ok. so ive only ridden about 3 times. yes, ever. but those 3 times were enough to let me know that i would love to have a bike of my very own. the problem; i dont know a whole lot about bikes as it is, so buying one without getting swindled would be a little tough. here's the general criteria:
1) doesn't need to be new
2) doesn't need to look good
3) doesn't need to be street legal or real fast
4) can't break down all the time. preferably, i want something that i could work on and keep running with the basic knowledge that i have. i don't want to need to be a rocket scientist to fix it
5) MUST be able to handle dirt, trails, etc.
6) it's got to be cheap, man. im talking like $550. is that even possible?!?
ok. thats it. if anybody can even give me a good idea what to look for or where to start looking for it i would be much obliged. i'm 6'2" and about 200 lbs. please take into account that i need a beginner bike just for messing around. i wont ever be racing. i just want one to learn on and take out every once in a while with my friends. i dont want to sound like a sissy or anything but im afraid of 250s. when i rode my buddy's 125 for the first time and it scared me half to death. it was a good scared, but still... thanks guys.

XR 250 - PERFECT for your situation!! What you need to do is PRAY for a miracle cause you dont have the cash flow for what your talking about (well, at least not in my area)!!! Maybe yo could run an ad in the local paper and word it something like "Looking for the best trail bike $550 could buy!" and then PRAY some more and see what happens!
It probably would be advisable for you to find someone with good bike knowledge to go with you to look. Remind whoever this is that you are NOT LOOKING FOR PERFECTION JUST DIRECTION!!!
Man 550 dont buy much now adays.
Woodsy

dirtbronc -

i don't know what the dirtbike market is like in your area, but here (western wa) $550 won't get you squat.

woodsy is right on the XR250. problem is, you won't find one that isn't pretty well used up untill you hit about the $1000 price point. and maybe not even then.

my advice is keep saving your nickles and ride a couple different bikes to see what suits you. the more bikes you find that fall into the "will work for me" category, the more likely you are to find a deal.


jeremiah

XRs are great play bikes, and very dependable. Old KTM EXCs are also very good, a much more serious bike, but still easy to ride and don't have that scary throttle response of the motocross bikes, if you can find one that has been taken care of.

I'm thinking something like a Yammie RT180. Not state of the art, not overpowered, not 4 stroke expensive, very basic engine, easy to kickstart. If you're patient you can find them for less than a grand. But remember: You normally get what you pay for.

All above is good advice. One more thing to consider is the cost of riding gear. Absolute minimum is a helmet, goggles, boots and gloves. Please don't ride without this. Good luck on your hunt. It took me a second job and a year and a half of saving every penny of it to get a bike and gear after I was bit by the riding bug. Luckily a friend helped me out and gave me an old helmet, boots and riding gear. It wasn't pretty but I quickly learned the value of it. By the way my first bike was a 95 KDX200. Easy to ride, not very money hungry or maintenance intensive and is easy to make faster when you are ready for it.

Hey Dirtbronc, I know where you're coming from. I got bit by the dirt bike bug and bought a 91 KX250. It was an absolute money pit! Worse than spending money was the time wasted doing the labor and the frustration of not being able to ride after I plopped down $1650. After three months and $500 dollars later, I decided the get a new used bike. This time I was up for spending more $$ t-- I realized you get what you pay for! I had certain criteria that might help you.
1) Owned by a vet or a woman (sorry ladies don't want to sound sexist. I know lots of woman would lap me once or twice. I'm referring more to the wife or girlfriend of a dirt rider.)
2) never raced
3) bone stock as possible
4) Well maintained (smell the oil, look at the air filter, check the frame for major dents from missing jumps, ask what premix was used and at what ratio, check the rear shock for play, look at the forks for oil seal leaks, look at the person's garage -- is it neat or is it dumpy.) All this will help you get a sense of the condition of the bike.

And like Woodsy recommends, I did pray. I got a great bike that was within my budget!

Definately save a few more $$, and then get something! If you get a bike for $550, more than likely the suspention is wore out, i.e. bleeding shocks and such, the frame is probably rusted out, and the engine has been put through the ringer. It will cost you more $$ to fix than buying a good new used bike, not to mention you will spend more time working on it than riding it. There are some good deals that you can find, look at a cycle trader to get a good idea on how much $$ you will need.
There are alot of adds in there that say "low hours", "only riden twice", "never been wrecked", etc. I'd take this with a grain of salt.
This is by no means a cheap sport, it does require some $$, The initial getting started is the worst though, unless something catastrophic happens.
But anyway, good luck, and I hope you can get something going!

i got a 1991 rt 180

open to post?