KX250F YZ250F Shootout, which one should I get?

[oldskool]

Okay so my KX is up on Trade Me and I'm looking at getting a 4T. There's a privately owned YZ250F and a Mr Motorcycles KX250F for around the same price. Which one should I get excited about?

[green machine]

Okay so my KX is up on Trade Me and I'm looking at getting a 4T. There's a privately owned YZ250F and a Mr Motorcycles KX250F for around the same price. Which one should I get excited about?
Well do you really need to ask????.......i may be a bit biased though:clap:

[green machine]

Seriously though.....what year are they?

[scorry]

have you seen the new yz250f's wow!!!!

the one down here lasted less than 4 hours on the shop floor, i was just lucky enough to be there in my lunch break to see it.

cant wait for the 450's tho

[oldskool]

Well do you really need to ask????.......i may be a bit biased though:clap:
I read that the YZF is the better performer but the KXF service is better.

[Rupe]

Okay so my KX is up on Trade Me and I'm looking at getting a 4T. There's a privately owned YZ250F and a Mr Motorcycles KX250F for around the same price. Which one should I get excited about?

no, don't do it 4t's are evil.

Nah, there cool, you'll pick up heaps of pace on one.

What are the bikes your looking at, they change a bit through the years.

[Rupe]

I read that the YZF is the better performer but the KXF service is better.

again depends on year, but there's not much in the late models. Always read the kxf's had low down gruntier engines.

Also look at who your dealers are, spectrum and mr motocycles are a couple of the best around.


I'm bias also, as I have a kxf, lol.

[green machine]

If you get it from Mr Motorcycles the back up service is excellent.I've had an 08 and 09 KXF250 and have ridden friends 07 and 08 YZF250'S....they are both nice to ride....i reckoned the Kwaka had more punch tho

[oldskool]

no, don't do it 4t's are evil.

Nah, there cool, you'll pick up heaps of pace on one.

What are the bikes your looking at, they change a bit through the years.

I've thrown in the 450 I have an eye on as well.

'03 YZ250F $3850 ono
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=244319910

'04 KX250F $4200
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=246651005

'05 YZ450F $3800 ono
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=247386637

[Rupe]

I've thrown in the 450 I have an eye on as well.

'03 YZ250F $3850 ono
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=244319910

'04 KX250F $4200
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=246651005

'05 YZ450F $3800 ono
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=247386637

Pre-06 I'd favour the yammi. If you can get any of them after 06 (suzi 07) they are much better bikes. Only paid $4500 for my 07, and was mint when I got it.

125cc - 450 is a big jump, do you think it would benefit your riding?

[oldskool]

Pre-06 I'd favour the yammi. If you can get any of them after 06 (suzi 07) they are much better bikes. Only paid $4500 for my 07, and was mint when I got it.

125cc - 450 is a big jump, do you think it would benefit your riding?

Well I used to ride a XR500 and a TT500 in the good ole days haha but yeah I'm not a spring chicken anymore. I'll end up with a 250 but you know how it is, ..the dream :)

The 250 4T will suit my riding style better, I prefer useable power and bite on the rear wheel.

[green machine]

Gee that YZF250 looks in good nick......i 've heard the 04-05 250's are prone to overheating

[oldskool]

Gee that YZF250 looks in good nick......i 've heard the 04-05 250's are prone to overheating
Yeah the airbox looks new.
What have you heard about the '04 KXF? Anything bad?

[oldskool]

Only paid $4500 for my 07, and was mint when I got it.


Bargain!!! Find me one! :msn-wink:

[Rupe]

Gee that YZF250 looks in good nick......i 've heard the 04-05 250's are prone to overheating

yeah the kxf/rmz's. Looks like the kxf has a aftermarket water pump on it though.

Looks like the yzf has had the frame re-painted before selling, and seems a bit vauge on hours and real maintenace.


I'd prob go the kxf with the pipe, and waterpump, as it's just been freshen up and won't need touching for a wee while. Prob give them a good grind on the price thou (sorry scott).

[Rupe]

Bargain!!! Find me one! :msn-wink:

keep your eyes open, they're around. Seen others this price.

[tnarg]

How about this one. Talk him down in price.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-242453486.htm

[oldskool]

How about this one. Talk him down in price.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-242453486.htm
Yeah I saw that. I wonder if he'd go down to $4500. Looks nice and looks like he looks after it (unlike me who uses a bike like a work horse!)

