Trail / Dualsport for noooob

[tsanterre]

Posting this up for a friend as he and I are both pretty ignorant when it comes to dirty bikes. I've quoted him below, it appears he is looking for something he can street, ride some gravel roads, woods trails, etc.

He is 6-3, probably 230lbs. This would be his first "dirty" bike. Looking to spend around $1,500. In his limited research he mentioned a TT-R125LE and DR-Z125L.

Looking for suggestions on what would be a good fit, what to stay away from, what to look for, what model years would fit in his price range, etc. See his comments below. Let me know if there are any other questions I should ask him...

Thanks!

"I guess i just want something easy to ride, something on/off road, something i can just tool around on trails for 1-2 hours on a Saturday morning and then come home.

I kinda picture it being an outlet/relaxing thing. something to just get lost in doing for 1-2 hours and I picture myself caring less about speed and more about easy of use. I read that 4 strokes are easier riding then 2 stokes."

[Chippertheripper]

In that price range, you're looking at either a mid-90's dr350, a dr200 almost any vintage, or a clapped out drz400.

[Pigman]

This would have been ideal for him and was a Steal........


http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...ha-WR250f-1500

[TripleTaco]

In that price range, you're looking at either a mid-90's dr350, a dr200 almost any vintage, or a clapped out drz400.

^^^THIS

It seems tough to get a good street legal anything for much less than $1500. I'll second the DR350/DR250/DR200 suggestion. All are solid noob friendly trail bikes that can be had in factory dual sport trim. I picked up a 96' DR350SE last fall for $1250....purple frame and all. I've really come to like the bike for what it is cheap, simple and reliable(so far).

[breakdirt916]

chipper got it...the tricky thing about his criteria is that he wants it street legal. Dirt bikes are fun to begin with, but since riding areas have nothing but closed over the years, having that street plate makes it more practical to use and opens up a lot of riding areas...so they carry a premium.

dr350/dr200/xt225/xr250l/xr650l/klr650/dr650/xl600/xt250...go 70's and there's a ton of models that sort of suck, but had plates

[tsanterre]

Thanks for the input so far.

Sounds like:

- going to be hard to get what he's looking for in the current price range
- up the price range to meet his criteria or give up the 'street legal' part

[Pigman]

Nope...


This is Shweet..

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/3893031020.html


http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/3804419465.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/3817178360.html


Just gotta be a HAWK on Criags and you can get it done....

[nhbubba]

This is Shweet..

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/3893031020.html

Reply to email please unless you are an offshore Marine Biologist with no money. If this is the case please do not respond. Thank you

[Pigman]

Yea saw that and was LOLOLOLOL

[breakdirt916]

what pigman said...

search craigslist for the following terms:
-"street legal"
-"enduro"
-"plated"
-"titled"

search long, search hard, when it shows up email quickly, show up with cash, do the inspection and bring it home

DR350s can be had for a grand...I found a 1999 DR200se with only 48 miles for less than what you're friend is looking to spend

[bstnsboy]

He sounds like a big boy. A 125 or even 250 playbike or dual sport might be a little small for him. I wouldn't go much below a 350 or 400 not to mention the physical size of the bike....what's the saying..."look like a monkey fuckin a football"

[tsanterre]

He sounds like a big boy. A 125 or even 250 playbike or dual sport might be a little small for him. I wouldn't go much below a 350 or 400 not to mention the physical size of the bike....what's the saying..."look like a monkey fuckin a football"

Yea - this is why I listed his stats...was concerned that some bikes would just not fit him.

[dankatz]

A DR350SE would fit the bill and his frame and at about 300lbs wet weight are reasonable. Can't go wrong.

[MattR302]

A DR350SE would fit the bill and his frame and at about 300lbs wet weight are reasonable. Can't go wrong.

I love mine. 98/99's had a better front suspension.

I came across this a couple weeks ago http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=885634

[slowkermit]

I'd definitely say no 4stroke smaller than 250cc for his size and weight.

[B440]

http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/3892713937.html

[breakdirt916]

that's not a supermoto

it's just a dirtbike made street legal!

cool little bike; would be a lot of fun, but an air-cooled 125 4t might not be enough for the rider

[B440]

Any bike can be suuuuuuper!

It's what he wants, in the price range he's willing to spend. If he doesn't buy it, then this whole thread is....

[xrocket21]

He sounds like a big boy. A 125 or even 250 playbike or dual sport might be a little small for him. I wouldn't go much below a 350 or 400 not to mention the physical size of the bike....what's the saying..."look like a monkey fuckin a football"

Im 6'5" 240 and have commuted 1.5 hours into boston on my yamaha 225, 75 mph eastbound on the pike.

Im a little big for it obv bit i feel plenty comfy on the bike and really enjoy it.

[RyanNicholson]

I know its over the price range, but we just got a 2000 DRZ400S in stock that's $2500 fully serviced, etc. Not pushing a sale, just seemingly fits the bill perfectly minus the super tight budget. I've told a few friends about it that were looking for a similar fun/hooligan DS bike.

[tsanterre]

Thanks for the options guys...feel free to keep them coming!

I forward each if them as i get them, apparently my buddy is dragging his feet.

[Trouble]

I picked up a WR400 on here last spring that would have been in his budget. It's a big bike but he's a big guy. Keep your eyes open. There are deals out there.

If he's bored and wants to swing by Kitt's party he's welcome to try it out. I'm not selling but it'd give him an opportunity to see how he feels about a bike that size.

[maxim_X]

I'm also looking for a DS for a noob. Turns out the wifey doesn't like what I've done with her SV and she want's to learn on something more like a dirtbike. She rode my DRZ400SM some years back and felt very comfy on it.

I've found a lot of klx250's reasonably priced. I could probably get one for 2k-2500. also there is a local ttr250 and the dr200 seems good. I wonder if it's not just worth buying new.

[dankatz]

I'm also looking for a DS for a noob. Turns out the wifey doesn't like what I've done with her SV and she want's to learn on something more like a dirtbike. She rode my DRZ400SM some years back and felt very comfy on it.

I've found a lot of klx250's reasonably priced. I could probably get one for 2k-2500. also there is a local ttr250 and the dr200 seems good. I wonder if it's not just worth buying new.

Not worth buying new - some of the bikes have very little use and cost less than half of new. How tall is the wife? A DRZ400 is a pretty tall bike. KLX is better, but still not short. I would shy away from a DR200 - I think it is an order of magnitude less of a bike than a KLX250 (suspension, motor, transmission, etc...)

[Point37]

tw200?
http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/3974571728.html