What should I be looking at?

I know that this type of thread is asked all the time here, but I would like your opinions. I am looking to get a dirt bike. I have never ridden a dirt bike before, but I ride a Suzuki GS500F street bike, so I am not new to motorcycles. I will be riding on rough trails and in the woods in the mountains.
I'm 19, 6 feet tall, and 175 pounds.

I want something that will keep me entertained for a long time, as I'm already itching to move up to a 750 from my 500. Would 2 stroke or 4 stroke be best for me?
what engine size? Any bikes in particular?

Thanks  

What is your budget for the bike?  
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"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing some people out there having fun on motorcycles. It makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen

I think a 250 4st would be good for you, if your budget allows .  but if you gain much weight you are going to need more in suspension.
If the budget is slim look at some older 250 2st.  
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"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing some people out there having fun on motorcycles. It makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen

The question between two stroke and four stroke seems to be more of a personal preference...I prefer four strokes, so if it was me, I'd be looking at something like a WR250F or a CRF250X (or even the WR450 and CRF450X)....they are both 'off-road/trail' style bikes and require less maintenance than their motocross/race counter parts (like the YZ250F or the CRF250R).  I know lots of people who ride the race bikes for trails, but you do have to be careful of them over heating and other things like that...

But like Dag said, a 250 two stroke (like the YZ250 or CR250) would work fine too if you like two strokes


Welcome to the boards, and good luck with your search!  
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"Only the desert has a fascination to ride alone in the sun in the forever unpossessed country away from man. That is a great temptation."
--D.H. Lawrence

Court is right. I think a CRF250X or WR250F will be the best for you. And if you test ride one of them and want a little more power, just go with the 450.  
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Lancaster, PA
2007 CRF250R
4 Stroke 4 Life!

Ok, thanks for the guidance. My budget is ideally around $1200-1700, but I could go a few hundred more if I came across something. With the two strokes, what is the reliability like compared to 4 strokes? Do 2 strokes require significantly more investment in maintenance, because I would have to factor that in when to price, how much it would cost over time.  

well, two strokes need top ends redone more often, but they are less expensive to do (generally).....honestly, with the trail type four strokes, maintenance is minimal as long as you keep up with preventative maintenance like oil changes and such.  
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"Only the desert has a fascination to ride alone in the sun in the forever unpossessed country away from man. That is a great temptation."
--D.H. Lawrence

two strokes only require more work depending on the person riding it. Generally a racer riding a 2t is going to running high RPMS and beating the bike up, top end replacement will be more frequent in this case. Someone who is just riding around and not racing a 2t will not have to replace a piston as much and overall it may be cheaper to maintain. Also, jetting the bie correctly can really help the pistons last in the 2t's.  
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MIKE
Phoenix, az
(07 yz250)
(99 yz125)


Every bush has its day (sanders, 2009)
Lack of enthusiasm is for the weak and timid. (alex, a.k.a. yz250 forever)

"I know much about nothing at all"(Maple, 2009)

if you want something cheaper than the 250X or WR, You could check out 02-04 YZ250F's. You can normally get them in the mid high teens.  
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Lancaster, PA
2007 CRF250R
4 Stroke 4 Life!

i've had my rm125 since last summer and i haven't touched the top end yet. like hella said you keep the jetting right they're run like a raped pig and keep running for  long time.  
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if its got wheels or a skirt your gonna have problems... best t-shirt ever

03 rm125

2stroke eff tee dubba u