[green machine]

yeah the kxf/rmz's. Looks like the kxf has a aftermarket water pump on it though.

Looks like the yzf has had the frame re-painted before selling, and seems a bit vauge on hours and real maintenace.


I'd prob go the kxf with the pipe, and waterpump, as it's just been freshen up and won't need touching for a wee while. Prob give them a good grind on the price thou (sorry scott).
Yeah i agree with Rupe......The KXF is the way forward:apint:

[Zuki lover]

get the yz250:rolleyes::banana::banana::banana::banana::ba nana::cool:

[oldskool]

yeah the kxf/rmz's. Looks like the kxf has a aftermarket water pump on it though.


I'd prob go the kxf with the pipe, and waterpump, as it's just been freshen up and won't need touching for a wee while. Prob give them a good grind on the price thou (sorry scott).

Thanks Rupe, you have a good eye for detail.
Going by that waterpump and head work makes me wonder if the work has been done because it overheated. Nothing worse than ill-tempered metal in a 4T motor.

[green machine]

Just looked on Thumpertalk.....the word is the 04 had overheating problems because of a weak impellor......which was overcome by putting an aftermarket water pump on them.....and as Rupe pointed out,that bike has one...and the more i look at it i see that it is also in really good nick,and has the bonus of an engine freshen up

[oldskool]

Just looked on Thumpertalk.....the word is the 04 had overheating problems because of a weak impellor......which was overcome by putting an aftermarket water pump on them.....and as Rupe pointed out,that bike has one...and the more i look at it i see that it is also in really good nick,and has the bonus of an engine freshen up
Man it was worthwhile posting this thread! Thanx for that. I also heard not to get the steel frame and go for the alloy one. But I guess price dictates what I can get.

[green machine]

I just found this post on Thumpertalk which explains it well......the problem is on that site is that opinions are like a#@holes everybody has one.............but if you follow this guys logic that bike has all the bases covered..................................
Report Post
Re: 04 kx 250f... IS IT A GOOD BIKE?
We have had the 04, 05, and now 06 KXF and have not had problems with any of them. Each year they have fixed issues from the year before, like all manufacturers did. Honda has issues with their 04 also. Get the newest year you can afford. If you do get the 04 you need to make sure it has the an aftermarket water pump. If not, check the top end BEFORE you buy it.

What happened on the 04's was a overheating problem which would then cause the coating on the valves to flake, which then caused the valves to fail. Depending upon the severity of the failure, it could be a major engine problem. Especially for those that don't check their valve clearance regularly.

We put a boyeson on ours and 05 radiators which were larger and never had a problem. We bought the bike used. A friend of my son's has had it since the first of this year and he hasn't had any problems with it either

[barty5]

Yeah the airbox looks new.
What have you heard about the '04 KXF? Anything bad?

Yup hemi has one

[barty5]

Just looked on Thumpertalk.....the word is the 04 had overheating problems because of a weak impellor......which was overcome by putting an aftermarket water pump on them.....and as Rupe pointed out,that bike has one...and the more i look at it i see that it is also in really good nick,and has the bonus of an engine freshen up

Question you gota ask though is did this one have a problem before the pump was changed?????????

[green machine]

Question you gota ask though is did this one have a problem before the pump was changed?????????
Well this is true......

[barty5]

Found the bargin

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-248034035.htm

[honda_power]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-245499409.htm

i would avoid 04-05 kawi and 04-06 suzukis. Not only are they un-reliable, i find the first 3 gears way too close. The handling is also not very good. The crfs were the better bike in 04 and 05

[oldskool]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-245499409.htm
Well that would go with the colour of my helmut!

[honda_power]

haha I try not to match gear but each to his own.

i edited that post as well.
Pitty you didnt want to trade up a few monrhs ago i sold my 06 crf250 for 4500. Was pretty sad cond though

[green machine]

Well that Honda could well be worth a look

[oldskool]

haha I try not to match gear but each to his own.

i edited that post as well.


Haha I've been hanging around Bartz too long!!:Pokey:

[cheese]

04 and 05 KXF and RMZ (they are the same bike) are not good. Stay away. The radiators are too small and the water pump needs the seal replaced everytime you do the oil filter. There is aftermarket kits to get around that. 04 was the very first year of the KXF and RMZ.

