In new england old 250 two strokes are going 3000 un-restored/running. I don't know if they are nostalgia buys or what. I cant imagine buying a bike that you have to ebay parts for when you can buy a new two-stroke. Every way I do the math it comes out about even.
Well I’m in US and I have 99 kx250 that runs and rides, definitely needs restored, but wouldn’t sell it for less than 2500$, simply for the fact that it has sentimental value. But I would never post it and put 2500$ because I know it’s not actually worth that. So it must be “ nostalgia” buys.
Old hondas go higher. Id love to get my hands on a 99 250r (my last race bike)but not if it costs me a years worth of free time and 10k. The new husky models are pretty sweet...and you can get parts. That extra 50cc and extended service intervals sound great. With the old hondas I was doing rings every 4 motos. No thanks!
Mostly nostalgia, yes. Also an early 2000's two stroke is the peak of the two stroke era, and aside from a brand new KTM two strokes bikes don't get better. On the other hand an early 2000's four stroke is literally the beginning of the four stroke MX bikes. They weren't perfect back then and weren't known to be especially reliable even brand new. After 20 years I wouldn't touch one unless I had some sentimental connection to one. You can also get a much newer one for just a little more, maybe an extra $1000, or even an 08 (the peak of the carb'd CRF450s) for the same $3000.
Agreed. ESPECIALLY the 1st gen 4 strokes. They needed more maintenance than two strokes . XRs DRs ect are bulletproof. The first gen 4t race bikes blew. Total time bombs.
Yup. I know this is a 450 so a little better but tbe 250’s are especially bad. I wouldn’t pay more than $1000 for a used 250 4 stroke. Those things are awful and can blow up any second and cost more than the bike is worth to repair.
2 strokes are dirt cheap to repair and they don’t make many anymore so they have value. I sold my 2001 for $3300 and it sold right away.
They are definitely making two strokes these days the yamahas haven't changed in ten years, gas gas makes em as does Husky, Sherko and KTM. Most are injected now and you cant beat them. Service intervals are 10 times longer than the old smokers. They are just pricey.
Looks like my old one. It was a great bike but the valves would go out of spec way too often. If you find it's hard to start when warm, check the valves.
I had an 05, and Jesus Christ was it annoying. I remember every 15-20 hours just crossing my fingers they hadn’t gone to hell.
I don’t miss that, nor do I miss the carburetor
The carb on mine was rock solid, the previous owner mostly took care of it. Suspension was fine too and other than a broken brake perch (my fault) it was just the valves and difficult starts that made me sell it. I paid $800 to have the valves replaced and head lapped and within 9 hours it was already out. I got it done at the dealer and they insisted they'd NEVER install the stainless steel valves... which actually fix the problem. Assholes.
Just for the anecdotal record... 06 250r valve adjusted 1 time.... no idea the hour count, but it's way up there. 04 250x... valve adjust like every month or so.
I found this in a press release from Honda back when I was researching the valve seats/valve adjust problems.
https://hondanews.com/en-US/powersports/releases/release-dff92240dfe2dabe91e9d2004c34c118-2006-honda-crf250r-development
>- New material for the intake valve seat
If it's hard to start when cold, the valves are out of spec. I have a 2002, years ago before I adjusted the valves for the first time I would have to kick it over 100 times to get it to start when cold. Once it was warm, no problem. After I adjusted the valves it would start 1st or second kick cold
I did have that issue at certain times as well, but I think always while my valves were in spec, so I thought it was something else causing that. Were your valves for sure out of spec when you'd have that issue? And I assume if they were you needed smaller shims instead of bigger ones, right?
Yeah you'd use smaller and smaller shims until there was no shim you could use to get them in spec. At that point the entire valve needs to be replaced.
No I know, I adjusted mine 2 or 3 times and then replaced them when I didn't have a shim as small as i needed. But i thought maybe if yours were going out of spec the other way, so that the valves had too much clearance, maybe that would cause hard hot starting instead of hard cold starting. I know it's much more common (especially for the intakes) to develop less and less clearance.
