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Pro's bike...buy or avoid?

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Posted by: Detonator---------------------

I'm in the market for a new woods bike, but I can't justify buying a brand new machine. The most interesting previously enjoyed bikes are those belonging to local woods racing pros who want to cash in and put a deposit on the '05 models.

Generally speaking, are bikes that belong to pros really trashed, or does their maintenance regimen mean that the machine will be in better than average condition?


Posted by: YZ165---------------------

Run away, Run away!


Posted by: rickyd---------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Detonator


Generally speaking, are bikes that belong to pros really trashed, or does their maintenance regimen mean that the machine will be in better than average condition?


Everybody maintains their bikes differently, some better than others.. Have too take a look at the bike first too see for yourself..I myself would think that a "Pro" would maintain their bike better, but who knows until yuou see the bike and look at it yourself..
Rick


Posted by: Detonator---------------------

It's been interesting riding the different bikes...their bike choice and setups are really different. They do present a very good value considering all the guards, aftermarket stuff, and low price point, but if the bikes are tortured time-bombs, it's not such a great deal.

Other opinions?


Posted by: Chili---------------------

Not a woods weapon but my bike was bought from a local pro. That said I knew the history and amount of use this bike saw as well as the level of maintenance this pro does on his equipment. Bottom line for me it's just like any other segment of the market there is plenty of pro's I would buy from and plenty who I wouldn't even consider buying from.


Posted by: Shig---------------------

Pro's bike could mean alot of things. A local pro who has relatively few sponsors will generally beat the crud out of a bike in a year. A heavily sponsored pro might be recycling parts so often that the bike is in very good condition overall. I know of one local pro who's father puts a new clutch and top end in the bike every 7-10 hours of running time, but this is rare. Nine times out of ten, a pro's bike is totally beat. If it were not, then they wouldn't be selling it. Why would someone go through all of the trouble and expense of buying/building a new bike when the heavily modified bike they already have is much better than a new stocker? Usually, the reason these guys are buying new bikes is because the ones they have won't last another season.


Posted by: truespode---------------------

I actually found the opposite.

Most of the pro's bikes I have seen that are used (Randy Hawkins for one) are in pretty good shape. It all depends on the rider but many times they have to move up because their sponsors want them running the new line.

A lot of the NCHSA riders around here who race local pro take extremely good care of their bikes.

Ivan


Posted by: Detonator---------------------

Yeah, I should qualify this by saying that the bikes I'm considering are being replaced by '05's because the riders work for/are sponsored by dealers that want to show off current model year bikes. They switch bikes every year, sometimes against their will. One guy learned early on that he liked his '04 250 EXC a whole lot less than his '03 setup, but part of his contract was to ride current year bikes.
So, that partly covers the motivation for selling. That said, Shig's comment about lightly sponsored riders is true; they tend to get dealer price less 20% on bike purchase, but a parts budget of less than $1,000. That means the bike gets abused, sees some maintenance, but by season's end is fairly pounded.


Posted by: gwcrim---------------------

I just got done replacing the bottom end in a two year (03) old race bike. I was told when I bought it that the bottom end had already been replaced. But they didn't say when. We had less than 10 minutes on it when it spun a crank bearing.

Next time I buy used, I want one that was NEVER raced and rarey ridden. I'll pay a bit more for a virgin.


Posted by: Mike's 2003 YZ250---------------------

I think we'd all pay a little more for a virgin... Mike


Posted by: CR Swade---------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by gwcrim
Next time I buy used, I want one that was NEVER raced and rarey ridden. I'll pay a bit more for a virgin.


Naw, they are over-rated...still have to do all of the set-up and dial in the handling characteristics. Whereas the others with a bit more ride time are already "just right"

Just don't buy clapped out, rode hard with high miles


Posted by: Vampyrz---------------------

I've only bought one used dirt bike (Bultaco Pursang 250) and that was quite a few years ago. The previous owner was a top regional rider and had taken very good care of the bike. Yes it had been raced hard but he was serious about keeping it in top shape so luckily I never had a problem with it. Nicely setup already and any shortcomings were positively on my end.

I would think knowing something about the previous owner and the care (or lack of) they took in their bikes would be helpful in making your decision.

Good luck!


Posted by: Detonator---------------------

I guess buying used is a calculated risk. There are different forms of abuse. A newbie might have done something odd with air filter or oil intervals, break-in procedure, or creative pre-mix ratios.

After Saturday, I will have ridden bikes owned by 4 pros...I'll try to remember to do a little post about bike choices and setup. I've found it pretty interesting.


Posted by: dirt bike dave---------------------

I bought my CRE from a district enduro and CC champ. Though it had lots of hours, the maintenance was awesome, it was like a magazine project bike as far as aftermarket goodies, it came with TONS of spare parts plus all the original parts, etc...

Best of all, the bike was incredibly well dialed in, including the suspension, jetting and ergonomics. It was heaven at first ride - did not need to touch a thing.

