YZ250 - which year to buy from?

There's like 7,000,000 articles on this. Last major update was 06, 05 was new frame, 06 was better suspension and 99% the same since then.

06->

2005 got aluminum Frame, 2006 has better suspension. I've had the metal frame and aluminum. Used parts are SOOO much easier and cheaper to find for the steel frame bikes. I just built an 06' YZ144 and the suspension is so good, but I could have built a steel frame bike for $1000 less.

yz133rider wrote:

There's like 7,000,000 articles on this. Last major update was 06, 05 was new frame, 06 was better suspension and 99% the same since then.

Sorry dude i have tried using search function before but always picks up so many articles unrelated to what i need, but thanks for the info i will search for 06 onwards! Any particular things to be wary of/look out for as particular troublesome areas?

Here is the changes, I know because I bought the wrong one. So I researched every detail so my next one (current bike) would be exactly what I wanted.

2005 first year aluminum frame

2006 first year sss suspension and I think had removeable bar mounts. Where 2005 were solid mount.

2007 had 1-1/8 fat bar mounts

2008 had lighter brake calipers, wave rotors, and different fork lugs that use a current bolt pattern. This means 4 stroke guards will fit on a 2008+

2011 had the global spec low compression head to run on any pump gas.

2015 was he first year of new plastic, and new triple clamps that had the bolt pattern for the new front fender. But do not have moveable bar mounts ( a big miss for yamaha there)

New plastic will fit on 2002+ with the airbox swap.

I bought a 2011 with new plastics, it is the exact same as a new one minus a few elongated holes in the front fender.

Some electronic changes in 2011 also

GaryC1 wrote:

I am looking to buy a used YZ250 or maybe 125 soon as a restoration project and would like to know what year would be best to buy from? I would like an aluminium frame which i think they went to in 04 or 05 but not too sure when they stopped making any major updates to the bike so any guidance would be appreciated!

My 06 yz144. 33 hours since complete overhaul. And I put wave rotors...some different things. But you can find these bikes for 800-1200 in a stock form and then just overhaul them ground up. Chassis bearings and rebuilt motor. That’s what I did. They’re great bikes. I’d look for 08+ but wouldn’t pass up an 06 for the right price.

[image]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/12/31/235107/s1200_EEC58851_3861_48B2_B32B_6FD9E841E48F.jpg[/img]

competes with modern ktm/husky’s all day. Wish it had brembos tho....

Get an 03-04 and convert to the the 06+ suspenders.

I had an 08 and did the plastic upgrade. Great bike, so much so that I sold it and got an 18. People will say what's the point but one thing that you can't beat with a freshie, is that they feel tight. Nothing rattles or vibrates.

Edit: mine was a 125 but you get what I mean.

Hi like 04 chassis with new forks

I had an 2003. Its the same as the 2004 but lower compression so I was able to run 92 octane/non ethanol pump gas with no pinging. FWIW

Fast as hell, just needed some suspension work.

loved that bike!

Zesiger 112 wrote:

Here is the changes, I know because I bought the wrong one. So I researched every detail so my next one (current bike) would be exactly what I wanted.

2005 first year aluminum frame

2006 first year sss suspension and I think had removeable bar mounts. Where 2005 were solid mount.

2007 had 1-1/8 fat bar mounts

2008 had lighter brake calipers, wave rotors, and different fork lugs that use a current bolt pattern. This means 4 stroke guards will fit on a 2008+

2011 had the global spec low compression head to run on any pump gas.

2015 was he first year of new plastic, and new triple clamps that had the bolt pattern for the new front fender. But do not have moveable bar mounts ( a big miss for yamaha there)

New plastic will fit on 2002+ with the airbox swap.

I bought a 2011 with new plastics, it is the exact same as a new one minus a few elongated holes in the front fender.

Awesome list mate thank you, couldnt ask for any more info!

Zesiger 112 wrote:

Here is the changes, I know because I bought the wrong one. So I researched every detail so my next one (current bike) would be exactly what I wanted.

2005 first year aluminum frame

2006 first year sss suspension and I think had removeable bar mounts. Where 2005 were solid mount.

2007 had 1-1/8 fat bar mounts

2008 had lighter brake calipers, wave rotors, and different fork lugs that use a current bolt pattern. This means 4 stroke guards will fit on a 2008+

2011 had the global spec low compression head to run on any pump gas.