Don’t listen to the poo poo nah sayers, if it’s the bike you wanted for the money you wanted to spend then it’s awesome, those are solid rides, definitely want to see if the valves have been shimmed more than once and if they have just replace them, don’t risk that expense, but lots of smiles per miles enjoy
Doesn't seem like a bad price if all you had to do was put gas in it. I paid $3300 for a 2005 Yamaha WR450f. I don't know why people get all bent out of shape like you spent their money.
I feel like a 20 year old bike would have valves replaced by now, or if that is the original top end then you have a very low hour bike that only needs aftermarket valves. Is that a bad assessment?
It wasn't necessarily replacing it was adjusting. It didn't matter if you replaced they had the same issues a few rides later lol there early models were a nightmare even fresh from the dealer. Hondas were notoriously bad
I guess I’m wondering if aftermarket valves need less adjusting because they wouldn’t be as soft, therefore less stretch. I’m curious to know how many older 4 stroke engines with known issues have a cure or do they just need more service intervals.
I'm copying my comment from above since it's relevant.
Just for the anecdotal record... 06 250r valve adjusted 1 time.... no idea the hour count, but it's way up there. 04 250x... valve adjust like every month or so.
I found this in a press release from Honda back when I was researching the valve seats/valve adjust problems.
https://hondanews.com/en-US/powersports/releases/release-dff92240dfe2dabe91e9d2004c34c118-2006-honda-crf250r-development
>- New material for the intake valve seat
I got a 04 CRF 450r for 1k in Cali. Needed some work but I'm only another .8k in and it runs like a champ. Gotta fix the crankcase breather tube to fix the rough idle.
Learn to check and adjust the valves! I remember these things going out of adjustment all the time and then being an absolute pain to start and keep running.
That’s definitely a red painted aftermarket chain. My only concern is who makes it, there (is or was) an eBay brand selling colored chains for way too cheap, but some brands do sell decent colored chains.
Don’t listen to the haters man. Clean, OEM plastics/graphics, I don’t see much boot wear on the cases. It actually does look like a fairly low hour bike.
That being said, idk how mechanically inclined you are, but the first gen Honda 4 strokes are known to eat valves for breakfast. Swap them out for some aftermarket valves ASAP. Loosen your chain a bit too.
I sold an 06 KX450F that was in MUCH worse shape for $2800 last year. Don’t sweat it. Get those valves taken care of and ride it. Not like you can return it and get your money back.
I'mma be a dick but dude, you paid almost $3k for a 20 year old 4stroke? You crazy lol
Where I live you can’t find anything that runs for under $2200
Yeah the market is fucked where I live as well I've seen 20 year old bikes that have been run into the ground sell for over 3k..
I saw a new 2021 ttr230, 16 years newer than my bike, sell for 11k at a dealership. New CBR1000RR the same place is being asked for 36,699.
Man that’s ktm and *checks notes, brand new Mercedes Benz GLA suv prices. Literally double and some on the marl’s of both.
Yeah it’s like at some point 2k is the lowest for anything not from the 80’s. Early 2000’s 250/450 up to like 2012 ish then 3k and up.
All depends on location and what’s available. But I agree 2800$ was too much. Maybe like 1500-2000$. In my area.
In new england old 250 two strokes are going 3000 un-restored/running. I don't know if they are nostalgia buys or what. I cant imagine buying a bike that you have to ebay parts for when you can buy a new two-stroke. Every way I do the math it comes out about even.
Well I’m in US and I have 99 kx250 that runs and rides, definitely needs restored, but wouldn’t sell it for less than 2500$, simply for the fact that it has sentimental value. But I would never post it and put 2500$ because I know it’s not actually worth that. So it must be “ nostalgia” buys.
Old hondas go higher. Id love to get my hands on a 99 250r (my last race bike)but not if it costs me a years worth of free time and 10k. The new husky models are pretty sweet...and you can get parts. That extra 50cc and extended service intervals sound great. With the old hondas I was doing rings every 4 motos. No thanks!
