General Discussion Forum

Wow what great response I am getting...it is interesting the different places people I talk to in my everyday life look at it and then the way people who are imersed in the dirt riding world look at it...I do agree with what was said on a few levels....I understand that the required maintenece on a 2 stroke 250 say for example will be easier and less costly...I think it would most likely be a good bike to learn how to maintain it ...also i have been told that the cost of a 2 stroke top  end is about 2/3's of half the cost of a 4 stroke...

I am looking for a used bike to start with b/c I am sure i am going to dump it a few times...It seems that the concenses is for a Honda or Yamaha 250 2 stroke.

As far as the sticker thing goes...older bikes all have green stickers? even the 2 strokes? Interesting ..thank you all for your input it has been very helpful...

Blue Skies, Brook!

I would suggest a 250 2 stroke. I have one. IT is very easy to maintain and never fouls plugs. Oil premix does not have to be exact. just make sure you dont mix too little oil. Also you dont have to run it hard all the time that is if it is a 250. even 125s are not that bad.

I do not think you meant to send this with me you actually meant to send it to bodyflight whatever because i dint say like half of the stuff you said i want  

I think you need a Four stroke.  Those are the best for begginers.  

If I were you I would consider using a KTM 200 EXC i've ridden one and it's does all the work for you. I race cross country on a YZ 125 and it is a bit difficult to keep in the power band in some sections, a 200 is something you should really look into. Good Luck!  

I read all the reply's up to this time, and the battle of the four-strokes continues...

I have been riding dirtbikes for over 35 years, so I might know a little something about them.

First, you need to find out exactly what bikes are permitted on public land in Cali...that's a biggie! And, it's true that the current crop of hyper 4 stroke motocrossers are a real pain to service, and they must have it! If you arent a good mechanic, a YZF, CRF, RMZ, or KX-Z is a disaster waiting to happen. Riding area is important also...Do you need it to be street legal? Are you going to ride off road, or race it? Putt thru the woods, or blast the sand dunes? A Suzuki DRZ-400 can do most of these things, but it wont be happy on a mx track. A KDX220 makes an awesome woods bike, and they are bulletproof. ( and cheap) KTM makes great bikes, but the parts are over-priced. All the 250 2 stroke mx'ers built in the last 10 years have been good bikes, good torque, gobs of power, and reliable if taken care of. The posts from the younger members seem especially loyal to a particular brand, but I assure you, that has been their experience, not a window to the world. The bike you choose has to be based on what you want to do with it. An older Honda XR400 is a great choice for exploring the back canyon roads, and they are bulletproof, too. I rode a DR350 for almost 8000 miles off road, it was a great bike! 1 clutch, 1 chain, about 8 sets of tires, and normal maintinence, and sold it to a happy customer. My fav is my '92 KX500...it's fun in the woods, will climb the side of a skyscraper, and it too is bulletproof...but it makes a terrible dual-sport bike, 'cause its a real gas hog...(it's a blast in the dunes, tho) Dont buy a Kx500! it eats beginners for dinner, and the Honda CR500 is worse.

Tell us in more detail what you want to do, and the type of terrain you expect to ride on.

Good luck, Dan

Don't overlook KTM (orange) for either 2 or 4-strokes. New bikes are a bit more than the Honda or Yamaha, but you get what you pay for.

Their 450 or 525 4-stroke EXC or MXC off-road bikes are green sticker legal, quiet and make plenty of power. If you want a 2-stroke, the 250 or 300 are good choices. Lately, KTM reliability and ease of maintenance put Honda's to shame.

If I was buying a bike to ride offroad or moto, I would look at the MXC line - big tank and close ratio gearing, which is good for a moto track.

Bryan

Ok soo where I am looking at riding as I investigate where all my friends are going looks like Occotillo Wells (occaisionally) and out to Glamis and to Gordons Well...I am pretty sure this is a lot of sand riding and there are a lot of quads there....is that an option to consider for me perhaps a quad if I am going to be riding there....I have done a lot of investigation and i think I am going to go with a nice 4 stroke 400, I am a good mechanic and I understand internal combustion engines and I know the difference is between a Cam and a Crank.....so I dont think that the serviceing will be that much of a burden on me...I think I actually might enjoy it...In the sand I dont feel that a smaller 4 stroke will pull me up the hills...am I right? What do you think about the quad option...meeting a lot of people telling me that if I am going to be in the sand that is the option to go with....as I do recognize your knowledge and history in this sport your knowledge and advice are always appreciated. All of you!

