factory dealer is at $90 bucks an hour. So I'm appreciative of every bit of help.
moto455va
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moto455va 1/30/2016 6:07am
1/30/2016 6:07am
On my 250f I go pistons every 50hrs and I did a bottom end at 200hrs. The crank was still in spec at that point too. I also check the valves every 20 hours or so, but I havnt actually needed to adjust them yet (240 hours total).

I feel like people make these bikes out to be less reliable than they actually are.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 1/30/2016 7:08am
1/30/2016 7:08am
Those all seem like safe intervals. Preventative maintance.

A 250f is as reliable as the rider on it, if you sit on the rev limiter around the track your gonna need To maintaine it more often. I've heard tons of stores about well ridden 250f's not touching the valves for 100hours and still being in spec.

The Shop

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xnationalwrench 1/30/2016 9:14am
1/30/2016 9:14am Edited Date/Time 1/30/2016 9:14am
It really depend on how he races the bike, I mean if he bounces off the rev limiter like Barcia or heavily modified engine you are doing it right but if he rides inside the rev limiter you possibly could go longer. But keeping the bike fresh will or should limit the DNF's and makes a more enjoyable race season.
sgrimmxdad 1/30/2016 9:20am
1/30/2016 9:20am
Bike is bone stock. Running the limited classes. I taught him to shift and stay off the rev limiter. Although I messed up and ordered a 50th rear instead of a 49. I didn't think it would make that big a difference. I was getting on him about shifting and he said he was shifting the same spots as before. I got to looking at 50 on the sprocket lol! My bad!!

Joko
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Joko 1/30/2016 9:50am
1/30/2016 9:50am
I have a stock 2014 YZ250f with 58 hours, have it apart to do the top end, crank is in spec, but on the fence to replace it, after hearing failure stories on this year crank. Is it common to break a rod on this year YZF, or is it overkill to replace it at 58 hours? Only hit the rev limiter 1 or 2x a lap...
sgrimmxdad 1/31/2016 7:19am
1/31/2016 7:19am
Looked like to me Webb checked his plug wire last night, maybe not. Anyway, during the interview he said, "not the wiring."
Benchracer17 2/1/2016 12:39pm
2/1/2016 12:39pm
I am curious also as to how many hours between top end, valves, etc. On my first 4 stroke.

Have a '14 YZ250F, staying off the rev limiter (upshift & use torque). Change oil very 3 hours (Rotella T), air filter as needed, running ethanol free gas (90 octane w/ stabilizer).

Is it recommended to do top end every 50 hours - or can you go longer?

Saw this one on TT, where he had 110 hours on the bike before new top end:

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/1106704-2014-valves-long-term-reliabil…
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 2/1/2016 1:58pm
2/1/2016 1:58pm
I've gone 110 hours on my 2012 Ktm 250sx-f top end with no problems in sight. Just depends on preventive maintance or let it go then fix it later.

I think people recommend 50 hours for top ends. Depends how you ride the bike.

They say 20-25 hours to check valves, some people say every 50 hours for valves.
sgrimmxdad 2/2/2016 4:59am
2/2/2016 4:59am
I guess I need to learn to check the valves.
SPYGUY
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SPYGUY 2/2/2016 9:46am
2/2/2016 9:46am
sgrimmxdad wrote:
I guess I need to learn to check the valves.
It's pretty easy to do yourself.

Just watch a few "How to" videos on Youtube and you should get a pretty good understanding of what's involved fairly quickly.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=check+valves+YZ250F

The only real specialty tool you'll need is a set of feeler gauges. I use these:

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/989/20116/Bike-Master-Dual-Reading…
Flipsid33
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Flipsid33 2/3/2016 8:04am
2/3/2016 8:04am
The 2015 YZ250F's have bad connecting rods. All them should be torn down and replaced with the updated crankshaft or have a carrillo rod installed.

I have seen many connecting rod failures that destroy most of the motor. I have one in my shop right now with 70 hours on it from a novice rider that is mostly a total loss.

Luc from C4MX can confirm this. He has been working on several of them as well. It sucks that you have to rebuild an engine right out of the box but it is very dangerous and super expensive if it lets go.
sgrimmxdad 2/3/2016 8:21am
2/3/2016 8:21am
Damn, I hate to hear that. I wish I would have known that when we put the piston in...


My mechanic is checking the valves tomorrow night. We will be at 90hrs. I will post what we find out. At this point, if the valves are in spec I am going to let it go until 120 and decide if I am going to freshen it up or sale and it and buy a new one....

Flipsid33
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Flipsid33 2/3/2016 10:02am
2/3/2016 10:02am


sgrimmxdad 2/3/2016 1:35pm
2/3/2016 1:35pm
UGHHHHH THAT IS SCARY!
Joko
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Joko 2/3/2016 4:27pm
2/3/2016 4:27pm
Flipsid33 wrote:
The 2015 YZ250F's have bad connecting rods. All them should be torn down and replaced with the updated crankshaft or have a carrillo rod installed. I...
The 2015 YZ250F's have bad connecting rods. All them should be torn down and replaced with the updated crankshaft or have a carrillo rod installed.

I have seen many connecting rod failures that destroy most of the motor. I have one in my shop right now with 70 hours on it from a novice rider that is mostly a total loss.

Luc from C4MX can confirm this. He has been working on several of them as well. It sucks that you have to rebuild an engine right out of the box but it is very dangerous and super expensive if it lets go.
2014's too ?
Joko
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Joko 2/3/2016 4:47pm
2/3/2016 4:47pm
Yamaha has no "restitution" available, even though they changed the part # of the 16 crank assembly?

