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Emo-Chicken
05-09-2008, 11:47 PM
Hey guys! Just signed up, I'm 16 (I know I'm one year to young to be posting, wont post anything else but this) and looking for a dual purpose bike! I have ridden motocross for 2 years and trail ridden for at least 8, but have little experience riding on the street. I have gone to many of the dealerships but they are all recommending different bikes. Each one is able to find something negative about the other! I'm looking for something to get me to work/school and back, be able to keep up in the dirt. I guess I should say I'm 5'9



Dealer 1
2007 Kawasaki KLX250S
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/kawasaki_klx250s_2007.php


Fit perfectly on this bike, dealer 1 really wanted to sell it. Can't say I really like the service at this dealership though. Many of the other dealers said I would get bored of it within a month.



Dealer 2
2008 Yamaha WR250R
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_wr250r_2008.php

Had to be on my tippy toes, but I think I'm able to lower it. Dealership 1 said it was not as good as the Kawi, but this dealership said the yamaha was better? Didn't like the service of this place, but the bike seems to be the best.


Dealer 3
2008 TW200
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelspecs/10/0/specs.aspx

Was small for me, both other dealers said it was terrible in the dirt and was not powerful enough for the road. This dealership thought it was the best.

dealer 4
2007 KTM 450 EXC
http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2006/KTM450EXC/

Only one foot could touch the ground. The salesman said KTMs in the showroom are big (15 inches of clearance) and before they leave the store are fitted to the rider? Is this true? He said I wouldn't get bored of this monster, and from many of the reviews it did great in the dirt. Surprisingly I found out it was lighter then the above. I'm thinking its to big power wise and size wise.


They really don't make a good 250 for the road, I was looking at a Ninja 250 also. I was told you wont get your hands on one until 2009! I've also looked at Honda's CBR 125, but again to small! Seems like they focus on brand new drivers or they force you to a 600 death trap.

Go4Long
05-10-2008, 08:46 AM
Originally posted by Emo-Chicken
Seems like they focus on brand new drivers or they force you to a 600 death trap.

I don't know anything about any of the other bikes mentioned, so I won't comment, but I will say that this statement is extremely misguided. Any bike can kill you if you don't respect it, the only difference is that the average 16 year old lacks the restraint necessary to gradually get in to riding on a 600, you wanna nail the throttle at every chance you get, and yeah, it's gonna bite back a lot harder than a 250 when you do stupid things on a 600. I know people that have started riding on liter bikes and have had no problems. it's just a matter of knowing the fact that if you don't respect it you're going to get hurt.

Lt247
05-10-2008, 02:50 PM
I recommend that you take a driver safety course, such as Ride for Life, through Fleet Safety, ( http://www.fleetsafetyinternational.com/ )

You will be able to try out a variety of bikes (including the little 125,s 250,s a 650 dual sport) and they will teach you about road riding too, and how to become a good safe road rider.

Emo-Chicken
05-10-2008, 04:01 PM
Yea, I was planning on taking a course through "A" Driving school, but looking at that one it seems alot better.

Go4Long
05-10-2008, 05:55 PM
Originally posted by Emo-Chicken
Yea, I was planning on taking a course through "A" Driving school, but looking at that one it seems alot better.

a driving school is a division of FSI...so the bike course is one and the same :D

s dime
05-10-2008, 05:57 PM
vancouversupermoto.com

check it out, they have some bikes that might interest you.

Emo-Chicken
05-10-2008, 06:09 PM
Originally posted by s dime
vancouversupermoto.com

check it out, they have some bikes that might interest you.

They got some nice bikes but, I prefer to sit on them before I buy it.

theken
05-10-2008, 06:14 PM
ktm are sweet bikes

Emo-Chicken
05-10-2008, 06:25 PM
Originally posted by theken
ktm are sweet bikes

Sat on it again today, Its way to big.

Do the supermotos do well on the street?

ZedMan
05-15-2008, 02:15 PM
Supermotos do great on the street, obviously useless on dirt without a change of tires.

The KTM is basically a dirt bike with lights. The problem with this is it must be maintained just like a modern competition 4-stroke, i.e. frequent oil changes, etc.

The wr and klx are more a compromise, and also are more reliable/less maintenance. As the price would indicate, the wr250r is faster than the klx and has nicer components.

The tw200 is heavy, slow, old-tech but reliable.