Build vs Buy New?

Collin_Palotto
Edited Date/Time 9/21/2021 6:36am
Hey guys. Looking for opinions. My current bike is a 2014 yz250f. It’s in pretty good shape but it has some time on it. I am stuck between “building” my current bike (motor,suspension,chassis) or just going and biting the bullet on a brand new 250f(new yz or crf) I guess my major concern is dumping the money into a little older of a bike that may or may not stay relevant with the years to come. Thanks guys!
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AH387
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AH387 9/15/2021 6:05pm
9/15/2021 6:05pm
It all depends. Back when the 10-13 YZ250F was current, I really liked it. Rode it (mostly) stock for a couple years then did a huge overhaul to refresh it. Dumped money into suspension, full gytr head, wheels, brakes etc etc. I rode it 1 year and then when the 14 came out, I rode one and then went and bought one. Had a few bikes since but haven't dumped a ton of money into them, unless there was directly something that I thought needed attention. I would probably say to just jump into a new one mainly because I think for most people the current YZF needs less attention than any bike that I've owned. But if you have a plan for your 14, it's certainly still a very good bike, if you go that route.
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snackfedbear
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snackfedbear 9/15/2021 6:18pm
9/15/2021 6:18pm
If your budget can afford it, I’d get a brand new or low hour current gen YZF. They’re going to be better than your current bike even if you dump money into it. My personal opinion
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Bruce372
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Bruce372 9/15/2021 7:05pm
9/15/2021 7:05pm
Just get a newer bike. When you build an old bike, it might have new parts, but its still an old bike in terms of hours, wear and technology
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ninesevenfour 9/15/2021 7:15pm
9/15/2021 7:15pm
New bikes are always a great feeling. If you can afford it, why not?

Additionally, you don’t have to worry about existing wear on the parts you did not replace during the rebuild.
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AgentOrange
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AgentOrange 9/15/2021 7:45pm
9/15/2021 7:45pm
I rebuilt a 14 250 SX last year for the 2020 season. I ended up buying a leftover 2020 at the end of the season. While a new bike didn't make me faster, it has yet to break down or leave me wanting more. Wish I would have bought newer sooner.
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Moto520
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Moto520 9/15/2021 7:53pm
9/15/2021 7:53pm
Don’t dump the money into the old bike. Go new and it will do a better job of returning your money when you sell it. Put $3000 into a 2013 CRF250 and it’s not worth more than stock IMO. Better financial decision, less work, treat yourself, nothing better than new bike day, etc
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Agent717
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Agent717 9/15/2021 8:07pm
9/15/2021 8:07pm
Every time I spend money on a bike thinking it will keep me from buying a new one, I spend the money AND buy a new one anyway. Learn from my mistakes that I never seem to learn from. Just buy a new bike.
2
GoggleFiend904 9/15/2021 10:00pm
9/15/2021 10:00pm
Collin_Palotto wrote:
Hey guys. Looking for opinions. My current bike is a 2014 yz250f. It’s in pretty good shape but it has some time on it. I am...
Hey guys. Looking for opinions. My current bike is a 2014 yz250f. It’s in pretty good shape but it has some time on it. I am stuck between “building” my current bike (motor,suspension,chassis) or just going and biting the bullet on a brand new 250f(new yz or crf) I guess my major concern is dumping the money into a little older of a bike that may or may not stay relevant with the years to come. Thanks guys!
I’m afraid to add up my receipts for upgrading/refreshing my 14 over the last 18 months.. a brand new bike with cone valves would most likely have been a smarter decision in my position
GoggleFiend904 9/15/2021 10:01pm
9/15/2021 10:01pm
AgentOrange wrote:
I rebuilt a 14 250 SX last year for the 2020 season. I ended up buying a leftover 2020 at the end of the season. While...
I rebuilt a 14 250 SX last year for the 2020 season. I ended up buying a leftover 2020 at the end of the season. While a new bike didn't make me faster, it has yet to break down or leave me wanting more. Wish I would have bought newer sooner.
How do you like the 20? I’m currently on a 14sx
PJRAUS
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PJRAUS 9/16/2021 1:23am
9/16/2021 1:23am
New bike is always the best option..building old one quickly becomes just a money pit..
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Richy
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Richy 9/16/2021 2:31am
9/16/2021 2:31am
Gotta go with new. Or a super super low hour bargain / left over (left overs obvs not likely right now, but speaking generally) if there is anything about, leaving some coin to tailor it to yourself.

