New to the Forum, want a new Bike

[CoolHandCanuck]

Hi all, wanted to start off by saying cool forum. Well i've been off bikes for a few years, but recently had my intrest resparked. Used to have an old 83 CR 80 that I raced years ago, also had a CR 125 which was an '84. Well I was thinking about getting a quad, but had the opportunity to ride a friends '03 KTM 200sx, nice bike, not setup for me ,, seemed kinda jittery and rough, but fun, changed my mind to 2 wheel bikes. Well Ive been browsing this forum and although the 4-stroke seems highly regarded and might be a better all around bike, they seem a bit pricey, plus I've only had experience with 2-stroke and never had faults with them, noise and power is cool, plus they are cheaper. So Im kinda in the hunt for a 250, 2 stroke. It seems like the bikes nowadays are regarded as very similar, one not being dominant over others, so basically my question is which one should I get. I would Like to get a bike that has a fairly plush suspension, that doesnt bottom. I hate getting too much feedback from every little thing on the trail. I rode an old RM 125 once that seemed nice(plush suspension), but never had enough ride time to determine if it was better. Im 25 years old, 5'10 160lbs good physical shape, never ridden 250's but dont try and scare me away from them cuz I want more power than a 125 fo sure. I probably wont be riding MX track anymore, just trails, and we have some awesome dunes to play in. Would consider other options to an MX bike, but I really like the racing technology. So Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, or Suzuki? please help!
P.S Im Married, and the wife isnt keen on this, but you only live once right. Plus im not selling my fishing boat for nothin. :rotfl:

 

[YZ165]

'98 or newer YZ or KX. As far as suspension is concerned, you to decide if it's stiff or plush, it's adjustable either way. Don't count out the four strokes though, a '98 YZ400F is one hell of a bike. Incredable versatility. Desert, MX, SX, Dunes, Woods, Supermotard, you name it! There are better bikes for each, but it will do it all! (so will a 250 2-stroke, just takes a little more finnesse.) You should be able to get any of the above for around 2K. Hope that helps, just my two cents. Either way, have fun! :aj:

 

[CoolHandCanuck]

Just curious to why you pick Yamaha, and Kawasaki over the others? 2,000 American right? I was thinking about buying new, but looking at the websites they look to be over 7 grand for either, thats pretty steep in my opinion. If I can get a good bike thats a few years old, and still in good shape I think I will go that route and save myself a few thousand. What year of bike should I be looking for, you mentioned 98 was '98 a good year for both, any years that I should be wary of in Kawasaki and Yamaha? thats still a 6 year old bike already, I guess if its just a fun bike for me, it doesnt have to be showroom flawless, im just picky. About what kinda prices would I be looking at Canadian $$ for a '98. This is a little off topic, but I remember when I got my '84 CR125 used 900 bucks Canadian...LOL and it was in awesome shape. I bought the CR80 for 600 bucks.. from the same guy! Yeah, now that i think about it more,, i'll definately go used, i think I'd like to spend between 2-4 thousand Canadian, I know that will be easier to swing than 7000 plus to the wife. :laugh: I was gonna get a quad, my buddy just bought a brand new 700 sportsman EFI but the more I thought about it, why the hell do I need a 12 000 dollar quad, when I could buy a bike and have more fun.

 

[CoolHandCanuck]

Well I looked around at site on the net in my area. Found some for sale. Ill list the adds, see what you think.
Kawasaki's for sale

1)2000 Kawasaki KX250, new top end, new ford seals, $3500obo
2) 94 KX250, v/g cond, FMF fatty, spare parts, $2500
3) 96 Kawasaki KX250 , n/rear tire & brakes, never raced, exc cond, $3300
4) 96 Kawasaki KX250, new rear tire, chain & sprockets, FMF pipe, Renthal bars, $3200 obo
5)97 Kawasaki KX250 , $3000 obo.
6)97 Kawasaki KX250, FMF exhaust, one industries graphics, pro taper handle bars, renthal bars, exc cond, $3500 obo
7) 98 Kawasaki KX250, brand new black plastic, Renthal bars, runs & looks exc, $3000
8) 98 Kawasaki KX250, black plastic & org, Procircuit pipe & silencer, Boyse & Reeds & valve, Racetech front susp., $3200 obo.
9) 99 Kawasaki KX250, new engine, chain, sprockets, all factory Kawasaki parts, $3700 obo.
10) 99 Kawasaki KX250, new high perf engine, 320cc, all the best parts, Pro Circuit pipes, Renthal bars, must sell, $4200 obo
Yamaha's
1) 2001 Yamaha YZ250, like new, hardly ridden, paddle tire, approx 50hrs, $4500 obo
2) 2002 Yamaha YZF250, v/gd cond, clean & quick, $5250 obo. Must sell ASAP
3)94 Yamaha YZ250, white, good shape, runs strong, $2700 obo
4) 99 Yamaha YZ250 , skin plastic, Excel rims, Renthal bars, low hrs, mint, $4300 obo
Suzuki[/B]
1)2000 Suzuki RM 250, exc cond, $3500 obo
2)93 RM 250, Procircit exhaust, too trick suspension, factory effects graphics kit, new top end, new chain, sprockets & tires, lots of power, can pull catwalk in 5th gear, $3000 obo
3) 98 Suzuki RM 250, great bike, 99 graphics race tech susp, fx effect seat, o-ring chain, $3500.
4)99 RM250 , FMF gold pipe, MSR bars, seat cover, 'N' style graphics, barely used, awesome cond, $4500 obo
5) 99 Suzuki RM250 , low hrs, never raised, exc cond, $3650.
6)99 Suzuki RM250, new tires, chain, sprockets, exc. cond, $4000 obo.
Honda[/B]
1)2000 Honda CR250 w/FMF gold series pipe, 1 industries gel seat, b/n top & bottom engine rebuilt, $3700 obo, must sell
2)2000 Honda CR250 , great bike in good cond, new handlebar & bushguards, well maintained, never raced, $4000
3) 2003 Honda CR250, V force read block, black plastic kit, c/w helmet, boots, gloves, googles, ha sorig plastic, $5500obo
4) 99 Honda CR250R, many custom parts, pipes, silencers, plastics etc, exc cond, blk/silver, low hrs, never raced, $4200 obo

