Advice on bike engine size for Woodhill Sandpit bike park

[emerald]

Is a Suzuki DRZ 250 okay for Woodhill Sandpit bike park or a DRZ 400 a better option?Need some expert advice on choice of bike that would be best suitable. I would be doing most riding there and new to trail riding.

[jimmy 2006]

drz250 would be fine, perfect to learn on and after the first year or so you could upgrade to something with a bit more power if you needed it.

drz400 i think is too heavy, unless you weigh in over 100kg.

my 2c

[crazyxr250rider]

Yea we need some dimenssions first.
Personaly I would go for the 400 and strip off all the lights, speedo,tail light extender and mount a front plate off a RMZ and Bobs your uncle!!! Or buy a Kick start only model,they are a lot lighter.

[chop]

I would go the 250 but its a personal choice at the end of the day its what you feel comfortable on.A 250 would be alot lighter in the bush and easier to drag around if needs be.Bigger cc rating is not always the answer as in this case bigger is heavier and less nimble.

[jimmy 2006]

thought more about this one,

just a hint, when asking for advice try and give a few details like.

have you ever ridden before?
how much you weigh?
your fitness?
howmuch you intend on riding?
how much you want to spend...... ect


if you are buying a drz250/ drz400 new, i would also think about the wr250 second hand.

(picking up a heavy bike (drz400) time and time again in the sand looses its appeal really quickly!)

[Finn]

Did 2 years at Woodhill so know it well. Definitely start on a 250 and if you get good then you'll be wanting more power but DON'T start with a 450. It'll end in tears.

[emerald]

Thanks for the advice so far. Height 5' 10 inches. Never riden before. Will be riding on weekends at Sandpit hopefully. The bike weight between the two is only marginal 115 kg vs 119 kg. Sounds so far i best stick to an entry level bike. Keep the advice coming. Fitnees is good, i weigh about 73 kgs. Early fifties.

[chop]

250 for sure

[jimmy 2006]

DRZ250 , Call scott at Mr motorcycles in Pukekohe, tell him you were recommended to talk to him from the blokes on Kiwibiker, or PM scott411. he can do you a great deal on boots and helmet ect as well as the bike. it is well worth the drive to puke to know that you are getting the right advice on the right products.

tip a 400 on its side and the pick it up, then tip a 250 then pick it up (any difference)?. try doing it when in the shop..... then think about doing this 10 times in the sand when your tired.......
i started on a mates drz400,so speaking from experience on bike lifting :) heavy pig.

I really want one for the road though! DRZ400sm :2thumbsup

[CRM]

Thanks for the advice so far. Height 5' 10 inches. Never riden before. Will be riding on weekends at Sandpit hopefully. The bike weight between the two is only marginal 115 kg vs 119 kg. Sounds so far i best stick to an entry level bike. Keep the advice coming. Fitnees is good, i weigh about 73 kgs. Early fifties.

I started back after lots of years not riding on a 250 4stroke (XL250 Honda Degree), then went to DRZ400 when I got more confident. I'm 5'9" and 80kg and 48 - reasonable fitness but riding the DRZ in the sand (Poutu forest) nearly killed me!! I've since gone back to a 250 2 stroke (Gas Gas Pampera -98kg) and I'm enjoying riding again. Light bikes are great!!! And 250cc for guys our age is probably about right I reckon unless you're a) tall, b) heavy or c) very good.

[TimeOut]

I started back after lots of years not riding on a 250 4stroke (XL250 Honda Degree), then went to DRZ400 when I got more confident. I'm 5'9" and 80kg and 48 - reasonable fitness but riding the DRZ in the sand (Poutu forest) nearly killed me!! I've since gone back to a 250 2 stroke (Gas Gas Pampera -98kg) and I'm enjoying riding again. Light bikes are great!!! And 250cc for guys our age is probably about right I reckon unless you're a) tall, b) heavy or c) very good.