If it's a 2 stroke that likely won't be hugely updated or a second bike like one of the classic's people love (e.g. 09 CRF, any old 2 stroke) I can see a case for building it up, but 250F's are largely just a tool for a job so may as well go new instead of putting yourself in a hole over it, plus the newer models are quite a bit better right off the bat.
AgentOrange
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AgentOrange 9/16/2021 4:18am
9/16/2021 4:18am
AgentOrange wrote:
I rebuilt a 14 250 SX last year for the 2020 season. I ended up buying a leftover 2020 at the end of the season. While...
I rebuilt a 14 250 SX last year for the 2020 season. I ended up buying a leftover 2020 at the end of the season. While a new bike didn't make me faster, it has yet to break down or leave me wanting more. Wish I would have bought newer sooner.
GoggleFiend904 wrote:
How do you like the 20? I’m currently on a 14sx
I went to the dark side and bought a 4 stroke 350 XC. I race hare scrambles, so it seemed like the better woods weapon. E-start is nice. Love the new bike but, I do miss a 2 stroke.
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AH387
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AH387 9/16/2021 5:03am
9/16/2021 5:03am
Agent717 wrote:
Every time I spend money on a bike thinking it will keep me from buying a new one, I spend the money AND buy a new...
Every time I spend money on a bike thinking it will keep me from buying a new one, I spend the money AND buy a new one anyway. Learn from my mistakes that I never seem to learn from. Just buy a new bike.
Yes this is pretty much exactly how it always happens for me, also. Lol. How I described about with my previous YZFs and then even last year, I kept putting money into the FC 350 because I figured when I got it to where I was happy, then I'd run it a while. I spend a couple grand on it and then rode it a handful of times before selling it. It's a terrible feeling. I should've just sold it before doing the suspension and putting the money into it.
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Collin_Palotto 9/16/2021 5:22am
9/16/2021 5:22am
Thanks for all the replies! Looks like I’ll be looking into selling my 14 and picking up a freshie!
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ScoobyDoo81 9/16/2021 10:19am
9/16/2021 10:19am
Moto520 wrote:
Don’t dump the money into the old bike. Go new and it will do a better job of returning your money when you sell it. Put...
Don’t dump the money into the old bike. Go new and it will do a better job of returning your money when you sell it. Put $3000 into a 2013 CRF250 and it’s not worth more than stock IMO. Better financial decision, less work, treat yourself, nothing better than new bike day, etc
Agreed. The modern day 4 strokes get outdated and lose there value so fast now days. If it were a 2007 yz125 or something of that nature I'd say go for it. But in with your situation I would sell out and buy NEW!
Leeham
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Leeham 9/16/2021 11:29am
9/16/2021 11:29am
Exactly why I try to keep my bikes stock as much as possible. For the inevitable time comes when I sell the bike. I dont feel like I wasted a bunch of money with suspension, motor, etc.
vtec_
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vtec_ 9/16/2021 3:50pm
9/16/2021 3:50pm
how much do you have to spend to restore it?

in all honesty, id prob just spring for the newer bike as 250fs lose their value pretty quickly. unless you can do all the machine work yourself...

