New to the YZ250F

[Sirhc]

I'm new to 4-strokes and just got the YZ250F. So I know this is a newb question... but what is the turning knob on the carburetor for? It's located under choke and hot start knob. And how do/don't I use it?
Here's a pic (which doesn't have a "hotstart" knob on it): [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
I should probably get a manual... but until then I've been reading through a lot of the posts on this sight and elsewhere...

btw, thx for all the info so far :-)

[Duran676]

i believe that is your idle knob. It lets you make adjustments to your idle. If its not idle good turn up if its to high turn it down and the "hot start knob" is your choke....the hot start is the smaller lever above your cluth.

---------- Post added at 05:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:20 PM ----------

oh and welcome to ATM

[Sirhc]

alright, thx Duran i'll mess around with it and see if its the idle...

and i got a new question. My friend said that 4-stroke engines only last a little longer than 2strokers but cost nearly twice as much to rebuild. anyone know if this is true, or how long a 4stroke will last (assuming you do regularly basic maintenance...)

[Duran676]

by the way what year is that i have a 2003 yz250f?

Well your friend was half right. If some thing does go wrong with the engine then it usualy cost a little more. As for the reliability issue id say you are in luck, yamaha is known for just that. I bought my yz250f brand new in 03 and i havent had any issues since. As long as you do your regular maintenance and you keep up on oil changes and clean the air filter regulary you shoulb be fine.

[Sirhc]

yeah, that's what i've been reading, the yzf's are build pretty sturdy...
thx for the info... and my bike's a 2004
so other than staying up on the oil and air filter, do you know of any other kind of basic things i'll have to do for maintenance, or what kind of issues i might come across down the road?

[Duran676]

well to be honest i only had to rebuild my engine once but that was because i dumped my bike in the river and got water in the engine. Other then that i haven't had any issues. Id say just make sure to use a good coolent and oil and clean your air filter regularly, and you should do fine. i used to check my valves once a year but i never had to adjsut them. Oh and it wouldnt hurt to drain out your old coolent every so often. I used to ride out at glamis ALOT so keeping it cool was a concern for me.

[Stinkyboy]

I bought a used 03 yzf250 last fall and 4 rides later it blew up.

The connecting rod blew and sent debris into the bottom end.

Had to order new case, cylinder, piston, rod and all the trimmings. Kept the valve train, but relapped the valve seats.

Put it back together and no spark. Changed the coil first (cheapest), still no spark, bought a new cdi. Still no spark. Ditto for the stator. Finally pulled the flywheel and found the magnets inside had come off from the sudden seizure. Bought a new one.

Changed all the swingarm bushing and laced up a new front wheel, and replaced the rear tire with a Maxxi's IT Desert. Replaced both rads as well and all new plastics.

I'm now the proud new owner of a $9000 '03.

Despite the $7000 improvements I still can't shake the smile off my face when I ride it. I love this bike!

I've never messed with the carbs or jetting yet... don't need to.

Oh yeah... that black knob is for idle!

[Sirhc]

wow, sounds like quite an ordeal, lets hope my luck holds out lol....
btw thx for the tips and everything... i messed around with the knob and sure enough it's the idle... I'll probably be right back on here if i start to run in to any trouble, but so far i've been riding around, and it's an over all awesome bike

[tirebiter]

Check here..
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[zach v]

Took delivery of my 07' 250f last night. rode it for about 20 mins. All of my friends told me to go with the 450. been a long time since i have been on a bike and all i can say is WOW.

[Duran676]

yeah even the 250's these days put out a lot of power for any level rider