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Help chosing a bike.
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Posted by: lbk---------------------

Well first of all I'm a total newby to dirt riding. I've been riding on the street for about 8yrs now, and have been roadracing for about 2yrs now. But recently we picked up a PW50 for my son, and a CR80 for my wife. This past weekend a friend let me borrow his YZ125 so we could all go riding. It was an absolute blast having the whole family riding together. Since my friend refuses to let go of his, I'm looking for one for myself.

I really like the YZ125 his was a 1998 I think. Felt comfortable on it, and felt like the bike had plenty of room for me to grow into. I want to stay with a 2-stroke just because for the dirt I like the power delivery they offer.

So I'm looking for something hopefully right around $1,500 but need some help knowing the differences in years. For example I've seen some local ads for 1996 YZ125's that fit in my price range. Is there any years that had problems or I should stay away from? Also how do you tell when looking if it's due for a new top end or not? So any buying advice is greatly appreciated.

Also side note I also have a 1998 CR80 Expert that we originally bought for my wife but it wound up too tall for her to ride comfortably. Would I be ok riding this for a while? I want to learn to jump so I'm afraid I would bottom it out. I'm 5'11" and weight about 160lbs. I did some very small jumps on the 125 and I felt confident knowing that it wouldn't bottom out. If I could get started on the 80 Expert I'd hang onto it ride it this year then possibly look for something else next year. So help me out with some experienced feedback.

Posted by: lbk---------------------

Sorry just realized after looking around more there is a forum for this specifically. So if an admin could move it that'd be great.

Posted by: gowen---------------------

First off,

congrats on making a move that could bring your family together. (it did mine

)

Second, the '96 depending on the price, as it is not listed, is a great bike. I've had several friends that have had a '96 yz and they have nothing bad to say about them, except now they have grown out of them and have moved on to 250's (2 stroke

) Also, a bike to consider is the CR family. I have a '97 cr125 that I picked up for $1100 near perfect except a pipe (fmf was like $170)..

Good luck

Posted by: gwcrim---------------------

Nothing wrong with learning to offroad on the 80. You're probably experienced enough to recognize when you've reached the limit of the suspension. (HINT: You'll hear a loud bang and feel a hard landing.

)

After you feel more comfortable on a dirtbike then start looking at something that is more suitable to your riding habits. And after a year or so, what you think you'll be doing now might change.

If you like the zing of a 125, try and hop a ride on a 250 or even >GASP< a 500. 125s require a bit more top end maintenance because they are higher revving. Plus if you're an old racer, you may want to get something a bit more powerful once you are more dirt-worthy.

Posted by: ShagsSupra---------------------

Dont quote me on this... but a friend told me 125's are more of high revving so they need to be gotten on alot (close to full throttle or enough throttle) and you cant really putt around on them waiting up for family you could foul the plug and somthing else, I wouldnt think.. lol but dont quote me... somone else can probly fill you up on some more information on that subject.

The only other 2 strokes I have heard of beeing able to putt around on and not really danger anything is a KDX200/220 and I think KTM (not sure on this 1 really just tryign to rmemeber a post I read awhile ago) you could always get a 4 stroke 250, or somthing bigger for the power you want and be putt worry free lol.

Maybe sombody else here can help you more on this subject I dont wanna keep you fromg etting 1 but I dont wanna see you on the trails with a fouled plug, LIKE ME on my friends cr250 puttin around the first time I rode it, not going past 3rd gear and only half throttle, (im pretty sure by that time your wife on the 80 and kid on the 50 would be out of sight lol)

Posted by: lbk---------------------

Thanks for the input, the 96' was $1,400 so I thought that was a pretty decent buy.

I would love to just keep the 80 expert for a while it has enough power no problem there, just wasn't sure if I could jump it at all. The jumps I did this weekend weren't anything to take pictures of there was probably just a little air between the rear tire and the ground. If I could jump the 80 to get used to it I like that idea simply because I feel in total control of the 80 being so small and all. Just don't want to damage it since that's going to be the bike I sell to help pay for the 125.

