Thoughts on a tiny thumper

[SilverDragon]

So I used to have (like back in like the early 90s) a 82 DR125 4 stroke. It wasn't fast, but it did the job for me, then 5'5"-5'6" 130lb, and I found one for sale recently CHEAP. I'm 5'8" 145lb now, and I'd love to get back into dirt, and cheap is the magic word.

What are your thoughts on the actual usability of this bike? its an 87 DR125. I have not actually looked at it to check out its condition. My last bike was an 87 Husky 2 stroke 125.

I've got some trails close by my house, as well as some jumpy dirt fun (though its been years since I checked out the dirt stuff)

Difference now: I've got a truck to take it places.

[TTD]

I would pass unless it was almost free.

I would think you could find something a little more capable for the $500 range?

[SilverDragon]

yeah. thats what i was thinking. I wanna say it was $400. I'd hope to A) find something bigger or B) newer for $500 or so.

[rebelpacket]

Pass. A small thumper is no fun. A friend has a 230F, which he gets around on fine (he's a small guy), but when us bigger bikes take off, he has a hard time keeping up, and is VERY busy in the gear box to keep it moving.

I cant imagine the nightmare you'd have on a bike smaller than that. Liquid cooled 250 is a good bike, Air-cooled 400 too. A 450 liquid cooled is a lot of motor, but gives you plenty of power for when you want/need it.

Since your "down with the two-strokes" look for a old 125 or 250. I bought my 88 YZ250 for 800$, and my 95 RMX250 for 700$.

[TTD]

agreed, but would stay away from mx bikes for trail riding.

especially 125's

no torque, and noisy would be my reasons against

[SilverDragon]

I was actually looking at the 230F, but would also consider a liquid cooled 250 4 stroke. I'd rather not make much noise, that is one thing all the neighbors and even the police loved about my old DR.. the cops even let me use public roads (well, along the side of the road) to get from place to place in my town.. my buddy on the other hand, who had a 2 smoker with a loud pipe (and a throttle happy tendency) was in trouble all the time. I liked it that i was under the radar with the nice quiet bike.

Well I guess I'll expand this thread a bit.

Who makes a good smaller thumper? lets say air OR water cooled. I'm really not looking to spend much. a 10+ year old bike doesnt scare me, as long as its not a basket case.

[KevinB]

Originally posted by 35racer
agreed, but would stay away from mx bikes for trail riding.

especially 125's

no torque, and noisy would be my reasons against

I agree with this statement, but seems odd considering that what Peter Kates rides, he's not small. I weigh about 140 and ride crf250x, bikes got aleast a hundred pounds on me.

Kevin

[a13x]

I have a TTR125 along with my CR125. I had fun on the TTR in the woods just goofing around. Also in general sandpit riding it's fun to whoop up on the BIG BIKES on a small one

For serious moto or hardcore woods thou.. fuggetit.

[Paul_E_D]

I see older KDX 200s like mine going for 500 bucks on ebay. I would think locally you could score one cheap. It's more than enough for all woods riding around here.

[TTD]

I agree that the older KDX is the most likely option.

My only problem is riding behind it.

[Paul_E_D]

I'm working on the smoke thing, although I seem to read lots of reports of smoky KDXs. Perhaps lots of people run the pistons/rings way beyond the service limit, or perhaps they just like to smoke. Is that so wrong?

New top end is here and ready to go in, along with a good expansion chamber. I'm going to fix and mod the old one so I can have one quiet pipe and one power pipe.

I'll try a few different premixes to see if I can reduce the smoke.

[TheIglu]

I'm in the same boat as Silver Dragon. I want me a little dirtbike but can't seem to decide if I want a 125 2-smoke, or a smaller/400 range thumper. I've ridden a KDX220, WAY too large for me to use in the woods. I'm 5'6", 130lbs on a good day.

I'll wait till you buy one then I'll try it out

[Awesome]

125 2 stroker, good for all ages and sizes, from Clayton to Kates.

