Stuff that works and stuff that, not so much

[dbf498]

I'm getting my research together to put a new bottom end in my YZ250 so heres my question: Hot rods or wiseco? They are the two most available to me but I'm leaning towards the wiseco. They have a reputation for being super in all areas.

What are peoples experiences here?
Thanks guys

In all honesty, it all depends on what you prefer, OEM, Hot Rods or Wiseco as well as what's available. I've been running Hot Rods cranks for the past couple of years without any issues. I can't speak for Wiseco cranks but I've heard some folks had issues, journals out of tolerance, but that was a some time ago and I'd think they'd sorted that out by now. Every other Wiseco product I've used has been top notch with no complaints; their inner clutch hub is a work of art.

[Stusmoke]

Well I've heard nothing but praise for their piston kits and pretty much anything they manufacture but theres always a fly in the ointment. OEM yamaha kit is insanely expensive and it would probably total about 1 grand if I moved to replace it all with OEM parts. The crank assembly alone is around 400 bucks I think if not more. Thanks guys

[coblefutch]

I will add one more disapointment. I got a pair of Fox comp5 boots for Xmas this year and they already have holes in the sole and instep of the boot from the kick starter. Will not buy them again. Any ideas about a good 200 dollar pair of boots that LAST.... " title="Angry" class="smiley">

Bought a pair of diadora boots off eBay 2 years ago, they have lasted very well, still going strong. Only problem is they are very thin around the legs, if you have big calves like I do you won't fit knee braces or even knee guards in them

Hate list. Michelin tyres and Rock Oil. Michelin tyre didn't last and blew up 3 bikes when running Rock Oil, was paying for silkolene the got Rock oil for free. After 3 blow ups gave it back and paid for silkolene again until I got motorex for free
Also love o'neal gear. Shit looks good and lasts well

Yeah it does  Thats really not cool about that rock oil though, I'll avoid it. I'll avoid michelin tyres too.

Hey what do people have to say about Scorpion mid soft?

I have a Scorpion mxtra mid soft. good grip and holding up pretty good. Would buy another one.

[coblefutch]

I'm getting my research together to put a new bottom end in my YZ250 so heres my question: Hot rods or wiseco? They are the two most available to me but I'm leaning towards the wiseco. They have a reputation for being super in all areas.

What are peoples experiences here?
Thanks guys

In all honesty, it all depends on what you prefer, OEM, Hot Rods or Wiseco as well as what's available. I've been running Hot Rods cranks for the past couple of years without any issues. I can't speak for Wiseco cranks but I've heard some folks had issues, journals out of tolerance, but that was a some time ago and I'd think they'd sorted that out by now. Every other Wiseco product I've used has been top notch with no complaints; their inner clutch hub is a work of art.

I believe that the Hot Rods & Wiseco are made in Tiawan, while the OEM is made in Japan.  If that sort of thing matters to you..

[Swimr2DaResQ]

Stay away from Wiseco!!! rebuilt my KX250 last year with all internal wiseco parts. I thought with wiseco's reputation for their products, mainly pistons, that there bottom end components would be great as well. However, at 38.1 hours from complete rebuild, the main bearings on the crank blew out and shredded my cylinder and piston. Wiseco pistons are great and I stand by them, but anything else they produce I would be very skeptical about. OEM, IMO, is always the way to go for engine components, especially the crank, rod, and bearings. I went with wiseco because of the price difference of the OEM crank, but in the end it would have saved me a lot of money to buy the OEM crank assembly.

