First bike, advice needed, please

[Rupe]

Hi, I'm sure you've seen and heard all this before but I've had a look through without finding out what I wanted.

I don't really know too much about bikes so that is why I want to pick your brains.

Basically i've got $2000-2500 to spend, and thinking of a 250cc 2-stroke.
Is this a good choice for a first bike, and what makes of bike should I look at and avoid.

Also what sort of age bike do you think I'd get for this money.

Many thanks

[dammad1]

Go for a KDX, good bike to learn on with plenty of power for a bit of fun.

[jimmy 2006]

speak to Tthunder and try and buy his XR250, for that sort of money it would be the best bike you could possibly buy in my opinion.

[Reckless]

I agree wth the others a cr250r, RM250 or kx250 have sooo much grunt as much as a 450 four stroke nearly 50 horses. And they deliver it with a wallop. So the XR or the KDX type bikes are very good choice if your starting out. If you buy an Xr or KDX you will actually learn faster as you can push yourself and the bike. If you go straight to an all out racer 250 with all that power and much less forgiving suspention you will learn slower as you will always be tentitive with the bike.

And if your in that price bracket you will probably get a much nicer, less thrashed bike going for a semi enduro model as most guys that have had 250 2 strokes (except me) know how to ride them and ride them hard.

[Rupe]

sorry, not sure if I follow reckless.
Are you saying to get a 2, or a 4 stroke.

And what are the differances between a motocross, and a "semi-enduro" bike?

[cheese]

Get a KDX as the XR is a bit of a heavy beast.

[Rupe]

oh, and what about a yzf250?

[umka]

if u find one for $2k it will be poked. get a kdx as it is a great allround bike that is very very fast in the right hands but freindly enough for a learner

[clmintie]

Go for the KDX200 (unless you 'must' have a four stroke) I love mine, you won't regret it.......

[taku]

id tend to swing more towards a 125cc stroke plenty of power just need to rev it and in my opinon they are more fun then the 250 2 strokes. and lighter. you'll learn faster and u can throw it around alot easier + easier to load up by urself and get off urself if you crash it. there are some great buys for 2-3k aswell 2003 etc

[cheese]

I can see your point Taku, but for a real learner I thing a 125 would be horrible. There is no power at all till the last 3rd of the rev range and you have to fang it get going.

A KDX is just much more user friendly and when you get bored of it, get a 250 MX'r or a 450 4 poke if you really have to.

[jimmy 2006]

My first bike was a KX125, I would NOT suggest riding one of these as your first bike unless you have done alot of mountain biking or had a motorbike for the road for a long time. I tried to teach alot of people on my old bike and they really struggled.

[B0000M]

and lighter.

sorry, this is bugging me.

why does everyone say 125s so much lighter? yes they are lighter, by like 1kg, this is 1% of the bike's weight!

had to get that off my chest.
thanks

[Rupe]

thanks guys. I've read a few reviews on the kdx200 and it sounds like it would be ideal. What year would I be looking at for $2.5k?

Is this the only bike like this or are there others I could look at?

Also to answer another question, I'd rather a 2-stroke as "there is less maintenance, and easier to work on" (correct me if I'm wrong).


Thanks for all the replys

[cheese]

Personally I'm pro 2 stroke because they are easy to work on too. The new 4 strokes are bloody great. But need more time and money spent on them.

The KDX is a good all round bike.

Try to get something after 1995 as they had all the bugs sorted after that.

[taku]

"sorry, this is bugging me.

why does everyone say 125s so much lighter? yes they are lighter, by like 1kg, this is 1% of the bike's weight!

had to get that off my chest.
thanks"

more like 10+kgs buddy thats like 10% of the bikes weight. depending which models you compare.. had to get that off my chest

[cheese]

cr 250 96.6kg
cr 125 89.4kg

KX250 97 Kg
kx125 87kg

RM250 96KG
RM 125 87 KG

Guess you are right, they are about 10kg difference.

[Rupe]

cr 250 96.6kg
cr 125 89.4kg

KX250 97 Kg
kx125 87kg

RM250 96KG
RM 125 87 KG

Guess you are right, they are about 10kg difference.

