my first yz250 - need some help

[jontay]

I've been riding for about 1 year (age 41) and started out on a kdx250. Felt it was time for something new. A few days ago I found a 1999 yz250 for $2500 in good shape w/renthal bars, pro circuit pipe and exhaust, acerbis bark busters, 01' graphics, seat cover, gold valve springs, new front fork seals, extra top end, some extra plastic, etc. Was this a fair price? It seems to run good.

I could use some help though.

- How can I confirm the actual year (no title as I am the 3rd owner and original owner still owes $ on bike. bike is not stolen.)? I cannot find any sticker showing the manufacture date. Only the VIN stamped on the head tube of frame.

- Where can I get an owners manual or technical info (diagrams, repair info, etc.)?

- any YZ specific web sites out there?

Looking forward to my first Yamaha ride and would appreciate any help. Thank you.

jontay

 

[Hucker]

First thing I'd do is grab the VIN number and get your local Yamaha shop to run it through their system. (I'm taking a guess at this, but if its the same idea as a VIN for a car, it should work).

Second, get yourself a Clymer Manual, I have one for my bike and would have been stuck out of water without it, great $30 investment. Also www.bikebandit.com has all the diagrams you could ever want for your bike. Full exploded views of every single part and where it goes. Helped me out a bunch when playing with the CDI.

As far as a YZ oriented site, I don't know of any but DRN is probably the best source of information you could have at your fingertips. With guys like Rich Rohrich, Eric Gorr, Jeremy Wilkey and about a 1,000 other insanely smart people I bet there's not a question that couldn't be answered :)

Enjoy the bike!!!

 

[jontay]

thanx hucker,

I'll be headed out to the yamaha dealer today. How's the riding upthere in Ontario? I'm here in Reno, NV. Just a crazy amount of riding areas and minimal regulations. Just buy it and ride it. thanx again bro.

jontay

 

[bclapham]

$2500 sounds like a very good price, that bike would go for at least 3k plus tax here in so cal!

just be careful that money is owed on the bike, you dont want to end up paying for it twice:(

if you want vin number adivice look for a454elk on the DRN forum, he is a CHP officer and should be able to advice you no worries!

Hucker: does cylmer make a manual for the 1999 yz's yet? i am looking for a manual for my 2001 by havent found one yet, but these two bikes were very similar, i will probably order the offical yamaha service manual from my dealer (they cost 50 bucks though!)

good luck, if it checks out go buy that yz you will enjoy it!

cheers, bruce

 

[karterron]

Jontay

Congrats on the new bike. I just picked up a 2000 YZ250 yesterday that sounds very similar to yours, it has a FMF Platinum pipe/silencer and renthal bars. Paid $3,000 for it here in Illinois and for another $200 he threw in all his riding gear. So I think you got a good price if in fact it is a 99. I would be concerned about the first person owing money on it and not having a title however. If he quits making payments the bank can repossess and you are out your money. I don't think I would have taken that chance but I wish you the best of luck.

I have no idea what to tell you on checking the year since I'm new to the YZ also. But the price you paid is fair for a 99 model.

 

[Solid State]

Jontay,

For diagrams, some web sites have OEM part finders. I use yamahaoftroy.com.

Good Luck.