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unbiased opinion
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Posted by: AmBull---------------------

Well I have never actually ridden a dirt bike but want to get one to ride with my son who has one. '05 PW50. I have 2 friends that are selling bikes. I would like you more experienced guys to help me out!! Thanks And Honda and Zook fans dont be biased. I am talking about deals not brands!

1984 Honda XR250----bike is clean selling for $900

1997 Suzuki RM 250 $1500---with the following:

Gold plated cylinders and rings

Pro taper bar

Pro taper triples

gripper seat

aftermarket suspension

Factory case guards

carbon fiber frame guards

Full FMF Gold Series Fatty pipe

Jet Kit

Factory Effects graphics kit

Acerbis fork guards

service manual

spare fenders

new tires

rear stand

Posted by: 02crf450---------------------

Go for the rm 250. The xr will get boring very fast.

Posted by: acanz---------------------

If your a new rider the RM will probably be too powerful and scary at first, but after a while youll get used to it and be glad you didnt get that old XR250.

Posted by: YZ165---------------------

Quote:

Gold plated cylinders and rings

Quote:

Jet Kit

Quote:

rear stand

Someone has a better pipe that me, and I'm not happy about it.

Posted by: rickyd---------------------

If your going too ride around w/your son on his pw50, i'd go for the xr250.. Its a hassle following the lil ones around w/a MX bike like a rm.. Plus, i'd be leary of somebody trying too seel you a bike w/gold plated rings

Rick

Posted by: Okiewan---------------------

What exactly are gold pipe and rings and why are soft / expensive materials good in the combustion process?

Quote:

Full FMF Gold Series Fatty pipe

vs. part of a pipe?

Quote:

aftermarket suspension

By who and set-up for who? A 150lb pro SX'er or a 300 lb weekender? "Aftermarket" suspension could REALLY SUCK.

Is this an E B ay ad by chance, lol.?

Posted by: Okiewan---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickyd

If your going too ride around w/your son on his pw50, i'd go for the xr250.. Its a hassle following the lil ones around w/a MX bike like a rm.. Plus, i'd be leary of somebody trying too seel you a bike w/gold plated rings

Rick

If all you ever plan to do is that, then yes, get the XR.

Posted by: Michelle---------------------

I'd keep looking, but if you've decided it's one or the other, I'd go for the old XR for riding with your boy. The two stroke isn't going to enjoy that much slow riding & will play up (fouling plugs, stalling & generally being a pita).

I don't think either bike is a "deal" & that if you spend more time looking around, you may find a "deal". I would look at a 4st rather than 2st though. Don't forget the year is 2005, which means the 2006 bikes will be out at the end of this year (i.e. neither bikes are young).

Posted by: mtk---------------------

If the RM is jetted right, it won't foul plugs.

With that said, it IS a bit much to follow a kid on a PW50. It's like borrowing Michael Schumacher's Ferrari to follow junior in his battery-powered car. But I've followed little kids around on my CR250 and it worked just fine (never fouled a plug either). I also had the option of doing all kinds of stuff that no XR250 could pull off with it when the youngin's weren't around.

But on the other hand, if you disable the oil pump on the PW50 and run it on premix, you and the boy can use the same fuel. He can help you mix it up at the gas station. Your bike will make the same kinds of noises. There's something to be said for stacking the deck so he can be "just like dad." After all, lots of folks on here have dirt bikes and when their kids wanted one, they wanted one of the same color as dad. Dad rides a KX, they want a KX. Dad's a Yamaha man, they want blue.

As for the particular bikes you mentioned, both seem expensive to me. Particularly the RM, since a 1997 motocrosser is ancient, not to mention the ad lists a bunch of stuff that is total BS (gold plated rings... Puhlease!)

Posted by: killerbeez 75---------------------

new rider = xr250.Its a great bike and it is nearly bullet proof.Learn how to ride and as your son steps up so should you.I think thats one of the best brginner bikes because it wont get you into to much trouble,the rm may hurt you,very bad beginner bike.

