Advice on dirtbikes

[joshy28]

Originally posted in the Trial ride section

Im wanting to buy 2 dirt bikes for the misus and I just for having some fun in the bush. My parents live in Kaingaroa Forest and after recently going back to visit, realised that there are awesome looking tracks to ride on.

I love riding and like a bitta speed, im 6" 110kg. As for the misus, well she is petite and just learning to ride my bandit250. So that in mind, im wanting some advice on cheap good bikes, brand, cc, 2 stroke or 4 stroke etc Trademe looks promising, but not sure on what would suit me or the misus. Any advice will be muchly appreciated

cheers
Josh

[Sammikins]

Am selling my DRZ125L that i have outgrown, good learners bike for ladies. :yes:

[mfordy]

Can't go past the good old KDX200 - wait for it!...:innocent:

[joshy28]

Am selling my DRZ125L that i have outgrown, good learners bike for ladies. :yes:

how much?

I like the idea a kx250 for me and she a kx125..

[joshy28]

Can't go past the good old KDX200 - wait for it!...:innocent:

bit expensive.. budget is 2K max for 2 bikes

[Sammikins]

bit expensive.. budget is 2K max for 2 bikes

Maybe a bit more than you're willing to spend... selling a 96 kx125 for $1500-$2000 though, seat been shaved too so it's a wee bit lower.

[joshy28]

Maybe a bit more than you're willing to spend... selling a 96 kx125 for $1500-$2000 though, seat been shaved too so it's a wee bit lower.

theres one on trademe for 900ono but needs some work. really on a strict budget.

Thanks mate

[joshy28]

hummer bikes any good?

[courts]

nup.stay away from chinese shit.

[camchain]

Can't go past the good old KDX200 - wait for it!...:innocent:

You can go past KDX200s quite easily on an EXC200. Wham!

[Sammikins]

nup.stay away from chinese shit.

Definately stay away from chinese bikes. They're far cheaper for a reason...

[oldskool]

hummer bikes any good?
If you are looking at Hummers, have a look at the Lifan as well. :niceone:

[Sammikins]

If you are looking at Hummers, have a look at the Lifan as well. :niceone:

Hahahaha yeah bro lifan for life!!! :crazy:

[random rider]

You say she is petite - how tall is she and if she has a heavy bike will she be able to pick it up? I am a shorty - and find that my brothers KX125 is tall for me. :laugh:
Get her to try a couple of bikes. I have a RM80 and it was a little short in the frame for me but the CR80 I have is great. Is the one rule - try and ride a few and get a feel for them.
Also don't start the 2t vs 4t as everyone has good and bad with each. Comes down to preference. I'm learning on a 2t and it hasn't killed me yet - and is easy to lift up when I spill:Oops:
If you are in AKL you can always try either of mine for height etc

[joshy28]

You say she is petite - how tall is she and if she has a heavy bike will she be able to pick it up? I am a shorty - and find that my brothers KX125 is tall for me. :laugh:
Get her to try a couple of bikes. I have a RM80 and it was a little short in the frame for me but the CR80 I have is great. Is the one rule - try and ride a few and get a feel for them.
Also don't start the 2t vs 4t as everyone has good and bad with each. Comes down to preference. I'm learning on a 2t and it hasn't killed me yet - and is easy to lift up when I spill:Oops:
If you are in AKL you can always try either of mine for height etc

she isnt that short um 5 something lol i need to ask...she is comfortable sitting on my bike

Yeah mite hav to go 2 stroke, also for the sound.love it!!!

[L Rider]

she isnt that short um 5 something lol i need to ask...she is comfortable sitting on my bike

Yeah mite hav to go 2 stroke, also for the sound.love it!!!

Get her to try out both a 80 & a 125 mxer - she'll know which if either she feel comfortable on. If she's riding your roadbike then she'll be use to the weight of bikes. I know dirtbike riding is different style but least she has ridden a bike which has gotta help.

[B0000M]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=228720071

you get what you pay for with bikes.

also, an old saying goes 'nothing is more 2nd hand than a 2nd hand dirt bike'

personally i wouldnt go near anything older than 2000. 90% of the time you will spend more than you paid for the bike on fixing things that the previous butchers neglected

[joshy28]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=228720071

you get what you pay for with bikes.

also, an old saying goes 'nothing is more 2nd hand than a 2nd hand dirt bike'

personally i wouldnt go near anything older than 2000. 90% of the time you will spend more than you paid for the bike on fixing things that the previous butchers neglected

I defintly agree with that but at the moment i am more into roadbikes, thus only wanting to spend max 1k per bike. We will only ride it maybe 8 times a year. However, i might just get more into it and if i do, and id probably spend the money.

