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31 year old Newbie..
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Posted by: 2stroke4eva---------------------
hey all. I have always wanted a bike and was never allowed to have one growing up. Now I am 31 and I guess I am going through an early mid life crisis. I want to start riding and was thinking I would get a 2 stroke 125cc mx bike. I am 6' 185lbs. Do you think a 125 is the right choice for me? I figured a 250 would be too much considering I am new to the sport. I was also thinking about a yz250f. What do you all thing of that choice? All input is appreciated :thumb:
Posted by: azjeff---------------------
The most important question is what kind of riding are you going to do ? If you are going to race MX then you are heading down the right path, but if you are going to do any other kind of riding you might want to wait for the 03 wr250 to come out.
Jeff
Posted by: Rooster---------------------
Type of riding will probably be your iggest factor in regards to what kind of bike you get. At 185 lbs. you could probably get away with a 125 for mx racing, but woud be better suited on a 250. If you are going to trail ride you will certainly be better off on the 250.
Just my personal experience on this. I sold my 125 because it wasn't trail friendly enough, I needed more low end power and I weigh in at 165. Now I ride a 250 and have been super glad I made the change.
Posted by: 2stroke4eva---------------------
I will not be racing just rec riding. Thanks for the input.
Posted by: azjeff---------------------
if are just rec riding stay away from the full blown racing bikes and look at the yamaha WR 250 or the MXC or EXC series of bikes from KTM. Ktm has the largest selection of dirt bikes from any manufacture.
good luck jeff
Posted by: Tommygun---------------------
Since you are new to the sport please steer well clear of the 250 MX bikes. They have so much power that a slight mistake will on either track or trail will launch you on your head. These race bikes are not for beginners. The 125 MX bikes are potent as well, and have a pull your arms out hit in the powerband that makes them hard to ride when the trail or track conditions are demanding. My 2 cent recommendation is to go for an easier to ride bike like a KDX 200, learn some skills, then trade up after a couple of years if you want. You may find the KDX more than adequate for a long time. I know the temptation to get a macho 250MX bike, but you'll be sorry.
Posted by: linusb---------------------
YZ250F might likely be perfect. Very smooth and easy to ride, with MX capable power and suspension.
Posted by: Erick82---------------------
I just strated riding three months ago. When I was a kid I had a honda 50 and loved riding. Then my parents got devorced and I lived with my mom ie. no more dirt biking. Went on to play other sports, wrestling, football, rugby. Got into mountain biking to stay in shape about three years ago after college. Bought a older CR250 three months ago, for my size it was that or a large 4stroke. went with a cheaper two strock to learn on. I have riden trails and local MX tracks never having a problem. I highly recommend a 250 a lot less work than a 125, especally for your size. I recommend getting something you feal comfortable on. The power really scared me the first couple of times I rode, but thats why I liked it.
Posted by: Traildale1---------------------
Welcome to the wonderful world of dirt biking!
I'm a 40-something born-again dirt biker, after a 20-year absence, and ride about half trails and half practicing and play-racing on MX tracks). I re-started riding on a Suzuki DR-350 (lasted 6 months - too heavy) - bought a Kawasaki KDX 220 (lasted 1.5 years and my skills grew enough to outgrow the suspension when play riding on the track). The current ride is a YZ250F. The improvements in suspension, handling, confidence and power over the KDX was substantial - yet the bike is soooooo easy to ride. Putt around like an old fart, or hammer it - the bike does it all.
I have to agree that a YZ250F would be the bike of choice for getting into the sport. You can ride it for years and years before you come close to outgrowing its capabilities - if ever. A used 2001 in excellent condition can be had for $3500.
From my experiense with MX 250 2-strokes and 450 4-strokes (ridden YZ250, YZ400F, RM250, CRF450), you have to be a step ahead of these bikes. By that I mean that if the throttle is twisted and you are not already in the correct position on the bike, and at the correct lean angle, etc. you WILL have your A$$ handed to you in short order. You can always trade up if the 250F doesn't scare you enough. The more powerful bikes are more work physically, but whether they are more fun is debatable. Some say yes, many don't think so.
All I know is that I still have a smile on my face and it won't go away, then again neither will the cramps in my legs. You see, the owners of the Pro MX track in Millville, MN opened the groomed track to trail riders and non-racers this last weekend. $30 and all you can ride, so I rode until I physically could not hang onto the bike anymore. Sand whoops, double jumps, hills, and true MX bliss. Truely one of the best bike weekends of my 43 year old life. Thanks to my YZ250F for saving my A$$ on numerous occations.
Good luck and ride safe.
Posted by: 2stroke4eva---------------------
wow I really appreciate all the good reply's I have received on this post. Thanks!!
Posted by: Jeff Gilbert---------------------
Get a bike, I bet this time next year we'll see a "My first race ever" from you. 
Posted by: beer_stud_76---------------------
i see that you seem predisposed toward 2 strokes based on your handle, but 4 strokes have come a long way baby. i ride with a guy who was in your shoes last summer (36, never had a bike, ect) he ended up buying a suzuky DRZ400 with the electric start and dual sported and all. its a great bike and that E-start gets him out of a lot of beginner-type jams.
also, i agree with these other guys about avoiding MX bikes of any variety. they can be fun on trails but it takes a bit more nerve and skill than the average beginner possesses. however, i find that the early and mid 90's KX and YZ 250's are more managable (in stock form) than the CR's.
also, under no circumstance (unless some one gives it to you) should you get a 125 MXer. they have very narrow power bands that make them difficult to control on the trails. and assuming you had the skill to do it, you'd get very good at replacing clutches and top ends.
here are some bikes that i think you might like: honda XR 250 or 400, suzuki drz400 or RMX 250, KTM exc 200 250 300 or LC4 400, kawasaki kdx 200 220 or and older 250.
also, for a beginner i think you're better off getting something a bit under powered. learn good riding technique on it and trade up at some future point. if you get a good used bike and take care of it, you should be able to get back what you paid for it. nothing will ruin your enthusiasm for the sport like a difficult to control bike with too much power.
and remember this: engine size has less to do with a bike's managibility than you might think.
happy hunting
jeremiah
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