Dirty bike options

[breakdirt916]

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/1572285821.html

great price! street likely, too old

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/1557139121.html

good price, street likely, good bet

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/1573772185.html

mediocre price (can get 10 year newer bike for same price), slightly old, but in good condition

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/1568227398.html

low power mini bike...wouldn't pay more than $750 for one

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/1551107126.html

low power mini bike...wouldn't pay more than $750 for one

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/1544793118.html

better price, would buy for $750, but the KDX has some of the street parts on it already

[lrrs313]

Find a nice used YZ250F. Plenty of power but with a smooth, easy to ride delivery, great suspension, and easily the most reliable 250F on the market. 4-strokes are the way to go for a beginning rider; much more linear power delivery than a 2 stroke so you're paying more attention to actually learning to ride than being scared of when the big "hit" is coming. IMO possibly one of the worst starter bikes is a 125 2 stroke. Very little power down low then what can be a fairly violent hit in the upper midrange.

[csmutty]

Find a nice used YZ250F. Plenty of power but with a smooth, easy to ride delivery, great suspension, and easily the most reliable 250F on the market. 4-strokes are the way to go for a beginning rider; much more linear power delivery than a 2 stroke so you're paying more attention to actually learning to ride than being scared of when the big "hit" is coming. IMO possibly one of the worst starter bikes is a 125 2 stroke. Very little power down low then what can be a fairly violent hit in the upper midrange.

Ehh I think a 125 2 stroke is great, as it teaches you to use the clutch proficiently and can be hella fun when you hit powerband. And I would have to say that the OP isn't a beginner per say..

[seth399]

Ehh I think a 125 2 stroke is great, as it teaches you to use the clutch proficiently and can be hella fun when you hit powerband. And I would have to say that the OP isn't a beginner per say..

true, but I would say a 250f is better if we are talkin about beginners in dirt...but ya with Josh, he will be able to ride whatever, just what he is more comfy on and what he finds in his price range

[lrrs313]

Actually in thinking more about it, and knowing the tracks in Kurlon's area, a 450 wouldn't be a bad choice either. Both MX207 and Hemond's are big, open tracks with some high speeds; Hemond's has some pretty good hills involved too.

[csmutty]

true, but I would say a 250f is better if we are talkin about beginners in dirt...but ya with Josh, he will be able to ride whatever, just what he is more comfy on and what he finds in his price range

What is fun without an oh shit every once in a while?

Actually in thinking more about it, and knowing the tracks in Kurlon's area, a 450 wouldn't be a bad choice either. Both MX207 and Hemond's are big, open tracks with some high speeds; Hemond's has some pretty good hills involved too.

Or a 250 2stk. You are prejudiced...you have a 4 joke.

[seth399]

What is fun without an oh shit every once in a while?

I try not to bring other people to the darkside that is injury prone

[csmutty]

I try not to bring other people to the darkside that is injury prone

Pshh injury prone my ass. If you are ever in trouble there is nothing that a swift turn of the right hand won't fix. When in doubt, rev it out.

[seth399]

Pshh injury prone my ass. If you are ever in trouble there is nothing that a swift turn of the right hand won't fix. When in doubt, rev it out.

haha yes, so I assume you haven't broken any bones yet

[lrrs313]

Or a 250 2stk. You are prejudiced...you have a 4 joke.

Actually, I've owned a couple of 2 smokes in the past. They are a lot of fun and I love the smell, but I'm not a very good dirtybike rider and think the 4 strokes are waaaaaay easier to ride. I would actually buy a 250 2smoker for a beginner before a 125. 250s at least you can ride below the powerband.

I will say, however, that there is nothing like watching a skilled rider wring a 125s neck on a track. My friend Steve is rediculously fast on a 125 (OK, he's pretty fucking quick on whatever he rides); it sounds like he never lets off the throttle, just pulls in the clutch to slow down coming into turns.

[lrrs313]

Pshh injury prone my ass. If you are ever in trouble there is nothing that a swift turn of the right hand won't fix. When in doubt, rev it out.

God I wish I was 18 again.

[csmutty]

haha yes, so I assume you haven't broken any bones yet

Just dislocated my middle finger surprisingly. I didn't rev it out that time.

Actually, I've owned a couple of 2 smokes in the past. They are a lot of fun and I love the smell, but I'm not a very good dirtybike rider and think the 4 strokes are waaaaaay easier to ride. I would actually buy a 250 2smoker for a beginner before a 125. 250s at least you can ride below the powerband.

I will say, however, that there is nothing like watching a skilled rider wring a 125s neck on a track. My friend Steve is rediculously fast on a 125 (OK, he's pretty fucking quick on whatever he rides); it sounds like he never lets off the throttle, just pulls in the clutch to slow down coming into turns.

I wish I never got rid of my 125...life has not been the same ever since I got a 250. And now event hat is gone. Fuck streetbikes.

[seth399]

get another 250 you jerk! And you are behind, I already had a few breaks by the time I was 18

[lrrs313]

get another 250 you jerk! And you are behind, I already had a few breaks by the time I was 18

Apparently you're just fragile.

[seth399]

Apparently you're just fragile.

[lrrs313]

Speaking of which, how's the ankle Seth?

[csmutty]

Apparently you're just fragile.

And 125's for the win. That or I am going to get a kx100 or a ktm 105. I am even looking at 85's. Small high hp fuckers they are. Love them. Hell even a kx65 will move my ass around.

[seth399]

Speaking of which, how's the ankle Seth?

good, I got my cast off at the beginning of the week and have an airboot thing on now. I should be walking without crutches/then phys. therapy in a few weeks.

[lrrs313]

good, I got my cast off at the beginning of the week and have an airboot thing on now. I should be walking without crutches/then phys. therapy in a few weeks.

Sweet. First NEMX race of the year March 27 at Southwick!

[seth399]

Sweet. First NEMX race of the year March 27 at Southwick!

o man southwick to start out the year...brutal aha

[lrrs313]

o man southwick to start out the year...brutal aha

Lol tell me about it. At least it won't be 90 degrees sunny and humid (I hope).

[Kurlon]

That sounds like a perfect beginners race... what do I need?

[lrrs313]

That sounds like a perfect beginners race... what do I need?

A bike, helmet, goggles, and a lot of determination. Southwick is the site of my first ever race -- in 90 degree, sunny, humid weather when I had been riding for about 2 months. It actually might not be so bad in March -- there might be enough moisture in the ground that the sand might not be quite so soft, so it may not get quite as rough as normal. The upside to Southwick sand is that it doesn't hurt nearly as bad when you plant yourself in it (and you will.....).

[Fast_Eddie]

Josh, just be sure to actually ride a real 125 2 stroke MX bike before you buy something. I'm not going to get sucked into the big 4 stroke debate. After seeing what those guys look like when we refuel half way through the woods rides in Franklin, I'd feel guilty picking on those guys. Some of it depends on where we ride. I still think KTM 125 or a YZ125 that's newer than 2000 would be what your looking for. A YZ450F would be legit for the deep sand in Southwick.

However, the next person who recommends a TTR rolling toilet is going to get roosted on the next big woods ride.

[Kurlon]

Hah, yeah, that's part of the plan, beg/borrow/steal to get some saddle time THEN buy. And I fully agree about the TTR/XR suggestions, if I wanted a piece of agricultural equipment I'd get an HD and throw knobbies on it. (Now I have to find that thread of the Sportster being ridden in an MX endurance event...)