Dirty bike options

[Kurlon]

Time to think about a dirty bike... The biggest I've been on (offroad) is an XR400 20 years ago, basically just putted around on that. Otherwise it's been either pitbikes, or again 20 years ago I did some pit riding on YZ60s, XR100s and XR80s.

In other words, all I know is small crap.

Would a modern 85cc mount be too small to enjoy?

Other end of the spectrum, can you SX/MX ride a Honda 250X 'woods' machine?

Edit: Ideally this is going to be a beater, dirt, ice, snow, possibly light dual sport duty...

[ssg]

CRF250f/x depending where the bulk of the riding would be (x if utilitarian riding, f if on groomed mx/sx).

[a13x]

Lot of threads on 250R's and 250X's. Search 'em up. Don't think a 80cc 2st fits your bill.

[Paul_E_D]

KTM makes a 105 that would be a blast to manhandle woods or track. The crf150R with big wheels would be another small bike that could hang. Other than those two, I wouldn't bother with minis.

[FTMS]

A KX100 might be another option.

[Paul_E_D]

Adding in the dualsport duty really narrows down your choices unless you want to hassle. KLX250 might be the cheapest option, but they (street legal bikes) hold a lot of value and may be too much for a...thrifty guy like yourself.

[seth399]

ya a crf250x would probably be nice for you but they seem to be hard to find cheap compared to 250f which are more abundant and you can find them cheap.

[Pittenger5]

Get a 250. I never rode dirt till I bought the CRF250 and I manage to get around without much trouble from the bike. Powers not over the top, but I certainly wont outgrow it either. I dont know if I have the R or X, either way, Im not going fast enough for the suspension to make much of a difference.

[McBiggity]

what's the minimum wheel size to have on a dirt bike to be able to handle most trails well? The wifey wants to get one but is inseam challenged

[seth399]

what's the minimum wheel size to have on a dirt bike to be able to handle most trails well? The wifey wants to get one but is inseam challenged

I think a bigger/heavier bike will hurt more than big wheels will help. I'd say something like 17/14 which is size for an 80cc mx bike.

[Paul_E_D]

CRF150R. It's a bike that can be newbie friendly, but downright blazing with the right rider.

[McBiggity]

CRF150R. It's a bike that can be newbie friendly, but downright blazing with the right rider.

the last thing I need is her being faster than me, lol.
Thanks for the input.

[Kurlon]

KTM makes a 105 that would be a blast to manhandle woods or track. The crf150R with big wheels would be another small bike that could hang. Other than those two, I wouldn't bother with minis.

What's the drawback to the KTM 105 vs a standard 125? Looks like it's about 40lbs lighter (comparing 145lbs dry weight for the 105 vs 208lb wet weight on a YZ125). 1" less travel front and rear, and it's a 19/16 wheel setup vs 21/19. I haven't sat on a 125 or an 85 so I've no idea how cramped either would be?

[csmutty]

I am actually in the process of looking for an 85 or 100 to mess around on. What height are you? How much do you weigh? 85's are pretty fast and the 125's are too. The big difference between the 85 and 125 is the 125 has much more bottom end and the 125 is much taller.



Don't rule out the KDX200!

[Paul_E_D]

The 105 has no drawbacks other than the lack of displacement and smaller wheels. It's like 3/4 size a big bike, making it just big enough for real riding by a small adult. The small size/weight cannot be underestimated while learning to ride dirt. 85s are smaller and less powerful yet again.

125s are every bit as tall as 450s. Sometimes taller. This is fine, but definitely slows the learning process, especially in the woods.

[seth399]

The 105 has no drawbacks other than the lack of displacement and smaller wheels. It's like 3/4 size a big bike, making it just big enough for real riding by a small adult. The small size/weight cannot be underestimated while learning to ride dirt. 85s are smaller and less powerful yet again.

125s are every bit as tall as 450s. Sometimes taller. This is fine, but definitely slows the learning process, especially in the woods.

ya what he said! fullsize bikes are nice in the long run but when learning offroad you end up thinking about the bike itself when it is a handful rather than working on your technique/riding.

[KB]

Get yourself a KTM250exc 2 smoker, comes with a title, register it and have fun.

KB

Time to think about a dirty bike... The biggest I've been on (offroad) is an XR400 20 years ago, basically just putted around on that. Otherwise it's been either pitbikes, or again 20 years ago I did some pit riding on YZ60s, XR100s and XR80s.

In other words, all I know is small crap.

Would a modern 85cc mount be too small to enjoy?

Other end of the spectrum, can you SX/MX ride a Honda 250X 'woods' machine?

Edit: Ideally this is going to be a beater, dirt, ice, snow, possibly light dual sport duty...

[Fast_Eddie]

What's the drawback to the KTM 105 vs a standard 125? Looks like it's about 40lbs lighter (comparing 145lbs dry weight for the 105 vs 208lb wet weight on a YZ125). 1" less travel front and rear, and it's a 19/16 wheel setup vs 21/19. I haven't sat on a 125 or an 85 so I've no idea how cramped either would be?

You can come down and try my YZ 125 in the spring. After racing minis with you, I can say for sure that you would do really well with good 125 2 stroke. A KTM 125 SX is only a little bigger feel than the 105. Riders who are used to smaller bikes really feel the extra weight of the 4 stroke up high.

[Chippertheripper]

There's a plated yz 125 that keeps popping up on Boston craigslist. Pretty short $, too. Definitely get a bike with a plate. Go from trail to trail to trail...all day long.

[Kurlon]

Fortunately I live in Maine, putting a plate on is the easy part. : )

Eddie, thanks for the invite, I will have to take you up on that. I think at this point a 125 is looking like a real strong possibility. I know of a Suzi for sale just down the road actually... for some reason I only see KTM 105s and smaller, or 300EXCs around here, and never many for sale. 125s from the Big 4 however, all over the place. Orange would be nice, but given I have to be cheap, I don't think I can be picky.

If that YZ shows up again, someone post the url.

Edit: Wait, if I go with a KTM 125 the wheels should swap with the 520... quick'n dirty small toytard for kart tracks? Mwahahaha!

[Paul_E_D]

I don't think you'll fit 520 wheels on a 125. They are skinny, and not based on the big bike chasis.

A used 125 from the big four (honda) is a great idea.

[seth399]

I know of an 09 yz125 for sale

[Kurlon]

I don't think you'll fit 520 wheels on a 125. They are skinny, and not based on the big bike chasis.

Actually, on Katooms the rear wheels from 97 up are all interchangeable, front wheels you have to pay a touch more attention...

Prior to 2000, 17mm axle
2000 to 2002 or 2003?, 20mm axle
All later ones, 26mm axle

There are spacer kits to put 20mm wheels on 26mm forks, and vice versa. Rotor and caliper mounts (save for the SM bikes with radial mounts of course) are also all compatible.

Granted a 5" wide sumo rear is going to be way overkill for a 125, but I find the idea amusing. The thought that I could swap the dirts to the 520 is more appealing than going the other way around. If I get a 4.25" wide sumo rear... it could do rain duty on the 520, and pavement/play duty on the 125.

Hell, if I get the right year, my forks will swap as well.

[Kurlon]

I know of an 09 yz125 for sale

I'm guessing you, er, the mysterious unnamed seller wants more than an IOU and a bag of chips for it though.

[seth399]

I'm guessing you, er, the mysterious unnamed seller wants more than an IOU and a bag of chips for it though.

not I....I have an 09 250 not for sale

but yes, they want more than some chips unfortunately