Ok thats the weight cleared up.



thanks guys. I've read a few reviews on the kdx200 and it sounds like it would be ideal. What year would I be looking at for $2.5k?

Is this the only bike like this or are there others I could look at?

Also to answer another question, I'd rather a 2-stroke as "there is less maintenance, and easier to work on" (correct me if I'm wrong).


Thanks for all the replys

[cheese]

This would probably fit in your budget http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=101143235&key=772181 but its in the south island

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=101120915&key=774872 this one looks ok, but I'd try to get a newwer one.

If you can make the budget go a bit further you can get a near new one. THey are only $7k new so this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=101259789&key=772181 would be a good deal.

This is double your budget, but you would save teh money in repairs (I have learnt this teh hard way)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=101130928&key=778102

[Reckless]

Back in on the discussion and I think you have had good advice so far.

2 stroke is the way we go because the overall maintenance is cheaper. But more often, if you believe the manufacturers specs. Don't quote me but a 2 stroke 125 typically 30 hours with our type of riding. A 125 4 stroke 60 hours.
But you bung a piston, ring, gudgeon and small end bearing in for about $250-00 and you can do it yourself once you know how. So to sum up there is less to do, and its heaps easier, but more often.
With the type of riding I'm doing I can strip down my sons 125 after 35 hours and the piston will measure nearly new so it only needs a 35 dollar ring. My 250 does over 50 hours easy. With regular checks, good oil, and the odd ring thrown at it. The shops and race mechanics will tell you to always put pistons in but I don't use them 1/2 as hard as the racers do.

I have not alot of knowledge of the KDX 200 but it is a 2 stroke and would be good for your first year. My 17 year ols son learnt on a Cr125 I bought for him and they are a shit to keep in the rev range and he has struggled a little more because of the bike.
Look on trade me try this one 1995 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-100006681.htm?p=31
and www.bikepoint.co.nz to check the dealers prices.

Good luck!!

Oh and did you guys notice they are advertising the latest Cr250 as the LAST of the Honda 2 strokes!!!

[moT]

get a rg150 there 2 stroke good on gas great to learn on they crash well you will probably do this a few times once u lern to get ur knee down then upgrade i also recomend a few track days on it and you can take it into street stock

[B0000M]

get a rg150 there 2 stroke good on gas great to learn on they crash well you will probably do this a few times once u lern to get ur knee down then upgrade i also recomend a few track days on it and you can take it into street stock

um
i think he wanted a dirtbike

[cheese]

the KDX engine isn't as raced up as a MX bike so you can get away with more like 100 hours for a rebuild.

I've had a ride on a KDX (brand new one) and you'll find that its more mellow than the likes of a 250 mx'r. That is due to the heavier flywheel etc.

The best advice I could give you is buy as new as you can get. My first bike I spent about 3k on and in the first year I spent another 3k keeping it going and fixing it. Now I've just upgraded to a 04 CR250 and I spent 6400, if I'd just done that in the beginning I'd have been better off!! Now Lion has a RM that I sold to him for 2k and I lost thousands........bugger......

[Azzman]

Just to basically go along with what everyone has said, I have a 04 KDX200 which I purchased earlier in the year, they go for about 4k for that year, for 2.5k you should find something after 95 which is basically what the new bike is, nothing much changed since then (other than cosmetics...).
I got back into offroad riding after riding four strokes (XR&DR200&250) in my teens and am really happy with the KDX, its been a great bike to start off riding again, its certainly got that 2 stroke grin factor that you will never get with an XR250!
For a learner to be on a 2stroke mx would be a sin really because your just as likely to get scared off as you are to have fun!...the KDX fits the bill on all accounts really as they are a good value for money low maintenance 2 stroke that can take you from learner to intermediate better than most.
Dont get me wrong you will have oodles of fun on an XR250, and it may in even suit you better (everybody is different) but all in all my vote goes to the KDX.

[Reckless]

Oh and did you guys notice they are advertising the latest Cr250 as the LAST of the Honda 2 strokes!!!

Did you all know this! I haven't had any comments. Looks like I'll go back to my Kawasaki Roots next time I buy!!

