Where to start?

Nate99 · 11-29-2005, 02:17 PM

I'm thinking about picking up a dirt bike in a few months and was looking for some ideas on what to start with. I'm 6'1" about 185 lbs. I'll probably ride trails and fields exclusively, don't think that I'll ever get on MX track.

From what I've researched so far, I'm thinking of looking for something along the lines of a 3 or 4 year-old KDX220 or XR400.

If anyone has any good links for newbie dirt riders, I'd love to see them, thanks!

Krazy Hawaiian · 11-29-2005, 03:41 PM

Any of the new crop of 250 - 450 4 strokers would make a execelent play bike, stay away frim the xr series as they have dated suspension that will hurt you more than help. Look around you canfind great deals on the new model 4 strokers.

Nate99 · 12-01-2005, 09:59 AM

Thanks KH. I never new anything bad about the larger XR's. The smaller ones seemed rather play-bikeish, but didn't think the whole lineup was that way.

Ideally, I would get a YZ/WR 400/426 yamaha thumper, but those seem to be a bit on the spendy side. I may just get a couple year old 125 to learn on and then move up to whatever seems more appropriate once I figure out how I actually like riding most.

Carolyn · 12-01-2005, 12:15 PM

I had a '98 YZ125 that was bulletproof!
My problem was that I couldn't get the hang of learning and 2strokes at the same time

I would have to say you can't go wrong with any of the 125s that are a couple of years old

Nate99 · 12-01-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolyn

I had a '98 YZ125 that was bulletproof!
My problem was that I couldn't get the hang of learning and 2strokes at the same time

I would have to say you can't go wrong with any of the 125s that are a couple of years old

I fully expect to foul spark plugs for a while as I go, what with the two stroke and all. Would starting on a 250 be a bad idea?

I'm not a small guy, so the extra weight that I would be carrying (probably close to 200 lbs with gear) slow a 250 down enough that it wouldn't jump up and bite me? I don't want to overwhelm a 125 such that I'm bogging it down too often.

chugger95 · 12-01-2005, 08:07 PM

On the question about the 250 I think if you know to hold on and be ready for the powerband you can get used to it. Other than that my brother bought a 01 (I think) wr250 that was raced often for about 1500 bucks. That thing has never given him any problems and with the torque it has it pulls my 290 pound ass around just fine.

Josh D · 12-02-2005, 03:03 AM

IMO, you were on the right track to begin with. A used KDX 200 or XR 400 would make a great trail bike.

1- You shouldn't be fouling plugs, at least on a KDX. I think I have fouled maybe 1 plug on mine, and that is a big maybe. Just get it jetted in the ballpark.

2- Yes the XR is dated, but they are still good bikes. A friend of mine rode his XR 416 in local fair MX races against the 250cc 2 strokes and 450 4's. He didn't win many, if any races, but usually finished fairly well. Now, how much power and weight was he giving up to the other bikes? Just like sportbikes, a lot of it is rider.

I've heard that putting a heavy flywheel weight on a 250 2 stroke makes for a decent trail bike. All I have to say is you guys must ride some pretty open trails to want these 250's and 450's. I rarely get out of 3rd on my 200 and I'm geared -1/+1.

I weigh just a little less than you nate, and when I got an 88' KDX 200 a couple years ago, it tossed me twice in the 1st week I had it, once was right over the bars. A guy that I know that's about my age but closer to chugger's weight than ours, bought a brand new RM 250, 04 I think. Last time I talked to him, he was wanting to get rid of it, because it was too much bike for him and it kept eating him up. Said it was hard to keep the front end down and the last time he got thrown off would be the last. The bike was almost stock too. I know the kid didn't really have any experience on 2 wheels, but it just goes to show you that sex, race, age, or weight, bikes DO NOT descriminate and will do their best to chew on ya!

blndebmbr · 12-02-2005, 07:23 AM

Hell, my little YZ80 schools just about everyone that gets on her. It brings me great joy (in a semi-sadistic manner, of course) to watch that little 20hp bike toss 200# guys off....it's an amazing thing. When she hits the pipe hold on or you are going to be left behind one way or another!!!

Most people (that just don't know) will scoff at me when I say I ride an 80cc two-stroke...."that's a kid's bike, it doesn't have any power". That's when I say "think there's a problem with my forks, I think they may be tweaked, will you ride it and tell me what you think?"...hahaha.....as they pick themselves up and limp back pushing the bike they say "your forks are fine...holy fuck does that thing kick!"

