Advice for buying a pre-owned CR 250
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CR Swade
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- Jan 18, 2001
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The 00 and 01 are great used bikes and they sell for next to nothing right now. The frame/handling is much better than the 97-99's (before the 97-99 owners holler, my 01 handled circles around my 97). Engine wise, the 01 is fun once the jetting is ironed out, the 97 and 98 are very fast, but I go back to the 01 for most versatile...not to mention the 97-01's run much better than the current 02-04 models. Brakes on all of them are good (its a Honda).
The biggest glitch on the 97-99's is the suspension, particularly the 97 fork. Not enough tube overlap left a fork that was harsh and would actually lock up before moving, combine this with the frame that was pretty rigid and they were a very unforgiving bike. Now a buddy of mine had Marzocchis and then Paolis on his 97 and 98 and it was a completely differnet machine.
For buy it, ride it and enjoy it bikes the 00-01's are real hard to beat, plus the suspension is much better than the earlier models.
Look for frame spar gouging under the shrouds, check all welds closely and other than that the 97-01 Hondas are very tough (the airbox probs came w/ the 02-04 models).
My current bike is an 02 that Eric Gorr ported and 265 kitted and I love it. It handles even better than my 01 plus the suspension, although still set up for MX is better than my revalved 01. It feels quite a bit lighter also. Engine wise, the stockers that I have ridden from 02 and 03 weren't much fun at all, so if you get an 02 or 03 I would plan on spending the $$$ for at least Eric's porting.
The biggest glitch on the 97-99's is the suspension, particularly the 97 fork. Not enough tube overlap left a fork that was harsh and would actually lock up before moving, combine this with the frame that was pretty rigid and they were a very unforgiving bike. Now a buddy of mine had Marzocchis and then Paolis on his 97 and 98 and it was a completely differnet machine.
For buy it, ride it and enjoy it bikes the 00-01's are real hard to beat, plus the suspension is much better than the earlier models.
Look for frame spar gouging under the shrouds, check all welds closely and other than that the 97-01 Hondas are very tough (the airbox probs came w/ the 02-04 models).
My current bike is an 02 that Eric Gorr ported and 265 kitted and I love it. It handles even better than my 01 plus the suspension, although still set up for MX is better than my revalved 01. It feels quite a bit lighter also. Engine wise, the stockers that I have ridden from 02 and 03 weren't much fun at all, so if you get an 02 or 03 I would plan on spending the $$$ for at least Eric's porting.
jaction125
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- Jan 30, 2003
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I am gonna sell mine eventually for like$2400 I hope....2000 cr250r
I am thinking that's around halfway, I would expect to see them from $2000 to $2700 depending on the condition, location, etc.
I am gonna sell mine eventually for like$2400 I hope....2000 cr250r
I am thinking that's around halfway, I would expect to see them from $2000 to $2700 depending on the condition, location, etc.
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Thank you again both of you for your insight. I have seen some on **** in the $3,000 range. I cannot imagine them getting that, but I am in NJ and don't mind waiting awhile to find the right deal. Because of your Post I now believe that I will be leaning towards an 01. Thanks again.
dirt bike dave
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- May 3, 2000
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IMO, the big problem with the '97-'99 was the stock forks. My bike '99 has Paioli conventional forks valved by Factory Connection and it is sweet handling and very plush. My guess is the stock forks can be made to work well with a revalve.
FWIW, the '99 has more mild porting than the other years, which results in good low end, longer piston & ring life and better fuel range than some of the other years. I have ridden an '01 with a flywheel weight, and it felt like the bike was lighter than my '99, but I did not like the stock forks at all.
Little things to watch out on the '97-'99 include the lower shock bearing wears fast, and also the mounting tabs on the seat are prone to cracking and breaking off.
FWIW, the '99 has more mild porting than the other years, which results in good low end, longer piston & ring life and better fuel range than some of the other years. I have ridden an '01 with a flywheel weight, and it felt like the bike was lighter than my '99, but I did not like the stock forks at all.
Little things to watch out on the '97-'99 include the lower shock bearing wears fast, and also the mounting tabs on the seat are prone to cracking and breaking off.
PINGERS4LIFE
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- Jun 2, 2004
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i am a owner of a 99cr125 and i love it the front suspension is kayaba tho and they feel great but i know if u dont put tape or something on ur shrouds it will dig into the alumin but i think that is wit the newer models to one thing to look for when u buy a bike is when they start telling u what they replaced on it if it is a long list it could be a retard and they are out there so just be a lil picky
After trying for about a year, I finally just sold my very nice low hours '01 for $2250, here in Iowa. For some twisted reason, if it had the letter "F" after the "CR250", it would be much slower but worth at least $2000 more!
Has anyone heard of any actual frame tweakage or cracking caused by the shrowds digging in to the frame? I suspect that the frame is so strong there that it's a non issue. For what it's worth, i've used 3M clear plastic sticker material to prevent the gouging on my bikes (just in case!).
My stock '03 would outpull the stock '01, although the '01 had more overrevv. I've ridden two '02s and they both felt, well, slow. The '00 had a carburetor that was much easier to work with, but didn't run quite as well as a jetted '01.
Some of the CRs with Showa forks seem to be more prone to fork seal problems, particularly if you let mud dry on the lower fork tubes. I do like the action of the '00 and up forks, though.
Has anyone heard of any actual frame tweakage or cracking caused by the shrowds digging in to the frame? I suspect that the frame is so strong there that it's a non issue. For what it's worth, i've used 3M clear plastic sticker material to prevent the gouging on my bikes (just in case!).
My stock '03 would outpull the stock '01, although the '01 had more overrevv. I've ridden two '02s and they both felt, well, slow. The '00 had a carburetor that was much easier to work with, but didn't run quite as well as a jetted '01.
Some of the CRs with Showa forks seem to be more prone to fork seal problems, particularly if you let mud dry on the lower fork tubes. I do like the action of the '00 and up forks, though.
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