Any dirtibke guys here? How did I do?

[imq707s]

I've been looking around for a 250cc 2-stroke dirtbike to play around with on the little bit of land I have (6 acres). All of the 00'-03' bikes that I could find on Craigslist were going for around $1200-$1700. The majority of the bikes I found locally needed some kind of work.....mostly motor work. I just happen to find a 1998 Kawasaki KX250 for sale today for $700.....I went and took a look at the bike, and it looked pretty decent for a bike that's 16 years old. It fired right up with two kicks, idled good, and had really good power.

I got him to throw in a free stand and some oil....for $700. I think I did pretty good. When I got it home I rode it around and it rides great. It's not perfect, but it cleaned up pretty nice. It does seem to die off on power up on the top end (it will pull the front tire off the ground pretty easy in 1st, 2nd,and 3rd)....but maybe that's a jetting of a power valve issue? I'm pretty happy with the bike for what I paid for it.

How did I do?

[Michael J Giesler]

You did good I miss ripping around on a two stroke I used to ride a lot of 250s a couple of guys I rode with had 500cc two strokers now they were neck snappers I don't care what anyone says a new technology two strokers would crush a 4 stroke

[JPEROG]

Mike,

I bought a new CR500 every other year from 87 to 2000 (no question great open bikes) but my new 450 is miles ahead of those days to me. I remember being freaked out about the end of that era and the end of arctic cats triple as well, now there would be no going back for me.

Joe

[Freddie Webb]

I still have my cr500 and rode it back to back against the Yamaha 450. The Yamaha is no doubt smoother but raw power there is no comparison to the 500. My bike is stock other than pipe and reed cage. We drag raced and I beat him hands down 5 out of 5. We swapped and I let him drive my 500 he beat me but not as bad because he wasn't use to my bike. You can watch cr500 on you tube with fuel injection against 4 stroke bikes.

[JPEROG]

Fred,

There is no debate in raw power, but in overall performance, ride ability, handling, etc. I love the new bikes (they aren't new-its already been 12 years)-I have a 14 KX and it makes my old ass smile with the never ending torque every time I am on it.

Joe

[Rayzor]

I would say you did really well to get a fairly late model, good running bike for $700! I just went back to a two stroke after riding four strokes since I started riding again in '07. My last four stroke was an '09 CRF250, and the two stroke I just bought is an '06 CR125 w/ a 144 kit in it. Haven't even ridden it yet - I can't wait! It's been since I quit racing 125s back in '91 that I've last been on a two stroke.......

[300x Stoker]

No fork guards??

[canuckr]

You did well. Get forks guards ASAP. I'm a huge 2 stroke everything fan. I like the 4 strokes but if your not racing competitively the 2 strokes are way more fun to ride.

[Tom Foley]

You did well ! For that money you did extremely well ! 98 was a pretty good year for most MX bikes . When you feel like tinkering a little install a new air filter , change gearbox oil and clean and re grease all your suspension linkage and steering head bearings . A good 250 is hard to beat but after having many CR 250 s , YZ - 250 , and CR 500's I like the 4 stroke 450's now . I'm currently on a KTM 450 and really like not working on it !
Yamaha just re introduced the YZ - 125 and YZ - 250 for 2015 . Have fun !

[crazy horse]

My knee's to bad to ride any more. My last bike was a KDX, That bike was a lot of fun in the woods. One thing that I didn't like about it was you couldn't grease the swing arm linkage? I replaced the bearings about two years in and boy they were pricey. I installed new shafts with grease fittings. Check your power valve, Seems like I needed to clean that thing a couple of times?

[DropTop5.0]

I had an '06 Husqvarna SMR 450R Supermoto and that was my favorite streetbike ever. The smilefactor was off the charts.

[dcarter]

I like it!! Very nice bike. You will have a blast on your property!

I recently did a rebuild on a bike. I started in March and just finished last month. It was not hard just finding time here and there and taking my time.
I bought from a guy that had it stored in a barn for the last 8 years.
taking it home.

stripped down for cleaning


Finished with new wheels and plastics.



Tom....Show me a pic of your KTM

[Tom Foley]

Looks great Dale ! I'll find some pics .

[tb2054]

iv got a 06 drz400 all custom built for dixie dual sports. also an 01honda cr125 w /a .yamaha wr200 motor coolest thing ever!!! also built for dual sport /under 200 pounds

[allisoon man]

I think all of us florida guys need to plan a riding trip!!!