New rider. Need help to pick bike.

[Kalibaba]

1) your physical size- 5'11", 210lbs

2) How physical / aggressive are you ?- Pretty active, Definitely aggressive.

3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ?????- Mainly trail and field riding with friends

4) Do you have any riding experience?- Not really

5) Do you think you will race ?- probably not

6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work?- yes

7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)?- looking for anything

8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry? Have many dealer from Honda, suzuki, Kawasaki within 45min of my house

9) How much ($) do you plan to spend on a bike?- $2000-$3500

10) Do you live in California?-No, I am in Canada

11) Your age? 26


Hey all,

I am new to the bike riding world. I am currently looking for a bike. I will most likely buy a used bike. I just need help on picking something for me. I was thinking of a 250 but have no idea if that would be too powerful for me. Also what brand would be good? Any advice would be great?? Thanks in advance

 

[yankeefan4life72]

If you have no expierence riding I would NOT start with a 250 2 stroke.Personally I would not buy a used 4 stroke.If you are looking used , I would go 2 stroke.I started riding a kdx 200.....I was 30 when i started riding.I was definately not dissapionted in the kdx!! It is a great bike to learn on,but you still get a 2 stroke snap.. You can also hop it up as your skills improve. If you decide to go green , go with the 200 not the 220. There is so much more available for the 200.(aftermarket parts)The 220 also has an issue with the stock piston, or so I have been told.Goto canadian daves just kdx on this site...it is another forum.anything you want to know about a kdx will be there. Good luck and welcome!!Also look on epay for a used 200.The kdx has not changed in like 10 years.They are bullet proof. :cool:

 

[Kalibaba]

Thanks for the reply I can't find any KDX200 in my area so I am looking into getting a newer CRF230. Hope it will work out for me.

 

[J-man]

i would recomend that u do not get that bike it is extremely underpowered for u. it is too small 4 me and im alot shorter than u.

 

[Kalibaba]

What else would you recommend then??

 

[2 strokes for life]

yankeefan4life72, i have found the KDX220 has the same aftermarket support as the KDX200, and there has been no problems with any of my buddies bikes. But KDX would be a great bike.

Kalibaba, your best bet would be a KDX but seeings how you can not find one a XR250 would be much more power full then a CRF230 and cost less. Also, the DR-Z250, KLX300, or TT-R250 would all fit you nicley. One last option would be a old Yamaha IT175, 250, or even 400 if you can find any because there easy to ride and fix.

 

[Kalibaba]

I am getting a deal on a 1996 kx250. Would that be a wise choice?

 

[XRpredator]

It'll only go as fast as you twist the throttle.

I think, as a complete beginner, you'd have more fun on an XR250. But, if you are as aggressive as you say, the KX might be for you. I'd spend some time trying out some friends' bikes before plunking down the dinero.

 

[2 strokes for life]

Kalibaba, i am with pred on this one. I think there should be a test ride befor purchase of the bike. If you do buy it the first upgrade should be a Flywheel Weight.

 

[kenny110482]

if you r looking for a good bike for trail ridding i would not get a 2 stroke. i would recomend a 4 stroke. i have a 94 kx250 for the open dunes here in oregon and a 05 crf 250x for the mountains. the crf might be a little more than your looking to spend but i bought mine brand new and couldnt be happier. i owned a xr 200 before that and loved the bike had lots of fun but not enough power. with the crf you can still lug it in the woods but still let it fly out in the open. you wont be let down

 

[2 strokes for life]

kenny110482, have you ever ridden a CR500 with a FWW, bottom-mid porting, and bottom end pipe? Its a 2 stroke and it luge better then a KTM 525EXC, and it is far faster aswell. But as far as a small displacement bike goes a 4 stroke will produce a better bottom end power.

 

[Kalibaba]

Well I am still looking. I am still interested in the kx250, but I am going to try my friends dads 1985 kx250 this weekend and see how I do on it. If all goes well I will be buying the 1996 kx250.

 

[KX250Dad]

Kalibaba... I'm having flashbacks. At 43 I bought a used XR250 when introducing and teaching my son to ride a XR70. Wound up leaving trails and going MX at which time we went to RM80 and '97 KX250... I was bloodied for 2 years (took me that long to realize I could no longer ride like I did when I was 16). At 50+ the KX250 is pretty much wore out to a 200 or 220... we have a great relationship and in looking back the starting with a 200 or 220 2t would have been the much wiser choice. Now my son has handed me his 2005 YZ250 as a gift for quiting smoking... guess I'll be on the net looking for a 50lb., flywheel weight.

Good Luck...

 

[Kalibaba]

Thanks for all your input guys

 

[dirtracker]

I am getting a deal on a 1996 kx250. Would that be a wise choice?

I dont think so power delivery would be violent.Better get a kdx 200,ktm exc 200 250,yam wr.Start fom there & work your way up.MX bikes are tuned for racing. Powerband is for aggressive riding.I know a lot of people who started learning to ride in a 250mx bike usualy hurt themselves and scares away,a few become better rider.Thats the reason theres a lot of cheap hardly ridden 250mx in ****.