Looking at getting an offroad bike - advice please

[bull]

Thought id pick the brains of the people whom know best, Im 6ft and 120kg so not a skinny little fella and looking to get into some offroad riding up trails etc, not so much the MX flat out stuff but just accessing the Akatarawa Forest tracks etc.

Hows this one (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-196752267.htm) seem price wise, and would it be ideal for what im looking to do? im totally new to the offroad and dont want to spend too much on a bike.

Also saw these two (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-196995972.htm) 125cc bikes going cheap that may be a goer just to pootle around in the woods.

Would really appreciate some advice on this.

Cheers
Danny

[secondfield]

Hey Danny,

That DR would be more suitable for ya .. dont worry about those 125's, too light ...

A honda XR400 or 250 (96 - 01) would be good to look at for what you want to do also...

[chop]

going off your size a 125 will be too small for you.. If your new to off road,dont want to spend much and want to potter around id suggest a honda xr250 or xr400.. Good reliable old four stroke that doesnt need much to keep on tip top shape..

[cave weta]

That looks like a goer Danny, It will have enough grunt to go where you need to without adding too much to the GVLM:shutup:

There is nothing worse that pushing a n XR600 up a slippery clay track on a hot day- especially if you already weigh more than the bike:no:
stick with an air cooled bike for now as the radiators damage real easy and cost around $400 each side.

By the way- trailriding is more fun than a diet or a gym subscription!

[B0000M]

shit, thats good value that dr

[laserracer]

i was going to suggest wr or yz 400.. 426.. but i think cave wetas right best stick to a aircooled bike, try to keep the power to weight ratio as much in your favour as possible
..i know im a big boy tooo 122kg and even though my 426 will climb through just about anything its a pain in the arse
when im tired... what about a 250 2 stroke nice and light with shit loads of grunt.. or a klx 300

[secondfield]

Perfect bike for ya mate ...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-195681792.htm

[barty5]

If you do lean towards the xr400 check the lower sub frame under exhust been told than can rot out in that area.

[motorbyclist]

stick with an air cooled bike for now as the radiators damage real easy and cost around $400 each side.


it's always amazed me that the factory doesn't supply braces

if you do get one with radiators, buy some braces for it - they cost a hundred bucks or so but are much better than getting towed out of the forest

wr400 or wr426 would be perfect if you brace the radiators

watch out for the yz models (and motocross bikes in general) as they don't have coolant reservoirs - not good on a trail ride where you may spend a lot of time at low speed as you dump all your coolant



That DR would be more suitable for ya .. dont worry about those 125's, too light ...

A honda XR400 or 250 (96 - 01) would be good to look at for what you want to do also...
+1

[barty5]

it's always amazed me that the factory doesn't supply braces

if you do get one with radiators, buy some braces for it - they cost a hundred bucks or so but are much better than getting towed out of the forest

wr400 or wr426 would be perfect if you brace the radiators

watch out for the yz models (and motocross bikes in general) as they don't have coolant reservoirs - not good on a trail ride where you may spend a lot of time at low speed as you dump all your coolant


+1

Ive never dump that much coolant that its ever been a problem but braces are well worth it and on my current shopping list (then hidden from the wife)

[motorbyclist]

Ive never dump that much coolant that its ever been a problem

nor have I but i do get worried some times, and usually turn the thing off if i'm stopped in a queue


blew a radiator up once in a stream crossing - guy failed in front of me so i had to wait in the middle of the stream dumping coolant while he got sorted, then with no run up of course i get stuck on teh bank and about 2 secs later i hear a cracking noise and steam went everywhere - old repair had blown out

and i was only 3km into a 33km track :weep:

[barty5]

nor have I but i do get worried some times, and usually turn the thing off if i'm stopped in a queue


blew a radiator up once in a stream crossing - guy failed in front of me so i had to wait in the middle of the stream dumping coolant while he got sorted, then with no run up of course i get stuck on teh bank and about 2 secs later i hear a cracking noise and steam went everywhere - old repair had blown out

and i was only 3km into a 33km track :weep:

Sounds like me at the gncc on the weekend 10ks if endo bike through the air and got a DNF no front brakes and steering way out and a sore head and neck.
In saying that most would turn an air cooled of in the same situtation on movement no cooling to any great point.

