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First Thumper, 01' YZ250F, advise please...

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Posted by: Jonny Quest---------------------

Just purchased an 01' YZ250F, it's not my first Mx bike, had a CR250 several years ago. Quick background, 16+years riding street/Roadracing, last bike was RC51 may it rest-in-peace:-(..
I would greatly appreciate any advise for on this bike, not so much mods, but general maint., quirks, ideal oil change, oil, tricks to start. I know your chomping at the bit to tell me mods which is fine, just don't have lots of money to sink into it, if it's cheap/free and to help performance then that's GREAT!!! I'll worry about beefing up the h/p after i get comfortable with it on the track.
Looking forward to a fun summer with it!!!
Thanks,
Jon


Posted by: Pathfinder4---------------------

My son and I ran 01's in the woods for about a year and a half until they were stolen from us. We loved the bikes. They were a bitch to start until we got the drill down. Now I would recomend you do what ever is necessary to get an 03 exhaust cam and install it. For less than 200 bucks it makes it a new bike. Forget mods, pipes etc.

Change oil often and watch out for valve adjustment. We had compression problems with both bikes and had to adjsut valves to keep compression and easy starting.

Change air filet after every good ride but never try to start it just after installing a newly oiled filter. Oil it the night before.

Good luck.


Posted by: Jonny Quest---------------------

Thanks Pathfinder!
I do appreciate the input.
Quick question, how difficult are the valve adjustments? I haven't picked the bike up yet so not sure what i'm in for.
Also where's the best place to get that 03 exhaust cam, dealership?
Thanks again!
Jon


Posted by: whyz---------------------

Check it out,,

http://www.garlic.com/~rdkienle/wr250f_home.htm


http://thumpertalk.com/

Have fun with your ride.
Sorry but I have to say it...

Johnny , Hah-gi ,

I loved that cartoon..


Posted by: revitup---------------------

I'm fairly new to MX (last year was first year) and after doing the research I bought a used 2001 YZ250F. Haven't had a single problem with it (bought it in April 2002). Starting is no problem once you get the drill. Take it easy, don't try to kick the heck out of it to start it. As far as maintenance, the air filter is your main concern then the oil. Clean the air filter as needed depending on what you ride in. I change it every 3 or 5 rides depending on what I've been riding in (I used the No-Toil stuff, easy and fast!). I only changed the oil twice last season - got bike in April, changed in July (no filter change) then in Novemember (filter changed) after the last ride but I only put about 25 hours on the bike and I don't race.

This year at the beginning of the season, I had the shop re-grease/inspect the stearing head column, rear linkage and check the valves.

I recently got new springs and a revalve (beginner/intermediate setup). Went from .42 to .44 in the front with 95mm oil and from 4.8 to 5.0 in the rear with 175psi nitrogen. I weigh 175lbs, 5'11. I ride a lot of hard pack tracks. The bike is much better now and I can do jumps I didn't do last year. The stocks springs were a little too light for me. I think I could have went stiffer on the valving though.

I'll be looking into getting the 03 cam possibly next year if I start racing. If you have to change the tires, get yourself heavy duty tubes.

RevItUp


Posted by: jtorres---------------------

I went riding with a friend with a yz250f 02 for his first time, and we had the worst of time every time he felt down it took like 30 minutes to start. Someone told us to change the stock air filter to a K&N. One thing I noticed is that the carb. overflow dripped easily. Any advise?


Posted by: whyz---------------------

Quote:
Originally posted by jtorres
One thing I noticed is that the carb. overflow dripped easily. Any advise?


Check the float level and learn the drill for starting.
Or do the mods from the links up above.


Posted by: zcookie49---------------------

No matter what, IMO, the '03 exhaust Cam mods is the Best thing to do for you. Slap that thing in right away and you wont have to deal with learning the drill.
I have a couple of oil & air filters on hand. I change the oil often, maybe every 3-6 gallons depending, but I reuse the oil fiters. just clean them off, I use a parts cleaner...air filter as needed, I also clean that regularly.
I may stiffen the suspension, but since 01 it has been fine for me for the most part.
TIres::: I want to change the front and rear this year, I had been using the dunlop 739's, rears dont seem to last that long? any other tires recommended out there for track? 756's?


Posted by: BadgerMan---------------------

I have found that you really have to keep up with the maintenance on the steering head and suspension linkage bearings, especially if you are riding off road in a wet environment. Those bearings don't seem to be sealed up as well as on other bikes I have owned and they are prone to rusting. The lower shock mount is the most prone to damage. I pull that one apart every few rides.

Watch the valve clearance, keep the air filter clean, and change the oil every three or four rides. Other than that, they are a pretty low maintenance machine.

Have fun!


Posted by: yota---------------------

jonny, did you buy the bike from Frank? If so its my old one and a good bike. Please do not put on a K&N filter as suggested or you will be doing a rebuild soon.


Posted by: zcookie49---------------------

Yeah, I havent heard good things about the K&N for the YZF either....


Posted by: yzguy15---------------------

Quote:
Originally posted by revitup
I think I could have went stiffer on the valving though. 


My advice to anyone considering a revalve: Go stiffer than you think you need. It'll be so much better that you'll want it stiffer after a month or two but of course you're not going to spend even MORE money for another revalve.

zcookie, the Dunlop 756 is hands down the best tire I've ever ridden. However, we just got a good deal on a pair of Pirelli (that doesn't look like it's spelled right) medium terrain tires that are supposed to be good. Report due soon.

As far as when you clean the air filter.. often! We do ours every race and every other play ride. Maybe it's different on a 4 stroke, but I can't imagine it being too much different.


Posted by: revitup---------------------

Quote:
Originally posted by BadgerMan
I have found that you really have to keep up with the maintenance on the steering head and suspension linkage bearings, especially if you are riding off road in a wet environment.


I had this service done by the dealer this year and they did find the stearing head bearings were rusting so I had them replaced.

Quote:
Originally posted by yzguy15

My advice to anyone considering a revalve: Go stiffer than you think you need. It'll be so much better that you'll want it stiffer after a month or two but of course you're not going to spend even MORE money for another revalve.


I should have! I'm at 6 out on the compression and still am bottoming. Back shock hex bolt is at 1 out now, low at 7. I'm going to call the dealer but I'm not sure what they can do. The oil is at 95mm in the front. I'm running out of clickers. I'd hate to have to pay full price for another revalve.



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