Seriously- YZ250F

[Atc GuY]

I'm now in the market for a smaller bike since I sold my 200x. I've already done my homework (thanks 3ww members for the replies in my thread) on the 125's, now it's the YZ250F's turn. Upon looking at it in my local Yamaha dealership, I googled it. What I found was that it's a worthy opponent against the 125's but requires oil every 10 hrs of use, and valve clearances checked every 10 as well!?!?!? Oil filter every-other oil change. Valves shimmed or replaced every 30-40 hrs along with piston ring check/cam chain!? Is this true? Or a bunch of nonsense? I keep good oil in all my bikes and have to change it every month and a half (XR200R).

[300rman]

yes, its true.....the new 4 strokes are maintenance whores.........get a YZ 250......2 STROKE POWER, low maintenance, blows the doors off the yz 250f.

[MTS]

yup thats true, the new parts every 30hrs will save you big, timing chains let go. its a race bike- plain and simple, if your not running MX all the time with it, dont bother, get a 2 stroke, the new ones are still pretty high maintenance as far as suspension and frames go, but you can get quite a bit more time out of the motor if you run good oil and keep the filter clean,.

[BigGreenMachine]

I agree with keeping up valve maintence and changing oil pretty often but the replacing parts thing is more of a racer's deal then anything.

If your not motocrossing it and not bouncing off the rev limiter everywhere you go then I wouldn't do anything more then check the valves once a month or two and change the oil every few rides.

^Thats a lot more then most people do with them. Keeping the oil fresh is what will make your motor last.

I wouldn't hesitate in buying one. A newer CR250R 2T would make life a lot easier for anyone that doesn't feel like keeping up a new race bread fourstroke.

[hondawasaki]

You would be suprised at how reliable these bikes really are. They can take a ton of abuse with virtually no maintanace. Look at the factory reccomended service schedule of a two stroke, it's just as bad. I know guys that have gone 2 seasons on a piston, and never adjusted valves. But keep in mind that when they let go, its at least 1500.00.

If you can, ride as many different bikes as you can, then chose the one you like. They are all good, but none are perfect. I personally like the two strokes, but I'm old school.

[Jason Hall]

300rman- have you ever rode a new 4 stroke??? Who ever thinks an everyday joe will need to to buy new parts every 30 hours Is crazy. If you do 2 things, you will not have problems. Change your oil as It's CHEAP!!! clean your air filter, because It gets dirty!!!! The Honda CRF's have valve trouble, thats a fact. Honda Is GAY for not curing the problem. If you upgrade to Stainless valve's, you won't have trouble. My CRF 450 engine had the Origional crank & cylinder from 02. The crank was 205.00, the cylinder was 190.00. I would not say that was bad at all. If you neglect anything long enough It will cost you big money. I will take the 4 stroke torque ALL DAY.

300rman come on up and ride my 450, your not far away. Better yet bring something to ride, and lets make a day of It!!!

[Atc GuY]

Thanks for the quick replies. I called my local Yammi dealer and he said it was one of the best trail bikes he had ridden. I'm not one to neglect a bike, I baby most my stuff. I don't mx and probably never will. This isn't saying the bike won't be to the track, as not run hard or raced. For instance the way I ride when trail riding guys on 1970's era CT70's could keep up. But I also like to open a bike up on fire roads. Were there any problems with the early models? I can't afford new but used 2003 models and surrounding years fit my budget.

[Jason Hall]

Were there any problems with the early models? I can't afford new but used 2003 models and surrounding years fit my budget.
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I would go to Thumpertalk, and ask that same question!!!

[300rman]

300rman- have you ever rode a new 4 stroke???


300rman come on up and ride my 450, your not far away. Better yet bring something to ride, and lets make a day of It!!!

wow i never realized you were that close!!! i will definitely take you up on that this summer. cant be farther than my trips to rose city and such.



and as for the 450's, my main riding buddy has a 06 CRF 450x with a pro-circuit pipe......it doesnt impress me one bit. feels heavy, throttle is doggy, and although it is fast, it isnt faster than my 250. for putzin around, i'd take one, but riding like that is just not my style. i like the instant response of the 2 stroke, and i love the explosive powerband. even riding it around the yard is a blast....i cant say that about the 450.

[Atc GuY]

I'll post it there Jason. Thanks for the info!

[Jason Hall]

300rman, ride a YZ450f, and you will be In LOVE!!!
They are very 2 stroke feeling.

When the weather breaks, I'd like to get some people to go to Leota. It's very technical & way fun.

[300rman]

300rman, ride a YZ450f, and you will be In LOVE!!!
They are very 2 stroke feeling.

When the weather breaks, I'd like to get some people to go to Leota. It's very technical & way fun.

keep me updated on that!



and as for the 450.......ill stick with the pinger.......i have heard way too many horror stories.....and just watching circuit MX racing makes me want one even less.......new acronyms are around because of these new 4 strokes......DNS (did not start) DNF, and its common to see at least one or 2 grenade every race.......rarely did a 2 stroke ever let go during a race.
that, combined with the fact that they dont like to start after a fall......i lay it down fairly often when im in my "learning mode"

when the money comes around, my chassis is getting a 500, mainly for the insane power.
while i dont fully utilize the power of the 250 hardly ever, when im climbing hills, i have found the 250 just doesnt have it in it to get up a few of the taller ones.....2nd is too slow, and it bogs out in 3rd 3/4 the way up. only the massive ones though lol.

[hondawasaki]

Were there any problems with the early models? I can't afford new but used 2003 models and surrounding years fit my budget.

I had a '03 Yz250f, I hated that bike LOL. It handled great, but I felt it was down on power, especially when I rode an '08. Maybe it was just the heavy feel of the chassis, I don't know. I MX'd the bike though, very different from woods. Probably would have been a great trail bike.