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Now I'm really confused!!!

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Posted by: gxdragon---------------------

Let me start off with. I'm 5'10", 220. I currently have a street bike Kawasaki concours (1,000cc sport tourer). I bought my daughter an XR50, my wife and I are also getting bikes. My wife will get a KLX110R (she's only 4'11" and has never ridden before) I planned on getting a klx300r for myself. From all the reviews that I read (professional & owner) it seemed like it would be a good bike for me.
When I ride with my wife and daughter most likely I won't be going that fast. However my brother is buying a WR450F, he used to race enduro. So when I go riding with him I expect to be moving much faster.
This is my first dirt bike and from what I read about the klx300r, it handles well and though it doesn't have a lot of power with a few mods some people use it to race.(I got most of my information from planetklx.com, epinions.com and motorcycleworld.com).
I intend to use the bike mainly for trails some mx if I can. I live in Philadelphia and would be riding in NJ Pine Barrens, PA Pocono’s and any place else I can find. In a year or two I might even try racing enduro.
When I started reading some posts on this site the best I seemed to read about the bike is that it is ok or not bad. Now I don’t know if I should go with the KLX300R, KLX400R or an XR400. I originally thought that a 400 to start would be too much but on the same note I don’t want to have to buy another bike in a couple of years. All advice would be welcome.


Posted by: limitless---------------------

an xr 400 will last forever... they're almost bulletproof. They can go really really slow or they can go really fast....It's up to you, but I think the xr would be the way to go as long as most of your riding is woods/fields. they'll do MX but not near as good as a lot of other bikes.

good luck, have fun, becarfull!
Tom


Posted by: gxdragon---------------------

Thanks for your reply Tom. I guess for my size and weight I should be looking for a bigger bike. One of my concerns was that a 400 was too big to learn on but never having ridden dirt before maybe I'm just wrong about that.
You feel that XR400 is a better choice then the KLX/DRZ 400? Or is it just a matter of preference?


Posted by: beer_stud_76---------------------

gxdragon -

a KLX/DRZ 400 would be a billion times better than the KLX300. if you got the 300 it would be fun, and probably do everything you want it to do, but after a few months you'll probably wish you had something ewith more power. you can get the DRZ with e-start (make sure you spring for the kickstarter as well) making starting a non-issue.

the XR400 would probably be a better bike for you than the KLX300 too. is it a better bike than the DRZ-KLX 400? i think so, but only for reliability, which is my primary concern.

as for learning, you already know the fundamentals. even if you didn't i'd say that the XR or DRZ-KLX 400 would be great to learn on for a guy at 5'10".

speaking of which, why not a WR450?


jeremiah


Posted by: beer_stud_76---------------------

ps -

the XR and DRZ-KLX 400's make horrible MX bikes. they CAN be MXed, but a goldwing could race in the AMA superbike championships too. know what i mean?


Posted by: mdkuder---------------------

The KLX/DRZ400 would be you best all around bike choice. I have a 00 DRZ400s and love it, the bike handles well in the woods on a MX track it's a bit heavy. It's just a fun bike, the power delivery is excellent and seemingly endless. My suggestion is to chat with some locals and see if they'll let you test ride their bikes, most will. Good Luck :thumb:


Posted by: gxdragon---------------------

I read in one of the forums that the WR may be having clutch problems? Does anyone know if that's true?
It is a little more than I wanted to spend, hell the 400s are little more than I wanted to spend but I do want to get the right bike. Thanks.


Posted by: Bill Hibbs---------------------

I'd get a DRZ/KLX 400 over any of the bikes you listed, including the XR400. These are really nice bikes with easy power to control but will move pretty fast if you want to.


Posted by: tigerowner---------------------

I have only heard speculation about the WR clutch. I would not worry about it too much. I have only heard of YZ probs on the track. The WR has a different tranny, maybe the clutch problems won't surface on the 5 spd. But who knows until someone breasks one. By the way a DRZ/KLX would be perfect for you and will be competative enough for the Sportsman Enduro class. THe XR is too dated and I have heard of no significant DRZ reliability probs.


Posted by: woodsy---------------------

Hey GX: You have received EXCELLENT advice here! I hope you have picked up on the underlieing theme of staying away from the 300 - GO WITH A 400! Do yourself a favor and get a ride on both the XR400/DRZ400 (KLX if you want green) and a WR250 (the 450 will be to much for a starter bike). Make your decision on "feel" for YOU! We live in a great era with all this candy to pick from - ALL SWEET!!!!
Build LOTS of great mems with your family - that my friend is what its all about!
Woodsy


Posted by: mdkuder---------------------

Quote:
Originally posted by gxdragon
It is a little more than I wanted to spend, hell the 400s are little more than I wanted to spend but I do want to get the right bike. Thanks.


Here's a kicker for you I bought a new 00 model DRZ in mid 01 and paid $1500 less than retail! At the time they had plenty of on and off road models, so you might check it out.


Posted by: gxdragon---------------------

Well it seems my brother was right. He also recommended the 400s or the WR250. But I insisted, based on what I had read from the reviews that the 300 was enough. Well I certainly can't tell him he was right so I'll act like I just changed my mind. By March at latest April my finances should be settled enough to buy those bikes.
Thanks for all the advice.



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