[TTD]

Are you talking for trail riding, Jay?

If you are, I can't disagree more.

I think an expert rider might be able to ride a 125cc MX bike effectively in the woods... but not the average rider or beginner rider.

I know for myself, I went much better when I got off my 250cc mx bike and onto a 4stroker with torque.

But the other half of the decision is noise, and I prefer a stock piped 4stroker.

[Awesome]

I can only give my preference. i've taken a few four stroke thumpers for a ride in the woods and they tire me out, didn't like anything about them.

i ride a KX 250 which is way more than enough power and plenty light to throw around. I'd like to have a light on it, and have some hand gaurds that I need to install and that's about it. I'd be happy with a 125 or 250, MX or enduro but I prefer the two strokes for sure. KTM has some great two stroke trail bikes, which is probably what I'll be looking at if I ever trade up. I'm 6' 200 lbs, back on dirt this summer for the first time in 15 years so not a very experinced rider, I have my good and bad days.

KB's CRF450 and Jims 426 are just too much to muscle around for me and two wide for the single track we ride, I just don't like 'em I guess. Finding that KDX 175 that I had when I was 10 would be great. Jim can tell you how much he has struggle on his 426, he was able to ride so much faster and not work as hard when Peter swapped bikes with him for the 125 so that they could catch up.

It will come down to the types of trails, riding style and what you prefer really. I just know I wouldn't trade my $2000 KX for those $6000 CRF's under any circumstances in the woods.

[TheIglu]

Originally posted by hessogood
I can only give my preference. i've taken a few four stroke thumpers for a ride in the woods and they tire me out, didn't like anything about them.

i ride a KX 250 which is way more than enough power and plenty light to throw around. I'd like to have a light on it, and have some hand gaurds that I need to install and that's about it. I'd be happy with a 125 or 250, MX or enduro but I prefer the two strokes for sure. KTM has some great two stroke trail bikes, which is probably what I'll be looking at if I ever trade up. I'm 6' 200 lbs, back on dirt this summer for the first time in 15 years so not a very experinced rider, I have my good and bad days.

KB's CRF450 and Jims 426 are just too much to muscle around for me and two wide for the single track we ride, I just don't like 'em I guess. Finding that KDX 175 that I had when I was 10 would be great. Jim can tell you how much he has struggle on his 426, he was able to ride so much faster and not work as hard when Peter swapped bikes with him for the 125 so that they could catch up.

It will come down to the types of trails, riding style and what you prefer really. I just know I wouldn't trade my $2000 KX for those $6000 CRF's under any circumstances in the woods.

I've ridden KB's CRF too, no way in hell I could take that thing on anything tougher than a dirt road. Too large, WAY too large.

I never had any issues on the tight enduro type stuff with my old KX80. The size alone helped the most. I have to imagine a 125 would be the closest thing I could do with as far as power/size.

My YZ250, even being 24 years old, has more than enough torque to roost at near idle. Never had ANY issues with powering through stuff. 90% of the time I short shift it just to save turf.

[typeone]

i agree with hessogoods angle... i used to love my 87 CR125 in the woods, it had plenty of power, nice and light but it was noisy. i also had an XR250 right after that and had the same impression... loved the torque, smooth motor, virtually bulletproof, but it was heavy and felt like a hog when i got tired. i'm 5'11 170.

i'm just recently getting dirty again too after about 11yrs and ended up snagging a 97 CR250 that i'm in the process of tweaking a little for the woods... heavier flywheel, +1 tooth in back, already have bash/skid plates on it and barkbusters, etc. the motor is great compared to my old 125, i can lug the 250 a tad and its still happy.

great woods machine (for me) for only $1400. if i had enough money to buy brand new i'd certainly check out the CRFs and KTMs.

[Paul_E_D]

Clayton, I'm about your size. I think modern 125s are taller than my KDX. They are lighter though. I agree with the 400s being just way too much bike for the job, especially for a lightweight rider, but even for big guys as Peter Kates would prove.

