[Zlow28]

What do you guys recommend for a beginner in dirtbikes? Im about 5'10" and about 180lbs.

Ive read up on a few dirtbike forums, but its mostly a bunch of teens giving advice and its all mixed up.

I was looking at a yz125 since theyre cheaper than 250 four strokes and easier to rebuild if needed. Anyone got any other thoughts or suggestions? I went to my local dealer today to check them out and theyre fkin tall lol.

Plus it has to be 2002 or older since im in cali.

 

[Goobersbro]

What do you want to do? Motocross? Trail rides? Mix? Open sand at glamis?

 

[Zlow28]

I have both the sand dunes (superstition) and ocotillo wells dirt trails a bit farther away. I heard a 2 stroke isnt ideal for trail riding, but is it really that bad?

I honestly cant say one or the other since i have friends who do dunes and others who are strictly trails.

 

[tlee2989]

I've had several started on a honda cr80 that we big wheeled once I grew. Then went to a crf100, yz125, crf230, rm250, kx250, yz450f, and my last was kx450f I just sold.

Both types of bikes had there ups and downs, I like woods riding with the occasional gravel pit trip.

The 2smokes are cheap to rebuild but they lack the torque of the 4strokes and they smell amazing. A 2 stroke powerband is way more aggressive than the 4s gradual power curve. Come time to sale they seem to hold their value much better than the 4 stroke.

The 4 strokes are torque monsters especially my last two the 450s. They were awesome for the woods riding i did. Didn't had to twist the throttle of the bars to get moving and you could actually dive into a corner hard lug the motor some and it would pull right out the other end. A down side to the 4 strokes is the cost of rebuild and when it comes time to sell the values drop tremendously in my area.



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[Zlow28]

Thanks for the replies, ill keep an eye out to see what pops up locally and hopefully pull the trigger on a good deal.

 

[vdsneto]

I had a honda cr250r 2 stroke and had a lot of funnnn. I feel like dirt bikes for fun, the ideal is a 2stroke for obvious reasons.. its not like youre trying to go "fast" on dirt bikes. . Its meant for shorter stronger gears.. rip through dirt and such.. power wheelies and it coming up on ur hand... more fun then normal, not so much curve on powerband..

 

[Goobersbro]

Just make sure you really know what you want to ride before you buy one. Go find some buddies and see if you can ride their bikes.


Dirt bikes are lot like road bikes and they are purpose built.

If you want to rail the track get a 250 or 450 4 stroke.


If you want to do some technical trail stuff look into a ktm 200 or 300 2 stroke.

If you just want to ride fire roads and rail glamis get a 450 4 stroke

It could go on and on. For an all around beginner bike I would recommend a 250 4 stroke

A 250 2 stroke is going to be comparable to a 450 4 stroke and both if you have no dirt experience will scare the crap out of you and really hurt your learning curve imo

 

[Kentucky Fried Cholo]

I have both the sand dunes (superstition) and ocotillo wells dirt trails a bit farther away. I heard a 2 stroke isnt ideal for trail riding, but is it really that bad?

I honestly cant say one or the other since i have friends who do dunes and others who are strictly trails.

Yes they are that bad. It really depends on the terrain. A 2 stroke is perfect for wide open trails where you can stay on the power band but sucks for hill climbs where you can't pick up speed because you need to avoid obstacles.

I used to ride smokers all of the time on tight trails and would always recommend them until I took an 03 yz250f out for a long ride and was hooked. My smoker was quickly sold and I bought an 07 crf250x. Also trail bikes have additional features that are well suited for trails such as wide range gear boxes, kick stands, electric start and since you're in ca they also come with spark arrestors

You may think that electric start isn't necessity but it sure is damn nice to have when you stall in the middle of a huge hill climb, you're tired and its over 100 out. They call it magic button for a reason.

 

[Goobersbro]

Yes they are that bad. It really depends on the terrain. A 2 stroke is perfect for wide open trails where you can stay on the power band but sucks for hill climbs where you can't pick up speed because you need to avoid obstacles.

I used to ride smokers all of the time on tight trails and would always recommend them until I took an 03 yz250f out for a long ride and was hooked. My smoker was quickly sold and I bought an 07 crf250x. Also trail bikes have additional features that are well suited for trails such as wide range gear boxes, kick stands, electric start and since you're in ca they also come with spark arrestors

You may think that electric start isn't necessity but it sure is damn nice to have when you stall in the middle of a huge hill climb, you're tired and its over 100 out. They call it magic button for a reason.

Jap 2 smokes and Europe 2 smokes are a lot different though.

Jap 2 smokes like wide open more mx style euro 2 smokes are down low and torque and the power band is a lot smoother and more consistent. They favor tight technical trails more and they are a lot lighter geared more snappy

 

[Kentucky Fried Cholo]

Jap 2 smokes and Europe 2 smokes are a lot different though.

