Need helping making decision

[matty Gee]

Hi there

I'm 15 years old and about 175cm 68kg or so, i ride a suzuki drz 125. bought this like 3 months ago as a beginners bike, to learn and shit etc etc. i had ridden a bit before on my mates bikes.

getting pretty sick of this bike aleady, its just slow and pretty small.. ive done a fair bit of riding over the 3 and a half months ive had it - beach riding and some small trails with mates and stuff, but i am looking to get into trail riding a lot more frequently and maybe ride at a MX park from time to time (not that much though), and pop some small jumps here and there.

I am looking at the Kawasaki KDX 200, i know its an older bike but ive heard good stuff about it and it looks like it has a fair amount of power. would love to hear a small review from someone who has owned a KDX... dunno whether i'd get 200 or a 220.

I'm also looking at all other trail bikes, a 250 would probably be the best engine size, as im probly only intermediate rider.

I want a trail riding bike that could do alrightish on the MX park from time to time, something that has nice power, can get up sand dunes, hills and that, i want a fair amount of power and speed... i dont want to grow out of it for maybe a year and a half or longer..



if you guys would be able to help me decide on the best bike to go with that'd be highly appreciated. :niceone:

[B0000M]

honda CRF250X or if you want a bit faster, CRF250R

will do all of these tasks without being a big slow whale. the crf250r is a competitive mx bike, while the crf250x is a trail'ed version of the R, making it softer in the suspension, less maintenance and has electric start, bit quieter, less powerful etc etc.

otherwise one of the KTM 200 EXC's seem to be a hit with the guys on here who own them.

i think the kdx was a good bike in its day, as there wassnt much competition, but its day is gone.

also get the newest / lowest houred bike you cant afford. itl save you money later

[LittleJohn]

Just remember that the different types of bikes require different riding styles. A lot of the newer 250's are very nice and powerful, allow you to do both MX and trails but are a step up in riding style from the DRZ (Even a MX style 125 would be a big step up). When riding the more MX style bikes you have to ride aggressively, near the front of the bike to get full advantage and handling out of them. The trail type bikes are more forgiving and as Boooom said have softer suspension and the likes.

The best advise is to go and try as many of your mates bikes as possible, find one you like and go for that. Different people like the different types....

[krad_nz]

I own an 2006 KDX200 and really enjoy it. I think value for money they are pretty sweet.
However, a KTM 200EXC should not be over looked. They also represent good value and are more modern setup compared to the KDX. Probably cost more for the same year of manufacture though compared to the KDX.

If you're wanting to get serious with motocross you will probably find the standard KDX suspension too soft. Its fairly common to get them re-sprung and re-valved etc, but it all costs a bit more.

What ever bike you get next will be a fair bit taller too. However, you should be alright on those bikes if you're 175cm.

[scott411]

KDX is a good option, still nice and cheap and easy to get parts for, comman faults are known, and easily fixed,

and yes there are more modern bikes out there, but very few will be as cheap to run as the KDX,

[mattwood]

have you tried any 125 2stroke mx bikes?

They do both pretty well. A little bit harder to ride trail with but once you get the hang of keeping it in the revs and the lack on engine braking you'll be sorted. Also the maintance costs will be lower then a newer 4 $troke.

But yeah, as others have said. Ride as many bikes as you can, everyone likes different things, It's just what ever suits you.

Good luck! :2thumbsup

[FROSTY]

Dude I own a 99 KX125 having owned KDX200's and 220's Im NOT a really experineced trail rider myself.
I was Lucky enough to get to ride my kx back to back with a pretty well set up kdx220 and in my opinion the kx is heaps more fun and precise to ride.-and a shit load lighter

[matty Gee]

oh sweet that changes things a bit... im gonna probly try out my mates YZ125 2008 and see what thats like, might give me a better feel for 2strokes. i'm really keen on a 2stroke. ill definetly look around for some of the bikes you guys have named and the prices and stuff.

thanks a lot it has really helped getting other riders opinions.

EDIT:

looking around at the KTM 200 EXC its pretty expensive.. dont think i can afford haha, i will keep looking though. is the KDX still not a bad option? if i got one with a procircuit pipe and shorty muffler already on it would that be decent?

not many 2 stroke trail bikes out there, how would a 125yz or kx etc do on trails? would it keep up with guys on 250's?

