Dirtbike buying advice?

[DaveM]

I'm looking at buying my first dirtbike. Having never ridden a motorbike before, I'm after advice on whether to go 2 or 4 stroke, and what cc?

I'm only intending to join mates on trail rides, and would be quite happy with a 125, however, some say I should go at least 250, as I'd need to thrash the smaller bike on climbs.

Any thoughts on what I should look for? Cheap is good (under $2k preferably) as I don't want to spend big $$ to find I'd rather stick to the downhill bike on weekends.


Cheers

[getsum]

2 strokes will need to be rebuilt every so often..not too hard...if you can do it yourself it costs around $150..

bike size depends how heavy you are..

i have a yz125 and a cr250..both 2 strokes..

have riden xr250s and 200s..

4 strokes seem more reliable but lack the crazy revs/power....

buy my yz if you want

[rangimotors]

how tall and heavy are you? For trail rides learning I would say go the 4 stroke 250. Still heaps of power but more a stable power and you will find it much easier to ride at low speeds through tricky stuff, 2 strokes (i had a cr250 loved it!) are very fun but dont have much bottom end but when you hit power band in any gear you struggle to keep both wheels on the ground.

One of the more important questions is what do ya mates ride and where do they ride? If you are riding with them ask them because they'll know whats best for there sort of tracks, maybe even try out there bikes and see which suits you best.

Goodl luck and same as DH biking (spent more time in hospital from DH than motorbikes) don't forget to buy the saftey gear caus it does bite when you fall off

[DieselBoy]

You want a trailie??

Or a motocrosser??

Best trailie I had was Kawasaki KDX200. I geared it down so it was better in the tight stuff, it was light, heaps of low down grunt and well balanced. You can pick those up cheap as 2nd hand.

They don't need rebuilding as often as a motocrosser, and have way more user friendly power too.

I had good spin on a mates XR230. Light manovourable, but it poked out WAY to much grunt for a 230cc 4 stroke, so I wonder about how long they would last between rebuilds. Same goes for a lot the late model four stroke singles.

My votes a big 2 stroke trailie. So much lighter and better balanced than 4 stroke with the big cylinder head way up high.

Saying that, I'm looking at a Yamaha TTR250

[JR]

if you can find a cheep yzf250 they are mint. 4 stroke with heaps of grunt, still small an lite to thruogh around. older xr250s are great if you can handle somthing a bit slower and slugish, but still a great trail bike for the money and learning on, cheep as to

[DaveM]

Thanks, I'm 175cm/90kg, and most trails will vary greatly, as we intend to trip around ChCh/Nelson/West Coast for rides.
The mates I will ride with most have 250 2 stroke MX bikes, although one now has a '85 CR500, which has a wee bit of power

For me, I'd prefer nice smooth power until I learn what I'm doing, so maybe the KDX/XR may be the go? Prefer trail bike of the MX, although in saying that, I'd have no idea which was which if I was looking


Cheers

[doddzee]

Ive a had a few bikes both 2 and 4 stroke currently own a 09 Ktm250sx after selling my 06 RMX450. 2 strokes win hands down. Light, fast, easy to work on and most important a lot more fun in my eyes

I'm with DB Kdx200 is an awesome bike to learn on reliable and parts are cheap.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbi ... 782246.htm

Newer 4 strokes more maintenance than older ones and get very expensive if they need any major engine work.

[tgaguy1]

Dave,

I have been into dirt bikes for 25+ years. I have had most makes, as well as 2 and four strokes. Icurrently have 3 four strokes and two two strokes, so have a fair knowledge. Currently ride a crf, yzf, KTM and a couple of RM's. My advice, based on taking many non motorbike type mates out would be buy a Kawasaki KLX. They come in both 250cc (dirt (D suffix)and road (E or S suffix) form, but get the dirt one) and 300cc. I have taken many out on My KLX's and they are very forgiving for the novice, yet they have enough poke that the more experienced still have a ball on them. I would still have KLX's in my stable except my last one was stolen and I haven't replaced it. They are longer between services due to the lazier engine than a full fledge motocross bike, but have the performance to put the smile on your face. The one short fall I found with the KLX is they are to softly sprung. Easily rectified once your riding level gets to the point of tuning suspension to go faster. A soft ride does help you out when you are a novice though as it helps you to go longer with less fitness. Plus they are a little cheaper than a full on motorcrosser to buy. I have found Kawasaki spares to be equal to a little more on price compared to Honda and Yamaha and even with my Suzuki's. My KTM is a different ball game again, Though having said that, it is almost a VMX.
i would recommend a four stroke over a two stroke as well. The broader power band of the four stroke would make it easier for you to learn the skills than the two stroke. Two stroke have their place but from your description of your requirements the four would suit you better.
If you have any questions, I am more than happy to help if I can, Just PM me.