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hassbeen 2/4/2016 1:45am
2/4/2016 1:45am
Your maint plan is about right we run up to 200 hours before big end rebuild. Also depends on routine maintenance. We change oil every 4 hours , oil filter every 3 oil changes and clean air filter ever time the bike goes onto the track. Touch wood no failures to date. only problem was a faulty fuel pump.
Great bikes for reliability.
sgrimmxdad 2/4/2016 5:05am
2/4/2016 5:05am
200? Wow, that would be acceptable IMO. How often are you doing the top end?

I am the same on maintenance, all though I have started looking at the air filter. Some days my son rides by himself here at the track. I use the little red FLO prefilters and sometimes the filter have hardly any dirt on them. So I may go 2 rides on that, on these days we do a 3-4 lap warm up. Then 2 or 3 7 lap moto's. Oil is changed every other ride or 2 hours max and then the oil filter every other oil change.
sgrimmxdad 2/5/2016 12:18pm
2/5/2016 12:18pm
Just had the valves checked at 90 hours. They were out and have been adjusted. Going to shoot for a complete rebuild at 130 or so... I am scared to put a bottom end past 2 pistons...
Ace_Burt
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Ace_Burt 2/9/2016 4:59pm
2/9/2016 4:59pm Edited Date/Time 2/9/2016 4:59pm
That's a lot of hours to let the bike go before putting a piston and timing chain in it. If you ride and race it a lot (motocross) I would do it a whole more than 50+ something hours. A $100 piston and $12 timing chain is a lot cheaper than a wasted motor. High comp pistons are what's breaking the cranks. The 16 crank is different and has an oiler that sprays the bottom of the piston. If you buy the GYTR high comp piston for a 14 or 15 the oiler comes with it.



sgrimmxdad 2/10/2016 4:01am
2/10/2016 4:01am
What is your schedule? Thanks for the input! Nice looking bike!
Ace_Burt
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Ace_Burt 2/10/2016 8:11am
2/10/2016 8:11am
I will do a piston and timing chain about every 22-25 hours. A friend of mine is one of two mechanics on the Yamaha demo team that travels all over the country and he says don't let them go any longer than 25-30 on the demo bikes.

Derek Harris built the motor in this one (its a full mod 276) and says he wants it back the first time at 20 hours. Also change the oil every other ride. I use the Yamalube in the silver bottle. A fresh top end wont put weird loads on the crank from clearances letting the piston move in ways the crank wont. High comp pistons are what is hard on the 14 and 15 cranks. The 16 is revised and stronger. In fact if you buy a GYTR high comp piston for a 14 or 15 it comes with an oil jet that cools the underside of the piston.

I know guys that ride off road that do top ends every 50 hours with no problems, but they are not running wide open much of the time like on a moto track.

Just my thoughts and experience. $100 for piston and ring kit and $18 for a timing chain is awful cheap insurance.
sgrimmxdad 2/10/2016 2:21pm
2/10/2016 2:21pm
Thanks for the info!!!
smoothies862 2/10/2016 6:20pm
2/10/2016 6:20pm
arrg. i just made peace with my 15',lol. it has 25hrs. i plan on doing the motor after this season. i hope it is the high comp pistons causing problems.i will do the crank/rod with new piston and oil sprayer. with some minor head work.chain etc.
i almost bit the bullet and sent it out for all that this winter to c4mx. that would be a sweet motor but $.
TyEhly
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TyEhly 1/5/2018 4:43pm
1/5/2018 4:43pm
My 2016 yz250f has 156 hours on it and has never had anything done to the motor. The valves are still in spec and it still has proper compression. The bike still runs as good as it did new
ben5020
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ben5020 1/7/2018 9:25am
1/7/2018 9:25am
Carrillo rod asap or else you have an expensive paper weight! Happened to me at 56 hours, my buddy at 45 hours and a few other guys I know.
sgrimmxdad 1/11/2018 3:12am
1/11/2018 3:12am
Update, we did first top end at 60ish hours then at around 120+ hours we did a complete OEM rebuild. We are now at 180 and I am getting ready to send it to Millennium Technologies for a new top end to install a Carrillo rod and CP piston!

These bikes are pretty tough, I didn't properly tighten the drain bolt and it fell out on the track. Bike shut off in a turn thankfully! Put oil back and kicked it over a few times and she fired right up. Changed the oil after running a few times to make sure no metal particles. She has 15 plus hours since and still runs good. Don't want to push it any further. Since installing a new rod the crank will be inspected for damage as well!
Tracktor
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Tracktor 1/11/2018 10:37am
1/11/2018 10:37am
sgrimmxdad wrote:
Update, we did first top end at 60ish hours then at around 120+ hours we did a complete OEM rebuild. We are now at 180 and...
Update, we did first top end at 60ish hours then at around 120+ hours we did a complete OEM rebuild. We are now at 180 and I am getting ready to send it to Millennium Technologies for a new top end to install a Carrillo rod and CP piston!

These bikes are pretty tough, I didn't properly tighten the drain bolt and it fell out on the track. Bike shut off in a turn thankfully! Put oil back and kicked it over a few times and she fired right up. Changed the oil after running a few times to make sure no metal particles. She has 15 plus hours since and still runs good. Don't want to push it any further. Since installing a new rod the crank will be inspected for damage as well!
Holy crap you are lucky? I get nervous after 30hrs on my son's 250f (B speed). I was going to do full bottom end at 3rd piston but after looking at numbers just going new made way more sense. $1200 to upgrade to brand new bike seemed to make more sense that rebuilding his current one.
A local pro was practicing at our track awhile back and lost the tip of the spark plug on his YZ250f. Said it's the second time it happened. I suggested maybe popping head and seeing if any damage? Saw him a couple weeks later and he had just threw another plug in and rode it. Those YZ's must be almost bulletproof.......

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