I know nothing about dirtbikes but my friend said i can keep it by his house and ride the trails in his backyard. I don't want to spend more then 2 grand so i am obviously getting one used. I figure a 125 should be fine?

If anyone is bored here is a link to the craigslist in my area.

http://longisland.craigslist.org/mcy/

Any help would be appreciated.

found this nice and cheap, thoughts?

http://longisland.craigslist.org/mcy/1415571811.html

125 two strokes are fast and cheap to rebuild. 250 twostrokes are cheap to rebuild and really fast. 250f are fast and expensive to rebuild and get ragged on. 450fs are silly fast but have very manageable motors, expensive to rebuild but usually do not get ragged out. expect to be rebuilding. a two stroke topend (piston) runs you $150ish and a new crank with all the seals and bearings is another 300 or so. the four stroke can run 1500 just for the head work. they are pricey, that is for sure.

A 125 two stroke makes about the same power as a 250 four stroke, the same with 250 two strokes and 450 four strokes. make no mistake, 250/450f is faa-aast. think of them as the 1000cc sport bikes and the 125/250f is the 600. you can absolutely haul ass on the smallerr bikes but you have to spin the motor hard to get it, while the 250/450f can hurt you without even trying.

I have a yz250 (two stroke) and a yz450f. love them both but ride the 450 most of the time because it is just as fast as the 250 (probably a bit faster but close enough) but is smooth and easy to ride. approx 50bhp geared to have a max speed around 80mph means hard acceleration and big fun but a serious handful.

that little klx is a 4 stroke, a good beginner bike but it is not going to be fast at all nor will it have proper suspension. I bought my wife a crf150f (similar to that) and it is perfect for her. she just putts around and has a good time. if you are going to ride hard, you will need more motorcycle quickly. that being said, for 1k, you can ride it for a couple months and sell it and probably not lose any money. the slower your first bike the faster you will learn to ride. I would suggest a 125 2 stroke as a beginner bike, it will knock your socks off and have a good frame and suspension to cope with what you want to do.

good luck and protect your feet, they get broken easily in the dirt.

so this is better idea then?

http://longisland.craigslist.org/mcy/1413159589.html

and thanks for the info

The honda crf 230 is a solid bike and great learner bike, has enough power to go anywhere but not so much that it is not managable. The motor on them are really solid and will last forever as long as you maintain them

that yz looks like a decent deal mag :cheers

Early 2000s 250f (will have to be a 2001 YZ or later, that is when they started) or early 2000s 125 two stroke would be the way to go IMO. Both are PLENTY fast when you want them to be, but wont scare the CRAP out of you, and put you "behind the saddle" with their power, like a 250/450 will

all about the yamaha here..

own a yz250f myself..

id stick wit a 4 stroke 250 at that since being a newbie. or even ttr125 for trail

cr250 FTW!

i ride a YZ450f but if you are just starting get a YZ125 or a YZ250f

I know nothing about dirtbikes but my friend said i can keep it by his house and ride the trails in his backyard. I don't want to spend more then 2 grand so i am obviously getting one used. I figure a 125 should be fine?

If anyone is bored here is a link to the craigslist in my area.

http://longisland.craigslist.org/mcy/

Any help would be appreciated.

found this nice and cheap, thoughts?

http://longisland.craigslist.org/mcy/1415571811.html



Since you said trails, I'm gonna say go with a WR250/426/450. If you do go with a 450, you can slap on some 17's and come race Supermoto with ESMRA at E-Town (anout an hour-ish out of Long Island).

I don't want to spend more then 2 grand so i am obviously getting one used. I figure a 125 should be fine?
http://longisland.craigslist.org/mcy/1415571811.html

Since you don't have much money, stick with the 2 stroke 125. If you can handle a street bike or a gixxer, then your should be able to handle a 125 IMO. Four strokes cost alot to work on, and the maintenance is high, even on a 250F. Get a 125 and unless you start getting into the bottom end, a simple repair shouldn't cost more than $200, just maintain it and it will run for a very long time, even if you ride it hard. The only bad thing about a 2 stroke is it's a pain the the ass to mix the gas, and you constantly have to be changing RPMs, don't hold it in a steady gear at a steady speed for very long. In the end if simple trail riding is your thing, a 4 stroke might be better, anything else, especially because you're trying to stay cheap, get the 2 banger 125.

My .02

KX 500. You won't get bored.:p

For trail I loved my 2006 tt-r 230, fast enough for me. You can get them used for about $1500-$2000. Toped out at 70, tested next to are suv. But If I could choose again, I would get a duel sport.

Here's my opinion on the commonly asked question "what bike should I buy" ?

My first suggestion is try to find a clean STOCK 125cc 2 stroke. Many will argue with me, but the fact of the matter is that #1) 125cc 2 strokes are abundant, cheap to run and cheap to KEEP running, and fast, BUT not too fast for a beginner. To make a 125cc 2 stroke easier to manage the peaky power, simply add a 2 teeth larger rear sprocket, and add a fly wheel weight, trust me this will be the most fun you will ever have a bike ! I DON'T recommend used 250F 4 strokes for newer riders. Yes the 250F's are easier to manage power, BUT (and pay attention) used and abused 250F's are abundant as well, and when a 250/450F's engine goes kaboom.... a new rider WON'T be having much fun when he/she has to shell out upwards of $1800 in parts alone for a rebuild....


You mean take two teeth OFF the rear sprocket, so it has less felt power right, not add two teeth

I grew up and raced 125s my entire life. Not sure a true noob would benefit from adding two teeth in the rear :dunno. Bike would be more prone to wanting to loft the front wheel when it does get on the pipe. It would feel more punchy IMO.

I know nothing about dirtbikes but my friend said i can keep it by his house and ride the trails in his backyard. I don't want to spend more then 2 grand so i am obviously getting one used. I figure a 125 should be fine?


Kawasaki KDX 200, great bike.

Mag 99 and up RM 125 with a powervalve will keep you plenty entertained and nice one can be had from 1200-1500