Two Stroke Motocross
Two Stroke Motocross Forum => General Two Stroke Talk => Topic started by: Mr Tibbs911 on July 06, 2011, 07:56:49 PM
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Hello, my name is Zac and I am new to these forums, but not dirt bikes. I have ridden for quite a fw years but never had my own dirt bike.
I would like to apologize in advance if this is in the wrong section, if it is, feel free(and please do) move it to the correct area.
Now, about me, I am roughly 5'9", 200 lbs. I have exceptional self-control(can handle power better than most). I plan on riding mostly on my local track[65% of the riding] and around my friends land(trails)[35% of the riding]. If it means anything, I have ridden my friends '08 CRF150R to the max around his trails and it is relatively easy to control.
Lets get straight to it, I have recently been given the opportunity to acquire a dirt bike. There are really three choices my father and I have discovered, they are as follow:
1. 2002 Yamaha YZ125, Great shape, many upgrades, $1100(negotiable)
2. 2000 Yamaha YZ125, great shape as well, many upgrades(freshly rebuilt top end) $1200(neg.)
3. 1985 Yamaha YZ250, ok shape(its a '85), few upgrades, Free(sorta, trade old PC+equipment for it) (Edit:SOLD)
The main questions I have are if the '85 is worth taking a risk on and would it be too powerful, and if it isnt, what one of the 125's should I look into(if not both)
P.S. Thanks in advance for any guidance or advice :)
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Well heck if the 250 is basically free id get the 250 and one of the 125s, havent ridden an 02 but i love my 2000 yz
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I'd go for the more recent YZ125's. As they can be made into 144's. And they're pretty damn good.
And if you take a look at the TSM project-bike, there is still plenty of potential and parts for it.
But if you look just for a bike to play around on a farmland, a 250 might be more fun in open fields.
If the age of the bike doesn't bother you, you might concider the YZ250, if you can get parts for it near you.
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I'd get the 250 and ride it in the evo class, :) since it's free, but the parts availablity for it is scarce
then I would drop the dough on the 02 125, oh wait which one has the 6 speed gear box again?
No get the 02 the suspension is a world better than the 00
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I wont be racing any of the bikes, but I will be doing "competitive" riding with my friends and their CRF150's and KXF250's. So my main question I guess is would the 250 have the suspension to be able to sustain jumps?
Also, does anyone know of any place to find parts for an '85 250?
That is my basic argument with my father on the yz250, the fact that if something goes bad on it, it will be more expensive to get parts for it. I constantly tell him I dont want the 250 to eventually cost more than the one of the yz125's would have cost.
Myck, I know the '02-'04's didnt have the 6-speed tranny, but are their suspensions that much better?
Thanks again guys/gals, this is making my life a lot easier. ;D
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Get whichever of the two yz 125s is in the best condition. I have a 2000 yz 125 in my opinion it was the best 125 they ever made until 2006 then that one through current is the best.
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I would avoid the old 250 unless you want it as a second bike. parts are scarce, not really any more expensive, but getting harder to find. I almost bought a 1986 YZ250 basket case for my nephew until I starting checking on parts.
I would get whichever 125 is in the best shape like streak said.
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If the 250 is free, just take it for a project bike. I'd go with the most current yz since it's cheaper. It depends on what kind of upgrades he's talking about. Ride it and then decide. There are tons of bikes out there to buy.
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I was honestly looking at the 250 as a second bike/bike for my dad if/when he rides with me.
The 2000 YZ125($1200) has the following upgrades:
NEW top end,reed and piston,clutch,clutch and throttle cables,fork seals, and tires
also comes with pro circuit pipe and shorty silencer, renthal chain and sprockets, grip seat, and tag oversized bar and grips
The 2002 YZ125($1100) from the pictures has an aftermarket pipe and silencer..I can't tell the brand though.
I honestly believe I could get either bike for around $1000 rather easily. Maybe $1050 for the 2000, but is that a good price for either of them?
I also plan on test riding both of them before I purchase them. This weekend I am driving to pick up the 250 and unless its a complete PoS, I will have that.