[laserracer]

my yz426 has never overflowed but i fitted a coolant bottle just in case i got from bunnings.. cost $10.. but i to am in the habit of turning it off if sitting around waiting anyway

[LittleJohn]

Never had a problem with dumping my coolant, even when riding with my young kids on there LT50 quad bikes at a snails pass.

As for radiator damage it is great to get braces, well worth it. But also remember that many of the radiator shops can repair pretty damaged radiators, even when they are all squashed and mangeled.

[Ocean1]

Yup, 250 - 400 air cooled 4T. Almost all of them are good, select on condition/cash.

Worth noting that less HP is easier to learn on, and for typical tight NZ conditions weight is WAY more important than you might think.

XR 200 would be a good start, but might be a tad small for you. That DR350 might be a tad porky, but a good reliable machine. XR250 or KLX300 would be good.

Good luck dude, and enjoy, it's a blast.

[rocketman1]

kDX 200 Great bikes for tall strong guys, easy to work on and reliable

[B0000M]

kDX 200 Great bikes for tall strong guys, easy to work on and reliable

here we go again........

if i had a dollar for every time some asks what kind of bike to get and someone answers with kdx200............

[barty5]

Why do you need to be tall and strong to handle a KDX200??? now if you had said a KX or cr 500 i could understand although huge gonades would help as well.

[dammad1]

here we go again........

if i had a dollar for every time some asks what kind of bike to get and someone answers with kdx200............

Maybe there is a good reason for that?

[barty5]

Maybe there is a good reason for that?

Unlikely just those that have them cant get past them.

[B0000M]

admittedly they're a good solid reliable bike,

part of the reason people ride dirt bikes is the excitement, a kdx200 is about as exciting as a diesel corolla

just like the diesel corolla, sure itl go forever, require next to no maintenance, do a half reasonable pace, but they are just dull and average to ride / drive

[motorbyclist]

well clearly you don't ride them right:msn-wink:

[oldguy]

admittedly they're a good solid reliable bike,

part of the reason people ride dirt bikes is the excitement, a kdx200 is about as exciting as a diesel corolla

just like the diesel corolla, sure itl go forever, require next to no maintenance, do a half reasonable pace, but they are just dull and average to ride / drive

Only for you guys who are real good riders,:not: and ride alot, but us mear mortals the KDX200 is:clap:

[James Deuce]

IT490!! Wooooo!

Then you'll learn how to wheelie and what a woodruff key is.

[dammad1]

Only for you guys who are real good riders,:not: and ride alot, but us mear mortals the KDX200 is:clap:

Yep we can't all be pros like BOOM, LOL.

out of the box they can be a bit tame but with a few easy mods they can go really well.

[bull]

OK cheers for the advice, had most saying that an xr250 is the way to go and the rest saying the dr350 is great value, and now the kdx200 thrown in. Is hte kdx200 enough power to lug me about?

[mattwood]

OK cheers for the advice, had most saying that an xr250 is the way to go and the rest saying the dr350 is great value, and now the kdx200 thrown in. Is hte kdx200 enough power to lug me about?

Im pretty big, im 6 foot something and about 105kg. Im not to fat or anything but the 125 hauls my ass around at enough pace to keep me happy, i even manage to waste most of my mates who weigh half of me around the mx tracks and trails.. and the 125 is great for learning if your not a complete noob to riding any motorbike. If you can work a clutch and understand the concept that a 125 needs to be ridden close to if not on the pipe then you will hav no trouble riding a mx 2stroke as your first bike. They are also great because being a big fella you will be able to flick it around easily in tight single track. and pushing it is a breeze in the sloppy conditions. Dont look past a 125 before you have a ride.