[oldguy]

I would go with 2 KDX200 early to mid 90's models prob, close to your budget. Trail bike for trail riding I say when you are leaning and never ridden before.
They are a great bike for those who are getting back into riding, lets you get back into the swing of things, without blowing your budget and not stuck with a bike that just maybe too much for intended use.
She wont out grow it, and you will have a blast around the trails no worries.

[B0000M]

I defintly agree with that but at the moment i am more into roadbikes, thus only wanting to spend max 1k per bike. We will only ride it maybe 8 times a year. However, i might just get more into it and if i do, and id probably spend the money.

without sounding like an arsehole, i wouldnt even bother dabbling into dirt bikes. you have to commit money to it, or forget about it. its not a cheap sport. i know people who have tried to enter the sport on the cheap, and they have just ended up unhappy.

for example - say you were to buy a road bike for $1000, and it was a bit of a pig, but you didnt mind because you didnt use it much, then this pig of a bike breaks down 50km away from home- no problem- ring your mate, or a tow truck or whatever to come pick you up.

if we take this same example and then put the location somewhere equivalent - and you're 30km away from your truck / van / trailer / whatever. your only options most of the time are; fix it on the spot. (usually not possible), push it across hills, roots, mud, ruts, bushes, holes, stumps and all the rest of the lovely terrain you find out on trails, or else leave it there.

[joshy28]

Get her to try out both a 80 & a 125 mxer - she'll know which if either she feel comfortable on. If she's riding your roadbike then she'll be use to the weight of bikes. I know dirtbike riding is different style but least she has ridden a bike which has gotta help.

Thanks..ill let you know how tall she is. She was very comfortable riding my GN250 but a bit hesitant to ride my Bandit.
im sure dirtbikes are lighter than roadbikes so she shouldnt have any problems.
Maybe this weekend is a good time to test ride some dirtbikes assuming dealers do that?

[joshy28]

without sounding like an arsehole, i wouldnt even bother dabbling into dirt bikes. you have to commit money to it, or forget about it. its not a cheap sport. i know people who have tried to enter the sport on the cheap, and they have just ended up unhappy.

Cheers for your comments much appreciated.

We are only looking for ways to have fun in Kroa aka Kaingaroa. Im not really doing for the sport.(it may just "turn me on" and might motivate me to spend more money on my next bike)
Also i dont really need to worry about breaking down in the Buueeessh, where we would go would be easily accessed by any type of vehicle...

[B0000M]

Cheers for your comments much appreciated.

We are only looking for ways to have fun in Kroa aka Kaingaroa. Im not really doing for the sport.(it may just "turn me on" and might motivate me to spend more money on my next bike)
Also i dont really need to worry about breaking down in the Buueeessh, where we would go would be easily accessed by any type of vehicle...

go for gold then! ;)

and im almost certain you will b hooked

[joshy28]

go for gold then! ;)

and im almost certain you will b hooked

Cheers...Hope i do cos it looks bloody kool when you guys ride...

[krad_nz]

Don't forget that road bikes tend to be a lot lower than dirt bikes.

[SpikedPunch]

Thanks..ill let you know how tall she is. She was very comfortable riding my GN250 but a bit hesitant to ride my Bandit.
im sure dirtbikes are lighter than roadbikes so she shouldnt have any problems.
Maybe this weekend is a good time to test ride some dirtbikes assuming dealers do that?

Is she hesitant cause of the weight or height? Dirt bikes are lighter but way taller. Keep in mind a 125 2t is a full size bike, seat height round 37-39"
Bet you guys'll get hooked! :ride:

[barty5]

if we take this same example and then put the location somewhere equivalent - and you're 30km away from your truck / van / trailer / whatever. your only options most of the time are; fix it on the spot. (usually not possible), push it across hills, roots, mud, ruts, bushes, holes, stumps and all the rest of the lovely terrain you find out on trails, or else leave it there.

You for got to add leave it there come back with vehicle to tow it out with only to find someone has helped themselves to it. Heard that happen many a times. 4th rnd of the GNCC this year lucky it was spooted and he got it back.

[krad_nz]

You for got to add leave it there come back with vehicle to tow it out with only to find someone has helped themselves to it. Heard that happen many a times. 4th rnd of the GNCC this year lucky it was spooted and he got it back.

Someone tried to steal a bike AT the GNCC? Thats amazingly brazen.

[barty5]

Someone tried to steal a bike AT the GNCC? Thats amazingly brazen.

Yeh it broke down guy covered it bushes an shit went back to get car came back gone few note got put on all the local houses. Guy headed back to taurunga got 1/2 got a ph call to tell him where to pick it up turns out someone saw something and susgested they should ring this number b4 it went any further. Lucky guy.

