What's an immaculate 83 yz250 worth?

j_freak · Feb 24, 2004

The rmx I was gonna buy got sold out from under me, so I am back in the market for a new bike.

I found a guy who has a 1983 yz250 with a title for $1,250. He says he just finished completely rebuilding the motor and putting the bike into near perfect shape, then got a kx500.

I haven't been to see it yet, I will (hopefully) on Sunday. The bike has a desert tank, runs great, good shocks, etc.

What is this bike worth? I really don't want to pay that much for that old of a bike.

Peer Lovell · Feb 24, 2004

Man, this bike, regardless of its condition is over twenty years old!
I wouldn't pay more than 500 to 700 bucks for it. Or save another couple of grand and get something a lot newer.
Regardless of how it was looked after at this age it will be a bottomless pit.

RiDeReDmX228 · Feb 24, 2004

i just bought a 1982 xr100 for 50 bucks, i wouldnt pay and extra 1,200 for another peice of crap

sunnyboy · Feb 25, 2004

you can get a much newer bike in great shape for that kinda money,i wonder how it is that he just rebuilt a bike you cant get parts for???? stay away--- you need to get a hold of your self dont go after the first bike you see.take your time and look for an older bike not that old that somebody bought and didnt ride you can find them5-7yrs old for the price you are talking about and it will run and hide from that old yam.you will be able to get parts and in general have a much better time and after all that is what you want is a good time--hang in thier

Rcannon · Feb 25, 2004

What those guys said...count me in.

I rebuilt an 82 YZ a few years back. You can get weisco pistons for them, but everything else has to be ordered. The parts are as expensive as a brand new bike parts.

When your dont all you end up with is a 25 year old bike. The 82 was. I saw a 1992 CR 250 for sale the other day. They were asking 1750.00. The bike was running and in reasonable condition.

jmics19067 · Feb 25, 2004

I sold a 94 yz 250 in excellent shape for 1500$ I have seen 2000 kx 250 go for 2400$ and a 03 yz 450f go for 3700 Unless you have some type of sentimental value placed on that particular bike it is too much.

CR Swade · Feb 25, 2004

Ditto on the above sentiments. Bikes made huge improvements into the 90's. Plus, how would you feel after spending that kind of cash only to have a worn KTM 200 blow by you. 90's model CR's can be found all over and don't give up anything in the motor department and have better ergos, handling, suspension, brakes.

If you are set on the YZ I'd give about $400 for an immaculate bike, deduct accordingly for bad hubs, scratched forks, blown shock, cracked frame, etc.

CR Swade · Feb 25, 2004

Take a look at this...$350 bucks more for a WAY better BIKE HERE

gator kdx · Feb 25, 2004

Two years ago I bought a decent condition (maybe 6 out of 10) 1990 kdx200 for $700. I still ended up putting a ton of money into it over the next year. I probably ended up putting in almost 2k, and always regretted not getting a newer bike for that money. Even if the motor is fresh, there are lots of other places your money will go.

If you keep looking you can hopefully get lucky. I tried to keep my eyes open for decent buys and since the kdx, I was able to get a 93cr250 for 1400 and my new favorite, a 2001 yz250 for 1700 (the yz needed a new crank).

Good luck.

Micahdawg · Feb 25, 2004

I just picked up a 89 KX 125 for $575. I'll have about $1000 in it to get it into tip top shape. Granted it's only a 125, but it is 7 years newer and I'll still have less than $1000 in the thing.

A bike like that might appeal to someone for the nostalgic factor, and it might even perform well for a light duty trail bike, but for anyone who wants to ride a bike hard with their friends (with newer machines) I would not buy it. In the end you'll have a lot of money wrapped up in a bike that will be near impossible to sell again for any significant amount of money.

Being a 82 with a title is pretty cool though.

Micah

jaction125 · Feb 25, 2004

I wouldn't give more than two chickens :laugh:

j_freak · Feb 25, 2004

sunnyboy said:
you can get a much newer bike in great shape for that kinda money

Where? I have been searching countless online classifieds, forums, newspapers, etc. for the past couple of months, and every bike within my pricerange (I have $1000, and can probably get another 300 from my parents) has a ton of stuff wrong with it, is super old, or is too far away.

CR Swade - That's a link to a bike for $1600. Last time I checked, 1600 does not equal 300. It looks like a great bike, but I cannot afford that, especially with the added cost of shipping.

And no, I am not nostalgic towards any bike. I just want a 250cc two stroke for less than $1000. What I'd really like to find is a 90 or newer basket case 250 for less than $100 (to me fixing bikes is half the fun) :thumb:

Rcannon · Feb 25, 2004

It is fun to fix them. Be careful that you dont end up with a 1500.00 piece of junk when your done.

I did it with an 82 yz 250 myself trying to have something to ride and save a few bucks. Fixing bikes is ok, not finding parts or having to drop money into 20 year old machines is not.

If I had that decision to do over again, I would have skipped the bike all together and saved some more money.

If you feel the need to learn the hard way, such as myself, go for it. It is an awful feeling knowing you threw 1000.00 away. Now your 2500.00 away from a decent bike.

CR Swade · Feb 25, 2004

j_freak said:
I found a guy who has a 1983 yz250 with a title for $1,250. He says he just finished completely rebuilding the motor and putting the bike into near perfect shape, then got a kx500.

Hmmm...$350 +$1250=??? Yeah, you are right, you need that 83

whyzee · Feb 25, 2004

I get the feeling you're not really looking for advice and have your mind made up. ie:

.....I haven't been to see it yet, I will (hopefully) on Sunday. The bike has a desert tank, runs great, good shocks, etc.