[secondfield]

Nope' itll suck if your a big fellah starting out. Its a 2 stroke with a mild hit.

You'll be cursing it trying to climb hills and replacing the clutch as often as the oil.

An XR (4 stroke) will be much more fun for you and easily rideable to boot. Go for 1996 onwards,

A bunch of us ride karipoti as often as possible. We have another learner riding with us, he's making good progress, if ya keen once you get your bike PM us and we can show ya around..

[B0000M]

Yep we can't all be pros like BOOM, LOL.

out of the box they can be a bit tame but with a few easy mods they can go really well.

take the piss all you want, im just trying to help the guy out.


at least i do go out riding... unlike someone.... lol

[laserracer]

well this is just my thoughts but if you are looking at an xr 250 i would perhaps go for a xr 400 .. my sons also a big lad he brought a klx 300 as his first bike ,bear in mind he was 23 and had never ridden a bike before ,after 3 months
he was bored with the power and brought a yz 250 2 stroke
which he still has to this very day.. and he wont sell it ..i know because i tried to buy it.. but also in saying that...the klx 300 would go anywhere,and up anything, the thing was a bloody tractor easy to ride, and very reliable, if you do look at one try and get one that has had the starshift mod done and a better exhaust, they go really well then
cheers Dave

[bull]

OK so ill keep my eyes peeled for an 96 - 01 XR 250 or 400 then at an affordable price. How much $$ do i need to keep aside for some protective gear?

[laserracer]

ive got the boots if ya a size 11 $130 for sale on here

[motorbyclist]

buy the gear first, or at least the helmet/boots/gloves

and yes, you will need the goggles and some tearoffs to save you scratching the lenses

then you know exactly how much to spend on your bike

[oldskool]

If you like ringing out your bike you'll end up flogging the KDX200 (nice bike) with your weight (no offence meant). As LazyRacer suggests, an XR400 is a good start.
350 and up in the 4's and 250 and up in the 2's is my 2cents worth.

[laserracer]

That sounds like good advice from ..oldfarm:bleh:

[oldskool]

That sounds like good advice from ..oldfarT:bleh:

correction!!

[laserracer]

:2thumbsup:lol:

[Azzman]

Another thumbs up for the KDX here...if you want to chug around and eventually get bored go with the XR250, no offence (XR riders) but the KDX will put twice as big of a smile on your dial than the XR250 ever will, and will do everything a hell of a lot better, except maybe tractor up hills at a snails pace...but the KDX doesn't do a bad job of tractoring for a 2 tanga.

IMO the XR 250 is the bare minimum of a bike to get...the KDX is def above it on the scale...
Hell it puts out 37hp (@8000) compared to the Hondas 20 something
Its 10kgs lighter and it has more suspension travel, way easier to start, costs less too...

[motorbyclist]

when was an XR ever difficult to start?

and what about those stupid forks that get stuck in ruts?

and i want to see some torque figures in this equation!

[Azzman]

KDX 34.3NM @7000 (25.3ft-lb)
XR (14.4 ft-lb) @6800 the only saving grace for the XR is that at lower than peak rpm it prob makes more than the KDX but hey it is a Thumper so it should...let the numbers speak. (disclaimer the KDX is claimed while the XR is from a Dyno, but further searching reveals KDX to be around 20ish ft-lb)

[B0000M]

to the xr's credit though, its a honda and its not a kawasaki :girlfight:

[noobi]

to the xr's credit though, its a honda and its not a kawasaki :girlfight:

nothing wrong with xr untill you want to do something that actually involves pace, but it will go forever

[oldskool]

Brand prejudice aside, think of the rider - Bull in this case. He is over 6 ft and a big fellah. Seriously a 200cc two stroke with a mild hit is not going to stoke his fires for long. Same goes for the XR250, plain and simple, Bull is a big boy, he needs a big bike.
4's DR350 and up (but not the XR350, it didn't hang around for long)
2's 250+