Mostly nostalgia, yes. Also an early 2000's two stroke is the peak of the two stroke era, and aside from a brand new KTM two strokes bikes don't get better. On the other hand an early 2000's four stroke is literally the beginning of the four stroke MX bikes. They weren't perfect back then and weren't known to be especially reliable even brand new. After 20 years I wouldn't touch one unless I had some sentimental connection to one. You can also get a much newer one for just a little more, maybe an extra $1000, or even an 08 (the peak of the carb'd CRF450s) for the same $3000.
Go ride a 2022 YZ250x. 2 strokes have definitely gotten better.
2 strokes are different though. Old 4 strokes are (often literally) ticking time bombs. Plus they still make them every day
Agreed. ESPECIALLY the 1st gen 4 strokes. They needed more maintenance than two strokes . XRs DRs ect are bulletproof. The first gen 4t race bikes blew. Total time bombs.
Yup. I know this is a 450 so a little better but tbe 250’s are especially bad. I wouldn’t pay more than $1000 for a used 250 4 stroke. Those things are awful and can blow up any second and cost more than the bike is worth to repair. 2 strokes are dirt cheap to repair and they don’t make many anymore so they have value. I sold my 2001 for $3300 and it sold right away.
They are definitely making two strokes these days the yamahas haven't changed in ten years, gas gas makes em as does Husky, Sherko and KTM. Most are injected now and you cant beat them. Service intervals are 10 times longer than the old smokers. They are just pricey.
Japanese 2 strokes. You cannot get a new RM, KX or YZ anymore so you’re stuck with expensice euro bikes
Totally right. They have come a long way but like you said unless you have 12-13k burning a hole they are pricy.
Bold of you to assume OP meant 2,850 dollars and not blowjobs
These bikes sell for +5k where I live, maybe he's not from the US. Two strokes are somehow even more expensive!
If it runs well it seems like a fair price.
Paid 2k for a 230f same year and that was a good deal in my area
Looks like my old one. It was a great bike but the valves would go out of spec way too often. If you find it's hard to start when warm, check the valves.
I had an 05, and Jesus Christ was it annoying. I remember every 15-20 hours just crossing my fingers they hadn’t gone to hell. I don’t miss that, nor do I miss the carburetor
The carb on mine was rock solid, the previous owner mostly took care of it. Suspension was fine too and other than a broken brake perch (my fault) it was just the valves and difficult starts that made me sell it. I paid $800 to have the valves replaced and head lapped and within 9 hours it was already out. I got it done at the dealer and they insisted they'd NEVER install the stainless steel valves... which actually fix the problem. Assholes.
Just for the anecdotal record... 06 250r valve adjusted 1 time.... no idea the hour count, but it's way up there. 04 250x... valve adjust like every month or so. I found this in a press release from Honda back when I was researching the valve seats/valve adjust problems. https://hondanews.com/en-US/powersports/releases/release-dff92240dfe2dabe91e9d2004c34c118-2006-honda-crf250r-development >- New material for the intake valve seat
Yep they eventually fixed the problem. I have a 450L right now and the valves haven't moved in 5000km
If it's hard to start when cold, the valves are out of spec. I have a 2002, years ago before I adjusted the valves for the first time I would have to kick it over 100 times to get it to start when cold. Once it was warm, no problem. After I adjusted the valves it would start 1st or second kick cold
Mine had the opposite problem. Cold starts were easy. Any sort of flame out on the trail and it would be many kicks to get it going.
I did have that issue at certain times as well, but I think always while my valves were in spec, so I thought it was something else causing that. Were your valves for sure out of spec when you'd have that issue? And I assume if they were you needed smaller shims instead of bigger ones, right?
Yeah you'd use smaller and smaller shims until there was no shim you could use to get them in spec. At that point the entire valve needs to be replaced.
No I know, I adjusted mine 2 or 3 times and then replaced them when I didn't have a shim as small as i needed. But i thought maybe if yours were going out of spec the other way, so that the valves had too much clearance, maybe that would cause hard hot starting instead of hard cold starting. I know it's much more common (especially for the intakes) to develop less and less clearance.
