Can you Race a $1,000 Dirt Bike?

Is it possible to race a ratty old motocross bike that we bought for £1000 against modern, state of the art machines? Let's find out! This 2004 Yamaha YZ250F might well be the cheapest dirt bike in the country, and it's definitely in need of some tender loving care. In this video we attempt to revive this old thumper, we test to see if it starts and how it rides before we throw it in at the deep end and line it up next to 39 well maintained, modern race machines. Wish us luck! Our aim here is to show you guys that it is possible to go racing, even on the tightest of budgets....

Sean you're a legend for agreeing to do this one mate!

A big shoutout goes to our channel sponsors for helping to make these videos possible!
We use Putoline MX9 in our 2 Stroke bikes :-)

@PutolineOil @24MXofficial

[Liam_G_CM]

This bike should 100% become a new build series “can we make this £1000 bike faster then a modern mx bike?” Sounds look a good watch to me

[MikeonBikes]

Only goes to show that motorcycle racing is 90% rider, 10% bike.

[MMKnight_]

Nah. You guys gotta save it. That's an old but gold legend

[haywire]

Save her! The price of new bikes is killing the sport. Older used bikes keep the sport alive.

[coffelt]

Pretty much any mx bike from the past 20-25 years is modern enough to have fun on and not be too much less capable than your friends who might have newer bikes.

[dr.hugog.hackenbush]

Yes! You very much can! After putting some money into it to freshen it up.
I went racing with my '96 CR500 that I bought from a fellow soldier fo $2500, then got the suspension serviced, Gold Valved & resprung for $500, added an oversize front brake and pads for $125 and fresh tires & tubes ($220 total) .
So for a total investment of almost $3400, I had a race ready machine tailored to my riding style.

[lukekmichael]

I still have a 2004 Yamaha YZ250f with only about 12 hours on it. I love it just never get to ride it much due to deployments. Its a great bike, but it doesn't handle like my RM 125. Love this video. You are a gifted announcer and should be calling AMA Supercross.

[kevinmee]

A fantastic video Max, what a bargain for a grand, Sean rode like a hero, it's true twenty year old bike, suspension and braking improvement usually year on year, but rider skill a big part of it, thanks again for quality videos Max.

[patrickhackett]

When I was racing, I rode a 3 year old Husqvarna, just because it never broke. And it was cheap. Still, I managed a number 6 pro overall at the end of the year, on a bike that was outdated, heavy and slow. Not to mention it's rider. Another great video, Max!

[siraff]

Save the bike. Not because it deserves it but because with a suspension overhaul and gearbox build it could make someone a very nice first mx bike.
Maybe raffle it off or something?

[very.rare_rex]

i love that the last owner was running n riding the bike with the airbox cover on probably sold it cheap cause it ran “weird”😂

[StEvE-wo]

My first ever bike was a 04 KXF 250, that I paid £1000 for, and my first race on that was also at toddington. What a coincidence! Great video as always max.

[henryhaar]

Cool! Brings back great memories!! I had the yzf250 2001 and later the 4 speed 450 2004! An animal it was!!!

[joelatkinson]

Great ride Sean!!! Rescue the Piglet!!! Rebuild it and get all the parts companies on board to donate the parts needed and make videos about all the work to restore the bike. Once it's completed raffle it off for 10 pounds a ticket. I think it would make great content.

[marktavcar]

The old YZ did real well, another great video

[douglassloan]

As always a fantastic video. And bravo for wearing a Moto boot when starting it up for the first time. Those old 4 strokes can be leg breakers before you even put them into gear with the built up compression.

[motoxmainia]

Fair play to Sean for the stellar effort, Exellent upload as always lads. I recon its time we saw Max race one of the 500s in the fleet

[richardjames]

One of the best vids for ages well done 👍

[RobwithScoobyScooby]

Great to catch up with you guys at Toddington it was a fantastic day, Neville Bradshaw was insanely fast even with that smashed up leg, all the local legends gave a good account of themselves shame the meeting had to be pulled when it turned into a mudder but it happens and its better to be safe , Piglet did itself proud ! for sure, all your team did a brilliant job very friendly and professional, if you do get the chance come back for the Acu Vets first weekend of june some real characters inc ex GP stars giving it their all 👋👍

[trghtGuy]

Sean did an outstanding job riding piglet - charging hard and keeping it on 2 wheels the whole time: Bravo! Thanks for this entertaining video :-)