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chuckie108
1/10/2018 11:16pm
1/10/2018 11:16pm
Edited Date/Time
1/11/2018 5:48pm
I agree the cost of new bikes has gotten a little out of hand, and it makes it very tough to cultivate new participation. But the reality is, it doesn't have to be.
My youngest son injured him self pretty bad back in June(broken radius, ulna, collarbone and ankle). He just got back riding over New Years weekend. He requested we just hit the desert for a bit to get back into the swing of things. I thought that was a great idea for him to get back on the bike in and easy, safe way. My only reservation was, I really didn't want to take my very fresh KX450F out to the dez to get bushwacked and timed out. This motivated me to pull down a thrashed, neglected, basket case '98 YZ250 I've had in my rafters for 15 years and get it ride worthy again. I figured if a '98 CR250 is good enough to podium straight rhythm, then a 98 YZ250 should be enough for a desert fun bike. Luckily I have the know how and the tooling to repair any part of a motorcycle, so that saves a lot on labor, but I figure I have about $2,500 total in building this bike. I kept my costs down by scouring Ebay and picking cost effective parts. Plus I get great support from my local dealer John Burr Cycles. In the end I ended up with a great desert bike. 18" wheel, skid plate, FWW, etc.. And the thing is now tight and fresh from front to back. The real kicker, the thing is a blast to ride!! Don't get me wrong, I love my 450 and wouldn't trade it for anything as far as the Moto track goes. But this bike off-road is just a hoot! I for sure like it better than my 450 in that scenario. I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun I have riding it. Long story short, getting involved in this great sport doesn't have to be too expensive. And we as a community should do a better job of celebrating and promoting the fact that there are cost effective routes into the sport. Cheers
My youngest son injured him self pretty bad back in June(broken radius, ulna, collarbone and ankle). He just got back riding over New Years weekend. He requested we just hit the desert for a bit to get back into the swing of things. I thought that was a great idea for him to get back on the bike in and easy, safe way. My only reservation was, I really didn't want to take my very fresh KX450F out to the dez to get bushwacked and timed out. This motivated me to pull down a thrashed, neglected, basket case '98 YZ250 I've had in my rafters for 15 years and get it ride worthy again. I figured if a '98 CR250 is good enough to podium straight rhythm, then a 98 YZ250 should be enough for a desert fun bike. Luckily I have the know how and the tooling to repair any part of a motorcycle, so that saves a lot on labor, but I figure I have about $2,500 total in building this bike. I kept my costs down by scouring Ebay and picking cost effective parts. Plus I get great support from my local dealer John Burr Cycles. In the end I ended up with a great desert bike. 18" wheel, skid plate, FWW, etc.. And the thing is now tight and fresh from front to back. The real kicker, the thing is a blast to ride!! Don't get me wrong, I love my 450 and wouldn't trade it for anything as far as the Moto track goes. But this bike off-road is just a hoot! I for sure like it better than my 450 in that scenario. I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun I have riding it. Long story short, getting involved in this great sport doesn't have to be too expensive. And we as a community should do a better job of celebrating and promoting the fact that there are cost effective routes into the sport. Cheers
Was that aluminum subframe a bolt on? Or did it need some modding?
Just to play devils advocate here though, you took a $2,000 dollar bike and put $2,500 more into it to freshen it up (with your own labor and know how). A new person to the sport wouldn’t be able to do that, and would likely have 5-6 k wrapped up in a similar project with the cost of the clapped out bike included. So now we’re back to fixing up clapped out bikes for 5-6k or buying a new leftover 250f for 6K. Either way, it’s throwing a newbie to the wolves IMO, and not at a cheap price point.
I’d argue that bikes are cheaper than ever. You get a lot for your buck.
The issue is that wages havent kept up with inflation. And neither has the Anerican work ethic or skillset. Critical thinking died out a long time ago.
Bikes arent selling. It’s easy to blame the price. But I think tracks have gotten too intimidating to the noob. And most people just dont earn enough (which is different than saying bikes are too expensive).
Whatever the case, you’re intent of this thread is correct. A lot of fun can be had on a $2500 beater. I rode them for years in Glamis and never felt like I could be having more fun than I already was.
The Shop
Rebuild suspension $200, Tires, $200, Bearings $200, Chain & Sprox $120, Wrench rabbit kit + labor $1000?(not sure about this one as labor can vary). You may need to rebuild wheels, or address cylinder wear but I think a person can get in the game for around $4000 - $4500 which is what a brand new 125 cost in 2003 when I started riding.
Also sometimes you just get lucky. I bought a cherry 2008 YZ250 off a guy in 2012. He initially wanted 4k for it but I didn't even respond to his email. He emailed me out of the blue a month later saying he would take $2300. Best damn $2300 I ever spent. Now I have a 2017 KTM 350 sitting in the garage and I think "man I wish I still had that $2300 YZ250" LOL.
RCB33
Bike looks good, though.
and suits me just fine.
You'd be helping others by making this a "Bike Build" thread and showing them how to "get'er done".
Excellent job on your Yellow Dezert Screamer!
Nicely done, Chuckie.
I had a 2005 yz125 for about 5-6 years. Picked it up for $2000 and only put a few hundred in it the whole time I had it.
My 2011 yz250 ready to ride with new tires and bearings for under $3500. Unfortunantly like the magazine builds I'm blowing more money on shiny bits. It's a sickness
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