Yeah, I know...I'm evil!

Nate99 · 12-02-2005, 08:14 AM

Thanks guys. I think I'm on the same page with Josh. I get the impression that the pure MX bikes are pretty twitchy and as blndebmbr pointed out with her 80, they're not exactly set up to be stable. The nice even torque of a thumper sounds reassuringly smooth to me after her story.

I do want something a step up from a playbike, but I'm no racer, so I don't need suspension that can soak up 20 ft. jumps or turn on a dime at speed. If I ever get there skill wise, MX racing sounds like a blast, but for now, I'm just looking for a good off-roader. I'll be checking out the XR250 also.

Carolyn · 12-02-2005, 10:36 AM

Hey Nate,

I don't really ride trails or off-road so all my experience is from the MX track. My first ride on my KX100 was on a MX track and I've 'moved up' to a 250 4stroke now. I don't do my bike any justice but it's so much easier to ride compared to the YZ and the KX. All three of my bikes have owned me at some point but the 250sxf has been the most gentle of the three. And you don't have to have skills to ride the MX track, shoot look at me - slower than dog shit but at least I'm tryin, if you can call it that

If you're going off-roading, I don't see the 2strokes being a problem for you because you won't be confined to a track layout. But I do like the 4strokes because their so much easier to ride and no premix! I want both though, I want to get a 125sx sometime next year hopefully

I hope you find the right bike for you and post some pics when you get it!

Nate99 · 12-02-2005, 11:45 AM

I'll definitely post some pics when I get something. It probably wont be for a few months though. I'm big into researching stuff before I make a decision, it's a big part of the fun.

blndebmbr · 12-02-2005, 02:39 PM

Don't get me wrong...the two stroke rocks and it was my first dirt bike. If you still want to consider the two stroke just be aware of the throttle control required. Too much throttle can be just as nasty as not enough. BUT the benefit is that when I get on the street bike I am smooth as silk on the throttle. From my limited experience each two stroker seems to be different based on jetting and the pipe. Of course getting a used bike adds to the confusion cause lord knows what kind of engine work has been done until it gets torn apart for a top end rebuild!

Nate99 · 12-02-2005, 04:39 PM

With the new crop of 250 four-strokes out there, the 125 MX bikes can be found for super cheap, so that's definitely appealing. They also would be easier to work on and much lighter. So I guess that there are pros and cons for everything.

I just don't want to end up the dirt equivalent of a squid (a snail perhaps?) with too much bike.

blndebmbr · 12-02-2005, 09:15 PM

That will be the case regardless of what you buy....even if it's an 80.
That's the least of your concerns...get what seems right.

Krazy Hawaiian · 12-03-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blndebmbr

Hell, my little YZ80 schools just about everyone that gets on her. It brings me great joy (in a semi-sadistic manner, of course) to watch that little 20hp bike toss 200# guys off....it's an amazing thing. When she hits the pipe hold on or you are going to be left behind one way or another!!! Most people (that just don't know) will scoff at me when I say I ride an 80cc two-stroke...."that's a kid's bike, it doesn't have any power". That's when I say "think there's a problem with my forks, I think they may be tweaked, will you ride it and tell me what you think?"...hahaha.....as they pick themselves up and limp back pushing the bike they say "your forks are fine...holy fuck does that thing kick!" Yeah, I know...I'm evil!

*changes BB's name to "EVIL BB"

*Yup the small 2 stroke MXers are wikid. Incredably fast and so light they are a true joy to ride for anyone used to riding a 4 stroke pig.

Dont get me wrong now, 4 strokes are great bikes but they cant hold a candle to a equal sized 2 stroke. Thats why they race the 450's in the 250 class. It's the only way they can be competetive. The bad part is they weigh 20-30 pounds more which relates to more effort on your part to ride the thing at a decent pace. They will tire you out faster too. Plus when you go down your gunna feel every pound of that pork believe me. Ive ridden 4 strokes for many years and 2 strokes for many many more and I'll take a 2 any day over a 4 except in a dualsport setting where there will be lots of highway miles.

But when the going gets tough nothing beats a light powerful 2 stroke. Soon they wont be around anymore

which is a real shame.

I reccomend any dirt rider to get 2 stroked at least once before they are dissapearing like the dinosaurs....

A small cc 2 stroke will be peaky, like BB says when it comes on the pipe Hang the Fook on and lean far forward or get dumped on yer keyster! Even the little 80's are wikid.

