Should I make this trade...

[sick 96 250]

Kinda in a bind and have been riding 2t's all my life but would really like to give a thumper a shot for local riding where I am at. I currently have 2 bikes, a 99 RM250 and a 00 KTM 300exc. A local guy on craigslist has a 99 yz400f with the 426 upgrade and he is looking for a KTM enduro bike which we seem to be on the level of a fair trade. His bike looks to be in good condition and has been serviced recently and same with mine. I figured I could make the RM my Dune bike along with my banshee and the yz426f my local riding bike. Just wanted to get some opinions on which bike is technically more reliable and power productive. Only thing I dont care for with the 4t's is the maintenance, cost a lot more than rebuilding a 2t. So trade or not is the question, whatcha think?

Oh and I live in Mesa AZ so where we ride locally its basically sandy dirt and lots of rocks so I am thinking the 4t will hook up a little better for this terrain.

 

[CR_RIDER]

well I just traded a 04 honda cr125 for a 99 yz400f and I love the power.But mine is super hard to start.i don't think mine has had regular matinence though.I kinda wish I wouldnt have traded.I love the 2-stroke reliability and easy matinence. here is a pic of the yama.<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i10.tinypic.com/7ygautg.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> <a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i5.tinypic.com/6tkby3b.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

 

[sick 96 250]

How does it handle compared to your cr you had? The kid upgraded the 400 to the 426 so thats what I'm a little curios about if its a common upgrade to these bikes.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

Kinda in a bind and have been riding 2t's all my life but would really like to give a thumper a shot for local riding where I am at. I currently have 2 bikes, a 99 RM250 and a 00 KTM 300exc. A local guy on craigslist has a 99 yz400f with the 426 upgrade

What 426 upgrade are you talking about?

 

[CR_RIDER]

Well the cr was alot better through the tight stuff.But if your a pretty big dude then you should manage the extra 20 pounds fine!

 

[sick 96 250]

rich, he had 426 piston, connecting rod, and bearings done. Engine professionally done by Racers Edge, says he has receipts. Waiting on some more info about what else was done for the 426 parts.

 

[sick 96 250]

here are two pics of the bike, looks pretty clean and well taken care of

 

[oldguy]

From the pictures my guess is he put on new (or reinstalled the original) plastics as these show no signs of normal wear from your photos. That is a cheap easy fix and has little to do with the maintenance. I would prefer to see the proof he has done a recent maintenance and what it consisted of.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

These were excellent, very reliable bikes if they were properly maintained. My 1998 YZ400F is still going as strong as ever. The handling seems to be a love it or hate it type of thing, and it will feel pretty heavy compared to the KTM. As for me I never regretted buying my YZ400F.

 

[XRpredator]

. . . I kinda wish I wouldnt have traded.

Seems to me everyone here tried to talk you out of it. Why ask opinions if you are going to ignore them?

Caveat Emptor

 

[bsmith]

Only thing I dont care for with the 4t's is the maintenance, cost a lot more than rebuilding a 2t. So trade or not is the question, whatcha think?

Have you rode it? Starting was the biggest issue with these bikes or at least the one I'm fimiliar with, do a search for the starting routine.

 

[sick 96 250]

I been talking back and forth with the guy about the bike and he is on thumper talk as well and said someone posted a thread with a to do list of part #'s and everything to make it the 426. He said everything was bought new, piston, connecting rod, lower crank bearing and pin plus cylinder which he bought used off an X-Racer with est of 200hrs. 200hrs sounds pretty darn high unless he meant 20hrs. According to him those are the stock plastics as well.

 

[sick 96 250]

Seems to me everyone here tried to talk you out of it. Why ask opinions if you are going to ignore them?

Caveat Emptor

Was that towards me Pred? Only one person really said anything about not being satisfied...?

 

[Chili]

Was that towards me Pred? Only one person really said anything about not being satisfied...?

Nope it was for the unsatisfied CR_Rider who we all warned not to trade his 04 Cr125 for the one he is stuck with now and can't start.

 

[XRpredator]

yes, Chili is right,

But Caveat Emptor to you too, sick 96 guy

 

[sick 96 250]

Ah I see, I'm not worried about the starting practices of the bike or the weight, just how it controls and reliability. I don't believe I would of traded an 04 for a 99 myself but both bikes in my case are of the same year for the most part. I guess I will always have my RM on side as well in case the 4t isn't something I like and I can sell it and just buy another 2t. Thanks for all the comments so far guys.

 

[Treejumper]

If you can start it easliy than i would consider trading. Friends of mine had the 400 and 426 yzf's and i could never get them to start. If it didnt go on the first kick i was screwed. Even the original owners had trouble starting them when hot. Only time i had trouble firing up my 450 was when i forget to turn on the gas after stopping. :)

I thought the handling was way better on the thumper than my 2 stroker but i went from an 86 to 03 so there was going to be a big improvement in handling. I miss the instant hit of the yz250 but also love not having it (especially in the woods). Only thing i use the yz250 for now i playing on the hills.

Best thing to do if you two live close is to see about riding together for afew hours. You can swap bikes and that would allow you both to see if you really want the others bike.