Good stuff: Pro Taper contour bars, Pro taper pillow top grips, Easton 1-3/8" fat bars are awesome, pirelli mx extra tires are very durable and last the longest of tire I have run, pirelli mxms tires have great traction but didn't last more than three rides before chunking and losing knobs, Boyesen water pump with super impeller works great and dropped my engine temps by 12-15 degrees F, Maxima Castor 927 premix works awesome and smells great, Twin Air fliters hold up great and work well, Amsoil super tacky air filter oil is great, One indusries Carbon jersey and pants are comfortable and have held up to a year of abuse, Sunline multi-flex pivoting levers are life savers!, CYCRA plastics seem to be more durable than any other brands I have tried, V-Force 3 Reed system has worked well for me!, Dragon Vendetta moto goggles with laminated tear off's are very nice, Fox V2 helmet fits true to size and has lasted several years, RK x-ring chains!, Grip donuts work wellfor me and no blister to this day since using them, Thor moto gloves slip on's don't have a wrist strap and breath very well!, there is alot more, I;m just drawing a blank on the other stuff.

Bad Stuff: Renthal Kevlar grips are not worth the money, they tear just as easily as most other brands and look like crap after the first ride.  Enjoy Graphics, the glue they use will not hold up and will delam after a few rides, make sure your graphics use 3M adhesive!. Kenda tires, did not hold up and were a pain in the a## to mount. Wiseco bottom end kit, blew out the bearings at less than 40 hrs. Tusk Gaskets are crap, go with OEM or maybe Cometic.

[Lolerbabop]

Boxing tape. No arm pump or blisters.

Progrip grips are abit overrated. Gets really slippery and doesn't last very long.

[metal_miracle]

Han problems whit handlebar grips. did try everything from pillow tops o renthals..

but the grips that helped my hands was progrip 791

I just off set the gel so that i right place when twisted the throttle


I had 2 fly chest protectors. fits good.. (but both broke allmost new, bad plastic)
my ufo protector  lasted 10years

[ford832]

I find most Pro grip grips are too short.My favourite is the FMF ergo's.Good pad without the rest being too cushy.

[beaner]

I have nothing but good things to say about Michelin Starcross tires. Around here, that's what most of the fast guys use, including me 

I'm going to try those pillow top grips. I have a 2 hr hare scramble coming up then a 6 hr after that. Although I don't wear gloves when I race, I've never had a blister, but could use a little more comfort.

[cnrcpla]

I bought a MishiMoto radiator cap that told the tempurature of the coolant. It was pretty damn cool, and was interesting to watch shoot up with the RPMs and drop at idle. Unfotunatly, they come with really weak seals, so it crapped out on me with a puddle of coolant on the garage floor while the bike was warming up.  Other than that, cool product.

[eprovenzano]

Stay away from Wiseco!!! rebuilt my KX250 last year with all internal wiseco parts. I thought with wiseco's reputation for their products, mainly pistons, that there bottom end components would be great as well. However, at 38.1 hours from complete rebuild, the main bearings on the crank blew out and shredded my cylinder and piston. Wiseco pistons are great and I stand by them, but anything else they produce I would be very skeptical about. OEM, IMO, is always the way to go for engine components, especially the crank, rod, and bearings. I went with wiseco because of the price difference of the OEM crank, but in the end it would have saved me a lot of money to buy the OEM crank assembly.

x2..  Hotrod cranks have a pretty good reputation, stay away from Wiseco.  Go OEM if you can, if not I'd use Hotrod.

[Stusmoke]

Stay away from Wiseco!!! rebuilt my KX250 last year with all internal wiseco parts. I thought with wiseco's reputation for their products, mainly pistons, that there bottom end components would be great as well. However, at 38.1 hours from complete rebuild, the main bearings on the crank blew out and shredded my cylinder and piston. Wiseco pistons are great and I stand by them, but anything else they produce I would be very skeptical about. OEM, IMO, is always the way to go for engine components, especially the crank, rod, and bearings. I went with wiseco because of the price difference of the OEM crank, but in the end it would have saved me a lot of money to buy the OEM crank assembly.

x2..  Hotrod cranks have a pretty good reputation, stay away from Wiseco.  Go OEM if you can, if not I'd use Hotrod.

Hot rods crank and wiseco top end it is. No way I'm running OEM, Yamaha OEM parts are bollocks expensive its about 500 for the crank assembly off motosport. OEM is definitely OFF the list.
Cheers guys I appreciate it.