What to buy?

[Mr Tibbs911]

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  

[monsteryz125]

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

[EJ]

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.

[MyckMcClung]

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

[Mr Tibbs911]

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.

[streaks383]

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.

[Coop]

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.

[burn1986]

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.

[Mr Tibbs911]

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.

[ACMX]

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.

[ford832]

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.

[Mr Tibbs911]

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

[ford832]

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.

[Mr Tibbs911]

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

2. 2002 yz125= http://wausau.craigslist.org/mcy/2480657098.html

[HS125]

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.