[crazyxr250rider]

If your fanging it and railing those corners..... 125's are heaps of fun, even after owning XR250R, YZ250F, RM250, CRF450X and KX250R i wish I had a 125 (125SX or YZ125) to fang around on sooo much fun on the Track......

[matty Gee]

oh ok. yeah im going to be doing a lot more mucking around and trail riding than i am on a MX track. defintely a lighter bike would be great... a MX 125 would be a big difference in power from the bike i have now right?

i have had a look at the KX125 (like the green machines) and am wondering how good this would be on a trail ride? not enough low end torque?

[Buddy L]

I used my CR125 for all my trails , mxing and just playing around. perfect bike to learn on, but you will struggle alot to start with, untill you have mastered the bike.
Had mine for about 2 1/2 years and only had trouble with snotty up hills.
You won't out grow a 125 2 stroke you just get faster and faster on it.
Unless you decide to pack on the weight.

[B0000M]

[QUOTE=matty Gee;1873171] a MX 125 would be a big difference in power from
the bike i have now right?

yea the 125 mx'er will run rings around your current bike.

as mentioned above the only time you will find it a possible mission is if you become a fatty or if get stuck half way up a real snotty steep uphil behind someone who has stopped

[Crisis management]

Just a suggestion, how about hanging on to the DR for at least this summer, do some trail rides , get out and try a few different bikes then reasses it in winter. You will have more experience, the DR will be fine for most dry trail rides and you will have seen and talked to lots of bike owners to get a better idea of what will work for you.
The advantage of this is you'll have to push the DR to keep up with your mates and you will learn the basic handling skills rather than just rely on twisting the throttle.



Other than that KTM200EXC.....what else can I say? :innocent:

[gasguzzler]

what kind of weight is too heavy for a 125?

[matty Gee]

yeah i think i will take that option. keep this maybe for another 3-5 months, get some more experience and feel of other bikes then make a decision.

thanks very much guys have helped a lot. :2thumbsup

[Ktmboy]

Hey welcome matty Gee. Damn rude of the KB Off Road fraternity not to acknowledge your entry. Rude bastards they be:laugh:

You're on the right track with either a KDX or a KX125 (or similar) and I'm sure you will enjoy both.

Be careful not to absorb everything that Booom, scott411, Buddy L, and the like say as they are really novice riders and sometime talk themselves up a bit.:shifty:

Be especially careful of Chop and Danger as they hang out together and are considered a couple of like minded westies:laugh::laugh:

[Buddy L]

what kind of weight is too heavy for a 125?

any weight will be fine, lighter the better realy, but saying that i have a cousin well above the 110kg mark and can realy make his 125 fly, and its hard to keep up with him.


Hey welcome matty Gee. Damn rude of the KB Off Road fraternity not to acknowledge your entry. Rude bastards they be:laugh:

You're on the right track with either a KDX or a KX125 (or similar) and I'm sure you will enjoy both.

Be careful not to absorb everything that Booom, scott411, Buddy L, and the like say as they are really novice riders and sometime talk themselves up a bit.:shifty:

Be especially careful of Chop and Danger as they hang out together and are considered a couple of like minded westies:laugh::laugh:

sounds like someone blows far too many smoke rings out of their exuast pipe.:lol:

[vazza]

what kind of weight is too heavy for a 125?


Probably no more than 80/85KG

[LittleJohn]

I have an older KX125, am around the 70kg mark (short arse I am) and it is awesome, absolutely love it. I haven't done a lot of trail riding with it but what I have done has been sweet. As others have said if you stop on a nice steep hill it takes a bit to get back up and going (but once you get good on it this shouldn't be much of a problem). As for the nice farm land type trail riding my KX125 fly's, even have problems keeping the front wheel on the ground.

Awesome bike to play on, able to throw it around, and will be keeping it for a few years.

[crazyxr250rider]

Is just love how nimble and responsive 125sx's are, its awsome.
As far as top end power goes its at a par with my old yzf.....

[Azzman]

The big advantage of the KDX over a 125 is mainly the power delivery and low maintenance, its really a great engine with plenty down low to tractor around with, while still having decent top end.
And these things will go 100+ hours without a ring change, god knows how long a piston will last...!

A 125 has the advantage of better suspension and lighter weight...also they are cheaper to buy second hand, so you will get a later model bike for your money.

I had to sell my KDX recently, but it was a great trail bike and I would recommend one to anyone. But by the same token, if (when!!!) I get another bike I may go for a 125 mainly for the lower initial cost (will be on a budget!).

Good luck with your decision.