Hey, Paulie D, you bought too soon - New Hatfield Beta dealer

[nhbubba]

I dig that line of thinking and after earlier talks w/ some folks I'd settled on a mid-size 2 stroke, although I could be easily swayed. KDX200/EXC300 or this here Beta. I'm not sure something bigger would be the best place for me to get my feet wet though...

That's exactly right. At this point I've ridden the newer EFI KTM 350 and 500 4-strokes, a 450 EXC, both the 250 and 300 2-strokes, my 200 2-stroke, a KDX 220, and a couple more motox type machines. My 200 wins for learning at places like Clough. Does okay on the ice too. The 250/300's are better for the noob only really because they are more common, easier to find used. But they aren't really any cheaper.

The KDX is a damned fine option. Fraction of the price. Couple guys told me I should have bought one. Based on how little I ride I think they were maybe right.

[Paul_E_D]

KDX is a no brainer. Would be great on the ice too!

[nhbubba]

That said, I like Joel's style too.

2014 KTM 500 XCW EXC
2009 KTM 450 EXC FULLY LOADED!

[scottieducati]

Can't argue w/ the price if it gets the thumbs up. Seeing real nice ones in the $1000-1500 mark.

If Paul seyz I need dis, I think I'll listen....

[Paul_E_D]

For woods and ice, you can't do better for the money. A nice KDX200 is still a competitive racebike in the right hands. I would stay away from the 220. The motor is not as sweet. It lacks the top end of the 200.

[scottieducati]

Already have eyes on a couple, just need to make some stuff happen before I'm really ready to buy... but something tells me I'll have one ready for some ice maybe even this year...

[Paul_E_D]

That would be worth it... Ice is the shit. Tires are a hit, so if you can score them with the bike, it's good.

[tls25rs]

KDX for the win! A couple of friends have had them, sold them and wish they could get them back. One of them was smart enough to hang on to his.

Agree with Paul on small displacement is better for learning. My comments were based on my situation of wanting to use the bike for a lot of different disciplines and not really needing to be the fastest guy out there at any of them.

[typeone]

road trip?

hybrid (KDX200 motor, KX125 chassis) for sale in KY... 1,500 clams...



EDIT: there's one for sale in Albany too

[flippedr6]

Kdx 200 like everyone has said. I'm one of the ones Joel spoke of, great bike to learn on. I only had to sell it to afford a ktm 300 that my neighbor was selling.

[loudbeard]

My KDX is a great bike, probably the only one I'll keep while I'm attempting to finance a newborn. I'd like to get my hands on a set of KX125/250 forks to stiffen up the front end. If you can find a good one like CEO did its a no brainer. Perfect bike to get into the dirt game and from the sounds of it, a formidable weapon at all stages of experience.

[scottieducati]

road trip?

hybrid (KDX200 motor, KX125 chassis) for sale in KY... 1,500 clams...



EDIT: there's one for sale in Albany too

Oooo... maybe swing by the OMB and see if #69 would show me what to do....

Seriously though, I'd be more than happy for someone far more knowledgeable than I to say "buy this"... I know zero about them, or what makes a good dirt bike or what a stiffer front end means off tarmac or for ice racing.... if that's a desirable mod for what I'll be using it for, then all the better.

[Paul_E_D]

I wouldn't mind owning that bike for me. But I think what you want is a 2000 plus KDX200 more or less stock. Perhaps with a little stiffer springs up front. That there is an MX bike. For flying high through the air and landing hard. Turning it into a learner bike or woods bike would be a shame.

[typeone]

nah, just soften the suspension and... done. (assuming it's geared right)

scottie, the reason i posted the hybrids is because you get the benefits of a modern chassis, suspension and lighter weight married w/ benefits of the KDX, tractor-like motor. tractor = more user friendly while learning. smooth power spread even though it's a 2T. only down side is... it's a hybrid. someone grafted those bikes together. (it's pretty common but not super common)

but agree with Paul and the others, find a stock 2000+ KDX200 and prepare to get happy. perfect bike to learn off-road on. not sure how big you are but small 4Ts are good as well, but you'll get more longevity out of the KDX as your skills improve. i prefer 2-strokes but that's just me. you'd have to try both to know (2T vs 4T)

KTM 200 is another obvious fantastic choice, you prob won't find one in the KDX price range though.

[typeone]

btw, @scottie, PM'd you the Albany hybrid. if you talk to him, ask what suspension mods he had done. sounds like it already has some potential woods work.

[nhbubba]

I've ridden an XR250 (4-stroke, cheap) and it was pretty fun. For some reason I had a helluva time keeping it upright. Power was good until about 40 or so, then it checked out. Stone simple machine though. My biggest gripe was it is kick only. Kick only 4-stroke seems like a lot to ask for a new dirt rider. Kick is okay for a smaller 2-stroke as they are so easy to kick over. Kicking a stubborn 4-stroke in an awkward spot sucks. As a new rider I never seem to stall the bike in anything but awkward spots.

I can tell you that the DRZ400 will do the deed, but isn't nearly as much fun or educational. Hell, Roland gets your list done on a 320lbs street focused CRF250!

Basically the 2-300cc 2-stroke euro enduros (and KDX) are the way to go, IMO.

[typeone]

+1 on the 4-stroke kicker (and weight). to me that's a huge problem for new riders. tons of wasted energy. owned an '88 XR250 for a while. fuck that thing. PIG

[scottieducati]

It also seems having lights would be good for me as a MA resident as well, but I need to study up on the whole plating thing a bit.

I think a compromise would be to stick with a stock-ish KDX and work on the front end or do a swap? I could dig that.

Shame as I really do dig the BETA that started all this!!

[typeone]

where and how do you plan to ride this bike?

yes, Beta should be the end goal small price difference in entry fee though

[scottieducati]

Like I said earlier, some woods, some messing around, hopefully some ice.... really just want to start getting my feet wet. I'd say I'm probably least drawn to MX...

[nhbubba]

I question the need for lights/plate. Plenty seem to have fun doing the stuff you describe without those. But then I don't live in MA. Here in NH it is easy to plate and add lights later. Although it is super handy to not worry about these things at all.

Obviously you don't need lights or a plate for ice at all. My headlight will come off when I lace up the ice wheels in a week or two. A flat plastic mask will go in its place and the electrics will get re-routed to the heated grips.

[Rada]

There is a KLX300 with Ice tires for 1500 floating around too. That would make a fun woods machine and a giggle on the ice. Should have a magic button too.

That would be a poor choice if you want to do MX... Then I would say get a YZ125 and rip that shit.

[bryco13]

If you want to try out the ktm I have for sale just to see if something that size would work for you let me know.

[csmutty]

There goes Paul totally dismissing a 125 and going straight to the 250f :p

[Paul_E_D]

Say what? I'm not talkin 250f in here.