What do I look for when buying a LT250R, Best Years?
Cracks in the frame and swinger. If your keeping it a 250 I would look for 91-92 No-link, If you might make a hybrid go for 87-90 full floater, they have better clearance for aircleaners.
Look for lower rails all dented to hell.
stand bike on rear grab bar and make sure frame is straight and square.
Check the frame just ahead of upper shock mounts for cracks .
Pull the stator cover, and check flywheel for movement. look for rust and corrosion also.
Be sure trans shifts and doesn't come out of gear.
If a seller says it runs, then before you hand over any money, make sure you can start it. Don't take their word on it. If a seller says "it ran when I parked it 3 years ago", at bare minimum you are gonna be looking for a carb kit. Ask them why they didn't use it last year. You will be surprised by the answers you get. Also make sure the carrier & bearings are in decent condition.
every original carrier ive tried to adjust or removed always had messed up bolt/nuts or the bolt was seized to the carrier itself. if it doesnt run bc it sat for so long, i would bring fresh gas, carb cleaner, and a brush to clean the plug and give it a few kicks to see if it starts.
I bought two lt250r's First one only 'Needs a carb and it will run' and the second 'Just needs the engine put back together' Im lucky I bought the two cause it was the only way I could make one full engine from them!Parts for these quads are incredibly hard to get in Ireland!
On the 87-92 models check inside the rectangular part of the swingarm that the carrier sits in. the lt 250 I bought had new axle bearings.. great. problem was that the carrier was broken into about 5 peices and the axle and bolts were the only thing holding the outside parts of the carrier in place! Found that about a week after I brought it home.
also if it runs, rev it up and look inside the pv window. see if the linkage actually moves the valve. this applies to the 87-92 models only.
Be wary of a bike with a 7 heat range plug in it. it could point to starting or other problems. Some guys will throw in a hotter plug to try to make the bike easier to start. may start " first kick" like the ad says, but at the cost of a piston after you take it home.
The number one thing to look at very close is the frame. Do not skimp in this area if the owner will let you strip the plastics off and check it good. Check the back bone under the gas tank they hide some scary stuff uner the tank. Also look real close at the swing arm for cracks they could be any place and look like a scratch. These are the two biggest things that I have seen over and over when checking them out. Plus I didnt do this on my mine when I bought her and got burned real bad. Wont be fooled again I know that for sure. Everyone that posted here also stated some other good things to look for as well. You may not catch everything but whatever you do DO NOT trust the seller look it over from top to bottom and then haggle the price based on what you find. Good Luck!!
1st thing I look for before buying anything is does it have a title, and soes the VIN # match the chassis
2nd thing I look for is did the previous owner put a friggin twist throttle on it
next I look to see what aftermarket parts are on it
then I look for rust
last I look for the previous owners knowledge (has it been bored to 350cc)
If you want a easy machine to ride, go with a 85/86. If you want the rarest, get a 87, if you want the best machine for modern upgrades get a 91-92