Posted by: highmileage---------------------

1) Get an XR250, but I am not particularly saying you need the one you mentioned. An XR250 will perform very well for what you want (a learner's bike) and actually has alot of up side with focused mods. A modified XR250 can be a weapon in the woods if set up properly.

2) For a true beginner's bike, an XR250 is something that you can keep alot of positive memories from. A modified MX 250 is something you won't have fond memories of IMHO.

Posted by: xsnrg---------------------

The RM250 would in most circumstances be more fun, but in your case, it would be a miserable choice for riding alongside a 50. The XR250 will be practically no maintenance, easy starting, and it is a 4stroke, so very easy to putt around on (plenty of torque, even at low speed/throttle). It is big enough to carry an adult just about anywhere on a trail and it will go plenty fast enough to scare a beginner. When your junior steps up to a 2stroke 80, then you can always upgrade to a 2stroke 250.

Posted by: AmBull---------------------

Ok I know both of the dudes from ridind street and track. One I know a little better than the other. Neither one is an E BAY ad. I am in the DC metro area so I dont know if that has anything to do with the price. I have seen one other '84 xr for 200 more than 900 and another '97 RM for 1750. So I am thinking maybe this area the pricing is ok? I know that when I was looking for my CBR I got it for like 500 more up here than from back where i am originally from. But anyways, sooooo overall the XR?? I will just be riding trails with my son and a little track.

Posted by: AmBull---------------------

you guys are great with the info!! Gimme the numbers to all of your bosses you need a raise!

Posted by: Patman---------------------

I'll back up the XR choice for your application as well. I had a 2 stroke (KTM360) and it was not the bike to ride with my son no matter which bike he was on (PW50, KTM50, XR80) it was not the best mix. I solved that problem and then some with a XR250 that is slightly

modified. I really think a lot of people get hung up on the idea the NEED a race bike and that everybody else does too, that is not always the case.

http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/sh...ad.php?t=107809

Posted by: mtk---------------------

The terrain you ride on also makes a huge difference. When I was doing it, we were on a farm with large, open fields. Puttering on a trail would have been a different story.

Posted by: AmBull---------------------

damn there are too many riding types and styles for choosing a bike. I guess this is it, i want something to ride with my son, ride on track, trails, field all that.

Posted by: Mike R.---------------------

Quote:

since a 1997 motocrosser is ancient,

thats about the dumbest comment I have seen.
Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Oh sorry yours is a 00 thats only semi-ancient.
Pfffft
Just because a bike doesnt have 05 vin-sticker on there dont disregard it as non competetive.
Its about 80% rider 20% bike.

Posted by: Chili---------------------

Does budget limit you to a used bike in this price range? If not the new CRF250X might be a great option for a do it all type of bike. Another option for a do it all type of bike might be a Kawasaki KDX 200/220.

Posted by: AmBull---------------------

Yea budget plays a factor because I am looking to getting a new street bike also. I havent ridden dirt before and do not want something new to beat up. I went to check out the '84 XR today and it rode fine. Was kinda hard to start but it was about 11 degrees last night and about 28 when I went over to look at it so I imagine that had something to do with it. Ahhh why is dirt decisions so much more difficult than street

Posted by: Mike R.---------------------

Once you learn the drill of starting the XR its a snap.
Considering you got it started in 11* weather I would say thats a good sign. I can count numerous people I know who have looked at XR's and could not start them simply because they didnt know the drill on the XR.
They are generally harder to start cold if that helps you out.

Posted by: 83MX80---------------------

how did you feel the XR was? you said fine, but that really doesnt give us any info. do your feet at least touch the ground? im short 5' 6" 150lbs.... and i fit the the 2004 CRF230F 4 stroke like it was made for me. so i think as soon as i get a job, (hopefully in the next couple of weeks) i can start making payments (12 percent financing,) on one at $112.00 US, so whatever that is in Canadian bux, i need to know, so if someone know's can you tell me? i'll prolly/hopefully start paying for it next month. because im going to Chilliwack to visit my grandparents. and thats where i sat on one. i found the 230 is right for me because 1) im short, and most 2 strokes are too big height wise. 2) i can touch the ground with my toes. i was at the Honda dealer when i sat on it, so it was a little awkward getting onto it because i was afraid of knocking or kicking the other bikes. its not that heavy at 238 pounds. its got a 2.2 gallon gas tank with a 0.4 reserve tank. disc brake up front and drum out back. 6 speed tranny. seat height is 34.1 inches.ground clearance is 11.7 inches. etc.