2015 was he first year of new plastic, and new triple clamps that had the bolt pattern for the new front fender. But do not have moveable bar mounts ( a big miss for yamaha there)

New plastic will fit on 2002+ with the airbox swap.

I bought a 2011 with new plastics, it is the exact same as a new one minus a few elongated holes in the front fender.

Nice break down !

Owned 02, 04, 05, 09 YZ250's & have ridden a few 05-14 models. Prefer the 02-04 steel framed models over the AF 05 +.

06+ for YZ 250's.

08+ for YZ 125's. (updated the gear selector).

Zesiger 112 wrote:

Here is the changes, I know because I bought the wrong one. So I researched every detail so my next one (current bike) would be exactly what I wanted.

2005 first year aluminum frame

2006 first year sss suspension and I think had removeable bar mounts. Where 2005 were solid mount.

2007 had 1-1/8 fat bar mounts

2008 had lighter brake calipers, wave rotors, and different fork lugs that use a current bolt pattern. This means 4 stroke guards will fit on a 2008+

2011 had the global spec low compression head to run on any pump gas.

2015 was he first year of new plastic, and new triple clamps that had the bolt pattern for the new front fender. But do not have moveable bar mounts ( a big miss for yamaha there)

New plastic will fit on 2002+ with the airbox swap.

I bought a 2011 with new plastics, it is the exact same as a new one minus a few elongated holes in the front fender.

GaryC1 wrote:

Awesome list mate thank you, couldnt ask for any more info!

One small note: my 2006 YZ250 does not have removable bar mounts. I think that was in '07 or '08.

144rider wrote:

06+ for YZ 250's.

08+ for YZ 125's. (updated the gear selector).

It was just a $15 part. I put it in mine.

1. 04 or older
2. 08 or newer
3. 06-07
4. 05
Sss on 04 or older is golden ticket.

I have an 02',05',13' YZ250's

Bought the 05' first, in 2008, previous owner put SSS forks off of a yz450f on it before I bought it. I had the shock and forks serviced and revalved, I have rode the crap out of this bike for years and it has been super reliable. I love it. I bought a very clean 13' to replace it at some point. The 13' has never rode quite as well as the 05' (same setup) and the motor has felt a little softer through the entire range. An 02' came up cheap on local craigslist, it was a little tired and looked somewhat beat but it was cheap by local standards ($600). I fixed it up with new tires, plastic, torn it down and greased all the bearings blah, blah,blah. it rides like a total pile of crap compared to the 05' I was/am super disappointed. Although it looks great and everything is in good to great condition it feels totally clapped out compared to the 05. On the 02' I don't feel like the motor transmits the power to the ground as efficiently and you can feel the frame flexing when the track gets really rough. I recommend finding a clean 06' to 10' for the best performance at the lowest cost.

Didn't 09 onwards get the newer swingarm design also?

No...the yz 2 strokes have never received the updated swingarm

Im a two time Yz250 owner and a couple pieces of advice and comments:
1) get a 2005 or newer. If you can....get the 2006 because of the sSs suspension. Do not, however, be afraid of the suspension on the 2005. I thought it was excellent and Enzo has some awesome settings for this stuff. I really liked mine. It held up great and in my opinion was great suspension. Dont think that you must have the SSs.
2) they changed the top triple clamp in 2007 i believe. Check i to this because prior to the change, it was hard mounted and vibrated like a bitch. Just another thing to have to mess with because it needs to be changed out.

I now have a 2014 that i bought in a crate and, like pretty much everyone that has one, love the bike. Its so much fun to ride jumps and jumps like a dream. Really one of the most complete bikes of this decade and, in retrospect, way ahead of its time in 2005. Best overall motocross bike ever made. The amazing suspension feels ever better on the two stroke. It can absolutely be competitive against 4 strokes if you know what you are doing. Going into extremely b

So for everyone saying the YZ hasn't changed in 15 years there are a lot of little changes.

I had an 06 and 10 and loved them both. Shouldnt have sold the 10 as it was the perfect all around bike. Simply amazing in the woods with FMF pipe/silencer.

xr70 wrote:



I just built this 02 , very fun project and come out great .

Any reason why you haven't got the rubber caps fitted in the swing arm?