Dirtbike

[techgesture]

This past year I bought my first bike, the M50... this year, I'm thinking that I would like to get into some more recreational riding.

I've never owned a dirt bike... what do you guys suggest? Im 6'1", 230pds... what size dirt bike would be appropriate. Trail riding, up hills, mountainous region, and an occasional jump here and there.

I dont know the first thing to look for....Suggestions?

[Clint]

I know you want the opinion of your M50 brethren, but this is really a dirt topic.

[Frizzy79]

With you not knowing the first thing about a dirt bike I would suggest a 250cc. Suzuki makes a good bike, but if I were to choose I would have a KTM. You will be very surprised at the speed difference between a street bike and a dirt bike. Don't let the cc fool you. I have raced dirt bikes as well as playing with them on the weekend. I am 6' 190lbs and a 250 was perfect. I would pull the front wheel off the ground in the first 3 gears without trying. You could go with a 400cc, but I wouldn't suggest it for a newbie. The good thing about a dirt bike is you can easily change the sprockets, exhaust and get a wider power band. Whatever you choose be careful. They are fun, but can be very dangerous very quickly.

[bigE]

I would get a 4 stroke w/ at least 250cc. Check out the honda XR's, or the CRF's if you want something more racy.... I have an old RM250 and its not great for woods/trail riding due to it being a 2 stroke and liking the high revs

[techgesture]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I know you want the opinion of your M50 brethren, but this is really a dirt topic.

Sorry to have offended you Rowdy
... but yes, I am looking for the opinion of those who have simular riding preferences as I do when it comes to bikes and their opinions.

[techgesture]

Originally Posted by Frizzy79

With you not knowing the first thing about a dirt bike I would suggest a 250cc. Suzuki makes a good bike, but if I were to choose I would have a KTM. You will be very surprised at the speed difference between a street bike and a dirt bike. Don't let the cc fool you. I have raced dirt bikes as well as playing with them on the weekend. I am 6' 190lbs and a 250 was perfect. I would pull the front wheel off the ground in the first 3 gears without trying. You could go with a 400cc, but I wouldn't suggest it for a newbie. The good thing about a dirt bike is you can easily change the sprockets, exhaust and get a wider power band. Whatever you choose be careful. They are fun, but can be very dangerous very quickly.

I wonder if any of the GSX-R type fuel injection technology we have come to know and love on the M50 has made it over to the Suzuki Dirt bikes....
Or even if that would make a difference being that were talking about completely different engine/tranny physics.

[techgesture]

Hey wait... did my thread get moved to the Dirt Bike forum? If I wanted it there, I would of posted it there, I'd think after 600+ post that I know how to use the forum.

No PM, no nothing asking "hey, you mind if we move this"
Did it just get moved because "someone" decided that "it should be" under a different category, ... even though I specifcally wanted the opinion of the M50 readers?

No biggie really... but I think I am a little ticked by that.

[drgibson]

I'd suggest that you get a 250cc full dirt or a 350cc duel sport. I always preferred the duel sport since I could ride it to go play.

Don't be ticked about the move it is a dirt bike question and I'd expect that the opinion of other dirt bike rides is more valuable then your fellow street bike riders.

[Apertureguy]

I gotta agree (even though I wasn't asked).

While seeking the opinion of your brother riders is great and all that...I would tend to think that actual dirt riders might offer an opinion with a bit more information. I don't think anyone was thinking anything other than this.

[Rickster]

I'll try and help you out, as you can see in my sig, I own an M50, and a very respectable dirt bike (KTM E/XC 525)

First of all, it would help to know about how much money you are planing on spending. New KTM's like mine sell for about $8,000.

Doesn't sound like you are wanting a MX bike, so I won't cover them, except to say, the step up in performance from an enduro to MX, is about the same as going from a V Strom to a GXSR.

Most dual sports are designed mostly for street use, and can be a real handful in any genuine off road situation, so I won't cover them either.

That leaves us with the enduros, this is a group of bikes that arn't street legal, but do have lights, so if you get caught out after dark, it's not that big a deal. A 250 4 stroke will defiantly get the job done for you, I weigh about the same, and never felt under powered on one. That being said, learning to ride in the dirt isn't as dangerous as learning to ride in the street, so I wouldn't try and talk you out of a bigger bike, you might even be better off on a bigger bike, because they have more torque, and are a little easier to ride in the real loose stuff, and on the steeper hills you have there in North Carolina.

The few 2 strokes that are available in this class have smaller motors, smaller gas tanks, and no elect start, I wouldn't recommend them for you.

If you are going to buy used, plan on having someone with experience check the bike over for you before you buy. Off road bikes get a lot of abuse. Even buying new you usually don't get a warranty.

If money isn't a problem, my choices would be KTM first, Honda, and Yamaha tied for second, Suzuki a distant third, and Kawasaki a way distant forth. For economy's sake, and if your not sure you are going to like it, I would steer you towards a lightly used WR 450 Yamaha. You can get one for a good price, and they are easy to sell, if you find that the dirt is not the place for you. If you fall in love with dirt riding, you still won't feel out classed on a WR.

Let me know if you have any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

[Rickster]

I was thinking about one of my statements above, and I think it was a poor choice of words to say "learning to ride in the dirt, isn't as dangerous, as learning to ride in the street". What I should have said is, if/when you do crash in the dirt, your less likely to have a serious injury. That's, of course assuming you are wearing all the gear you should be wearing. Crashing on the street, is usually going to involve another vehicle, one that weighs a lot more than you do. That's usually not an issue in the dirt. Also, it will be because you did something you shouldn't have, not because someone else messed up. You are much more in control of your own destiny.

[techgesture]

Very cool feedback Rickster... thanks.

[Wuby The Wabbit]

Go with the CRF250X or the 450X they are the race engine and frame, but with electric start, kickstand, and headlight, dont get the CRF-R its the race bike and if you drop you will miss that electric start. I have a YZ250F, and Im 5'6 170 I love it only that I cant reach the ground.

[eb77k]

I can totally recomend a Kawasaki KDX-220 (or a 200). They are available relatively inexpensively used. They have been building the bike since the mid 90's. So if you have a problem everyone can tell you what to do. Aftermarket stuff is available, so you can upgrade parts as your riding improves. Mine has been bulletproof. Ice racing in winter, trail riding all the rest of the year. I have some land so it's three kicks and I'm riding. They lug down low pretty well for a 2-stroke (important for a new dirt riders survival). Top end jobs are easy compared to a four stroke. Mine is a '98 and I've put one piston in the thing in nine years.

[FLMike]

I started riding dirt bikes as a teenager, but hadn't ridden in over 25 years when my son got the bug, I thought it best that I ride with him.

I have a 2000 Kawasaki KDX 200....It's balanced, has gobs of power and no power band, it works equally well on woodland trails and open dirt. The bike is built very very solid....I'll probably need to do the top end this year, and i've found "how to" advice easy to find. You can pick 'em up used at very reasonable prices....nice 2 stroke machine for a novice like myself.

[DR-Z125L]

4 stroke 250...doesnt matter what brand ktm is popular but expensive..honda is probably the way to go...not badly priced and great bikes