Sorry this is so long, but my brain is getting frazzld looking at adds, hardly any of these adds included pictures, so I'd have to probably view in person or request pictures. I dont have time to look at all these bikes, nor do I really want too. I was thinking #7& #8 Kawasakis sounded like a decent deal for 3000each. What do you guys think, should a guy be wary of the bikes that dont have OEM plastic? A black bike would look pretty cool..lol Hondas seem too expensive now. Whats Race tech Suspension :think:

 

[YZ165]

#8 sounds good, but deffinatly go check it out in person first. You can get new a new plastic kit for around $140.00us, puting new plastic on is typical, it helps the bike sell. Just don't let that fool you into a bike that's beat. Check out the frame just above the footpegs, if all the paint is gone, it's been ridden alot. If it's got new paint on it, It's been ridden even more(painted over to hide the fact). Just look for one that dosent look all buffed out by the inside of someone's boots. Also, don't get sucked in by some guy telling you he's a "pro and takes really good care of his bike, and it's got all the good parts on it". The faster the guy is who had the bike before, the harder he was on it. Fast guys usualy get new bikes every year, You don't think they get new bikes because they had an extra 7K laying around, They beat the crap out of them for a year then sell them to some noob!
The only reason I say YZ or KX is they are plentyfull, and reasonably priced. Any '98 or newer 250 MXer is plenty of bike for most riders and lots of fun!
Race tech suspension is just modified stock suspension. It is much better than stock. and can be adjusted to suit your style and preferances. Good luck, and most important, HAVE FUN!

 

[kx134]

plus I've only had experience with 2-stroke and never had faults with them, noise and power is cool, plus they are cheaper. So Im kinda in the hunt for a 250, 2 stroke.

/\
noise and power? sounds like a crf450 or a yzf 450


faster the guy is who had the bike before, the harder he was on it. Fast guys usualy get new bikes every year, You don't think they get new bikes because they had an extra 7K laying around, They beat the crap out of them for a year then sell them to some noob!
/\
i disagree. bike condition depends on maintenance and repairs, not speed of rider. btw where the hell are people paying 7 grand for a new bike? you can get a new 450f here for 6 and a new 250 for like 4900


btw you are exact same size as me, I went from a kx 250 to my present bike. I do believe a 99 125 .09 over would eat an 84 cr125 for a snack...check out the 125s and the four stroke 250s...!I wouldn't have said that, but you said not to! lol

\

 

[CoolHandCanuck]

btw where the hell are people paying 7 grand for a new bike? you can get a new 450f here for 6 and a new 250 for like 4900
^
Anywhere in Canada most likely, our dollar isnt worth as much. check out any Canadian manufacturer sites (honda) or (kawasaki), or any other sites, just put a .ca in the web address you will see the MRSP in Canadian $$ if you dont believe me.

I do believe a 99 125 .09 over would eat an 84 cr125 for a snack...check out the 125s and the four stroke 250s...!I wouldn't have said that, but you said not to! lol
^
you're right I said not too, and I agree technology is better, and I still wouldnt want a 125.
BTW the wife doesnt want me to get a bike still. :bang:

 

[kx134]

if i was your wife, I wouldnt want you buying a 250 either, ESP as a "gettin back into it" bike!

if you insist on 250s, check out the early 90s ones, they won't cost nearly as much to get into-points for you w/the wife!

 

[CoolHandCanuck]

blah blah, im not afraid of a bike, and I tire of reading the posts that turn people away from what they want.

if i was your wife, I wouldnt want you buying a 250 either, ESP as a "gettin back into it" bike!
^
Im married, not 50, no offense to the 50 year olds... Im 25 years old, not a cripple, not to mention a natural at 2 wheel riding. Lots of guys on here seem pretty timid, its a bike get over it. Anyways my wife will probably win the battle anyways, and I will probably end up with something different anyways eg. A holiday trailer bleah!, but the early 90's Idea sounds alright,, maybe I'll just buy an old one to rip around on, for as little money as possible. Anyways,, I dont mean to be an ass, but Im tired of reading the you'll die on a 250cc bike crapola, its BS. Thanxs

 

[NGE]

how about this idea....

a Kawasaki KDX 200?... they haven't changed since '95 in design, so they are cheap.... they are undeniably good on trails... you can get a well kept '95 and have as good a bike as any..

it has lots of torque, but not as much top end as a 250.... it certainly works better on trails than most 250's...

I bought my '01 a year ago for $1600 US... in decent shape, and good deals on them abound.. (because they sell tons, because they rock)

 

[Chili]

Each market is different but most of those prices seem out of line for the used bikes you listed even in CDN $. In Manitoba right now I have my choice of several 02 250 2 Stroke race bikes all in the $3800-4100 CDN range. Some of the dealers are asking more but they are sitting on the bikes for months or more on end. Check out the local race organization in your area and tap into all the guys dying to get on a 4 stroke that don't have the cash.