So IMO pre 06 get the Yami

06 onwards - get either.

Not keen on a CRF or a RMZ?

[Rupe]

Found the bargin

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-248034035.htm

not exactly local.

Get any 06+ jap, (07+ Suzuki) that is well maintained. They're all great bikes, and had got rid of the little problems by that age.

You should be able to get a good one under $5k if you look around, worth the extra $$$ mate

[FlangMasterJ]

Problem solved http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-248066808.htm

[flyingcr250]

Problem solved http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-248066808.htm

YES! well done sir, :banana: it was only a matter of time, all roads lead to KTM ha ha ha

[oldskool]

I would have to ask why an '08 KTM with only 59 hours on the clock require a complete top and bottom rebuild?

[Reckless]

Its an SX Model! Oldschool High performance MX bike Not an EXC model mate!
For your riding I'd get the 250 four stroke or a KTM exc I guess???
I do mine every 100 hours hopefully only need rings, then do the piston every second time! Danger Got 400 hours outa his 200exc.
Mind you im back to talkin 2 smokers again LOL!!! Just can't bloody help myself LOL!!!

[crazyxr250rider]

Just thought id but in here in say i have owned my KXF for 8-9 months now and have done 3 trail rides and a winter mx series and around 20hrs other riding with no issue with valves overheating ect,mine does have the pro circuit water pump kit though and i have a clean air filter in there every ride.

[telliman]

the kx for sure,the motor has been totlally freshend up. or top end at least, the beauty of all the 04-05 modles is they have a punchy bottom end through to mid range, the newer bikes just have better top ends,

[oldskool]

not exactly local.


Bike Tranz $490 Door to Door. 7-10 day delivery time.
He'll take $4k.

[cheese]

Done deal! Who can check it out for you down there though?

[Rupe]

Bike Tranz $490 Door to Door. 7-10 day delivery time.
He'll take $4k.

Thats too good to miss, can't see you being disapointed with the bike.

Could you bride a local bike shop to check it out?

[barty5]

Bike Tranz $490 Door to Door. 7-10 day delivery time.
He'll take $4k.

As rupe has said unlikely you will be disapointed thats a sweet deal for a very tidy lookin bike

[green machine]

Agreed....look at the clutch cover hardly any wear and it doesn't look like it's been repainted.....could back up the trailride only statement......i point this out cause when i traded my 08 with 70 hours of trailrides it looked much the same,as Scott411 can attest to......plenty of fellas that putt around on their bikes like me:baby:

[oldskool]

Agreed....look at the clutch cover hardly any wear and it doesn't look like it's been repainted.....could back up the trailride only statement......i point this out cause when i traded my 08 with 70 hours of trailrides it looked much the same,as Scott411 can attest to......plenty of fellas that putt around on their bikes like me:baby:
I'm inclined to get it, about to ring the lad up, but am a bit reserved about the price being too low. Like, how do I find out if there is finance still owing on it?

[barty5]

I'm inclined to get it, about to ring the lad up, but am a bit reserved about the price being too low. Like, how do I find out if there is finance still owing on it?

No idea but how is anyone ever going to trace it to you no ownership papers.

[green machine]

I'm inclined to get it, about to ring the lad up, but am a bit reserved about the price being too low. Like, how do I find out if there is finance still owing on it?

Not sure on that one......as for the low price,a guy at work just bought an 08 KXF250 with 50 hours on it for $5500.....and i always have a browse on Trade Me and there have been bikes on there for 6 months or more that just arn't selling.In fact not much is selling,i'm trying to sell a Pro Circuit Exhaust off my 09 at the mo that is like new....they sell for about $1100 dollars the best offer i've had is $350 and i'm considering it just to get rid of it.....

[green machine]

No idea but how is anyone ever going to trace it to you no ownership papers.
True.....the Finance Company will be chasing him...................not you

[barty5]

Not sure on that one......as for the low price,a guy at work just bought an 08 KXF250 with 50 hours on it for $5500.....and i always have a browse on Trade Me and there have been bikes on there for 6 months or more that just arn't selling.In fact not much is selling,i'm trying to sell a Pro Circuit Exhaust off my 09 at the mo that is like new....they sell for about $1100 dollars the best offer i've had is $350 and i'm considering it just to get rid of it.....

id would agree with that a lot a stuff is not selling you would most likely get more for it in a bigger market as in auckland but could still take a while.