[FlangMasterJ]

more like 10+kgs buddy thats like 10% of the bikes weight. depending which models you compare.. had to get that off my chest

I think he was comparing the 125 2 stroke to the 250 4 stroke. Which is close to a 1kg difference.

[jimmy 2006]

Did you all know this! I haven't had any comments. Looks like I'll go back to my Kawasaki Roots next time I buy!!

Yea, this was announced quite a while ago now, the CR250 hasn't changed much in the last years anyway. for example jump on a new YZ250 or 250sx and they are sooooo much nicer to ride.

[Rupe]

Whats the differance between a kdx200, and 220? Is it just a few more cc?

Also is the kdx a big bike to ride, or would the mrs be able to ride it?

[Reckless]

KDx 200 - kdx 220 I think they are the same but one of the Kdx owners will let you know.

As for being a big bike. Probably sit a bit lower then the KX250 you originally had your eye on and a lot lot easier for her to learn on.

[cheese]

Yeah I knew about the CR thing. I came to the conclusion that the big red tractors have been such a good bike for a long time so that is why I got one. the one thing that really appealed to me are the alloy frame. Every other two stroke was steel (appart from the KTM).

Its a pity about teh CR's not being made anymore, but its about supply and demand. The America is turning into a 4 stroke loving cuntry, and being 30% of teh worlds dirtbike market, its the way that things are going. You will see the other manufacturers doing the same thing in the next few years. I'm sticking with 2 stroke for the next few years till a bit more development done on the 4 strokes so they aren't so high on the maintenance.

[Buddy L]

KDX200 and the KDX220 are just the same bike just with few more cc's
They haven't made the 220 for a while now, or even the KDX250 for that matter.
I had a 1997 KDX220, very good bike. Whish i still had it for when the going gets tight and slow.
The 200 has the bottom end, so when you grab the gas the bike is going to go (smoothly, toquey). Not like my CR125.
I would recomend one for a first bike.

[Buddy L]

[QUOTE=cheese;1066882]Yeah I knew about the CR thing. I came to the conclusion that the big red tractors have been such a good bike for a long time so that is why I got one. the one thing that really appealed to me are the alloy frame. Every other two stroke was steel (appart from the KTM).

QUOTE]


The 2007 YZ125 and YZ250 have alloy frames,

And for the KTM frame.

"The biggest change KTM made for '05 is the frame tubes. Last year both the 125 and 250SX were so fast that the chassis couldn't keep up with the motors, making the bikes very scary to ride in certain situations. Much of this problem was the flex of the frame, so this year KTM ditched the old school round tubing they've been using since the beginning of time and replaced it with an oval chromoly-steel tubing. The new-generation frame has also been reinforced with countless gussets and welds, making it much tougher and less prone to flexing."

[cheese]

a 07 wasn't in my budget. so for my money it was the CR.

On a side note, those new YZ frames are weird!!! they have this quite open part on the side that just looks like a perfect spot to chew your boots to bits.

[Reckless]

Was in at the kwaka shop and they said Kawasaki have no intention at this stage of dropping their 250 2 smoker

[dammad1]

the 220 has a smaller carb and has more down low with the 200 having the bigger carb and better top end. Other than that they are the same.

[cheese]

My brother had an old KDX 200 (last of the air cooled ones) and it was bored out to a 250. that thing was nuts!!! I did a jump once and it just fliped under me!!!!

[Rupe]

anyone have any idea what I should pay for a 97 220kdx. It's in good visual condition for the age, and I'm told the engine etc is all good?

[dammad1]

Mid 2's dependimg on condition

[crazyxr250rider]

Ahh 97 KDX220, first bike I nearly died on...(there have been more occurancess on my current bike) They are awesome bikes wish i got on instead of the XR which i prolly spent 4.5k on all up, not including general maintenence....