While I would avoid a worn out bike that was thrashed hard and put away wet, my experience with buying a top race bike was 100% positive.


Posted by: Shig---------------------

I also bought a pro's bike once...just once. It was a one-year-old CR 250 that was ridden by a guy who was sponsored by a very reputable shop in San Diego. It was a season loaner, so the shop did all the maintenance and sold me the bike directly. It looked flawless with new plastic, new pipe, Pro Circuit suspension, etc. I was stoked when I won my first Open Beginner race on it at Carlsbad.

The bike taught me all about grooved clutch baskets, worn trannys, and fried cranks. Sure it was fast and looked great, but the barrel had seen so many piston replacements that it didn't last long either. Much like an old car with alot of miles on it, little things were constantly going wrong. Whenever I watch "Pimp My Ride", and they trick out some 70s vintage car, but leave the original motor in it, it reminds me of this bike.


Posted by: Senior KX Rider---------------------

Count me among the ones that would run as far and as fast as I could to get away from the pro ridden bike with one exception, that being if I were a good friend of said rider. When pro riders or teams are ready to let these bikes go I would think that they are offered to friends, business associates, or relatives first. If all these people won't take a chance on these bikes or know better than take a chance........I certainly wouldn't. If a pro had a bike for a season and it was in good shape and a sweet deal I would think someone close to him would end up with it. I'm sure there are exceptions but I sure would hate to get one of the ones that all his friends knew better than to buy.


Posted by: Detonator---------------------

This has been a learning experience! It's certainly not the same as buying a "demo model" at the car dealership. I suppose the ideal bike would be a Pro's backup bike, but our guys don't have that kind of budget.
I've had really good luck with used bikes in the past, but I usually try to target bikes that were lightly used by busy people. A lot of these machines have cool toys on them, because the owners had the bucks to buy them, just not the time/ability to abuse them. For that reason, I don't mind buying a 3 or 4 year old bike if it was a good model year.

This Pro bike thing has really been interesting, though, and I'm staying open-minded about it. My instinct is to run away, but I'm still holding out for that perfect mix of tricked out but not clapped out. The friend/relative first pick thing is a pretty smart comment, though...


Posted by: thomas123---------------------

I bought a pros bike 2 years ago. A 2002 CR 125. It's been extremely great. Only thing I complain about is the suspension, which was valved for arenacross (Super stiff)


Posted by: john3_16---------------------

I would avoid it....Some of these dealerships that sell "pro's bikes" say so thinking that it gives the bike some extra value...There's no way to tell really and even if it is I think it would be better to avoid it...New plastic and a detailed cleaning job can make a worn out bike look brand new.

You can tell by talking to the owner of a bike up for sale if he's knowledgable and does required maintenance...Some people are very picky about how maintenance is done on their bike and you can usually tell by talking with them and looking over the bike.


Posted by: Jeff Gilbert---------------------

My current bike belonged to a national pro and it's been great. Probably a big difference was he only rode it twice before changing teams, had all the good stuff on it and suspension done that was perfect for me (at the time). I did the 1st top end on this bike.


Posted by: Dirtbike'n man---------------------

i got my YZ250 from a racer who raced in 250 class and wanted to drop back to a 125 and when i got the bike i test rode it and it was flawless never put away wet never the guy loved goodies and had the bike DIALEd in completely + he had the bikes suspension revalved and re done for my exact weight he had just put in a new top end and had an hour of riding on it. the bike rips nothings wrong with it and it looks great. he told me what he used and how he kept it looking new so i now fallow the same mantainace intervals. ANd yes i wouldn't want a virgin just give me one dirty girl from los vegas !


Posted by: Vampyrz---------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirtbike'n man
ANd yes i wouldn't want a virgin just give me one dirty girl from los vegas !



Exactly!
I hate break in periods. Just let me jump and the saddle and let er rip!


Posted by: ben.handasyde---------------------

i also brought a bike off a local pro and paid 6000 for a 2004 they are 7500 new it had a new barrel top end and bottom end he was sponsored so everything was replaced it came with graphics and about 1000 dollars in spares sure it was raced but that is what these bad boys were built for i see them occasionally and the ask me about the bike and check if its still great. yes it is absolutley awesome


Posted by: Detonator---------------------

Well, I can say that the 4 bikes I've ridden wouldn't win any beauty contests. Competition level woods bikes see a lot of abuse to the frame and plastic that MX bikes might not. We had a 2004 200 EXC beside a 2001 200 EXC (trail ridden), and the older bike looked brand new in comparison. Plastic aside, the devil's really in the details; rim dings, pipe dents, smooth underside on the shifter, scraped and colourful skidplate, and bar ends that look like someone took a grinder to them. On the plus side, the suspension feels wonderful, and the static sag on the back is within spec. The jetting tends to be spot-on with these bikes, whereas with a lot of used bikes I ride I wonder if they might have kept their machines if they had actually had proper jetting done.



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