+1 To that
I think a 250 would have plenty of go and still be enjoyable, if you can find one to try would be even better.

[cheese]

kdx.........!!!!

[chris]

kdx.........!!!!
Sensible advice.

[charles23]

Sensible advice.

carried..........

[jimmy 2006]

i was waiting for the kdx band wagon, perfect bike but i still think a drz250 will be a hell of alot easier to learn on at woodhill to begin with, even if he does get a kdx in a years time. i tried to teach a mate of mine to ride a kdx, and he hated it, he just could not understand throttle control, where as the drz will let you grab some throttle and not toss you off the back......... again my 2c

[clmintie]

Thanks for the advice so far. Height 5' 10 inches. Never riden before. Will be riding on weekends at Sandpit hopefully. The bike weight between the two is only marginal 115 kg vs 119 kg. Sounds so far i best stick to an entry level bike. Keep the advice coming. Fitnees is good, i weigh about 73 kgs. Early fifties.

I'm 5' 8", 70 kg, 50yrs. Average rider, quite fit (apart from dodgy knees and shoulder). Been out of bikes for 15yrs and back in since May last year. I find the KDX perfect for me. I've ridden lots of bikes and find light weight the single most important feature. Having said that, I'm trying to get the necessary $$$ together to buy a KX125 from Scott, who has offered me a very good deal. 87kgs and a surprisingly tractable motor.... Dam the current fall in investments, just when I need to withdraw some...Grrrrrrr May have to sell one of the twins.... :whistle:

[cheese]

hey CLmintie - why don't you get a KX frame and put your KDX motor in it??? The KDX that kawasaki never made (but bloody should have!)

Anyway for bikes I think that you should also look at the CRF250X and the WR250. the DR250 is really heavy isn't it and only air cooled? The KDX is a great bike for a starter.

[clmintie]

I've already done that, used it for MX way back when we had "under and Over 200". Had a ride on my old one a few months ago and have decided I'd rather keep them separate, so Grace can move up to 125 later on, if she wants.... I'm very pleased with the KDX for trail rides.....

[crazyxr250rider]

Thanks for the advice so far. Height 5' 10 inches. Never riden before. Will be riding on weekends at Sandpit hopefully. The bike weight between the two is only marginal 115 kg vs 119 kg. Sounds so far i best stick to an entry level bike. Keep the advice coming. Fitnees is good, i weigh about 73 kgs. Early fifties.250 Would be better to get your confdince up on if you have never riden before.

[notch]

Two strokes are lighter, get on top of the sand easier, and are easier and cheaper to maintain imho. A KDX or a KTM 200 would be my suggestion.

[jimmy 2006]

you really can't recommend a ktm200 2 stroke for a beginner! Shit they will be in the trees the first time they twist the throttle!!!!

also drz250 i recon would be WAY cheaper to maintain than the ktm200 !


clmintie, i know from talking to you that you have many years of riding behind you. (so very wise on the bike....) i have also seen you rip through the ardmore track at no slugs pace! so when you say that weight is important i have to agree with you there, maybe my mate that tried to learn on the kdx200 was a hopeless case? maybe you can start on that bike?
anyone else start off on a KDX200??

[Rupe]

you really can't recommend a ktm200 2 stroke for a beginner! Shit they will be in the trees the first time they twist the throttle!!!!

also drz250 i recon would be WAY cheaper to maintain than the ktm200 !


clmintie, i know from talking to you that you have many years of riding behind you. (so very wise on the bike....) i have also seen you rip through the ardmore track at no slugs pace! so when you say that weight is important i have to agree with you there, maybe my mate that tried to learn on the kdx200 was a hopeless case? maybe you can start on that bike?
anyone else start off on a KDX200??

I started on a gasgas200 (very similar power to the ktm200), and my mate started on a kdx200. Neither of us had ridden before, and we both learn't/started up woodhill with no problem, so I can't see why this guy couldn't.

