Dirt bike?

[tropicoz]

I'm in the market for a dirty bike, but I've been out of the game since about 1989. After doing the Googling I've narrowed it down to either a CRF 250X or a WR250F. I want a 4 stroke woods/trail bike. Reliability is most important and I want something that will not need constant maintenance aside from the basics. Am I on the right path or should I be looking at different bikes? I plan on buying used so I figure on spending $2-3000. Thanks in advance for advice!

[Rambunctous]

Those are good choices. You should be able to find a mid 2000's bike that is virtually unused with a budget of 2500. In fact I put a 04 yamaha yzf 250 with about two hours of use for 2200 a while back and not a single bite...Now myself I like KTM and YZ and Kawi KDX two strokes. Much lighter and simpler. Easier maintenance. But each his own.

[xxaarraa]

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...ghlight=klx351

[csmutty]

Yeah Rich don't shy away from a KDX200. Might even be better in terms of maintenance. Less oil to change

[burnham]

There was a crf with suspension work and a rekluse clutch up on Craig's list a while back for $3500.
Probably gone now, but it's a great set up. Sometimes I just search for rekluse on craigshelper and see what
pops up. My buddy rides a crf 250x, loves it.

[loudbeard]

Yeah Rich don't shy away from a KDX200. Might even be better in terms of maintenance. Less oil to change

I might just have one I'd be interested in selling!

[SVRACER01]

i know its a 2 stroke, but like you i wanted a 4 stroke when i was looking into getting a dirtbike. in fact the same ones you are looking for. on advise from friends who ride a lot in the woods i bought a KTM 300 2 stroke. KTM 2 strokes dont ride like any 2 stroke MX youve ever ridden. they chug around at low RPM and pull like a diesel out of the hole. i couldnt be happier with a smoker in the woods. with that said...
http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...200-(not-mine)

[Rambunctous]

i know its a 2 stroke, but like you i wanted a 4 stroke when i was looking into getting a dirtbike. in fact the same ones you are looking for. on advise from friends who ride a lot in the woods i bought a KTM 300 2 stroke. KTM 2 strokes dont ride like any 2 stroke MX youve ever ridden. they chug around at low RPM and pull like a diesel out of the hole. i couldnt be happier with a smoker in the woods. with that said...
http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...200-(not-mine)

I agree 100%.

[nhbubba]

http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/4594526723.html

Older than the one Oxx posted. But cheaper.. and moar goodies.. I think.

[breakdirt916]

so ya wanna buy a dirt bike, eh?

get ready for some performance; dirtbike technology has changed for the good since 1989!

although I still ride bikes designed...in 1989

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

Nice bike. But like you said, older and not plated!

[csmutty]

Plated bikes are ghey.

[Rambunctous]

http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/4594526723.html

Older than the one Oxx posted. But cheaper.. and moar goodies.. I think.

Good find for the bucks and a long range gas tank to boot.

[nhbubba]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

Nice bike. But like you said, older and not plated!

I didn't even notice it wasn't plated.
Seriously. How hard is it to plate these things? Lighting kits cost less than those steering stabilizers (when new), no?

[tropicoz]

XX that's a really nice bike but quite a bit above my budget. I have to invest in gear so that'll cut into the sweet moolah as well.
I've seen a bunch of KTMs out there that look really good, but I keep reading that they've earned their reputation as Kabooms. Is that still the case with them? Am I going to have to do more maintenance and rebuild more often with those vs a Yamaha or Honda?
I found this one with all gear included so it seems like a REALLY good deal...what say you all http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/4590369388.html ? Also this one http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/4600775977.html . I just don't want to sink $$$ into a bike that's going to shit the bed on me every year.
How do bikes like KXf's do in the woods?

[gixxer72]

FWIW I went from a CRF450 to a CR125 last year. It rips in the woods and I sleep better with a 2T in the garage (rebuild on the 4T was much more $$)

[Chippertheripper]

Plated bikes are ghey.

That's the dumbest thing you've said in weeks.

[csmutty]

They only made a reputation as kabooms as motards. All motards go kaboom.

As a 2 stroke woods bike. They are very reliable. You aren't going to be beating the piss out of it anyways so it'll hold up good.

[Chippertheripper]

If you want a woods/trail bike, really, you cannot beat a ktm 250/300 smoker. They need nothing for maintenance. Top ends regularly go for 100+ hours.
Plus, they're 15-20# lighter than their 4t counterparts.
I've raced mine for 3 seasons, and just did my first top end. The ring gap was wide, but it still ran like a top. If you keep the air filter clean, the bottom ends of these bikes should last forever.

[nhbubba]

What about the 200 2t?

[xxaarraa]

I had a KDX200. Yes, there is a lot to like about the 2smoke. Light as shit and make crazy power. But there is a reason 2 strokes became extinct. It was a bitch ass to start (had no electric start), got 20 mpg, so I couldn't rely on any length of time in the woods before I needed to gas up. You have to take oil everywhere because mine at least wasn't oil injected. Sounded cheesy, with its hair dryer like whine.

Overall, my impression was that it was an antiquated toy, and not a real bike I could rely on. I went and got a KLX and would do it again.

[No Quarter]

Got my self a 2004 Honda XR250R a couple months ago. Hardly used, still had original tires for 2K. Virtually indestructible motor, air cooled, kick start, very simple. Working well for me as I am just re-introducing myself to dirty riding after 30+ years of street only.

[Chippertheripper]

What about the 200 2t?

Is lighter still, but not as stealthy of a machine, because you can't lug it as much. Ie: you gotta keep it on the pipe to make it move fast.
I want one. But if I only were to have one dirty, it's a 300, every day.



Edit: THE TWO STROKE IS FAR FROM EXTINCT.
go to any woods race: netra, jday, necc, anything, and you'll see 75% or better 2t's.

[Kurlon]

I had a KDX200. Yes, there is a lot to like about the 2smoke. Light as shit and make crazy power. But there is a reason 2 strokes became extinct. It was a bitch ass to start (had no electric start), got 20 mpg, so I couldn't rely on any length of time in the woods before I needed to gas up. You have to take oil everywhere because mine at least wasn't oil injected. Sounded cheesy, with its hair dryer like whine.

Overall, my impression was that it was an antiquated toy, and not a real bike I could rely on. I went and got a KLX and would do it again.

Sounds like something was wrong with yours?

[Rada]

Chip has a great point about stealth.. A KTM 300 with the right silencer makes less noise than a squirrel during deer season.