Posts
7
Joined
7/3/2025
Location
Halifax, NS, CA
I'm currently riding a 22 150sx and love it, but have been thinking of getting a bigger bike as well, especially for racing. There's a 24 yz250f with 2.5 hours for sale near me for $7500 (CAD) which seems like a great price, but I've never owned a four stroke outside of pit bikes and looking for a little more information. Obviously maintenance can vary by rider but just interested in what might be common service intervals for things like top ends, cam chain, oil and oil filters, just looking to get an idea of what maintenance might be like. Also if there's any known issues or things I should be looking out for, thanks.
Current four strokes last a long time if you change the oil, oil filter and air filter often enough.
A stock YZ250F will go about double the hours that a 125 or 150 will go before they need a "top end".
In my opinion, an average guy can get 20 hours out of a 125/150 piston under racing conditions and maybe 40 hours out of a 250F piston.
The 250F should get a new timing chain with the piston and the valves should be checked regularly.
The four stroke gaskets often cost significantly more.
A faster rider will need shorter intervals on both bikes while a beginner rider could go somewhat longer on parts and service.
You'll work on the four stroke half as often, but the parts cost and complexity will just about even things out.
Both of the bikes you mentioned are great choices. I'd prefer to ride a carbureted 150SX, but for most people the YZ250F is an advantage.
How often do you feel like you need to refresh the 150?
If you're getting 30-40 hours out of it, a 250F seems like it would treat you well.
Post a reply to: 250f questions