Anyway, I've ridden a lot of play size bikes in the woods and I think once you make the step up to a full sized chasis, you'll never go back. The first few rides will be tough, but after that taller is better.

[TheIglu]

Originally posted by Paul_E_D
Clayton, I'm about your size. I think modern 125s are taller than my KDX. They are lighter though. I agree with the 400s being just way too much bike for the job, especially for a lightweight rider, but even for big guys as Peter Kates would prove.

Anyway, I've ridden a lot of play size bikes in the woods and I think once you make the step up to a full sized chasis, you'll never go back. The first few rides will be tough, but after that taller is better.

I hear ya Paul. The KDX220 I rode was sure sweet, perhaps droppin the rear ride height and forks an inch or two would make it more reasonable for guys like us to ride. My current bike is a fullsize 250 and other than the weight it's ok for me. Just wish I had something newer, better suspension, better brakes, a bit smaller would be good too.

[TTD]

I can't imagine a bike being "too wide" for any trails?

Handlebars can be adjusted to any size you prefer... that is the widest thing on a bike.

I am not saying the enduro two strokes (like those from KTM) aren't a good option. They seem to be set up for the power down lower in the band?

And if I had to pick an MXer... I would go with a 250 again over a 125... simply to have a little more torque when faced with a tough up hill.

Personally, I find the power delivery of my 450 makes it easier to ride and less tiring.

Oh well... to each his own I guess. And I suppose your riding style might also affect which bike type suits you better.

I think that the new 250cc four strokes are probably the best mix for New England trails... but I enjoy my 450 too much to give it up.

Oh... and the last reason I would go with the newer 4strokes is that once it is street legal... you can pull up to the pumps on long rides.

As with anything... you should investigate this stuff for yourself. You now have the pros and cons of both sides. Regardless... just get something and let's ride!

[rjh200]

I think this should be a poll. I will hopefully be looking for a woods/trail bike over the winter or early spring and have run into a lot of the same question. Having not been on the dirt since I was a kid, I was thinking a little smaller forgiving bike. Thing is though I am 6'2 230lbs and I dont want to feel like a monkey fucking a football either. Then there is the 2-stroke 4 stroke debate.

[TTD]

Your size rules out any of the "beginner" bikes (CRF230, TTR230, etc)

Basically, you just have to decide 2 or 4 stroke, and then the decision gets pretty easy based on $$ available.

[TheIglu]

Originally posted by rjh200
I think this should be a poll. I will hopefully be looking for a woods/trail bike over the winter or early spring and have run into a lot of the same question. Having not been on the dirt since I was a kid, I was thinking a little smaller forgiving bike. Thing is though I am 6'2 230lbs and I dont want to feel like a monkey fucking a football either. Then there is the 2-stroke 4 stroke debate.

I'd rather be the monkey in that situation if there is a choice.

[a13x]

CRF250F please (or 250X strictly woods).

My CR125 I can manage in the woods but it's happier on the track. A 250 two-stroke MX'er would be better in the wood IMO (lil more unf).

450F's are big bitches. I'd rather not lug that around in the tights myself.


Don't forget MX bikes are setup for MX btw. Stiffer suspension. I'd see a newb rookie rider (especially a smaller guy) toppling over a bunch.

[SilverDragon]

I stopped into Valley Motorsports in Northhampton today as I was headed back home from Springfield and checked out their used dirt selection. They didnt have much used, but they did have an 01 TTR225 that looked nice, and seems to be everything I'm looking for except price. While not bad ($1500 before any haggling), its too rich for my blood being that I just decided to pour my heart, soul and wallet into roadracing. If I could get it for say, $1000, I'd do it. I seriously doubt the guy would even return my phone call if I make that low of an offer, but I might try because I've got nothing to lose. Thanks everybody.. I think I'm gonna keep my eye out for a 4 stroke, and price/condition will dictate if its MX or otherwise. Probably an air cooled non MX, because they seem much cheaper.