I'm a bit leary of jumping right to a 250 just because there were a few times going through a berm this weekend that I'd catch the throttle while trying to brake and if I did the same thing on the 250 I'd probably be over the bars. Not quite sure how to brake yet on a dirt bike. Road racing I use two fingers and almost 100% front brake. I know riding dirt the rear brake is used a lot more so I've got a lot to learn. It's amazing to me how different the riding is, but it is a lot of fun.

I have also considered a CR125 since they seem to go for less than the YZ, but the Yamaha has a certain appeal to me. I know it's stupid, but the kid loves it, he was like that one's just like my bike (PW50) and yeah I like the idea of getting pictures of him and I together on bikes that look alike. LOL I know that's kind of a dumb reason but hey, he's cute. In fact this past weekend it was hilarious he was putting his gear on and we bought a jersey for him and another for me they were the same (Blue Yamaha) and he put mine on. It was like a dress on him and he didn't even notice until I told him he was wearing mine, he just laughed said oops and switched to his. Anyway enough of that.

As far as the bikes are concerned though, anything drastically different between the CR and they YZ that a newby would notice?

Posted by: lbk---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShagsSupra

Dont quote me on this... but a friend told me 125's are more of high revving so they need to be gotten on alot (close to full throttle or enough throttle) and you cant really putt around on them waiting up for family you could foul the plug and somthing else, I wouldnt think.. lol but dont quote me... somone else can probly fill you up on some more information on that subject.

Maybe sombody else here can help you more on this subject I dont wanna keep you fromg etting 1 but I dont wanna see you on the trails with a fouled plug, LIKE ME on my friends cr250 puttin around the first time I rode it, not going past 3rd gear and only half throttle, (im pretty sure by that time your wife on the 80 and kid on the 50 would be out of sight lol)

That's interesting hadn't really thought about that. This past weekend I pretty much just put it in nuetral occasionally waiting up for the little guy. But I was riding behind him on the little motocross track. Anyone else have more info on this, is it going to damage a 125 putting it like that? Won't be doing it all the time, because a lot of times we take turns keeping an eye on him so the other person can actually ride some too.

Posted by: gwcrim---------------------

I rode an old CR125 in the woods on trails for years and never had a plug fouling problem. If the bike is jetted correctly, there should not be any plug fouling at all.

Posted by: gwcrim---------------------

One other thing.... if you're not going to race at all, a KDX is a super wonderful woods bike that can be ridden on a track if you don't jump like a stunt rider. They are relatively inexpensive, very plentiful and a perfect bike to learn on as well as keep for a while.

Oh, and they're a lovely color green!

Posted by: va_yzrider---------------------

I agree with gwcrim! Everyone learning to ride should be forced to spend some time on a KDX. It helped me out a lot when I was learning. I then went to a 125 for a few years which really prepared me for the 250. It seemed to be the natural progression of things and I don't have any regrets.

In my opinion, the YZ might be a little better for a beginner than the CR b/c they seem to have a little more bottom end and not quite as much hit when the power band comes on. I'm not saying they aren't as powerful, just a little more tame. Both are great bikes.

Just to let you know, experienced dirt riders use the front brake a lot too. I probably use mine just as much if not more than the rear brake. It just takes time to learn how the bike is going to react to braking.

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you and the family are having fun. I can't think of a better sport to bring a family together. Good luck to ya!

Posted by: lbk---------------------

Thanks a lot for the feedback, I'm going to keep looking around and see what I can come up with and I'm sure I'll have plenty of riding questions after I pick something up and spend some more time riding it.

It's just very different using the front brake on dirt not use to the front diving that much obviously much softer suspension on dirt bikes. Roadracing you pretty much want them as firm as possible under braking so just stuff I have to get use to and learn but that's part of the fun. :D

Thanks again, and hopefully soon I'll be posting pics of a bike.