Could the yz250 be jumped without it jacking up the stock spring/shock?
I also have a fear that the yz250 may be too big for me, I have learned from first-hand and second-hand experience that a bigger bike just amplifies your mistakes.
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1000 seems like a good price for the 125's.. I'm not sure on the difference from 00 to 02 but I know the 02 has had some awesome reviews and it won all the 125 shoot out's, the only Yz125 that got better reviews was the 03.
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Just because it's older doesn't mean you can't do anything you want to the 250.After all,they used to MX in 85 too. ;)
That said,I second what coop says.Get the 250 if it's almost free but otherwise get the best shaped 125 you can afford.The later years are better suspended than the older ones.The 5 spd tranny is a bit of a downside but you can simply gear it lower and you're all set.It's not like anyone buys a 125 for high speed fire roads anyway.
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Thanks everyone. Where would I be without you guys haha. :-[
Ford, do you think i could actually ride the 250 at a track though, or do you think I'd be faster on a 125 because it would be easier to manuever(sp?).
Just because it's older doesn't mean you can't do anything you want to the 250.After all,they used to MX in 85 too. ;)
My dad says the exact same thing all the time lol
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You could easily ride the 250 on the track but due to the suspension difference,you'd find it easier and likely be faster on the 125.
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Problem half-solved guys. The owner of the 250 called me and told me one of his buddies stopped by his house and paid cash for it so that option is done.
Out of the two 125's, which would be better?
1. 2000 yz125= http://wausau.craigslist.org/mcy/2473814885.html (http://wausau.craigslist.org/mcy/2473814885.html)
2. 2002 yz125= http://wausau.craigslist.org/mcy/2480657098.html (http://wausau.craigslist.org/mcy/2480657098.html)
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It's hard to tell from the photos, but I like the looks of the '02, plus it's newer.
I would ride both like suggested earlier. If the '02 needs a clutch, new rings and piston etc., then the '00 would obviously be the right choice.
If either bike is tight (not clapped out), then I don't think you could not go wrong with either bike.
Good luck with your adventure. ;D
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Thanks HS, this weekend were going to look at the '00 because it is in my town. Any real go to things to check? Anything I should bring to help check stuff?
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Just check all the normal things.
Steering head bearings,wheel bearings,linkage bearings, chain,chain rollers.
Kick the motor over with your hand slowly to check compression.
And good luck.
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What do you mean by kick it over with my hand? Like use my hand on the kick starter? and what should I be looking for compression wise?
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KIWI means to kick the motor over with your hand instead of your foot. It should take some effort to do this if it has fair to decent compression. If it's easy to push the kickstarter over, then the bike will need rings and a new piston at the least. It's a toss up regarding the bottom end. That would be something I would check after the purchase just for some peace of mind.
Who knows, the seller may just have a compression tester and may be willing to perform the test for you before the purchase.
Good luck.
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Thanks guys. You are all life-savers haha. He said he had a new top-end put in. Im going to ask to see receipts for everything he claims to be "new."
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I just HAVE to revive my old, dead thread. I had surgery today to install a heart rate monitor(long medical/history story, another day haha ;)) so it'll be awhile before I can ride/invest in a bike.
So the aforementioned '02 yz125 sold, but the '00 still is available. I went to see it and it seems like its in rather good condition. But some new deal came up(possibly).
For $1250, a man has a ''97 RM125 and a '99 CR125. Does anyone know anything about these model years? And am I wrong thinking there is something wrong with them? But I figure I'll text him and get details and pic's before considering it/goingt o look at it.
Questions: Would having two bikes be better than the yz125? and I might buy the two bikes with a friend so it could really knock down the price for maybe adding upgrades or like repairs.
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I just sold a 1997 RM125 for $700. After I rebuilt it, it was really a great running bike. I weigh 210# and it would do power wheelies easily. My nephew weighs 170# and it really hauled with him on it. Handled very well too. You can't buy aftermarket cranks for them anymore, only a $550 OEM is available so keep that in mind if it needs rebuilt.