[barty5]

so you going to buy you know you want too

[oldskool]

True.....the Finance Company will be chasing him...................not you
I thought they would try and get back what belongs to them? Where's the people in finance on here when yah need them?

[oldskool]

so you going to buy you know you want too
I guess mechanically it's pretty safe, I've always got you to crawl to I guess!:rolleyes:

[vr4king]

Just another thing id be inclined to ask of proff of ownership we all know there are alot of stolen bikes out there

[green machine]

I thought they would try and get back what belongs to them? Where's the people in finance on here when yah need them?

Just talked to my mate who works in Finance and it can be reoposessed.....but he suggested getting the the vin or chassis number and do a search on an NZ vehicle site,or he reckons most dirtbikes get financed by MTF so you could ring them with the vin number,or lastly you get a signed statement from the owner (with all his details)declaring there is no equity owing on the bike and that is a legal document....i know the last one would be difficult as it is in the South Island which brings me to......my mate reckons things generally go cheaper down there so who knows...............could be the deal of the year, you never know

[Rupe]

Not sure on that one......as for the low price,a guy at work just bought an 08 KXF250 with 50 hours on it for $5500.....and i always have a browse on Trade Me and there have been bikes on there for 6 months or more that just arn't selling.In fact not much is selling,i'm trying to sell a Pro Circuit Exhaust off my 09 at the mo that is like new....they sell for about $1100 dollars the best offer i've had is $350 and i'm considering it just to get rid of it.....

I'll give you $360

[green machine]

I'll give you $360

$400 and you own it,don't think it will fit an 07 tho..............got some factory springs....fork and shock from the 09 that should fit(done about 30 hours) trail rides only .44 and 5.1 you can have those for 50 bucks

[Reckless]

I guess mechanically it's pretty safe, I've always got you to crawl to I guess!:rolleyes:

And Barty says just as cheap and quick as a 2smoker to fix!
So thats $250ish for a full piston kit and 2 hours labour if its stuffed!

Sorry Barty I just couldn't resist that!!! LOL!!! :dodge::Playnice::girlfight:;)

[oldskool]

Okay so now, after all that, unless a meteorite or an earthquake hits us, I'm gonna get IIIRII's KTM!!! :banana:

[barty5]

Okay so now, after all that, unless a meteorite or an earthquake hits us, I'm gonna get IIIRII's KTM!!! :banana:

What the f------

[noobi]

What the f------

barty is unimpressed

[Rupe]

And Barty says just as cheap and quick as a 2smoker to fix!
So thats $250ish for a full piston kit and 2 hours labour if its stuffed!

Sorry Barty I just couldn't resist that!!! LOL!!! :dodge::Playnice::girlfight:;)

Only cost me bout that to do my top end. People who ride 2t's tell me all the time 4t are to hard to work on when they've never tried. The fact is they aren't, if you can fallow a manual and not a complete idiot it's easy.

The same as suspension it's not the complex black art it's made out to be, just re-valved my own suspension with great results, and it was easy.

Don't believe the hype mate.

[Rupe]

$400 and you own it,don't think it will fit an 07 tho..............got some factory springs....fork and shock from the 09 that should fit(done about 30 hours) trail rides only .44 and 5.1 you can have those for 50 bucks

should really buy boots first. Got the same springs!!

[green machine]

should really buy boots first. Got the same springs!!

No worries....i knew the springs were the same,thought it could be a cheap freshen up as i know you take your forks apart.....although i have no idea if mx springs lose their boing so to speak........:2thumbsup

[tommorth]

Only cost me bout that to do my top end. People who ride 2t's tell me all the time 4t are to hard to work on when they've never tried. The fact is they aren't, if you can fallow a manual and not a complete idiot it's easy.

The same as suspension it's not the complex black art it's made out to be, just re-valved my own suspension with great results, and it was easy.

