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story time:

So i had recently boughten a 2004 CRF250R. I had ridden this bike several times, mostly just trails and a few times on an mx track. The last time i was on the track, the motor began to knock and then it stalled and would not turn over. Took it to the shop (checked the oil, it was full) and i was informed i needed a new bottom end: cylinder, piston, crank, bearings.

The mechanic told me, that since this was a "racing" bike, that it was not meant to be ridden on gravel roads, for he thought that was the possible cause.

So my question is, i do use gravel roads to get around, i live near a valley, but it is a bout a 10 minute ride to the valley. Is the R a bad bike to own in this scenario? i can see going flat out on a flat road being bad, but riding in the ditches, is that alright? But i also do hit up the MX track and i am doing a bit of racing in the beginner circuit this year.

Anyone have any insight to this situation?

This seems a little strange to me but it will be interesting to see what people say because i just bought a 04 crf250r and i do some gravel roads to.

Shouldn't have any bearing on the bike at all. At least not on engine components. Their lubrication is not dependant on sloshing around as is the transmission.

The transmission will most likely require a greater volume of fluid to counter this effect, say at least 800ml.

Nope, what happened here was you bought a tired 2004 that has a bunch of hours on it and it let go.

~ wrote:Nope, what happened here was you bought a tired 2004 that has a bunch of hours on it and it let go.

Agreed. Riding roads, tracks, or trails. Crankshaft-related items are indifferent to those conditions. As long as there is oil in it that is... !! Sorry about your luck. If you need resources and direction on how to rebuild it, let us know.

hi there just wondering what a good indication of a wrecked bottom end would be. on two strokes you just pulled the cylinder head off and checked for play (up and down/side to side) same thing goes for the 4 stroke?

euromike_85 wrote:hi there just wondering what a good indication of a wrecked bottom end would be. on two strokes you just pulled the cylinder head off and checked for play (up and down/side to side) same thing goes for the 4 stroke?

Yup. Or wait until it freezes up!

well, the key term he used was, "steady throttle" is the culprit... now, when he said that, caught me off guard.. but what do i know..


anyways. broke it in monday, rode it tuesday (put over 100km in those 2 days) changed the oil and filter, then went out again today (wednesday) and she's running hard and strong so far. going to check the oil once it cools off a bit

Nope, what happened here was you bought a tired 2004 that has a bunch of hours on it and it let go

Yup. 'steady throttle', etc. doesn't have a thing in the world to do with it. That guy is one of the many truly clueless "mechanics". Doug