[1-james-1]

Hey guys seemed like the best thread to post this in,
The old man was going through a bit of a "mid life" crisis and decided to buy a bike (crf230) and re-live his younger days riding in the weekends. I went with him for the first time last weekend, having never rode before and absolutely loved it! Im addicted haha. Went to the WMCC Family day ride on the sun just gone which was all good :P Getting to the point i've decided now i've just got to get one 2.. Any advice on what to get?
Would like to spend around 5-6k.
Can see me wanting more power than the 230 has to offer in a while. I've read what you've said bout the kdx200 and it sounds all good but wont a learner and a two stroke not go well together? :P

Thanks in advance

[cheese]

For that sort of money you would get a near on new KDX 200. If you are just starting out riding I think that it would be the best bike for your money and great to learn on. Either that or you could look at something like the Honda CRF250x which has electric start and a bit more go to it than the 230 and has some nice advantages like an alloy frame.

[Rupe]

Can see me wanting more power than the 230 has to offer in a while. I've read what you've said bout the kdx200 and it sounds all good but wont a learner and a two stroke not go well together? :P

Thanks in advance

I brought a 200cc 2stroke in the end, similar to a kdx. It has more than enough power to make me grin, and have fun. And I feel I'm probably faster and more confident than something with a harsher power band.

So yeah I'd say it would be all good, but up to you.

[Wellyman]

Their is a tidy RMX 250 on trademe at the moment. Heres a few bargins:

The RMX: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-115407999.htm

KDX:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-115500803.htm?p=5

KLX 300:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-115315561.htm?p=4

WR250:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-115506054.htm?p=3

Cheers
WM

[1-james-1]

Cheers for your help guys!

I think im leaning more towards getting a 250 four the more I consider where im going to be riding the bike. With respect to the 250 four strokes (crf, rmz, yzf and kxf) What one of the four main brands should I be leaning towards? ...or is that an age old un-answerable question :msn-wink:

Just out of interest, whats the major differences between the rmx and the rm?

[dammad1]

The rm is a motocross version and the rmx is the enduro version (tuned more for off road conditions rather than a mx track).

The 250 four strokes are great bikes that are easy to ride, but they can be a little bit expensive two maintain.

The KDX can be ridden as slow or as hard as you please and is a popular bike due to the bang for your buck and the bullet prof relliability.

[1-james-1]

The 250 four strokes are great bikes that are easy to ride, but they can be a little bit expensive two maintain.

Thanks dammad

Just clarifying, you know how you say four strokes can be a little expensive to maintain, overall aren't they cheaper when it comes to maintenance in comparison to two strokes as they dont need work done as often? or is that not right at all..

[dammad1]

Thanks dammad

Just clarifying, you know how you say four strokes can be a little expensive to maintain, overall aren't they cheaper when it comes to maintenance in comparison to two strokes as they dont need work done as often? or is that not right at all..

Nah thats not right at all, two strokes are very easy and cheap to maintain just keep the air filter and gearbox oil clean and they are all good, the smaller bore two strokes can go through piston and rings quite often when thrashing them constantly, but if your only trail riding, then a 200+ cc will last for ages.

[Danger]

Was in at the kwaka shop and they said Kawasaki have no intention at this stage of dropping their 250 2 smoker

Yeah they will probably do what they did with the KDX and run it unchanged for the next 10 years and then drop it. I wish Suzuki would at least do the same rather than discontinue them altogeather. The later day two strokes are very high up the evolutionary ladder anyway as far as two strokes can go. They might even get cheaper! Although I can't see myself on a Kawasaki any time soon.

[scott411]

got the new 08 RM250 in stock now, nice new ummmmmmmm graphics
at least they did that,

teh 2 stroke 125 and 250 KX's are not being sold in america this year, i think this could be the beginning of the end

[Danger]

I think so to.
Scott any info on the last available year for the RM250 would be appreciated if and when you hear anything.

[Reckless]

They could keep the 2 strokes running if they wanted. Looks like KTM are. With my Karting experiance I'm fairly sure a 2 stroke can be made to be almost as linear as a 4 stroke. With pipes, tuning, fly wheel weights etc etc and still with more & cheaper power. And lighter and stronger and quieter to boot.
I've ridden my mates wr450 quite smooth I must say but most people are really surprised how my Cr250 grunts from down low. Even on the tight twisty bits at low revs. And it seems to have a lot more on tap when you want to lift the front wheel over a root or hole as well.
I'm bloody sure I couldn't strip down a 4 stroke every 3 months like I do my 2, and put rings or a piston kit in it.