Blue Skies, Bodyflight9

When I started riding, there were no 4 wheelers, 'cept Jeeps...I rode my first dirt bike in 1965...and yup, it was junk...I have ridden a few 4 wheelers over the years, but I stuck with bikes...I can ride sand with a big bore bike and go as fast as I want to, a new 250 4 stroke mx'er just wont cut it in deep sand...I dont remember you putting financial constraints on the price of a bike...personally, if it were me, I'd buy a two stroke bike...I have a 500 now, but I've also had all the smaller ones too...this new breed of hyper bikes kinda scares me...not 'cause there fast...more 'cause most riders cant take care of them...I have a KX500 that I change the oil in every few hours of riding time, but the cylinder hasnt been off for 6 years...and there's no plan to do it soon!

I'd recommend a newer top 5 mx bike...250's are great, and mostly bulletprooof...

good luck, Dan

You keep changing where you are going to ride lol.  If your duning all the time, then you want a 250 2 stroke or a 450 4 stroke for sure.  A 250 4 stroke would suck in the sand.  To answer your previous post, anything 2002 and older is green stickered, including 2 strokes.  I don't think you'll have much of an advantage on a 2 or 4 stroke in the sand.  The 4 stroke grunt would be great for going up steep dunes, as would the snap of a 2 strokes speed.  Most of your dune riding is in the mid range and top end so personally I think 2 strokes have the advantage in the sand.  Dune riding is a little tricky at first on a bike but you get the hand of it quick.  It teaches you really good habbits, requiring tons of foward body positioning when turning for example.

As far as quads go, no offense, but quads suck, big time.  Growning up, I used to race quads.  My family had a Blaster, a LT250R Quadracer, and a Banshee.  The only decent quad in the dunes is a Banshee (which they stopped selling in California after 1997) because of the 350 twins and the top end.  After I turned 16, I owned nothing but bikes and I'm 26 now.  Quads get REALLY boring.  I don't miss mine at all.     

yamaha all-the-way!  

i think it is funny that you said the 500's will eat beginners for dinner... it is true though. my dad has rode 500's all of his life. and when he was 20 or so, he dislocated his shoulder riding a CR500. he got bit by one. but that is the price you pay for riding a psycho bike. he still has a 500 and he loves it. now he is just a little more precatious when he rides. he pickes the spots he wants to screw it on. but they are bad bikes. and i have riden his bike and my uncle's 500 and they are awesome. but those bikes will launch out from uner you if you hit something wrong and grab a handful of throttle. they can eat you up bad. so if you are a beginner, dont consider a 500. but i would strongly recommend a two-stroke 250. i have a 2002 CR250. i bought a 2002 because of the green sticker thing. i do a lot of trail riding and i wanted a green stickered bike. the 250's have a lot of power and i would recommend one for an older person who is beginning. he will also be able to grow into the bike also. and thats why i bought a bike that is going to be big for me. i am going to have the bike for atleast 4 years. it has all kinds of power and i dont need anything more. and if you are going to be doing a lot of dune riding, i wouldnt recommend a 450f because i would be concerened about riping though the dunes wide open and having the bike reved out. and i wouldnt want to blow a four stroke. and i dont understand why you think fouling plugs are such a big deal. i have been riding two strokes for a little while know and i have never fouled a plug. ive had my bike laid over for at least 5 min and i picked it right up and it fired on the second kick. we carry extra plugs with us just in case but we havent had a problem yet. so i wouldnt worry about it. just dont run your bike super fat and it wont load up on you. i would recommen a two stroke 250. that is just my opinion. but you know that if you dont like a bike you can always sell it and get soemthing else. it is no big deal if you buy a bike and you dont feel like it is the right bike for you, because you can just sell it. and move on to another bike. just get into the sport and move your way from there. and it isnt hard to selll bikes. there are always people out there that are looking to buy used bikes. dont sweat it. have fun. thats all that matters. and dont be super quick to learn. your not going to become a star rider over night. you are going to have difficulties and you are going to have to deal with them so just get use to it now. it takes time to become a good rider. have patience. everything will work out if you give it time.  

This topic must die!

what topic? about the 500's?  

if you are going to ride on trails in the bush i would go for a yz250f they are reliable and have enough power for what you want. get a 4 stroke for your first bike they are alot easier to ride because they dont a big powerband like 2 strokes.they have a little more matinence but take it to your local dealership and they will do maost matinence 4 u