Used dirtbike - whats the best deal out there?

[Sharky]

I have an older cr250 which i love, but might give to my kid so i can get the new one. I really like 2T, but am considering a 450 4T. Mid 2000s crf450r s seem the same price as 2000-2001 cr250s.

Must be a green sticker bike. Not sure what years the 450s are green sticker.

Prefer honda over all, by a YZ isnt out of the question. KTM is a maybe, but it would have to be a 300.

Price range is 2-3k

What you guys think?
Other options?

 

[usedtobefast]

2002 and older is the green sticker range for 2 strokes and racing 4T. So those mid 2000s crf450r bikes are all red sticker. Most 2002 and older 450 4T weren't that great new, and are pretty worn out & beat to heck some 18-20 years later!

To get a 2003 or newer green sticker, it will need to be a 4T "enduro" or "trail" bike, and even then not all of them were green sticker (some odd model/years in there).

So most years WR450F or CRF450X bikes are green sticker.

So for a KTM 300, 2002 and older = green, 2003 and newer = red.

You might consider doing a refresh on your current CR250 and get the kid a green sticker 2 stroke as well.

A 2000-2002 YZ250 is a nice bike. The KX250's of that time were good too.

Also, if you find a green sticker CRF450X for $2500 ... hum, if you need to do much engine work while you own it, you could be looking a pricey repair bill (valves, crank, ?? ??). Could you rebuild a 4 stroke yourself? If so, that helps having zero labor cost.

 

[usedtobefast]

Just took a quick look on CL ... seems the CRF450X green sticker bikes are more in the $3250-$4,500 range, but there is one there for $2900.

Seems like similar price range on the WR450F bikes.

 

[Sharky]

I feel fine about rebuilding a 2t, but wont be doing that work on a 4t myself. I dont put many hard hours on dirtbikes, so im not that concerned about 4t maintenance as long as i get a good one. A crf450x would suit me fine, but not the price. Ill probably pick up another cr250 with a green sticker and call it a day.

 

[OaklandF4i]

I feel fine about rebuilding a 2t, but wont be doing that work on a 4t myself. I dont put many hard hours on dirtbikes, so im not that concerned about 4t maintenance as long as i get a good one. A crf450x would suit me fine, but not the price. Ill probably pick up another cr250 with a green sticker and call it a day.

Aaron, I think you have the right idea. Even if you put low hours on each year, a 4t that old is always kinda a big question mark maintenance wise and could potentially surprise you with a really expensive repair bill. Also, I honestly don't feel they were great bikes until later years.

The 2002 YZ250 is my choice as its the last year of green sticker and everything from 2020 YZ250 bolts right on including the current bodywork. Its basically the same bike including engine with a steel frame and open chamber KYB forks (not SSS KYB.) 1999-2001 shares the same engine but different frame and body work, 1999-2000 different carb, the Keihin PWM which is know to be more finicky than the PWK used from 2001 to present. 2002 is really the unicorn for green sticker. :thumbup

I've always wanted to own a RM250. They really do handle better than just about anything from that era and look fantastic.

Have you considered a KDX200 or 220R? For offroad riding, they really are great and dont take much to dial in. Frankly for the riding I do, it would fit me just fine. Unlike the MX bikes that take a bit of fiddling and tuning to work well on single track, the KDX does it out of the box.

Or a 125? I've been noodling picking up a YZ125 to convert to YZ125X offroad type specs as a fun project and ride.

Then again, as you already have and know the CR, just grab another one of them. Green sticker 2 strokes of that era arent cheap anymore, but still a better buy than a fourstroke of that era in my opinion.

My 2002 YZ250 converted for offroad like the YZ250X

 

[Sharky]

Aaron, I think you have the right idea. Even if you put low hours on each year, a 4t that old is always kinda a big question mark maintenance wise and could potentially surprise you with a really expensive repair bill. Also, I honestly don't feel they were great bikes until later years.

The 2002 YZ250 is my choice as its the last year of green sticker and everything from 2020 YZ250 bolts right on including the current bodywork. Its basically the same bike including engine with a steel frame and open chamber KYB forks (not SSS KYB.) 1999-2001 shares the same engine but different frame and body work, 1999-2000 different carb, the Keihin PWM which is know to be more finicky than the PWK used from 2001 to present. 2002 is really the unicorn for green sticker. :thumbup

I've always wanted to own a RM250. They really do handle better than just about anything from that era and look fantastic.

Have you considered a KDX200 or 220R? For offroad riding, they really are great and dont take much to dial in. Frankly for the riding I do, it would fit me just fine. Unlike the MX bikes that take a bit of fiddling and tuning to work well on single track, the KDX does it out of the box.

Or a 125? I've been noodling picking up a YZ125 to convert to YZ125X offroad type specs as a fun project and ride.

Then again, as you already have and know the CR, just grab another one of them. Green sticker 2 strokes of that era arent cheap anymore, but still a better buy than a fourstroke of that era in my opinion.

My 2002 YZ250 converted for offroad like the YZ250X

I still want the ridiculous power of a 250, and 125s seem relatively rare and on par costwise with 250s.

The 450 idea was a little bitnof a whim, although the WRs seem priced pretty good and i could get a plated one and have that take the place of my xrl.

 

[byke]

I'd probably prioritize fuel injection pretty high on my list. So tired of dealing with carb nonsense with elevation and if letting the bike sit for a bit.

 

[augustiron]

Wr is not "normally or easily" plated.
It is also a pig compared to a CR, you are right that it is a comparable replacement for an xrl. The 5 speed sucks for extended high speed riding though.

Buying a cheap used 4 stroke MX bike is a recipe for pain. Most are ridden to the point where they need major work $$$$ and dumped cheap, right into that $2k market.
Ready for a full engine rebuild, suspension rebuild, chain, sprockets, tires, plastics and all the other wear bits clapped out, but probably still functional.
Caveat emptor.

 

[Sharky]

Wr is not "normally or easily" plated.
It is also a pig compared to a CR, you are right that it is a comparable replacement for an xrl. The 5 speed sucks for extended high speed riding though.

Buying a cheap used 4 stroke MX bike is a recipe for pain. Most are ridden to the point where they need major work $$$$ and dumped cheap, right into that $2k market.
Ready for a full engine rebuild, suspension rebuild, chain, sprockets, tires, plastics and all the other wear bits clapped out, but probably still functional.
Caveat emptor.

Yeah, the wr's im looking at are already plated. Im not getting into that hassle. I would only go for a street legal bike if it could take the place of my xrl and be somewhat decent for actual offroad, not just dual sporting

 

[augustiron]

WRs are pretty solid and reliable, but they have 5 very expensive titanium valves and if the cam holders were ever overtorqued at a valve clearance adjustment, the head, cam and valves will be in need of $$$ work.

 

[Sharky]

WRs are pretty solid and reliable, but they have 5 very expensive titanium valves and if the cam holders were ever overtorqued at a valve clearance adjustment, the head, cam and valves will be in need of $$$ work.

Makes me prefer the valve adjustments on my CR.
:laughing