I'd been needing a newer dirt bike for a while, being that I've been riding a clapped-out 2001 YZ-250 for a few years now. No complaints with that bike other than the fact that the suspension is outdated, and would beat me to death on the gnarly, steep terrain that we like to ride. Never really considered having the suspension re-sprung and re-valved because I didn't want to sink any more $ into the bike.
I also have a 2002 YZ-250 that suffered a shattered piston skirt a few years ago, but that was my fault for running the cast aluminum piston for too long. And it happened right after I started the bike to ride it around my apartment complex to dry it after washing it. So, it could have ingested some water. BTW, I had previously sucked some water into the engine on a creek crossing, and had to push the bike to the other side, take air filter and spark plug out, turn it upside down, and rotate the back wheel with it in gear to pump the creek water out of the engine. And it started up like a charm after that! Pieces of the piston skirt knocked a hole in the case between the crankcase and the transmission, so I took the case and had the hole fixed (built up weld then machined it down). Got a new crankshaft and piston for it, and had the cylinder bore re-plated. Also had to get all new bearings for engine and tranny. I just haven't had a chance to get out in the garage to put it all together.
Anyway, my YZs have been rock-solid reliable, and I couldn't ignore that when deciding to get a newer bike. Thought about KTM, but they're more complex, and the 2006 + YZ has the Kayaba SSS suspension, which is supposed to be really good, even in stock form.
So, with my goal being to pick up a stock, low-hour, 2006+ YZ-250, I checked Craigslist and a guy was selling a 2007 with 30 hours. Hadn't even had the engine open except to have the initial post-break-in top-end check, which was performed at the dealer after 10 hrs of use.
Bike is totally stock except for the plastics which the original owner installed - he was a big Bob "Hurricane" Hannah fan. Also chain & sprockets have been replaced.
She's a cherry... No gouges anywhere from rocks, no scratches from being bulldogged through the bushes, etc.
I'm happy with it. Gonna start modding it for the gnarly 1-track trails and hills we like to ride. Plan is to make it my "nice bike" for special rides I go on, and put my 02 bike together and make it my "every ride" bike.
Gonna start the mods with the following:
- Pipe guard
- Radiator guards
- Skid plate
- Barkbusters
- Flywheel weight
- 18" rear wheel
- Frame guards (protect frame from boot erosion)
- Tugger strap
- Suspension re-sprung and re-valved for gnarly woods
- Scott steering damper
- Sidestand
- Hour meter
Want list for later:
- Athena 293cc big-bore cylinder
- Hydraulic clutch
- Upgraded front brake
I also have a 2002 YZ-250 that suffered a shattered piston skirt a few years ago, but that was my fault for running the cast aluminum piston for too long. And it happened right after I started the bike to ride it around my apartment complex to dry it after washing it. So, it could have ingested some water. BTW, I had previously sucked some water into the engine on a creek crossing, and had to push the bike to the other side, take air filter and spark plug out, turn it upside down, and rotate the back wheel with it in gear to pump the creek water out of the engine. And it started up like a charm after that! Pieces of the piston skirt knocked a hole in the case between the crankcase and the transmission, so I took the case and had the hole fixed (built up weld then machined it down). Got a new crankshaft and piston for it, and had the cylinder bore re-plated. Also had to get all new bearings for engine and tranny. I just haven't had a chance to get out in the garage to put it all together.
Anyway, my YZs have been rock-solid reliable, and I couldn't ignore that when deciding to get a newer bike. Thought about KTM, but they're more complex, and the 2006 + YZ has the Kayaba SSS suspension, which is supposed to be really good, even in stock form.
So, with my goal being to pick up a stock, low-hour, 2006+ YZ-250, I checked Craigslist and a guy was selling a 2007 with 30 hours. Hadn't even had the engine open except to have the initial post-break-in top-end check, which was performed at the dealer after 10 hrs of use.
Bike is totally stock except for the plastics which the original owner installed - he was a big Bob "Hurricane" Hannah fan. Also chain & sprockets have been replaced.
She's a cherry... No gouges anywhere from rocks, no scratches from being bulldogged through the bushes, etc.
I'm happy with it. Gonna start modding it for the gnarly 1-track trails and hills we like to ride. Plan is to make it my "nice bike" for special rides I go on, and put my 02 bike together and make it my "every ride" bike.
Gonna start the mods with the following:
- Pipe guard
- Radiator guards
- Skid plate
- Barkbusters
- Flywheel weight
- 18" rear wheel
- Frame guards (protect frame from boot erosion)
- Tugger strap
- Suspension re-sprung and re-valved for gnarly woods
- Scott steering damper
- Sidestand
- Hour meter
Want list for later:
- Athena 293cc big-bore cylinder
- Hydraulic clutch
- Upgraded front brake