Don't believe the hype mate.

agreed I rebuilt my xr at 14 even split the cases to change shift forks and second gear cogs just followd the manual wasn't to hard
mxparts are selling je piston kits for 228 so plus gaskets its not much really

2ts are so simple to work on its crazy pv has a few bits though almost makes up for lack of valves

[scott411]

agreed I rebuilt my xr at 14 even split the cases to change shift forks and second gear cogs just followd the manual wasn't to hard
mxparts are selling je piston kits for 228 so plus gaskets its not much really

2ts are so simple to work on its crazy pv has a few bits though almost makes up for lack of valves

genuine kawasaki piston kits are about that price anyway, Kawasaki have the cheapist genuine parts which would be worth considering when buying,

to be honest with second hand bikes, take the condition of the bike over the brand with the japenese brands, tehy all have there good bits and bad bits,

the overheating problems with early KXF's are greatly exagerated over the net, same with the valve seat issues with CRF's, in a trail ride light mx use , these bikes are very rarely used in a manner which cause problems, i know people that have put over 200 hours on 04 KX'Fs with no maintence, i would not reccomend it to any late model 250's but i have seen it done,

[vr4king]

Some good advise right there

[oldskool]

Some good advise right there
Yes I have to agree, good advice Scott and comes from an objective perspective.

What drew me away from the 'bargain' in Dunedin even though it looked in good condition (going by the pix - whenever they were taken) were.

Bike woulda been bought sight unseen.
Not meeting the owner and sizing him up.
Finance records.
Whether it was a stolen bike.
and prob somemore

Money is to tight not to consider these issues.

[scott411]

I think thats a good call, i trade bikes all the time and wont do it with pictures with out seeing it up close to look at it,

[cheese]

I went to see a bike that looked mint as in the pics in Warkworth and it was rough as. So many things don't show up in pictures.

[vazza]

If I had the choice it would definatly be the KXF250.

[barty5]

If I had the choice it would definatly be the KXF250.

if i had the $$ id buy just to resell up here

[B0000M]

I went to see a bike that looked mint as in the pics in Warkworth and it was rough as. So many things don't show up in pictures.

Agreed there- it was rough, but it did do a good wheelie up that street lol!

so often you see bikes advertised as mint, which turn out to be total dogs- your definition of mint and the sellers definition of mint may be peppermint vs spearmint

[barty5]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/link.aspx?i=11092&id=248354396&t=ca&s=126355&c=-57
another to throw in there

[telliman]

Agreed there- it was rough, but it did do a good wheelie up that street lol!

so often you see bikes advertised as mint, which turn out to be total dogs- your definition of mint and the sellers definition of mint may be peppermint vs spearmint

can go both ways though, my kx 250 looked like a dog in photos and was in my neibourhood, after looking at bikes all over auckland i finally gave it a chance, the guy had it 6 months and rode it twice, after shitting himself(his first and his last bike)i sat for ages, it was just filthy, and it came with heaps of free shit that wasnt shown!

[telliman]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/link.aspx?i=11092&id=248354396&t=ca&s=126355&c=-57
another to throw in there

haha, the old "owners left the country" eh, "selling on behalf"
another words if the the bike blows up tommorrow i new nothing abt it,or he told me the forks were serviced!

[cheese]

Ha ha you jsut don't know with bikes aye. To be honest I'd go with a bike that's got a known history over a bike that that is newer/got more fruit.

I think that the KTM would a great bike for you too Evan. I think that it will be better suited to you.

[flyingcr250]

Okay so now, after all that, unless a meteorite or an earthquake hits us, I'm gonna get IIIRII's KTM!!! :banana:

:clap::lol::2thumbsup:clap::lol::2thumbsup ha ha ah classic

[laserracer]

Hey oldschool :Oi: you feeling alright ???? you kinda look ...well.. ahhhh ... a bit ..ORANGE

[cheese]

Hey oldschool :Oi: you feeling alright ???? you kinda look ...well.. ahhhh ... a bit ..ORANGE

As long as it isn't yellow!! LOL

[laserracer]

As long as it isn't yellow!! LOL

:lol::2thumbsup

[motor_mayhem]

As long as it isn't yellow!! LOL

What's wrong with yellow? Nothing as far as I have seen.

[crazyxr250rider]

Go through cheese's early posts and you shall see, theyre same as any other colour realy

[B0000M]

Go through cheese's early posts and you shall see, theyre same as any other colour realy

and then after that, lion's posts


i spoke to a rider that was at the time sponsored to ride suzukis, his claim was they just fell to bits and didnt last in comparison to his previous sponsored yamahas