Posts
12
Joined
10/9/2019
Location
Bridgeton, MO
US
Fenix009
10/9/2019 1:02pm
10/9/2019 1:02pm
Edited Date/Time
10/10/2019 10:30am
Looking at the following bikes all with in a couple hundred of each other. All under $1400
2008 KTM 250 xcf-w
*completely stock with @100 hours of class D hare scramble races
*Regular maintenance no top-end rebuild, claims leak down test is still good
*Looks well maintained and clean
2000 KTM 200 mxc
*seller looks to be a mechanic that flips all things small engine related
*Claims to have a rebuilt top end including piston and cylinder plating by US Chrome
*Clean for its age but can tell its been ridden
2005 YZ 250-F
*About 100 hours
*12-52 sprockets
*Valved for 165# trail rider
My Stats:
240 lb novice. Grew up on snowmobiles, quads, and ATCs. Extent of off-road bikes is an early 90's YZ100 that I still tool around my parents farm and gravel back roads on. 13 yr old son wants to take up trail riding with some of his friends from school and baseball, and I've been wanting to get him into it for years as well but its easier for him to convince his mom. I pick up his CRF100, he is little and that bike is perfect for him to stand with just the balls of his feet touching.
SO I am looking for a bike to ride along while he learns and I refresh my skills and learn how to translate them to two-wheels. I also want something to ride with my co-workers/fiends that is a little easier going on more technical trails than my Polaris Xpedition 425 that I have as a hunting rig. They ride a YZ426 (Class B woods racer), KTM 200 exc, and a KDX200.
PS. I like tinkering and doing the required maintenance, but complete engine tear-downs I typically leave to those trained to do so.
Thanks in advance
2008 KTM 250 xcf-w
*completely stock with @100 hours of class D hare scramble races
*Regular maintenance no top-end rebuild, claims leak down test is still good
*Looks well maintained and clean
2000 KTM 200 mxc
*seller looks to be a mechanic that flips all things small engine related
*Claims to have a rebuilt top end including piston and cylinder plating by US Chrome
*Clean for its age but can tell its been ridden
2005 YZ 250-F
*About 100 hours
*12-52 sprockets
*Valved for 165# trail rider
My Stats:
240 lb novice. Grew up on snowmobiles, quads, and ATCs. Extent of off-road bikes is an early 90's YZ100 that I still tool around my parents farm and gravel back roads on. 13 yr old son wants to take up trail riding with some of his friends from school and baseball, and I've been wanting to get him into it for years as well but its easier for him to convince his mom. I pick up his CRF100, he is little and that bike is perfect for him to stand with just the balls of his feet touching.
SO I am looking for a bike to ride along while he learns and I refresh my skills and learn how to translate them to two-wheels. I also want something to ride with my co-workers/fiends that is a little easier going on more technical trails than my Polaris Xpedition 425 that I have as a hunting rig. They ride a YZ426 (Class B woods racer), KTM 200 exc, and a KDX200.
PS. I like tinkering and doing the required maintenance, but complete engine tear-downs I typically leave to those trained to do so.
Thanks in advance
Check these out. Searched in MO for you because i have a craigslist addiction. Found these in about 2 minutes. 1 of those sounds/looks to be much much cleaner and a better buy than what you described. Keep looking or grab one of those.
The Shop
Thats a tough call
But still looking. Most here are 426s and 450s because everyone wants to make stunt bikes out of them, or they are roached pitbikes road hard by guys built like me.
Basically if it last a year and I use it more than I anticipate I'll look at a newer bike. But considering are schedules allow us use the ski boat 3-4 days out of the year and it was 20K, I don't want to be in that "boat" again. Basically something to do on weekends in October when its too cold for the boat and during the kids month off between baseball/softball and winter training.
Me: I'm looking for something in the $xxx range
Buddy: yeah but if you spend $xxxx you can have something better!
I quit asking his opinion on how to spend my money.
I vote for the KTM 250 xcfw. Good, reliable, bikes and electric start. The KTM 200 is old iron at this point, and some model specific parts could be hard to come by. I don't know much about the early Gen Yamaha 250s. I would assume they are fairly reliable.
I'm partial to the YZF. I just finished a budget rebuild on one. Same year and I spent about that kind of money. It's fun as hell, does what I want it to do and starts every time. If you're handy and know what you're looking at when you test ride it, you'll make a good decision. I put probably another $500 or so into it, with the purpose of a budget replica. In all reality, I could have ran it as I got it, after a fluid change and service for insurance. All new plastic is only about 100 bucks.
Pit Row
a 2007 YZ250 set up as a trail bike for a 220lb rider with @54 hours on it. One owner with a service log and riding log with dates times and locations of rides. As well as a 2006 KTM 200 exc. with a new top end and rebuilt fork and shocks also setup for a 220lb rider. With recites for the work from the local KTM dealer. Both for under my 2k budget.
Out here in the northwest, asking price for any YZ250 with an aluminum frame is around 3k or higher.
When youre on a tight budget patience is even more important. Sounds like youve already found a couple that are way nicer. 54 hours on a yz250 sounds much safer then 100+ on 250fs.
I don’t know why it quoted you but those bikes look pretty perfect!
If you never buy it you won't ever have to sell it!!
Post a reply to: Thought I had it figured out, but need some thoughts