What size to start

[Sheppo]

2 smoke. once i got my rm125 running right, its a blast to ride everytime.

That's the key phrase. Two strokes take constant maintenance. Period.
4 strokes are more forgiving.

[rbrais]

If you are just doing trails, go with a trail bike, not a moto-x bike fitted with a headlight. The moto-x bikes kick ass, but engine maintenance is REALLY expensive. Trail bikes like the old XR's run forever.

[Mondo]

ive only ridden a few times, but i loved the XR250R that I rode

its what I intend to buy when I get back from Infantry school

btw im 6 feet 218ish and it felt great

[ChR1s]

I have not rode dirt since I was a kid, and tech has come very far.
I want to know what would be a good starter bike size.
5' 10" 215lbs athletic.
I am not competing just want to have fun on the trails.

Suggestions??

Anything other than a quad.

[gregp]

I have not rode dirt since I was a kid, and tech has come very far.
I want to know what would be a good starter bike size.
5' 10" 215lbs athletic.
I am not competing just want to have fun on the trails.

Suggestions??

You are about 3" taller than I am and weigh about 5 lbs more. If you just want to have fun on trails, I suggest a KDX200, or a 220 if you want a little more low end "grunt". They are reliable as can be, and have been around, unchanged except for color and graphics, since 1995. A used one in good shape can be had for $1200-$1500. I suggest trying to find one that already has an afternarket pipe/silencer and maybe a Boyeson RAD valve, or a V-Force reed cage already on it. The stock pipe/silencer combo is great if you are riding in a sensitive area, so it is nice if the seller offers the stock units with the sale. The KDX's have a strong reputation but are often reffered to as "Not for racing" or not as "Serious" as the KTM 200, but I would argue that they are still very competitive in any New England Hare Scramble or Enduro event. The only other mod you might want is stiffer fork springs (stock XR400 springs are the hot ticket here, and can be found cheap on E-bay sometimes).
Even the older pre-95 bikes are pretty darn good, and can be found for even less money.
I feel that the KDX's are a bike that you will not grow tired of very quickly.
JMO.

[SilverGhost]

WOW.. You guys are awesome!! Lots of info, and lots to think about. I can't wait to get into it now.

[DuncanMoto]

The cops on the trails in MASS. tend to give all the grief to the 2 strokes. The 4 strokes get more slack and are not in danger of being outlawed in some states.

[Currently]

My first bike was an air cooled YZ250 two smoke.

The hair still comes up on my arms when I think of all the times I had with it.
Never outgrew it ... lotta bike and incredible grin factor!

Also the bike I crashed the most with ... but I was young, dumb and full of come.

Today, I am old, cold and full of mold but would buy another one in a heartbeat.
I like tinkering and if you buy good parts, the maintainence is worth it.

The only difference would be that I would purchase $2k + of top of the line gear,
armor and footwear.

You KNOW you are gonna fall down when you ride one of those things!



BTW, I weighed at the time about 235 pounds, 6-3 and was in the best shape of my life.
Today, I weigh about 215 and got a ways to go to be athletically in shape.

[out thumped]

A recent article in a dirt bike mag compared a YZ 250 2t and a 250f 4t. The 250 4t had overall better lap times with the same riders back to back
The 2t may be more fun for some and you may feel like you are going faster. They both have pluses. I wish I had a 300 2t and a 250 4t.

I can barley afford one so I have a 450 XC-W. I rode thursday on a HS coarse. Wet leaves are a handful. I was able to chug around in 3rd gear at 10mph and still get traction. I am not sure if i could have been as successful on a 2t. They are much lighter though.
At HS races it is split aboput down the middle. A lot of KTMs and YZs.

I am suyre you will have fun on what ever you get.
Good luck,
OT

[burnham]

My first dirtbike was/is an '02 KTM 300 EXC, pulls like hell from idle to redline. It may not have been the ideal bike to go out and learn on, but it has been rock solid and required next to no maintenence. Don't be pushed away from the two-strokes, I think a KDX 200 is the perfect bike to start out on.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

My first dirtbike was/is an '02 KTM 300 EXC, pulls like hell from idle to redline. It may not have been the ideal bike to go out and learn on, but it has been rock solid and required next to no maintenence. Don't be pushed away from the two-strokes, I think a KDX 200 is the perfect bike to start out on.

i dont know anything on this particular subject but I would take burnham's opinion in this matter.