[B0000M]

about as keen as the fulla who tried to walk off out the driveway of the pits with a bike from the 2007 Tarawera 100.

i wish i had been the one to spot him, i reckon i couldve convinced a few fellow bikers to take part in some serious assault with "no witnesses"

[cheese]

I'd suggest you spend the 2k on one bike. one cheap bike will be better than two fucked 1k bikes. Just get something like a KDX or an XR that you can plod about on and learn on. MX bikes will be more fukced IMO.

[oldskool]

I was down your road last year. I ended up buying a reco'd '86 XR200 for $850 and 2x XR100's for $1200. Had a ball for about 6 months then the XR200 died. Ended up selling the xr200 for $500 as is, and the XR100's for $1300. Once jap bikes hit their rock bottom price you don't really lose on them and you can still get a heap of fun outa them.

[camchain]

I think you'd be looking in the wrong direction with old MX bikes. MXers are serious race machines tuned for high power, high revs, and need a lot of maintenance. They're not for made for cruising along exploring trails, and of all dirt bikes they'll have had the hardest life.

You'd be better off looking at a dual purpose type machine - a bike which has an engine life measured in years not hours. Granted, they're not as sexy, but a lot easier to live with for your intended use, plus easier to learn the basics of off-road riding (You'll have a blast). Would likely have spent earlier years of it's life easy commuting and maybe some muck-around trail riding on the weekends. Need to be aware that as they get older and end up as farm hacks they'll often get almost zero maintenance though. Luckily these mild mannered things can take a bit of that, but any cheap dirt bike will need a mechanically minded owner. Condition much more important than age with a thousand dollar starter trail bike. An oldie that hasn't been used every weekend can be a goodie.

Some examples below. Not suggesting any of these are good buying, just type of bike you could do well starting off with.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-227891427.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-226839981.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-226460877.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-228384211.htm
Also snuck in an XR, everyone knows these things are fairly bulletproof.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-228699777.htm

[LittleJohn]

I think you'd be looking in the wrong direction with old MX bikes. MXers are serious race machines tuned for high power, high revs, and need a lot of maintenance. They're not for made for cruising along exploring trails, and of all dirt bikes they'll have had the hardest life.

You'd be better off looking at a dual purpose type machine - a bike which has an engine life measured in years not hours. Granted, they're not as sexy, but a lot easier to live with for your intended use, plus easier to learn the basics of off-road riding (You'll have a blast). Would likely have spent earlier years of it's life easy commuting and maybe some muck-around trail riding on the weekends. Need to be aware that as they get older and end up as farm hacks they'll often get almost zero maintenance though. Luckily these mild mannered things can take a bit of that, but any cheap dirt bike will need a mechanically minded owner. Condition much more important than age with a thousand dollar starter trail bike. An oldie that hasn't been used every weekend can be a goodie.

Some examples below. Not suggesting any of these are good buying, just type of bike you could do well starting off with.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-227891427.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-226839981.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-226460877.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-228384211.htm
Also snuck in an XR, everyone knows these things are fairly bulletproof.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-228699777.htm

Definitely agree with camchain. You would be better to stay away from the mxer's. Also for your missus I wouldn't look at a KX 125 if she is still learning. I have one and they can/are lethal. You have to ride them at full rev's and very aggresively, not something a learner rider does very successfully. If I spend 30 min on a track with the missus I will foul a plug because I cannot stay in full rev's, mind you I do use racing plugs.

Also as Cheese said (yes I'm agreeing with cheese for once) maybe look at 1 bike you can both use and then make a course and do one lap each etc... Then if you both really enjoy it and get hooked (you will) you can look at 2 decent bikes. My KX125 I picked up for 1K but it needed a rebuild, both bottom and top. Now it is like new, but I didn't spare any expense rebuilding it (since getting it my road bike has suffered).

Food for thought anyway. Hope you find what you want.

P.S. Stay away from the chinese bikes, have not heard of anyone who has actually had a good run with them (adult one's anyway)

[joshy28]

I was down your road last year. I ended up buying a reco'd '86 XR200 for $850 and 2x XR100's for $1200. Had a ball for about 6 months then the XR200 died. Ended up selling the xr200 for $500 as is, and the XR100's for $1300. Once jap bikes hit their rock bottom price you don't really lose on them and you can still get a heap of fun outa them.

true!! tradme looks good

[oldskool]

true!! tradme looks good
If you haven't already seen it, theres a '98 RM80 on TM for $750 ono, that might be alright for your lady.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-228389888.htm