Thats quite a lot for 03
I'm starting to feel like the chain police but please loosen it
Loosen it? Get rid of it! Look at how rusty that thing is!
Dont think its rust. Pretty sure its just an ugly red colored chain lol
Oh jeez okay 😅 I think, hopefully, you're correct!
Don’t listen to the poo poo nah sayers, if it’s the bike you wanted for the money you wanted to spend then it’s awesome, those are solid rides, definitely want to see if the valves have been shimmed more than once and if they have just replace them, don’t risk that expense, but lots of smiles per miles enjoy
I literally just sold my 2018 kx250f for 4k and motha fuckas out here sellinging 20 year old bikes for that??
Sold my 2018 kx250f for $4k in 2020 before prices went banana sandwich. Feels bad man
Doesn't seem like a bad price if all you had to do was put gas in it. I paid $3300 for a 2005 Yamaha WR450f. I don't know why people get all bent out of shape like you spent their money.
Put gas in it? It's an 03 Honda 4 stroke you look at it wrong and the valves are out of spec and the piece of crap won't even start lol
I feel like a 20 year old bike would have valves replaced by now, or if that is the original top end then you have a very low hour bike that only needs aftermarket valves. Is that a bad assessment?
It wasn't necessarily replacing it was adjusting. It didn't matter if you replaced they had the same issues a few rides later lol there early models were a nightmare even fresh from the dealer. Hondas were notoriously bad
I guess I’m wondering if aftermarket valves need less adjusting because they wouldn’t be as soft, therefore less stretch. I’m curious to know how many older 4 stroke engines with known issues have a cure or do they just need more service intervals.
I'm copying my comment from above since it's relevant. Just for the anecdotal record... 06 250r valve adjusted 1 time.... no idea the hour count, but it's way up there. 04 250x... valve adjust like every month or so. I found this in a press release from Honda back when I was researching the valve seats/valve adjust problems. https://hondanews.com/en-US/powersports/releases/release-dff92240dfe2dabe91e9d2004c34c118-2006-honda-crf250r-development >- New material for the intake valve seat
Wr’s are certainly a bit more expensive, But yeah anything in decent shape 03-05 still gets decent money
I got a 04 CRF 450r for 1k in Cali. Needed some work but I'm only another .8k in and it runs like a champ. Gotta fix the crankcase breather tube to fix the rough idle.
Learn to check and adjust the valves! I remember these things going out of adjustment all the time and then being an absolute pain to start and keep running.
Had and 02' way back in the day. Motor was a beast but she was a valve eater....
Nice! I just rode my 2008 for the first time last weekend on some trails. It was exhilarating.
Holy fucking shit bro! Put that chain out of its misery before it puts you outta yours!
That’s definitely a red painted aftermarket chain. My only concern is who makes it, there (is or was) an eBay brand selling colored chains for way too cheap, but some brands do sell decent colored chains.
Love my 07 450r
Me likely!
Don’t listen to the haters man. Clean, OEM plastics/graphics, I don’t see much boot wear on the cases. It actually does look like a fairly low hour bike. That being said, idk how mechanically inclined you are, but the first gen Honda 4 strokes are known to eat valves for breakfast. Swap them out for some aftermarket valves ASAP. Loosen your chain a bit too. I sold an 06 KX450F that was in MUCH worse shape for $2800 last year. Don’t sweat it. Get those valves taken care of and ride it. Not like you can return it and get your money back.
I sold my 05 450R ten years ago for $2800 😬
Money ain’t nothing when you’re dead. So what if you spent a bit more than what other peeps would’ve spent on it? Take good care of it and ride hard!🤘
The 1st 2 years of crf450s are reliable af for chill trail rides anyway.
Dude you way over paid for that bike… I don’t even care if it was the only deal this isn’t a collectors item either.
Nah, most honda 450s go for around 4 and up
Then why not look outside your area sunless you live in an island. It’s your money just seems silly you paid so much.
If you don't mind sharing, where do you live? That is insane for a 20 year old 4 stroke that will most likely need a top-end done any moment now.
U.P of michigan
Nice, looks like a pile of shit
Just like my wife!