Jap 2 smokes like wide open more mx style euro 2 smokes are down low and torque and the power band is a lot smoother and more consistent. They favor tight technical trails more and they are a lot lighter geared more snappy

I had heard that about the ktm 300 and would love to ride one but he mentioned that he was looking at a yz125 because it's cheaper so that rules out any European bike.

 

[Epic]

The KTM 300 2t is an amazing bike, alot of low end power and it surprised me to ride a 2t that got traction! But it's too much bike for a new dirt rider, same as a 450 is too much. It is easier to go faster on a 4 stroke bike. If I were you I'd look for a 250 4 stroke, Motocross 2t aren't that fun in the woods unless the trails are really open.


This video alone should sell you on the 300 haha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cwImtQw3WA

 

[Goobersbro]

I had heard that about the ktm 300 and would love to ride one but he mentioned that he was looking at a yz125 because it's cheaper so that rules out any European bike.

Yea the ktms have really changed my whole outlook on the 2 smokes and I now see why they are the bike of choice for so many enduro racers. It's hard to explain but riding a ktm 2 smoke is like riding a four stroke.

The way they have designed them it's like you are in the power band the whole time so it doesn't come on so suddenly like a cr250 which will literally throw you off the back if you're not expecting it. However it is still snappy you really need to go ride one lol


My boss and his son really convinced me on the ktms. they own a ktm 300 and a ktm 450 and the 300 is soooo much more favorable than the 450 in my eyes then a buddy I have done some trails with has the 200 and it's just as amazing but it favors the tight technical stuff a lot more and really isn't that great for anything open or fast

 

[tlee2989]

After all my bikes I prefer the 2s and with what goob said about the ktm 300 I can agree. One if my close friends has one that he enduro races he put a a few things on it larger tank, tweaked suspension, headlight, crank weight, and recently an auto clutch. When I would ride my 450s with him he could pull me down every trail. His being a bit smaller and a little more nimble it was better suited for the tight trails. Once we got to an opening or straight I would reel him in very quick just to be left again once we got back in the woods.




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[Kentucky Fried Cholo]

Take a look at trail bikes. They already come with a headlight, starter, kickstand and most importantly a fuel range more than 30 miles.

Dirt bikes that i've had.

Rm 250 2 stroke
06 honda CRF250x (great bike but i wanted more get up and go)
05 WR450F. I just bought this bike this past friday and i'm in love. TONS of power. I took it on its first ride this sunday and put about 50 miles on it and have 0 complaints. I think that i'm in love ogle

 

[Kentucky Fried Cholo]

Also forgot to mention that most trail bikes are green sticker so you can go newer than 02.

 

[1sykgixxer]

As far as Superstition and Ocotillo Wells, either would honestly be fine. I prefer 2 strokes cause they are more snappy with the throttle. Like said before, ride ur buddy's bikes and see if it fits.


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[phatplat]

125. If you plan on keeping with the db, get a 250f. I bought a 2003 RM125 for 1000 a year ago, put tires on it and cleaned the plastics, sold it for 1500 a few months ago. Value.

HOWEVER, a 125 is a beast and it is not to be taken for granted. It's an on/off switch.

 

[HERricane]

Yes they are that bad. It really depends on the terrain. A 2 stroke is perfect for wide open trails where you can stay on the power band but sucks for hill climbs where you can't pick up speed because you need to avoid obstacles.

I used to ride smokers all of the time on tight trails and would always recommend them until I took an 03 yz250f out for a long ride and was hooked. My smoker was quickly sold and I bought an 07 crf250x. Also trail bikes have additional features that are well suited for trails such as wide range gear boxes, kick stands, electric start and since you're in ca they also come with spark arrestors

You may think that electric start isn't necessity but it sure is damn nice to have when you stall in the middle of a huge hill climb, you're tired and its over 100 out. They call it magic button for a reason.

+ 100 ... electric start is the only way to go. You never want to be "that" guy on the trail with your buddies and you can't get your bike kicked over

Ride several to see what feels best to you and make sure you know why your buying one ... what kind of riding you want to do. I love my WR250. I was able to so some free "mods" to it after I bought it that made more YZF-like but with more torque and softer suspension. Plus I picked up a lowering link and dropped it down almost 2" so that helped too.

You'll probably notice that your dirt riding will improve your street skills too ... good decision to get dirty!!

 

[phatplat]

KTM 250sxf. Great suspension, electric start.

 

[Kentucky Fried Cholo]

+ 100 ... electric start is the only way to go. You never want to be "that" guy on the trail with your buddies and you can't get your bike kicked over

Ride several to see what feels best to you and make sure you know why your buying one ... what kind of riding you want to do. I love my WR250. I was able to so some free "mods" to it after I bought it that made more YZF-like but with more torque and softer suspension. Plus I picked up a lowering link and dropped it down almost 2" so that helped too.

You'll probably notice that your dirt riding will improve your street skills too ... good decision to get dirty!!

I noticed this on the track. Mainly when the rear slides on me and i don't get startled and when i miss the turn and end up in the dirt :spit