buying a 250F and need help

[Thump_This]

my neighbor is interested in buying a used Yamaha YZ250F. we found a few 2001's locally for a rediculously cheap price of about $2400.00 and they had some aftermarket items on them. bars, clamps, exhaust, ect. anyways.... what is the main difference between 2001 and a 2003? i know the new one have a hot start lever. but suspension wise they are the same, right? any other differences? plastics the same? motor the same?

[rmz250srock]

No, they are not the same and this is just me but i bought a bike with alot of aftermarket stuff on em and it blew up after 3 days and i was mad and it sucked and if i am going to buy a used bike i would buy an all stock one and there are major differences between the 01 and the 03 the 03 is much more reliable and pry alot faster then it... i would say that 01 and 02 were pretty bad years compared to the ones comin out now... my friend has a 03 and it rips and he had an 01 and had many problems with it and he never raced it.... that is just the way i see it...

[Thump_This]

i was told that the motors are the same except the cams.

[MotoMax]

Nope, they had problems back then and now they have most of them worked out. That was their first year making them now its their 4th. Id have to say the new ones are much more reliable.

[rmz250srock]

who told you that.... a salesman or aothert person...??? you got lied to either way

[Thump_This]

i thought the 2000 was the first year ?

[MotoMax]

No i dont think so. They came out late 2000, but were the 2001 model.

[rmz250srock]

nope.... i dont think so 01 was

[rmz250srock]

MOTO MAX UR FAST!

[MotoMax]

TY TY, well going to eat dinnner so ull get the next one

[Thump_This]

i looked on Kelley Blue Book and they show a 2000 model.

[rmz250srock]

Are you sure that wasnt a 426 the 250 thumper wasnt out until late 00 and it was an 01 i remember cause i wanted one.... i got this one YAY
~LAPATTAK~

[MotoMax]

I think kbb might do it by year it can be purchased(2000)

[Thump_This]

im not sure. just by looking at hte bikes i dont see too much difference except the plastics are much better looking. and the hot start lever. thats about all i see.

[huffdaddy70]

2001 was first year and the new ones will be way more reliable. They had some problems with some of the 2001 slinging rods out the bottom of the crank case. Way bad!

[Thump_This]

so basically what i am asking is. should he buy it then or not. its being sold for only $2400.00 and the owner of the bike is like 40+ and it runs clean. i got to test ride it.

[huffdaddy70]

I would honestly never buy anything the first year that they made it. But that does sound like an awesome price, even if something does happen to it and he has to put a little more money in it, it seems like it would be worth it!

[rmz250srock]

I would look for something newer... but you ask us and we tell you and that all we can do.... so ultimatley we cannot tell you to buy it or not.... i would go after a 03 or mabye an 04... because the thumper tenchnology has increaserd so much in 3 years they are alot more competitive and less maitnanence and i wouldnt but that is just me

[rmz250srock]

I have a first yeah bike (my rmz250) and have had no trouble what so ever with it but i have a friend that has had stuff go wrong with his 01 yzf250... he never has the thing it is always in the shop... just thought i would let you know... it was never raced either

[Thump_This]

he doesnt want a Suzuki or a Kawi. he rode both and he hated them. if he doesnt get this bike he is gonna buy an 03 Ktm 125