Runs great, good shocks...? How do you know? Don't be in a hurry to convince yourself on the condition of an unseen bike.
You have been given some good advice from riders who have been there. I'll ad. Save your money, get about $2000 and you should be able to find a 99-01. So what if it in not in the paper now, it will be on another day. Be patient. Realize that if you spend your $1300 on a POS bike, you need another $200 in products just to maintain the bike, let alone repair it if needed.

.....What is this bike worth? I really don't want to pay that much for that old of a bike.

Listen to yourself. It's only going to be worth what someone is willing to pay. When you realize it's a money pit and want to sell it, how lucky are you going to be finding a naive buyer like yourself?

j_freak · Feb 26, 2004

CR Swade said:
Hmmm...$350 +$1250=??? Yeah, you are right, you need that 83

Oops :uh: should've read your post more carefully. I missed that little word "more."

And yes, I truly am looking for advice, and thanks to all of you guys I have decided not to get the bike.

As for saving money, I cannot earn money because I do not have a job because I live out in the middle of nowhere so I need to get my license first, which my parents said I could get about 5 months ago, but I'm still waiting for them to get the vehicle insured (my parents have insurance through my stepdad's wrecking yard that allows them to be insured no matter what vehicle they drive, but specifically excludes coverage for anyone under the age of 24, including people with learners permits, so they have to get normal insurance on one vehicle so I can practice driving) :debil: This whole subject makes me want to scream and start smashing stuff with a very large hammer, so I will quit now...

gator kdx · Feb 26, 2004

I'm not sure exactly where you are located, but this worked for me. If you have any big cities within a reasonable driving distance check on the internet to see if their local newspaper classifieds are online.

When I was living in Gainesville, FL and looking for bikes I tried to frequently check the online classifieds for the Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa newspapers (or even medium size cities like Ocala).

Sometimes you will get lucky and somebody will be selling something seriously undervalued. Because they don't get as much exposure as ebay or cycletrader sometimes you can get a really unbelievable deal (less people who know what it's worth bringing the price up).

Also, I'm sure you've been there but don't forget to check out kelly blue book (kbb.com). It'll at least give you a ballpark if you are getting a good deal - in the case of an '84 yz250 it lists the price from a dealer as $915.

Good luck

MXTex · Feb 26, 2004

OK; what movie does this line come from? "In New York City; it's worth 50 bucks."

Micahdawg · Feb 26, 2004

Ok, the final answer is...........don't get the bike. That bike is cool if you are a diehard YZ fan or you've always wanted something older to play with or as I said, for the nostalgic factor, but you need something different.

That bike will continue to be worth less and less money. It's already very unpopular (as most are not in the market for that type of bike). It won't compare to anything new in braking, handling, ergo's, power, etc... and I don't think you will be happy with it in the long run. Especially if you hop on a friends newer MX bike and ride that for a short lap.

You will end up with way more money invested in it than you can get out of it........and while that might not be something that you can avoid with any bike, you certainly don't have to compromise with such outdated technology.

For at, or under $1000, you can get something ten years newer.......and newer is always better (unless its a CR) (sorry to the CR guys).

Micah

CJG · Feb 26, 2004

MXTex said:
OK; what movie does this line come from? "In New York City; it's worth 50 bucks."

CJG · Feb 26, 2004

Sorry, I meesed up. That was supposed to say Trading Places.(But I think it's Philadelphia)

j_freak · Feb 26, 2004

gatorkdx said:
I'm not sure exactly where you are located, but this worked for me. If you have any big cities within a reasonable driving distance check on the internet to see if their local newspaper classifieds are online.

Yeah, I have been checking the Seattle Times/P.I. website every day for their online classifieds. Also the Little Nickel's online classifieds.

Dirtbike'n man · Feb 26, 2004

well i like to say u can dump as much as you want into it u still have what u have an 82 yz 250 i have an 82 IT 175 and like it but im gonna sell if for a 02 to 03 yz 250

OnAnySunday · Feb 28, 2004

$1250 sounds a bit steep to me.
This kind of bike is more for the "collector" or vintage racer.
I picked up a '79 YZ400 a few years ago for about $300.
Put new swingarm bushings, tire,chain,grips,cables and a set of tourque reeds on it and had fun for a couple of years. :thumb:
It was fun humbling the new 250's in drag races, but it had brakes equivenent to an XR50. :|
It finally let go of it's 1st over piston though, and replacements simply do NOT exist.
It was a FUN bike though. And thats what i rode it for. If your gonna race it though (unless your last name is Stewart or Carmicheal)your gonna get your butt kicked.

On the other hand I also have an '82 XL500R with almost 30,000 mostly off road miles on the clock.
It runs great is capable off road, and is a lovely in town street bike as well.
Cost? $600.
Im keepin it. :thumb: :worship:

mobrown · Feb 28, 2004

Be patient..

Dude I bought my 1991 CR250 for $950 4 months ago. Had to put a brake handle and rear wheel on it ($225). Thing runs great and handles well too. I only plan to keep it for a year and get a newer CR but I will probably get 800-$1000 bucks back when I sell it!

If you buy that 82 and want a newer one later... you're only hope in getting your money back (assuming you don't have to dump ton$ of more more money into it) is to find someone who is impulsive also. Resist the urge and be patient... be smart.

What's an immaculate 83 yz250 worth?

j_freak

Peer Lovell

RiDeReDmX228

sunnyboy

Rcannon

jmics19067

CR Swade

CR Swade

gator kdx

Micahdawg

jaction125

j_freak

Rcannon

CR Swade

whyzee

Never enough time !

j_freak

gator kdx

MXTex

Micahdawg

CJG

CJG

j_freak

Dirtbike'n man

OnAnySunday

Big Pig

mobrown

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What's an immaculate 83 yz250 worth?

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