YTM225DX Sucks

[Kerick]

Ok, I finally got it back together after waiting nearly 2 weeks for the copper sealing washers. As I had said, I could not get the forks completely disassembled after taking the circlips out, so I ended up turning them upside down and pouring the 10w fork oil in the bottom bolt hole. I spilled some but it worked ok. Put them back together and today I got it out for a ride. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but it did seem softer in the front. However, now the front wheel was visibly twisted to the right, and I have to turn the handlebars to the left to go straight. The forks must be bent, but I can't see it by looking.

I've read that the forks on these are weak and prone to bending, but geez, all I did was take them apart, not throw them off the roof of my garage!

So my neighbor comes over and I'm talking to him about it, and before i know it, he's wedging the wheel between his legs, and twisting the handlebars with his hands. He tells me to get against the wheel on one side and he gets on the other and we pull on the handlebars. I think he's completely nuts, because everybody knows you can't straighten bent forks like this. Except he did, and now the wheel looks straight! I had too many chores today, and I didn't have a chance to ride it yet, so we'll see what happens. But if two guys can straighten it like that, doesn't that prove these forks are super weak?

This happens alot on trikes and dirt bike, the bottom part of the fork gets twisted (not bent) when you take the axle out they sometmes turn. All he did here was straighten them back out they were never bent. But Ive owned 3 225's and have nothing bad to say about them I love the full suspension and I love how well they pull wheelies!

[muthey]

I did look in my stash and I do have a set of good forks they need new boots, but are nice and smooth for reflex, so if you decide to try a new used set let me know, they could prolly use some oil but otherwise they feel good

[Husky250]

Love the ride of our 225! I never expected it to be supper plush. I ride it like it's a trials bike and have no complaints. Just wish I could get the clutch to quit slipping though!

[caucker]

I had an 85 225dx, loved the way it rode. Mechanically, I did not love it. Just simply wasn't as reliable as the Hondas. Very smooth ride though.

[Frankencelery]

I had no idea this thread would live so long. Now I feel bad about the title! I was just trying to provoke the Yamaha fans into telling me why their 225DX/DRs are great, and you guys have.

Ok, I got a chance to ride it today, and whatever my neighbor did, it didn't last, because it still pulls to the right, and after my short ride I looked down the front of it and it's torqued again. So obviously one or both of the forks are so sloppy that they're worthless. Too bad these are the 2nd set I've had.

One more thing...it has a much softer ride now, but at the same time I replaced the oil in the forks I also replaced the rock hard front knobby with a Kenda Front Max, so that might be the real difference.

Muthey, sending you a PM about those forks....

[Husky250]

Wonder if your tripples are straight?

[fabiodriven]

Try loosening the forks in the tripples and possibly even loosen the axle. Get it where you want it then tighten it up.

It could be the tripples like Husky is saying. I was looking at a set on a P3 at Trikefest (they have a Yamaha front end) and they did look very wimpy.

[Husky250]

I Beat that font end! My favorite thing to hit are logs, and I mean 2-3 foot logs. Takes it pretty well and still straight. Now when I bought it they were bottomed out and frozen but $45 later they are fine and haven't complained since!