Getting a '97 YZ 250 for $1700...so tell me....

[WFO]

Looks to be in pretty good shape, other than a fork seal leak and a bad front tire. Runs great and no other apparent problems.
So....
Before I shell out the money, tell me everything I should know about this particular year. My last bike was a '93 YZ 250, so I'm familiar with the brand, just curious if there were any glaring problems (or great reviews) for that model.

 

[cr25096er]

taske off the ignition cover n check the crank seal and crank bearings. put it under a compression guage also.

 

[Wanabe]

I've had a 97 YZ250 for over 2 years and I have had no mecanical problems with it at all. I haven't riden much else to campare it to though. sorry
Eric

 

[Rcannon]

I have had my 1997 for about 3 months now. I paid a lot more than you did, but that is me. Buy high, sell low!

I have nothing else to compare it to, other than a DR 350.

I love the bike. It has been ridden very little. The stock reeds dont appear to last long. I switched to a Rad valve and am quite happy with it.

I found an old Dirt Bike magazine that tested this bike. They did not like it very much due to a mild engine. I think this is great. Anyone that owns one probably did not thrash or race it much!

The upper subframe bolt is a F****R to remove if it bends. Eatch it close. Also, buy Eric Gores book for spititual guidance on the powervalve. Despite low riding time, mine had met the piston enough to polish both of the parts. This could have been scary within a few more rides.

I really like this machine with 13/52 gearing. It will run slow enough to follow my nephew around on his XR 50, yet go fast enough to make me need new riding pants.

I hope you enjoy your bike 1/2 as much as I like mine!

 

[WWR]

If you want, I can email you the 1997 tuning tips written by Eric.

I have had mine for over 2 years and think the bike really rips, especially in the midrange. I have added the Vforce II valve and PC pipe, which helped top end, and modded the valve as Eric recommended, which made the midrange hit harder. I plan on doubling up the base gaskets and milling the head to get the squish clearance back to specks to see if it will move the hit higher up the rpm range. This engine makes plenty of power and has also been very durable.

As far as suspension goes, the back end is great. The forks have a problem with the midvalve, which you will notice by the loud and harsh "clank" when bottoming them out. Before MX Tech fixed mine, they would bottom out even when the clickers were set on full-hard.

In my opinion, it is a great bike, but that upper-midrange hit is not for the faint-hearted.

 

[IrishEKU]

Hmmm, $1700.00 is almost too good to be true. Book is $2585.00. Shoot the Vin off to Elkie for a peek. Otherwise even if it does need a topend it's a great deal :thumb:

 

[Rcannon]

If you dont mind, how do your forks feel now compared to stock? Mine are doing just what you describe.

Also, once you work with your cylinder, can you tell us how the bike wrks? I am very curious about this mod.

I just dropped a new Weisco piston and rings in mine. I am still breaking it in, but the mechanical noise is down by a decent margin.

 

[WFO]

QUOTE; "In my opinion, it is a great bike, but that upper-midrange hit is not for the faint-hearted. "

QUOTE; "Hmmm, $1700.00 is almost too good to be true"

I think the first quote answered the second one. This kid bought the YZ as his FIRST ever bike. Rode it 3 times, crashed it 3 times! Mama said get rid of it!
I can't believe it. He bought it from a friend who raced and took immaculate care of it. Of course, a real friend would have warned him not to buy it as a beginner's bike. Anyway, it's got a PC pipe and silencer, Factory Connection shock, Works Connection ankle guards and skid plate, wide foot pegs, spare stock pipe and silencer, two spare chains, spare front and rear fender (which I don't really need since the existing plastic looks fine) and a partridge in a pear tree!!
I know what you're thinking, but yes, it did come with a title.
As best I can tell, it needs a fork seal and a front tire.

Don't pinch me.....I like this dream!

 

[IrishEKU]

WFO's new screen name is "Lucky Charms", hey dude could you conjure me up an 03 KDX220R? :)


Dude, GO FOR IT!

I know you will love it I just wish there were deals like that in my 4 wheeler congested area!

Buy the thing, even if it does need a little this or that it's a great deal!

Phillip

 

[jho410]

You've got plenty of good advice here so I won't add any other than to say that I had a 97 YZ250 and then went to a 02 CR250 - I am still looking to find the low end that the YZ had. Great bike, buy it.

 

[WFO]

I did! It's in the garage!

 

[IrishEKU]

Congrats big guy! Enjoy!

 

[a454elk]

I'd still be happy to check it for you if you PM me with the Vin. Congratulations on the bike purchase. :thumb:

 

[Science]

The '97 YZ-250 is a great bike. I raced one in '97 & '98. A Boyesen Rad Valve does wonders for the poweband. For the forks, have your suspension guy change out the mid-valve to a check valve, get the right springs, new seals and maybe bushings. The shock was great. Again, get the right springs + have the oil changed. I've had good luck w/the Race Tech oil.
Watch out for third gear though! With only 30 hours on it mine broke a tooth and grenaded to the tune of $550! 3 of my riding buddies had this same problem! Apparently (Yamaha won't admit it) there were a # of these bikes that had this problem. The replacment 3rd gear was significantly beefier. Make sure to take a good test ride + also slowly spin the rear wheel on the stand and listen for any clicking.
Good Luck!

 

[WFO]

Now I get to be paranoid.

QUOTE: "....broke a tooth and grenaded....."

Oh well. One of the previous owners raced it, so I'm gonna hope that if it was gonna go, it would have already.
It appears to have a Boyenson Power reed in it. If memory serves, don't you usually lean out the jets a little with the Boyenson? The standard main is 170 and they've already dropped it to 168. The pilot is the stock 48. I know I need to jet it for the way (and where) I ride, but I was wondering if I should go ahead and order a 45 while I'm waiting for the head to come back. As found, the piston had a lot of carbon on it.
Also,when you say "...get the right springs...", what was the general consensus as to what was wrong with the old ones?

 

[Rcannon]

I tried a 48 in my 1997 YZ and found it too lean. This is at an elevation of 4500 ft. The stock 48 works well with my rad valve and pro circuit pipe and silencer.

 

[Lorin]

I would also pick up a 42 pilot while you are at it. Most of the bikes I have jetted for Oklahoma ended up being two steps below the stock jets on the pilot circuit. Brass is fairly cheap.