Hey I've been riding since I was 8 (on hand me downs from my bros) im thinking of buying my first newish bike. Its a 2003 YZ 125 they want $1,600 for it, is this a good buy?
It is a good deal, but you might want to consider buying one that is just one year older......
It looks like you live in California? If so, you need to pay attention to the red/green sticker issue. That 2003 YZ will be a red sticker bike which will limit the riding season for you. A bike just one year older will be a green sticker bike and you can ride all year.
The price sounds good IF it has valid California registration (red sticker and pink slip). Not having the registration is not necessarily a deal breaker but you should factor in the hassle of getting it registered. I have managed to get two bikes registered. The first bike required about 5 trips to DMV and one to CHP. The second time around I was able to do it with two trips to DMV and one to CHP.
If you only ride private tracks or out in the desert where the enforcement of the registration requirements is very sparse then you might get away without the need for registration but it will eventually impact the resale value of the bike when you go to sell it.
I ride in the area around Barstow or El Mirage or Ridgecrest a lot. Many of the guys I camp with have totally unregistered bikes and so far we have never had a problem.
But during the hot summer months I ride in forest areas and then the green sticker is essential. When you have to actually pass through the ranger kiosk to get to the riding area the rules get enforced......
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