Posted by: Mike's 2003 YZ250---------------------

Hey, welcome aboard! As you can see, this is a great place you have found with alot of experienced people. I am kind of new here myself. I love dirtbikes, I was very happy to have found this place. Anyway, I think you could ride that CR80 no problem at all. They are powerful little bikes and you really shouldnt have a problem doing jumps on it either. I wouldnt go off huge jumps with it, but decent sized jumps I dont think would be a problem. Like said above, riding is a great way to bring everyone together and have a great time, just be careful. Oh question for ya. If you take over the CR80 for yourself, what will your wife ride?? You will need to get her something Im assuming? Mike

Posted by: lbk---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike's 2003 YZ250

Hey, welcome aboard! As you can see, this is a great place you have found with alot of experienced people. I am kind of new here myself. I love dirtbikes, I was very happy to have found this place. Anyway, I think you could ride that CR80 no problem at all. They are powerful little bikes and you really shouldnt have a problem doing jumps on it either. I wouldnt go off huge jumps with it, but decent sized jumps I dont think would be a problem. Like said above, riding is a great way to bring everyone together and have a great time, just be careful. Oh question for ya. If you take over the CR80 for yourself, what will your wife ride?? You will need to get her something Im assuming? Mike

No we have two right now one is a 98' CR80 Expert (little taller) and a 2000 CR80 so we have two just after riding the 125 I was wanting something along those lines so that I could have more room to move up. We'll see maybe I'll take the CR80 Expert out and try some small jumps with it and see if it bottoms out.

Posted by: DougRoost---------------------

One of the first things you need to learn when riding a dirt bike is to always keep 2 fingers on the clutch and one on the front brake as well. That will really keep you out of a lot of trouble, especially in technical riding situations. 125s are a lot of fun and will also force you to develop good riding skills faster. 250s are even better IMO, especially the newer ones that have lightened up so much.

KDX's are great bikes, as are the KTM 2 strokes. The KTM 300 has been called a 3 stroke and I'd have to agree. Much like the KDX, just more race-oriented (actually a very good middle point between a pure MX bike and a KDX).

Posted by: YamaB---------------------

I'm in a similar boat as you in that I have ridden street bikes for 11 years now (road raced for 2), but this is my first season in the dirt... I went with the yz250 and have been pretty happy with my choice... It has an EVIL power band, but w/ all my road experience it hasn't really been a problem... I actually quite enjoy it... It has a great suspension, but I can get pretty agressive on the jumps and still bottom it out from time to time (i'm 220 lbs)...

If you are planning on doing much woods/trail riding w/ the fam, you will probably be better off w/ a less racy bike like the kdx... My bike is pretty unhappy unless it is being ran wide the F open...

Funny you mention the throttle/braking thing is that is the exact issue I am struggling with... When I'm braking hard into bumpy corners, I have a really bad habbit of cracking the throttle on as well as the brakes... I think it has to do w/ sliding back on the bike and grabbing the throttle to "hold on"... Anyway, this is indeed dangerous on the 250 as it was the cause of me getting TOSSED over a large berm last weekend (Big Lou got a great view of it)...

- BA

Posted by: DougRoost---------------------

It's even sketchier in the woods when you deflect off a root or rock! Always keep 2 fingers on the clutch and things are much safer...

Posted by: KAWA200'sRule---------------------

My vote goes to the kdx. Then down the line get a 125 or one of the great bikes already mentioned.

Posted by: lbk---------------------

Well I wound up with a 2001 RM125 I'm pretty happy got a good deal on it, and the guy I bought it from lives right down the street, and was very helpful with all the info about the bike.

Here it is.

http://www.teamkde.com/teamkde/images/rm125.jpg

Posted by: Mike's 2003 YZ250---------------------

Hey, great bike! Very nice, looks to be in great shape. Have fun with it. Thanks for the picture.

Mike

Posted by: DougRoost---------------------

Looks like a great choice, alright. Time to update that bike info in your profile.

Posted by: lbk---------------------

Good thing I didn't put the info in my profile yet, just went back tonight to pick up the title. The guy I bought it from tells me that he told his kid he sold the bike, and come to find out this one is an 02' not an 01' so the deal I got was even sweeter than I thought. He was really cool about it too, I told him I felt bad and he was just like no that's ok. So let that be a lesson if any of you have multiple bikes I mean like 6 of them, make sure you know which one you're selling LOL.

Again this guy was just absolutely great about the whole purchase, so I now know that I own an 02' RM125 ;D

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Help chosing a bike.

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