Need a bit of proof how bad the 80's are? Over here we have some of the toughest races in the world. The locals know the terrain and you know what the majority of them ride? 80's because there fast nimble (our trails are super tight through the jungle, where a big bike is threading its bars between trees the little bike is sliceing and dicing) Then theres the parts that are so nasty you simply cannot ride throught them. The guys with the 80's simply pick em up and carry them to the rideable stuff.

The big bikes suffer big time. I mean heat stroke and some guys have even died trying to get through some of the nasty stuff.

A 125 is a larger bike almost the same size as a 250 but weighs very close to 200 lbs. They can easily be gotten under 200lbs with a bunch of trick parts and $$. 125's are actually faster than 250's at many tracks. The tighter the track the faster the 125 will be. A 250 can be a real handfull. It weighs about 220lbs and has a easy 50 - 60 HP on tap if tuned and setup properly.... think of that. Yhays a helluva lot of HP in a light machine. The 250's will have a much more controlable power band, not near as peaky but it builds really fast to insane levels in short order. You can get going a whole lot faster than you realize if you aren't careful. Definatly something to give a healthy measure of respect to.

Now my favorites the big boys. The 500's definatly not for the meek or timid. These bikes weigh a few pounds more than the 250's and have enormous amounts of power available right off idle. A fine tunrd 500 can easily have 70 HP+ or more depending on the way its tuned.

My KTM 500EXC must have had near 30 - 40 HP at 2,000 RPM from idle to 2,000 RPM and 60+ easy at 6.000 it would literally try to rip your arms out of there sockets.

The same thing happens anythime I let anyone ride it. I warn them its a mauler right off idle.... they get on putter away and first open aera give it a handful and it walks right out from under them. Gauranteed. It was a BRUTAL bike. In the right hands it could do stuff that would just shock the living shit out of anyone around. Gawd I loved that thing. Lean forward wick it on in a turn and it would re=arange the turn. It threw literally dumptruck loads of whatever it was on from the rear tire with near deadly force. You DO NOT want to be anywhere near the rear of that bike when the throttle was WFO!

Guys that rode with me even in the trails used to tell me they were getting pelted with huge clumps of mud and softball sized rocks and they would be way behind me! The worst was going up a lose rocky steep hill, it would send shit flying from the top of the hill to dam near the bottom and the hill was a 1/4 mile long easy! Course I ride like a loon and live for the thrills

There is absolutly nothing that can compare to a 500cc Motocrosser.

My all time favorite was a 98 Honda CR500 gawd what a machine. None of the KTM sledgehammer off idle power, it was a nice tractable liner rise in power to a maniacial top end hit that was truely scary. It handled like a 250. In my opinion the best overall bike that could do anything. Your Mom or Grandma could ide it as long as they respected the right twistgrip. It was a big baby, so easy to ride. I bought one on Kauai put a Baja Designs lighting kit on it and got it street legal. OMG what a hooligan bike! It was so much fun to ride on the road, so much power available you could just ease it open and do huge slides around corners (with full knobs) want to hang it out farther screw it on a bit more. It was so controlable with knobs since they didnt hook and highside you instantly. Just leave the gas on a little and it would come right back in line.

I shipped it to Oahu where I live and the dam DMV ran the serial throught the computer and it was flagged as a not regesterable vehicle. I was so bummed. On Kauai there way laid back and you can get dam near anything made legal.

My friend I ride with Chris even had a Chenoworth Race pipe buggy legal! a mid engined v8 that was a ride like nothing you ever imagained. Plus he was 100% out of his mind and drove it like he had no brain! Thats Kauai for ya.

I shipped my CR back to Kauai (back then it cost 25 bucks each way) so I was always going off to different Islands to ride. Now it costs over $100 and they have all sorts of BS you need to do before they even let you put it on the barge. All gas and oil must be drained. So taxiing from the airport to the barge terminal hopping on your bike is no longer do able

When it was cheap we would send the bike 4-6 days ahead of when we flew and catch a bus or taxi to the Young Brothers Frieght terminals show the paperwork grab the bike fire it up and rocket off into adventure land! Stay at a friends house it was the ultimate cheap trip of a lifetime!

I made 4 or 5 trips a year, lucky since I owned my own business and could take 2-3 weeiks off for a vacation of a lifetime! Even a the high costs today it's still a bargain. Hawaii has the best riding you will find amywhere. In all kinds of conditions. Riding in the snow up on the volcanoes is my favorite of all. Bright sunshine 40 degrees sometimes colder and all the powder and drifts you can handle. It's dirtbike heaven.