Emarald, try to ride as many different bikes as you can before you make your mind up. Some feel good, and others won't.

[Taz]

My KDX is a blast up there. It's a blast anywhere actually. I had an 03 YZF250 that was pretty good on the sand but the KDX is just better.....

[clmintie]

you really can't recommend a ktm200 2 stroke for a beginner! Shit they will be in the trees the first time they twist the throttle!!!!

also drz250 i recon would be WAY cheaper to maintain than the ktm200 !


clmintie, i know from talking to you that you have many years of riding behind you. (so very wise on the bike....) i have also seen you rip through the ardmore track at no slugs pace! so when you say that weight is important i have to agree with you there, maybe my mate that tried to learn on the kdx200 was a hopeless case? maybe you can start on that bike?
anyone else start off on a KDX200??

Last time round, I taught a couple of my nieces boyfriends to ride, at Woodhill, on my '89 KDX 200 E1. Both 18yr olds, both had no problems. Neither of them enjoyed the KX250 I had at the same time... That cost me at least one rear KX mudguard.....

[clmintie]

I just found a pic of my "KXD200" I built this mainly for Hare scrambles, but it was also pretty good around Harrisville. A few of the top riders of the day had turns and most thought it really cool. It was however not as good for trail riding as a standard KDX. Hard suspension, hard seat and liked to be ridden aggressively.

[notch]

you really can't recommend a ktm200 2 stroke for a beginner! Shit they will be in the trees the first time they twist the throttle!!!!

also drz250 i recon would be WAY cheaper to maintain than the ktm200 !


clmintie, i know from talking to you that you have many years of riding behind you. (so very wise on the bike....) i have also seen you rip through the ardmore track at no slugs pace! so when you say that weight is important i have to agree with you there, maybe my mate that tried to learn on the kdx200 was a hopeless case? maybe you can start on that bike?
anyone else start off on a KDX200??

Don't be too afraid of the 2T! sure a 200 has a powerband, but a KDX is hardly going to throw you unless you hit max rpm with the throttle wide open.

If the DRZ250 is new, maintenance will indeed be less. God forbid if a rebuild is required on a 4T tho, i've learnt the hard way on that one! Again, just my opinion...

[cheese]

I don't know why people aer scared of 2 strokes myth of an almighty powerband. Powervalves sort most of that these days.

[emerald]

Thanks for all your input. I was able to secure a really good DRZ 2007 model for under 5,000 that has had limited use and just been serviced.

Looking forward to riding it.

[chris]

Thanks for all your input. I was able to secure a really good DRZ 2007 model for under 5,000 that has had limited use and just been serviced.

Looking forward to riding it.
Nice. Now see if you can do a part ex on a KDX200 :whistle:

[clmintie]

Thanks for all your input. I was able to secure a really good DRZ 2007 model for under 5,000 that has had limited use and just been serviced.

Looking forward to riding it.

Cool, good on ya. 250 or 400?

See at a trail ride sometime, they're heaps of fun.....

[cheese]

Yeah if you see a guy in the ground on a CR250 its probably me. Come say hi!

[worm]

I wrestled a DRZ 400 for 4years. Did the odd motox event. Best bike i've owned so far. just change the oil every now and then. People got out of your way aswell.... didn't want it falling on them:pinch::crazy:

[emerald]

I bought a 250. Figured best to learn on and at the price purchased for i will not loose to much value and can upgrade later on.

[FROSTY]

I "learned" to trail ride on a kdx200. Bloody fantastic bike.

[ali-s]

I'm 5' 8", 70 kg, 50yrs. I'm trying to get the necessary $$$ together to buy a KX125 from Scott, who has offered me a very good deal. 87kgs and a surprisingly tractable motor.

any one for forming an 'old gits on small bore 2 smokers' club - i'll join up now ( 5' 9" 75kg 44yrs very dodgy right shoulder 125 GG) - the older i get, the faster i was!!!