Plz don't let me get ripped off...

[Tamiya]

Can you guys help me??? I'm going to look at a trike tomorrow, but honestly, don't know too much about what I should be looking for. My boyfriend is a dirtbike guy, and I want something that I can take to the dunes and have my own fun w/!!! Here's the ad for the trike I'm interested in:

This is a 1983 Yamaha YTM225DX three wheeler in great shape. This bike has electric start and is shaft driven. No more adjusting chains! This bike has had a spring tune up with all of it fluids replaced and carb cleaned and adjusted. New seat cover, tires have pretty tread left, lights all work. Everything on this bike works as it should. Battery is only a year old. Current Idaho ORV tags. This versatle three wheeler can hit the trails, dunes or be a farm work horse. Comes with front rack and trailer hitch bracket. Just hit the start button and ride.

So what do you guys think is a fair price??? And also, what are key things that I should be looking out for tomorrow?

Thanks!!!

[86waterpumper]

Around here, that bike in good shape would probably bring 500-750 maybe, not sure what they bring in your area, look for oil leaks, any weird noises, looseness etc in the differential, make sure it shifts through all the gears fine, with all that being said I will say this, you are on the right track as far as what type of a machine to get I think for you, electric start reverse etc, but the yamahas are really light in the front end, not sure how good it is going to turn if dunes and sand are mainly where you will be riding, a honda bigred or sx might be a better choice, and replacement parts would be much easier to find but if it's a good deal snag it.

[bearclawchris]

I don't know if it is just the pics and their angle or not, but it looks to me like the rake is wrong on the front end. I had a 1985 225dx for awhile and the front forks were bent from a previous owner. It looks like those forks are bent from the pictures. Make sure they are straight before you buy because they were weak from the factory as far as I was told on this site form other members. Otherwise if it runs good and doesn't smoke I wouldn't be afraid of it. The one I had would really move and the front and rear suspension is good to have. Sold mine and bought a hardtail 185s. Probably should have kept the yamaha.

[traxxasx]

seriously i got mine in my sig for 100$ non running and need of tlc fenders ect. so id say about 500$. i dont really know tho i just ride and fix mine dont buy/sell trikes. Id offer a lowball first and work your way up try to point out the bad things. aslo i dont think the forks are bent, mine look the same but check them out cause these trikes are known for easly bent forks. in my opinion this trike is not good for the dunes. great for trails and the rest but to me it seems to not have enough power "stock" to really hit the dunes, without the throttel wide open the whole time just to get around. id perfer a 2 stroke. i would say more but i havent slept and its 6 am.

[Tamiya]

Thanks for all of the help and info -- I'm not a real aggressive dunes rider, but the power and weight issue is definitely something for me to consider. The majority of our time is spent trailriding in Eastern WA. I'll let you guys know how it goes this afternoon!

So stoked I found this site -- will hopefully have pics and stories of my own to post soon :lol:

[scooterroo]

wow, is this the first female on the boards? nice to see the women getting into the sport. ride on baby, ride on!!!

[girlsride2]

wow, is this the first female on the boards? nice to see the women getting into the sport. ride on baby, ride on!!!

Nope, I believe my screename will tell ya different.
Girlsride2 :w00t:

[Meat-BoX]

It looks to be pretty nice. I would pay about $700 tops for it if all goes well. Take a good close look at the front end. The forks are weak and bend easy allso in the second pic it looks like the front wheel is leaning to one side a bit but that could just be the way it it sitting in the grass. Take it out on the road and get her moving at about 15-20 mph then take your hands off of the bars and see if it gets the death wobbles or pulls to one side alot. Keep your hands close to the bars in case it does something weird. Make sure the air pressure is all the same in each tire or it will pull to whichever has the least amount of air. If the tires all have the same air pressure in them and the front end goes crazy then there might be a problem. Other than that, that Yamaha looks to be in real good shape,definatly worth buying if it runs and handles well. Keep us informed on that beauty.

[Rex Karz]

First trike, I reccommend a Hondie. Get a 200X and You will be much happier. Yammies and Kawies are best for the experienced and deep pocketed mechanics. Have fun in the Guitarded Lie Lack City, Mang!

[jason 32]

hi it looks good but take your husband trust me!!!!
max1500.00?

[Tamiya]

hmmmm...don't really know what that whole "take your husband" thing is about...but we'll save that conversation for later.

Here's the update:

We went and took a look at the trike. Aesthetically, it's far from mint. The plastic is a little rough, the wheels are rusted (I would want to buy new ones), there's some rust on some engine parts that I don't know (not really mechanical!!) but the bf said that it looked to just be on the pipe or something and that's something we would need to replace.

Mechanically, it seemed great. The electric start fired right up -- there was no smoke, and no fluid leaks. We both drove it, and it handled great for me. I didn't notice it pulling to one side or any strange noises or cause for concern...

So if I do get it, how easy would it be to fix up the cosmetics???? And how available are the parts that I would need?

Thanks again for the help!!! I'm pretty excited :-)

[darrel632]

Every thing is available for them that you will need through the dealerships, bikebandit, hyperparts, wreckers etc there is absolultly nothing wrong with riding a yamaha, I prefer the yamaha utilities over the Honda's. The plactics aren't hard to clean up, alot of wet sanding and steel woo will have them pretty in no time, drill and wire brush the wheels and repaint and they look fine, Yamahatopdog has NOS equivalent decals, tires and filters are available anywhere, the worst part of a Yamaha is parts are 10% more than Honda If you can get it for a reasonable price, go for it

[mean350]

i just bouhgt an 84 but i have an 83 with a bored out motor but my swingarm cracked. they run real good. i got the 84 for 100 and it needs bearings. the 83 was 300 and runs like a champ!!

[trikes4life]

sweet a female rider, this sport gets better every day.

[chris200x]

hi it looks good but take your husband trust me!!!!
max1500.00?

hi...$1500!!!! :crazy: Wanna buy mine? ;)

Anyways,,, It's very cool to have another female rider. :naughty: I can't get my woman on my trike or quad for that matter.. I guess that could be a good thing sometimes. :twisted:

Any parts you might need for those machines are readily available here or on ebay. I say go for it!