Cheers

Jase

[getsum]

if you get someting with limited power you will quickly get bored with it..

my yz keeps me on my toes,and its only a 125..
im around 180cm,and 75kg....give or take what time of the day it is..

im surprised how easy the 2 strokes are to work on, ive taken the cr apart to do a new piston kit,and will put it back together as soon as that shows up..

this yz is nice and tall aswell and the riding position is much more active than say a xr250...you just feel like throwing at everything....its actually taller than the cr250...the guy i got it off said he got it set up for trail riding as oppsed to full on motorcross..not too sure what he meant by that,maybe he had the reeds changed or something with the exhaust...but she goes all good,and you dont have to hammer it everywhere,even though its great when you do

but yeh, dont short change yourself with a small 4 stroke if you have to try and keep up with your mates on 250 2 strokes etc...youll soon get used to the power curve of any bike and learn to ride it pretty quickly...if not,just make sure you have some decent riding gear(not shorts and a t shirt)

[89lux]

i agree with above a klx 300 is a great bike real easy to ride but plenty of grunt. only downside for me is it was a tad heavy but in saying that im a skinny bugger if you want a two stroke pick a enduro based bike like a kdx200, rmx etc

[monaro427]

you should look at a crf250r anything after 04 models, easy as to ride has the power when you need it, i have one and only use it for trail rides and find it great

[GotFlex]

i had a rm125 witch was a bit small for me a couple of years ago, was good but sucked on tight farm type stuff, got a rm250 now and goes awesome, only use it on the race track but definatly better than the 125, plus be careful with 4 strokes as rebuilds can be bloody expensive,

[1hamish1]

My vote for a reliable and very useable bike would be the 300cc exc 2 stroke ktm. Big bore 2 stroke that doesnt need rebuilding all the time like some smaller mxers. Light bike, heaps and heaps of low down grunt, very tractorable, easy to ride, looks the part, and if you have the balls very stokey up top. I had 70 hours on mine sold it to a friend rode it to 140 odd hours on standard piston and the piston still looked like brand new. The torque makes them easy to ride even for a novice, and you will never out grow the power.

[doddzee]

My vote for a reliable and very useable bike would be the 300cc exc 2 stroke ktm.

Good choice but you wont find one withing DaveM's 2k budget and if you do please let me know first.

[getsum]

for 2k, ill put a new piston and ring kit into the yz for ya

[vinceparts]

i just recently bought my first mx bike a week ago and 2 stroke 250cc kx250 kawasaki 1996, $1400 and its got more than enough grunt for my 170cm and 67kg body, kinda get thrown around on it , took it to woodhill in the w.e and it only hates me when tryna do sttep hills with ruts, gotta use the clutch and drop it in second to get enough rear wheel speed up and cant let revs drop or else back down the hill you go, where as the 4 stroke guys seemed to get up alot easier , the way i see it is if u dnt mind working and maintaioning your own bike go 2 stroke but if ur goin to pay someone go 4stroke

[haydgq]

My vote for a reliable and very useable bike would be the 300cc exc 2 stroke ktm. Big bore 2 stroke that doesnt need rebuilding all the time like some smaller mxers. Light bike, heaps and heaps of low down grunt, very tractorable, easy to ride, looks the part, and if you have the balls very stokey up top. I had 70 hours on mine sold it to a friend rode it to 140 odd hours on standard piston and the piston still looked like brand new. The torque makes them easy to ride even for a novice, and you will never out grow the power.

Yea the katoom 300 exc is awesome, they refer to them as the 3 stroke

[1hamish1]

My vote for a reliable and very useable bike would be the 300cc exc 2 stroke ktm.

Good choice but you wont find one withing DaveM's 2k budget and if you do please let me know first.

He did say "preferably under 2k" haha.

[DaveM]

An mate is checking out a KX250 for me this week, if no good, head to ChCh to look at a KDX200

[ethan loves toyota]

Only thing I can recommend would be a Honda cr250 or 500 depending how heavy or not. They are awesome all round great fun and more reliable than all my mates yamaha Suzuki's

[DaveM]

All going well, I may own a 2002 KTM300 EXC in the next couple of days

[getsum]

oooh jealous....

[1hamish1]

All going well, I may own a 2002 KTM300 EXC in the next couple of days

Good choice!

[wopass]

All going well, I may own a 2002 KTM300 EXC in the next couple of days

Good choice!

dam good choice!!

[doddzee]

Nice, take a look at www.ktmtalk.com just about anything you will ever need to know can be found there.

[DaveM]

Finally got it today. Now need to find time to ride it, so looks like it will be in the garage for another 3 weeks before I have a spare weekend

[corosafari]

good choice
As previously mentioned , invest in some good gear , in addition to boots , lid etc Knee guards and body armour can save serious injury , especially for learner. Some would not call that strictly a learner bike , but with due care you will have alot of fun with plenty on tap as you progress.
Sold my KTM450 about 3 year ago , getting withdrawel symptons now.