Lets See Your Dirtbikes

[Dave P]

Originally posted by Cos

The next weekend I was out with my father and uncle in-law at Pro-Am and they had a brand new 2015 TTR230 for a hefty discount. Texted the wife, a good 20 minutes go by even though I know she has her phone. All I get from the first text is "I'm confused" and the barrage but polite texts pretty much saying 'you better not' come in. Guess I am fixing this one up. Haha

Originally posted by Cos

Whats the fun in that?

You have your wife right where you want her now. Every night be grumpy and show fits of rage, and complain about the bike being broken and how miserable it is making you.

She will beg you to buy a new one after a week or two hahah

[Cos]

.

[Dave P]

Originally posted by Cos


31 weeks pregnant,

Disregard. haha

[Go4Long]

She played the pregnancy card? Unacceptable. What pregnancy has to do with dirtbikes is beyond me :-P

[bjstare]

Originally posted by Dave P


Disregard. haha

[got_mike33]

So I am looking to get into dirt biking as I have ridden a couple times on the girlfriend's family farm and ended up winning some gear from a twitter contest. I have been told to look for 2006+ 125 2-strokes or 250 4-strokes, and was curious about opinions on both those bikes. I am about 6 feet tall so I am concerned the 125 might be a little small for me.

Also if anyone has one sitting around collecting dust, or needs some work let me know. I would be very interested in finding a cheap bike that could be fixed up.

[Abeo]

What sort of riding are you looking at doing? A 125 2 stroke or 250 4 stroke MX bike would be great for a beginner at the track, but would be not that fun for a beginner if you want to head to the mountains and ride trails.

A 250 4 stroke would be a good place to start. A 125 2 stroke might be too zingy, and a 250 2 stroke or 450 4 stroke might be too much power.

[got_mike33]

Originally posted by Abeo
What sort of riding are you looking at doing? A 125 2 stroke or 250 4 stroke MX bike would be great for a beginner at the track, but would be not that fun for a beginner if you want to head to the mountains and ride trails.

A 250 4 stroke would be a good place to start. A 125 2 stroke might be too zingy, and a 250 2 stroke or 450 4 stroke might be too much power.

Thanks for the reply.

I would probably be looking at going to the mountains to ride trails, not many days at the track if at all. I have heard that the benefit to 2 strokes is that they are much easier and cheaper to maintain. I think I would agree the 250 2 stroke and a 450 4 stroke would be too much power.

I believe the bike I rode on the farm was a 350 4 stroke.

[Abeo]

I've had 2 strokes for the past 9 years... I like them, but for a beginner a 4 stroke may be better

I'd look at a crf250x or wr250f as a first bike (4 stroke), or a kdx220 or ktm 200 xcw (2 stroke). Stay away from chinese bikes.

2 stroke pros:
lighter
easier/cheaper to repair
good power to weight ratio
"lively" power
able to ride way down in the rpm range without stalling
Starts easier

2 stroke cons:
soft bottom end power
sometimes hard to control the power when it comes on
no compression braking
mixing fuel/oil, and the smell
Jetting more sensitive to weather and altitude changes
"antiquated" technology

4 stroke pros:
puts power to the ground better
better low end torque
smoother power
no gas mixing
Mainstream technology

4 stroke cons:
Harder to start, especially after crashing
can stall at low rpm
costlier and more difficult maintenance
heavier, and more top-heavy

All that said, the bike plays a part, but not as much as the magazines would make you think. A good beginner bike will help you learn way faster and be less frustrating though.

[rx7_turbo2]

I've ridden KTM for the past 8 or so years.

If you're looking for a 2stroke it's the only brand I would consider. Their 2strokes are very easy to ride, wide power bands, lots of power down low. I can hand my 300cc 2stroke to my wife and she has no issue with it really. The Japanese 2strokes I've ridden have been much more difficult to ride in the bush, very narrow power bands, hard to control when the power does come on.

Having said that I'd reccomend a 250 4stroke. All the big manufacturers have great 4strokes for beginners, and the truth is 80% of the stuff I ride I could do on a 250. I've owned both 2 and 4 strokes, maintenece of the 2 stroke is less, but the 4's are built so well now they really are pretty much bullet proof.

The only other advice I have is in regards to electric start. I know I know you'll be told you don't need it. Bullshit, I won't ever own another bike without it and as a beginner who's getting beaten up and rinsed constantly believe me, not having to kick the bike over when you can barely lift your leg from exhaustion the estart will be the best feature on the bike.

[got_mike33]

This is all great information, thanks guys!

As I am new to this I am looking to spend around $2000 max, so I think the KTM would be out unfortunately.

There are a few KDX220's available at that price point and a few 250s, but they are a bit older (early 2000's).

The farm bike had an electric starter, so I would probably go that way too, rx7.

[Abeo]

I don't think $2000 will get you an electric start bike, at least not one you would want to own.

The KDX bikes are reliable and proven, and have their own following. Older KTM 2 strokes are good too, but with bikes in that price range it's mostly a matter of how well they have been taken care of.

[got_mike33]

Ahh I thought it was an easy aftermarket add, shows my naivety.

Yeah for sure. Thanks again guys, if I manage to find a bike before the summer is out I will post it up here, otherwise it will probably be sometime next spring.

[rx7_turbo2]

Ya 2k is pretty tight, I understand though, don't want to tie up a bunch of cash in a machine if the sport turns out not to be for you.

At $2000 your goal should be best maintained, least rattled out bike, regardless of brand, engine, accessories or extras. The truth is a lot of fun can be had on an old cheap bike. Just don't penny pinch on protective gear.

[got_mike33]

Yeah, it's definitely tough to invest more than that into something you are just starting out in.

For sure, that's definitely why I was looking for a 2-stroke. At least with something older I would more likely be able to fix it myself than have to bring it to a shop.

Definitely won't be cheaping out on protective gear, luckily I won an FXR helmet, goggles, and gloves in a twitter contest. I took that as a sign I had to buy a bike

[Abeo]

Loving this bike so far

[TRD_YOTA]

I recently upgraded my 02 to 2011 and installed an Anthena Big Bore 300 cc kit.

Love it so far makes a perfect bush bike. Lots of power, very smooth power delivery and pulls on the low end like a tractor.





My 02 YZ250 might be up for sale if anyones interested. Brand new crank, bearings, seals, top end, wheel bearings. Bike has been completely rebuilt from bottom to top.

[got_mike33]

I'd be interested depending on the price! Shoot me a PM.

[Dave P]

Yeeee Haw. 4Fiddy time.

[JfuckinC]

Originally posted by Dave P
Yeeee Haw. 4Fiddy time.

Haha you wont look back