A two stroke that old will cost between "more then you thought' and "lots" every year.

And not staying on top of things will cost you more in the long run.

"Saving" on lube and clean/new filters will cause rings and pistons to wear quicker.

Putting off replacing the rings / piston will wear the barrel.

Poor maintenance practices kill engine bearings.

All this increases the chances of catastrophic failure.

Having ridden bikes from the age of seven up until a couple of years ago I would suggest you stay well away from the yz 250. It will absolutely hammer you. At your age I was riding a YZ 80 then made the switch to a DRZ 250. I would never have even considered riding a two stroke 250. I would say at 14 go for something like the drz 250 especially if you have little experience, otherwise your annual cost will look like this.

Bike depreciation+maintenance+ fuel +hospital bills = a pissed off rider who will probably hate the sport forever.

I would also be very suprised if at 14 you could afford to run a bike like that without any financial support from the parents. I know I definitely couldn't have (Thank's Mum and Dad ) So would probably pay to talk to the olds about it too.

Lots of good advice here.

However, there is one thing I would certainly like to add. If you are buying a 2nd hand race bike - stay away from 250 4 strokes. There are a few comments about the cost of running a 2 smoke here, but they pale into comparison to the cost of running a 4 banger race bike.

I have had dirt bikes from the age of about 10 until my mid twenties. I used to live next some great tracks and I would ride everyday. I know enough to say 14 is too young to ride a YZ250 especially for someone with little or know riding experience.
They would probably kill them selves on it.

RussS wrote:Lots of good advice here.

However, there is one thing I would certainly like to add. If you are buying a 2nd hand race bike - stay away from 250 4 strokes. There are a few comments about the cost of running a 2 smoke here, but they pale into comparison to the cost of running a 4 banger race bike.

Good advice, unless the 4 banger is not a race bike, KLX, DRZ etc. I had a Kwaka KLX250 for years (hence username), and it was a sweet little bike. Grunty enough to take whatever you threw at it, and incredibly reliable. It wasn't a race bike by any stretch, but it had no real problem handling most jumps (Long Gully MX track etc). Throw your savings into RaceTech valving and springs, and you'll be having a great time in no time.

Nathan007 wrote:From lots of previous experience 14 is a bit youong to get a YZ250. It's a waste of time getting a Motocross bike if you mainly do trail riding. You may as well look for a good DR, XR, KLX of TT250.
Would be more reliable and easier to ride.

would this be suitable?


http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 498270.htm

I'd look more towards something like... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 083630.htm

This one's a 300, but you could likely find a road legal 250 for a similar price if you were patient. 10 years newer than the old TTR you linked to, and a hell of a lot better.

How much riding have you done and how big are you?? Even the 250's that are shown here could be too much (most weighing in well over 100kg) for you to manage if you aren't all that big. When I had my DRZ I was only around your age and I struggled with it a bit and I had been riding a lot before then. They can really wear you down if your riding in wet or soft loamy conditions and you have to work that bit harder to keep control of the bike. Your at that age where I found selecting a bike a bit of a pain in the arse, I kept my DRZ for around a year and then flicked it off when the first electric start WR 250f came in.

you guys might be wasting your time, there's a 97 yz250 with "sold" on TM.

klxracer wrote:I'd look more towards something like... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 083630.htm

This one's a 300, but you could likely find a road legal 250 for a similar price if you were patient. 10 years newer than the old TTR you linked to, and a hell of a lot better.

Thats quite a bit out of my price range, remember I'm to young for a job,

what about this:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =280474924

Hmm better than a 250, still not what I would recommend for your 1st bike. How big are you dude?

a light cheep and tamer option to learn on would be a 2T 125cc or a KDX 200. they're still same to maintain roughly but you'll get a newer one. They're light and quick in the right hands, but not so fierce you'll poo your pants at the thought of turning the throttle...

IMO the road legal bikes aren't so much fun when trying to go fast through the technical stuff, too heavy to whip round

klxracer - I would not disagree. I've been a racer since - ummm - well, before there was RMs out on the track and know far too many people that have purchased 2 smokes that have cost them a bunch. Unfortunately I know a few guys my age who have almost gone bust when their kids 250Fs have grenaded - on top of costs that already outstrip smokers 2:1 minimum.
Saying that I have a few buddies still riding old XR250s and 400s and having a blast out on the fire-breaks.

kona.stinky. wrote:what about this:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =280474924

Looks interesting. Definitely a better subject of interest than the YZ250.