[burnham]

i dont know anything on this particular subject but I would take burnham's opinion in this matter.

you're just trying to get in my pants.



*scrubs taint*

[SilverGhost]

you're just trying to get in my pants.



*scrubs taint*

[Crash Dummy Denno]

you're just trying to get in my pants.



*scrubs taint*

[union]

i dont know anything on this particular subject but I would take burnham's opinion in this matter.

Dennis until you show me that you can start a dirtbike that doesnt have a push start then your opinion means nothing

[R7]

I have not rode dirt since I was a kid, and tech has come very far.
I want to know what would be a good starter bike size.
5' 10" 215lbs athletic.
I am not competing just want to have fun on the trails.

Suggestions??

Any 250-450cc that you can get a street plate on. I'd say 4-stroke, it'll make your life easier in the long run Also a bike with electric start...I've seen more than my fair share of exhausted riders trying to kick start their bikes on a hillside after a spill, takes the fun out of it IMO.

Having a bike with a street plate (at least in the RI, Ct, Mass areas) doubles or even triples your riding areas

[KB]

I would get a CR500 for your first bike. Just put it in first gear and ride it there. Then in about a year when you are comfortable with it start riding around in 2nd. After 2 years you should be ready for 3rd gear.

Yeah and get good gear. Chest protector, knee and elbow pads, good boots, gloves and Helmet and have a ball.

On a serious note I would get a KTM 250exc if I were you. 2stroke woods weapon!!! Smooth predictable power delivery, reliable as fuck.

KB

[Paul_E_D]

For me it comes down to this... easy to ride=250 4stroke, exciting to ride= any 2stroke!

Before anyone berates me, I'm sure it's fun to ride really fast on the 250F The motors just feel flat to me.

[Awesome]

For me it comes down to this... easy to ride=250 4stroke, exciting to ride= any 2stroke!

Before anyone berates me, I'm sure it's fun to ride really fast on the 250F The motors just feel flat to me.

From my experience on both I get more power to the ground on the 250 four stroke than the 250 two stroke, just without making as much noise, and theoretically it should be about half the engine equivelent.

I'm around this weekend if you want to do some trail hours.

Mondo,

Shop around, the XR250 is sacked with me on it at 6'0 200lbs. Anything will feel great when you've tried nothing else.

[Paul_E_D]

Saturday we're hitting CTRiver MX in Rocky Hill CT. Come on down. The track is a blast! You can try my 125. It's an animal!

[SilverGhost]

Great ya I have been looking around like crazy. I don't mind the tinkering on a bike. So I would not mind a two stroke. Price at this point is a big factor.
I don't want to get something I will out grow in a month either.
I have def got a lot of feedback on this thread which is great.

[KB]

A trail bred 250 2 stroke such as the KTM250exc will put more power to the ground and smoother than any of the 4 strokes. Keep in mind the big Chinese makes CR YZ KX RM are MX bikes that they have ADAPTED to be used as woods bikes.

The KTM EXC bikes were purpose made to dominate the woods. Just keep that in mind when buying one of the big 4 Jap models. Shop round for an 05 or so KTM250exc you can have a mint one all hooked up for around 2700 bucks. Kick, start, ride, smile. Done deal.

Holland we need to hit the leaves this weekend.

KB

[560smr]

My first bike to make the return after a long hiatus is an '05 CRF450x.It is setup as a DTX bike,it can be a bit harsh on some trails,you can feel it's heft though,so thank god it's lowered.I had it on the trails with the dirt track tires,rode like a Cadillac,then cursed in the mud,then switched to the knobbys.The electric start is a big plus for trails,yes,it is nice when you stall 3/4's the way up a hill that seems as steep as the side of a building.

[brewmaster]

Glad you guys are talking about this. I am definitely taking notes.

My daughter is all about getting a bike (she's 7). And well I would NEED to ride with her of course..!!! Seeing that it would be my first dirt bike I know nothing. So this topic is timed perfect.

I don't want to hijack this thread but any suggestions for a first bike for my daughter also?

Oh yeah the wife seems into the whole thing too... I am a lucky man!

[560smr]

For your daughter,a Honda 50