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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!
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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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!
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.
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!
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.
Where to start?
Dam Munky!
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!" 