Posted by: 83MX80---------------------

oh and it also has electric start too.

Posted by: mtk---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by 83MX80

its not that heavy at 238 pounds.

A 238lb dirt bike is a tank.

My CR250 weighs 213lbs, according to Honda. Most 125s come in under the 200lb mark. Throwing around an extra 40lbs all day will suck the life out of you quickly.

Posted by: Patman---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtk

My CR250 weighs 213lbs, according to Honda.

Yeah? Well I go 190 on "my" scale but all the ones in the real world say 210

Posted by: AmBull---------------------

Im 5'9 and i could touch the ground. i am looking at a 1997 CR 250 now for 1550. what do you guys think? *giving that everything is clean with it*

Posted by: mtk---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patman

Yeah? Well I go 190 on "my" scale but all the ones in the real world say 210

Well, you clearly need a new scale as it should read 165.

Excuse me, a chiseled 165.

Posted by: Patman---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtk

Well, you clearly need a new scale as it should read 165.

Excuse me, a chiseled 165.

Yeah, chiseled from a bag of marshmellos

Posted by: xsnrg---------------------

Ambull,
Go back through the thread and re-read it, replacing the CR250 you are looking at now for the RM250 you initially asked about. It seems almost everyone is saying to stay away from a 2stroke MX bike to ride with your son on a 50. I ride a KDX220, which is a 2stroke that is tuned/geared for the woods and trails (tame compared to a CR250 or RM250) and I would not want to spend a day on it riding with a kid on a 50. I would find someone's XR 250 or other 4stroke first. When you move your son up to an 80/85cc 2stroke, then you should start looking at 250 2strokes. That's just my unbiased opinion. An XR250 has two main purposes...for an adult that is leisure riding or an adult that is trailriding with his kid.

Posted by: AmBull---------------------

thanks xsnrg, the whole 2-4 stroke thing has got me! HaHaHA!

Posted by: snb73---------------------

Ambull,

I'm in the DC area too. 20 miles south of the bridge on the Maryland side. I was in the same boat as you two years ago. I wanted something to putt around on with the boy. I bought him an XR-100 when he was 9, his first bike. I was gonna get an XR200/250. I rode from age 12-23, but hadn't riden in about 13 years. A good buddie told me I would be bored with the XR in a month and suggested I get a 250 MX'er.

He was right in my case, I was a somewhat skilled rider as a teen. Although you never forget "how", I did have alot to learn. The 250 MX'er was more forgiving due to better suspention and brakes. Don't forget, the throttle will only do what you tell it to.

I don't know how long you have been away from riding, but current 2 strokes have coated cylinders, which makes boring-out almost a thing of the past. As said before, you can get 2-3 seasons out of a 2-stroke before a rebuild. They only cost around $200 to do yourself.

If you really want a fourstroke, to putt on and for ease of maintenence, you can't go wrong with and XR250. I would just suggest something a bit newer, for resale.

Here are a few local classified sites for you to check out. $900 seems way high for an 84 XR250. If you go 2-stroke, stay away from the highly modified ones.

http://classifieds.somd.com/cgi-bin...&query=category

http://www.mamamx.com/ads.html

http://www.thelandingmx.com/index.htm

http://www.smdr.org/Lists/For%20Sale/AllItems1.aspx

http://www.nvtr.org/

And of course, the E8ay

No matter what you choose you can't go wrong when riding with your son. Good luck, Steve.

Posted by: AmBull---------------------

Steve,

I sent you an email through here. If you do not get it please send me your email address, OR respond to my sent email at MRSGCROUCH@AOL.COM

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