[ddttm]

My son is moving up from his KLX110 and he knows he wants a CRF230. The checkbook will not support a new one, so we are looking at used. Is there a model year to avoid, or start with? Thanks for the help!

[lightflight]

was a 250x ever considered?

[ddttm]

because of cost when looking at new, no.

[chillyengineer]

all years are same ,buy it ,service it first ,and ride

[lightflight]

Well look at some used 250x's. there are great deals out there right now for used. I bought a used 250x for cheap and have had no problems with it.

There are ways to lower a 250x if that's a concern. Weights not a concern. And their are grown men that love the 250x as well as boys so could be the end of buying bikes for a LONG while.

Post in the 250 x forum see what they think. Ether way Best of luck.

[Tim2007]

When looking at 250x the early years(unless valve work has been done)Can be problems, But how tall is you son and what is his ability. There is a night and day difference between the two.
But going back to the 230F Great trail bike all years the same. like it was said earlier, service it and ride it
Tim

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250X's are great bikes, and are very depndable if they were maintained correctly.
-It's simple to find out : A leak down test. It wil tell you a whole lot,and is well worth the time and expense to have it performed.
-If the buyer says he ever had the valves shimmed, then you are looking at a valve job very,very soon. Because they never need shimmed until the coating wears off the intake(s), and by then you are very near the end.
- If the seller says he'd ever had the valves replaced (intakes) insist on receipts, contact who did it, or pretend it never happened. If the seats weren't re-cut and valve guides measured then it will be a very short lived top end.Do the leak down.
-If you don't know anywhere to get a leak-down performed by people who know what they are doing never buy one unless your offer reflects the bike needing a complete valve job, done first rate by pros-(~), a piston, timing chain, gaskets, etc. Done by a pro you'll have a top end good for a long time, on the order of 200 plus hours of trouble free service, so budget about 750-800 bucks.
-So say the seller says it "books" for 3000 bucks, but its never had a verifiable top end job, or a leak down is not a possibility (unlikely).
If it cant be verified your offer should reflect appx that figure, plus anything else external the bike needs coming off the "book" or you are playing Russian roulette.
There ARE bikes that will pass the test, where the owners claims can be verified though. Just take your time and don't fall for claims of "top end just re-done" without digging deep. Doug

[Ridgerunner]

I am sure the 250x is a great bike. But do not discount the 230. any year is great with the power up kit and it will give you good service and reliabilty for many years to come. What kind of riding does your son do? For trails i would not ride anything but my 08 230 as it never fails to put a smile on my face regardless of the terrain. I would not race it nor would i try to learn stupid human tricks with it. But they are inexpensive to own and operate.

[230rider]

I have an 06 230F that i bought new in late 07. It doesnt have many hours on it, and it is completely stock. If you r interested let me know....Don