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Opinions on 250's
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Posted by: millzy555---------------------

HI, first post so hopefully i can get some advice on what to get. I'm planning on getting a used 250 but having trouble deciding.
1) YZ250 02 model- $4800 ono Aussie dollars
2) RM250 02 model- $4900 ono Aussie
3) KX250 01 model- $4000 ono Aussie

Of these three which has the best motor for woods/trail riding, and parts availability. Any problems with these models also?

All bikes come with spares and have new top ends, chain/sprocket.

Hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction.

thanks jordan

Posted by: millzy555---------------------

I will be adding a flywheel weight and adjusting the sprockets to suit, so it could be tamed a little. The kx seems pretty good, comes with heaps of spares rebuild, electrosil bore, vertex piston. It is oinly 1 year older

Posted by: KYKZB19---------------------

I think that the yz 250 is a great bike because the suspension is excellent and the power is tremendously ausome. I think that the kx 250 just sucks. The rm 250 is a nice bike but not as much power as the yz and cr and that might slow it down in a race, trust me if you go with the rm and you are battling for first with a cr or a yz your going to have trouble taking the lead. Thats why the cr or the yz 250 is the way to go.

Posted by: millzy555---------------------

Bike prices are ridiculous compared to those in the US. An 06 yz250 costs 9900 aussie divide by 1.25= 7920 which is about 3000 more. Surely import costs aren't that much.

Anyway, i won't be racing the bike, just trail riding, so something that's reliable is by far better than something faster/ more powerful. I could probably get the KX for about 3700 aussie leaving about 1500-2000 worth of upgrades

Posted by: robwbright---------------------

Based on the below info from Eric Gorr, it would appear the YZ is best suited for what you are wanting to do.

From Eric Gorr's Motocross and Off Road Performance Handbook:

2001-2004 KX250:
Flaws: Mid-range only powerband
Fixes: porting for more exhaust timing, Pro-Circuit Pipe and Silencer.

1999-2004 YZ250:
Flaws: Wheelspin, flat top end
Fixes: flywheel weight, raise exhaust port to 39mm
The engine tends to be explosive in the midrange. A flywheel weight will make the power more tractable.

2001-2004 RM250:
Flaws: top end failures from intake port design, weak clutch components
Fixes: TIG weld intake bridges, Hinson Pro clutch kit.
Best value mod: Boyesen RAD Valve
2000-2002 models suffer from top-end failures traced to the design of the intake port, which uses two vertical bridges. The bridges are too narrow with a tight radius at the top. The bridges tend to crack and scour the piston and eventually crack off the intake skirt.

Posted by: millzy555---------------------

Thanks for the info, i can definately cross off the RM250 off the list. Still a tough choice to make, but i'll continue to read more about each bike. I have a friend who has the KX, so maybe a test ride is needed.

Posted by: robwbright---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by millzy555

Thanks for the info, i can definately cross off the RM250 off the list. Still a tough choice to make, but i'll continue to read more about each bike. I have a friend who has the KX, so maybe a test ride is needed.

Interestingly, the RM is a very nice bike, but one has to make the mods or you run into serious problems. . .

See this for a review:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/07ja...i2002rm250.html

Posted by: millzy555---------------------

Yeah welding seems a bit too extreme to perform on an engine, the other 2 bikes have easy fixes, ie: pipes or flywheel weight, which can be ordered in the US and shipped over

Posted by: Asrith---------------------

I had an 02 rm 250 and loved it and rode trails a lot here in michigan, I sold it to soon to see if the top
end would go out or the clutch. I would say go rm and keep the extra money for repair, maybe a shop can address these issues after a new top end is necessary. My rm was modded all out by MCR and had engine porting and ton of engine mods. Get the bills pipe for the rm it worked great. The rm was much more easy to control, which l liked a lot after having a 97 cr 250. I would lean toward the rm or the yz if you are concerned about eric gorrs comments. maybe you can contact him about it, and how these areas are being addressed.
Jim

Posted by: millzy555---------------------

Still its a risk i'm not willing to take.

What does everyone have against the KX250?

I'm leaning towards it more and more

Posted by: robwbright---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by millzy555

Still its a risk i'm not willing to take.

What does everyone have against the KX250?

I'm leaning towards it more and more

My bro has a 2000 KX 250. He loves it. I don't like it because it feels top heavy to me. Of course, I'm 5'4, 140 lbs, so the extra 25 lbs of a 250 as opposed to a 125 is a big deal to me.

I like a bike that corners REALLY well. Historically, KX's have been noted for great straight line stability at high speeds, but not so much for cornering.

People are against the KX because of things like:

a: brand loyalty

b: the fact that Yamaha has been making some very strong motors for several years, etc . . .

Just wait till you get a KX guy on this post.

As to the RM, Eric Gorr, motor man extraordinaire, does cylinder weld repairs for $50.00, so it's not really that big a deal, depending on where you are and whether you can find a guy to do it or not. Of course, sending it to Eric in Chicago is not really an option for you, so you would have to find someone local. However, I bet Eric would tell you exactly what to do to fix it if you emailed him - he's a great guy to work with - he built my motor 2 months ago.

Posted by: millzy555---------------------

Well i'm 6'2 and about 180 pounds, so the top heavy fell won't worry me, compared to my TE410 and WR360- big bikes. I've never really worried about steering, just get on and ride, never sorted out the suspension on last 5 bikes so all these parameters don't bother me.

Posted by: i_955---------------------

I have a 2002 YZ250 and it is amazing. It has taken me to the trails and the tracks and does nothing but rip. I’ve had zero problems with it and I ride it hard.
Great powerband, no surprises from low-mid-top but be ready, at any time it will happily spit you off.
Zero complaints from the shock, but the fork is a little harsh for trail riding (all the MX'ers same).
Put 2.5W fork oil for trails and 5 - 7.5W for track use.

A Short silencer brought more power to the lower RPM range. I use it when I'm putting around with my wife or daughter but go back to the stock silencer when I'm at the track with the boys.

I really like the YZ, best motor of all for an all round, one bike does all well without engine porting/boring ($).

The maintenance will be the same for them all.

I had a KTM380EXC before the YZ and except for a stronger bottom end in the KTM, the YZ would walk all over it. Might be the suspension that never agreed with me but I am definitely faster on the YZ.

Only problem I have with my YZ, the blue plastic gets white streaks.

Posted by: robwbright---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_955

Only problem I have with my YZ, the blue plastic gets white streaks.

Isn't that the truth.

You'd think they'd figure out a way to fix it . . .

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Opinions on 250's

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