Buying a 250f

Loaded question bro. Should be able to ask the seller enough questions to profile them enough to where you get either good vibes or bad vibes about how seriously they maintained the bike. Ask things like when did they last inspect the valves, what kind of oil/filter did they usually use, air filter maintenance, did they ever lube the linkage, etc...

If the dude raced an entire season and can't tell you off the top of his head what weight oil the bike takes - that's a bad sign

There's a few ways to look at it.

A race bike on race day will generally get a 10 minute practice plus 3 x 10 -15 minute motos, so around an hours riding for the day. If they only ride when they race, they are pretty low hour so a race only bike is great. A dedicated racers 2nd practice bike does hours and hours of hard riding during the week with minimal upkeep generally so these are the worst you can get. If a racer only has one bike and they ride and practice a lot, it's going to be well worn.

A social rider that goes out to Pala say for ride days will put in lap 10 - 20 minute sessions and probably do 5 or more so there's more riding time and they are giving them the same amount of hell unless a beginner or slow vet. These social bikes can have minimal hours because they don't get out much (especially if they have kids and a house to maintain) or long hours if younger and time to burn.

Then there's maintenance, or generally lack of for the weekend warrior where as the racers generally keep up on that to keep the bike at peak condition. The maintenance can be minimal or really good depending on the person so you have to get them talking and providing proof like receipts or a collection of replaced parts.


It's only generalizations but just because it's a race bike doesn't mean it's wrecked. It all depends on whether it was a practice bike or not, how much use it's had and what sort of maintenance schedule it got. Look for signs of wear in the brake discs, foot pegs, levers, signs of abuse. If those are worn and it's still got a full spares kit for example, stay away.

There's no rule that covers all bikes so take each on it's own merits, ask lots of questions, take the seat off and the air filter out looking for dirt in the intake, color of the oil, do your research. But IMO in the long run, a 2010 model completely stock with very little use for example will always feel better, ride better and be a better buy than a 2013 with race parts like a pipe or wheels that's had lots of use.

It it just had the valves adjusted, they're screwed because they are wearing into the inner material through the hard facing. Not always a good sign. If checked and in spec and the dealers receipt says that, that's a good sign.

I would rather buy a bike that was raced and maintained by racers than a field-ridden pos. More often than not, people who race, usually take better care of their bikes than some kid riding around the neighborhood.

Pay attention to their surroundings. If you go to the sellers house and it's a dump...Walk. There are exceptions, but rare.

This. I use this practice with most my purchases. If there other stuff, space, or vehicles look like garbage or are trashed, usually that's the same way they treat everything.