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If say the top end needs to be rebuilt, does that include the cranks? and how often do you think it would the top end/crank replaced? Im not going to be racing it, but I wont be like putsing around either. Sry for so many questions hah, but when I was little it was like, "Oh, somethings wrong, lets tell dad!" But I want to do as much as possible with my next bike by myself.
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No the crank is in the bottom end, so that wouldn't be included in a top end rebuild. And unless it gets damaged you can have it rebuilt with a rod kit much cheaper. I just wanted to point out in case you really fragged it and ruined the crank you will be hurting when it comes time to buy parts :D.
We don't race, just trail ride. On a 125 I like to replace just the rings once a summer and I replace the complete top end over winter. Maybe over kill since we don't race, but we ride pretty hard and cylinders are expensive.
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There is very little difference between the Japanese brands in those years. Minor porting, suspension, and bold new graffics were the upgrades. At your level, those changes make ZERO difference.
However, there is something you need to know buying ANY used bike: They are ALL clapped out.
Meaning, no one is selling a perfect bike. One of the reasons peopel buy new bikes every two years is because is is almost as expensive to completely rebuild a bike as it is to buy one new. Bearings need to be replaced, shocks need to be rebuilt and recharged, wheels need to be trued and tightened. Almost all 125's either need or will need in a short time bottom end seals. A 10 plus year old 125 will probably need some cylinder work too - if not now, soon. In addition, 125's are usually ridden by kids who, lets face it, don't usually take good care of their equipment.
I don't mean to flame anyone. You might be the exception who takes good care of your bike and you might find one of those bikes that was well maintained, but you should go in there with your eyes open and when one of these parts fail and you have to drop $300+ dollars to fix it, don't let it leave a bad taste in your mouth.
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Yeah I figured it wasnt on the top end, but I couldn't recall.
And Vintage, well everyone/anyone, do you think you could put together a "used two-stroke checklist"???
I figure if you put it into a new thread, it might be stickied so it can be used easily by everyone...
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There are a few diamonds in the rough(coops RM125 was a great deal), but most the time you'll end up with someone's project. You get what you pay for.
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Haha Factory I've heard that my whole life. I am just looking for advice on how to get the most out of the small amount of money I possess.
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You're going to have to sift through garbage to find a deal, took me half a year to find my 03 yz250 $1000, and it still needed minor cosmetic touch ups. (Rear tire $80, sprockets/chain $100 with RMATV lol, air filter $20, and Plastics $100-$150)
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The last thing I care about is cosmetics. But does, anyone, have a checklist?
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-Title
-Compression
-Tires/Wheels/chain/sprockets/Bearings/Brakes (push on the wheels to test for hub bearing play)
-Headset bearings
-Linkage bearings (lift the back of the bike to check play in bearings)
-Cosmetic Paint/Plastic
-Does it run?
-Recent work is always a bonus
-Last but not least aftermarket goodies
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Thanks Factory, as this is the first bike im buying solo, can you go a little more in-depth? like basically the bearings(?) and does it HAVE to have a title?
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Depending on which state, yes, it might need one. Linkage bearings, swing arm bearings, etc.. Bearings = $$$
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Is the title needed if you intend to ride on private property? I also want to ride on my local track, but they have never performed anything other than the most basic checks.
And I sound like a super noob, but where exactly are all of these bearings located?
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Many states require the bike to be registered as a motor vehicle. It's always best to get the title if available.
As for the bearings, to inspect, put the bike on a stand and grab the swingarm after the axle, try to move the swingarm side to side. Any play would show the bearing need to be addressed. Then check the front and rear tire by trying to move them side to side. Look at the hub when trying to move the tires looking for any play. Also look at the bearing in the rear suspension. Compress the suspension while looking at the linkage. Look for any abnormal movement in the linkage. Again any play would show the bearings need to be addressed.
Hope this helps, good luck
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Thanks so much epro and factory and to everyone else, I have a feeling very soon I'll be bugging everyone with some how-to's hahah ;)