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Zycki11
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Zycki11 9/16/2021 3:57pm
9/16/2021 3:57pm
Leeham wrote:
Exactly why I try to keep my bikes stock as much as possible. For the inevitable time comes when I sell the bike. I dont feel...
Exactly why I try to keep my bikes stock as much as possible. For the inevitable time comes when I sell the bike. I dont feel like I wasted a bunch of money with suspension, motor, etc.
That’s why if you have the money to spend you buy complete suspension and and motor. When it’s time to sell the steed you simply remove the goodies and place the stock stuff back in. On the new bike you already are setup for success with your boingers and ponies
doofus
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doofus 9/16/2021 5:47pm
9/16/2021 5:47pm
Buy new. I’ve restored and built so many bikes and while they were better than they were when I started, I felt I was never able to match the overall feel of a brand new (bone stock) bike. Something just so crisp about it.
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bernnet
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bernnet 9/17/2021 1:30am
9/17/2021 1:30am
Collin_Palotto wrote:
Thanks for all the replies! Looks like I’ll be looking into selling my 14 and picking up a freshie!
Good decision. Keep us posted.
Collin_Palotto 9/20/2021 12:24pm
9/20/2021 12:24pm Edited Date/Time 9/20/2021 12:26pm
Hey guys. Little bit of an update. Ended up finding a 2021 yz250f with 2 hours on it for $7500 which I thought was a pretty solid deal considering the market. Thanks for the help! Can’t wait to rip it

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Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 9/20/2021 12:43pm
9/20/2021 12:43pm
Collin_Palotto wrote:
Hey guys. Little bit of an update. Ended up finding a 2021 yz250f with 2 hours on it for $7500 which I thought was a pretty...
Hey guys. Little bit of an update. Ended up finding a 2021 yz250f with 2 hours on it for $7500 which I thought was a pretty solid deal considering the market. Thanks for the help! Can’t wait to rip it

Hell yea, thanks to advice from vital you got a fresh bike. Congrats man.
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TunaBro
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TunaBro 9/20/2021 2:45pm
9/20/2021 2:45pm
I am in the same situation with my 15' yz250f. I am at 99 hours on mine and thinking I should part out the pricey aftermarket parts and return it to stock to sell in the spring.
Zycki11
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Zycki11 9/20/2021 3:03pm
9/20/2021 3:03pm
Collin_Palotto wrote:
Hey guys. Little bit of an update. Ended up finding a 2021 yz250f with 2 hours on it for $7500 which I thought was a pretty...
Hey guys. Little bit of an update. Ended up finding a 2021 yz250f with 2 hours on it for $7500 which I thought was a pretty solid deal considering the market. Thanks for the help! Can’t wait to rip it

Amazing find. Enjoy that bike it will treat you well
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AH387
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AH387 9/20/2021 3:12pm
9/20/2021 3:12pm
Collin_Palotto wrote:
Hey guys. Little bit of an update. Ended up finding a 2021 yz250f with 2 hours on it for $7500 which I thought was a pretty...
Hey guys. Little bit of an update. Ended up finding a 2021 yz250f with 2 hours on it for $7500 which I thought was a pretty solid deal considering the market. Thanks for the help! Can’t wait to rip it

Thats a good price. I think you will love the bike. It just feels like a refined version of your previous bike. Good luck and congrats.
1
Collin_Palotto 9/20/2021 3:32pm
9/20/2021 3:32pm
TunaBro wrote:
I am in the same situation with my 15' yz250f. I am at 99 hours on mine and thinking I should part out the pricey aftermarket...
I am in the same situation with my 15' yz250f. I am at 99 hours on mine and thinking I should part out the pricey aftermarket parts and return it to stock to sell in the spring.
Definitely your best bet. I sold my 2014 for 4k and $2500 more got me a brand new 21. I probably would have ended up putting almost that much into my 14. I’m glad I went with the new bike.
PDUB481
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PDUB481 9/21/2021 6:36am
9/21/2021 6:36am
New is always better, just like a new girl friend. First rides are always the best.
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