Used dirtbikes... on manufacturer more reliable in long run that other?

[hawk45]

Looking at used dirtbikes (250's). As far as manufacturers(YZ,KX,RM,CR), is one more reliable in long run that other? Figure they are all pretty similar but just thought I would ask anyway. I'm trying to stay sub $2000 to make sure I have time to get back into the sport.

I've only owned Yamaha's and KTM's so not sure on others. I prefer to do all my own work on them.

Thanks,
John

[ky 2stroker]

well, the best way I know to sum em all up is the hondas are known as the most reliable bikes but not always the fastest. yamahas are all out performers and got the power. and the kawasaki's and suzuki's are about on par with each other and are in between honda and yamaha on the scales. not sayin this is true all the way, its just what ive always heard on the dirt bikes.

[erik6767]

i think most of the reliability also has alot to do with who has owned it prior to you.. you never wana buy a bike off some derelict. god knows what he did to it and how he took care of it

[Ed Gein]

They're all as reliable as you make them.......

[YZ125MXer]

They are all very reliable bikes as long as the prior owner and you have done the correct maintanance at the correct intervals. If you are buying a used bike you might want to ask for maintanance records preferably signed off by a qualafied mechanic.

[01blaster_freak]

Originally Posted by ky 2stroker

well, the best way I know to sum em all up is the hondas are known as the most reliable bikes but not always the fastest. yamahas are all out performers and got the power. and the kawasaki's and suzuki's are about on par with each other and are in between honda and yamaha on the scales. not sayin this is true all the way, its just what ive always heard on the dirt bikes.

I've always heard the same

[BlueDiablo]

no matter who owned it before you...replace everything once you get it. Crank bearings, rod bearing. new piston & rings, crank seals, new reeds....that way youve covered most of the negected parts people tend to not pay attention to. It is the first thing i did to my blaster and it lasted me a good while(purchase in 2002, did not need rebuild to 2005) and any bike i work on.

[88mxR]

A lot of people advertise as never raced, but the racers are usually the ones who take the best care of their bikes.

[ky 2stroker]

Originally Posted by 88mxR

A lot of people advertise as never raced, but the racers are usually the ones who take the best care of their bikes.

yea thats pretty true. and plus, a racer's bike usually has alot of goodies on it

but probably the best way to pick a bike if your not sure on which manufacturer you wanna go with is to test ride em all and see what you like. and if you find one in your price range and check it out, inspect everything on it, every nut, bolt, and spoke and look for stuff thats damaged or broken. and most important ask to test ride it

[clutchcargo]

Just like everyone else has said, it depends on how it was taken care of. But, if all the the bikes were equal, I would choose a Honda for reliability over the other bikes. I have had CR's for years without any major problems. Yamaha's would be my second choice. Just my 2 cents.