hi newbie with a few questions. re: XR250r

[sportline]

Hi.
Im new to the forum so can i just start by introducing myself. I'm from Cardiff and havn't had a bike since i was 15, that was a honda cr 125.
Anyway i passed my direct access last year and am looking to get into enduro trail riding.
My weapon of choice is going to be an Xr250r and im going tomorow to look at one. its a 2002 model with 4k on the clock. has mot and new cam chain and tensioners. its in red with little twin headlights.

Im just wondering if theres any XR specific points i need to look out for on these bikes. im going with someone who knows a lot about bikes but just thought i'd ask for some advice on here. Also, what would a realistic price for a bike like this one be?

thankyou.

[ogri]

the 250's seem to wear out valve stem oil seals quickly,at least my mates has.all three of them.apart from that(not the end of the world) i haven't heard of any other issues.

if you have a test ride,take it down a hill on a fast overrun and when you get to the bottom whip the clutch in and give it a good blip on the throttle.if it smokes this would signify stem seals.my mates would also smoke slightly after a layup and at full throttle.

[catteeclan]

It needed a new cam chain and tensioner after 4 thou?

Think it's had some off road use with out the speedo? Not that it's a prob but check everything.

[JoeH]

If the 250s share the problem of the 400s check the swingarm pivot bolt hasn't seized. This can be a royal pain in the arse as it runs through the engine cases.

[sportline]

thanks for the replys.
I went to view the bike. But i didnt buy it. it needed new disks and pads at the front and he wouldnt budge on the price at all. The bike seemed nice overall and rode well apart from that. it had road tyres on so they would have needed changing aswell. He wants 1300 quid for it. i think that seems a fair enough price, but he didnt tell me about the breaks so i wanted the price knocked off out of principal really.
I may ring him in a few weeks and offer 1200.

how much would disks and pads set me back?

[eddclarke]

Discs and pads can be had pretty cheap. Was it a Baja model? These tend to have two round headlamps. £1300 for a Baja and I'd of bitten his fingers off. Love those bikes, they need a kickstart though

[sportline]

i think it was just the cheap aftermarket little halogen headlights.

is 1300 good for a non baja 52plate?

[eddclarke]

Im a bit confused now, I thought all non Baja XR's had a kickstart?
Do you have a picture?

[sportline]

now im getting confused, i didnt mention anything about kickstarts? lol

this one did have a kickstart though. no electric start.

[eddclarke]

Damn my eyes for lying to me, could of swore you said it had leccy start only.