Dirt bike advice please

**rustic101** · 17th April 2010, 22:24

Hi team,

I'm looking at buying a dirt bike for two reasons; firstly to improve my road handling skills, balance and reactions when road riding; as well as having fun without completing an Indian Air, Rock Solid or Lazy Boy lol...

I'm 6"3' and 105kgs and aged a little over forty (but not dead lol) if that matters

I've previously, about 20 years ago, owned 2 x XRs, 1 x PE and 1x KLR. However looking around there are so many to choose from and I was even told I would suit a 125????

Your expert knowledge and advice with any tips would be much appreciated.

Kind regards

**bogan** · 17th April 2010, 22:42

What sort of riding would you be into? trails, MX, if its the later you may want a 250 as they are lower powered and better for beginners, though you're a bit on the heavy side so a 450 could be the go, def 450 if you want to do trail stuff. CRFs and RMZs are pretty good value I hear.

**rustic101** · 17th April 2010, 23:45

Bloody good thing I've dropped 14kgs lol

Yes looking at fun trail rides rather than the balls to the wall MX.

Cheers

**K6K** · 18th April 2010, 00:13

When you are learning you want managable power, a enduro 250 4T is the way to go. Even with your size a 450 is not great to learn on. I have talked to a few big guys who 'upgraded' from a 250 to a 450 and found the extra power and weight a big disadvantage. In road riders terms, a 250 vs 450 is very similar to a 600 versus thou. If you make a mistake with the throttle a 600 will not necessarily put you on your ass, whereas a thou most likely will. A 250 could keep up with a 450 in most situations, and in the tight stuff it can be quicker.
Because of your weight, I would suggest you budget at least $600 for new front and rear springs on any bike you buy (250 or 450) and possibly more to revalve. If you get the base right it will be a lot easier to learn.
Depending on your budget I would suggest a Yamaha WR250F or a Honda CRF250X

**Crisis management** · 18th April 2010, 10:05

Originally Posted by K6K

Depending on your budget I would suggest a Yamaha WR250F or a Honda CRF250X

Exactly what he said...big is not better! You want the lightest, most agile bike around that has sufficient power to drag you up hills, then you will enjoy the experience.

**Reckless** · 18th April 2010, 10:40

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Exactly what he said...big is not better! You want the lightest, most agile bike around that has sufficient power to drag you up hills, then you will enjoy the experience.

That sounds exactly like a 200exc LOL!!!!

**Azzman** · 18th April 2010, 10:44

For a more no frills, low maintenance, trail bike the DRZ400 is a good bet, a little heavier than some but with your size and coming from a road bike I really dont think you would notice.

**rustic101** · 18th April 2010, 10:44

Originally Posted by K6K

When you are learning you want managable power, a enduro 250 4T is the way to go. Even with your size a 450 is not great to learn on. I have talked to a few big guys who 'upgraded' from a 250 to a 450 and found the extra power and weight a big disadvantage. In road riders terms, a 250 vs 450 is very similar to a 600 versus thou. If you make a mistake with the throttle a 600 will not necessarily put you on your ass, whereas a thou most likely will. A 250 could keep up with a 450 in most situations, and in the tight stuff it can be quicker.
Because of your weight, I would suggest you budget at least $600 for new front and rear springs on any bike you buy (250 or 450) and possibly more to revalve. If you get the base right it will be a lot easier to learn.
Depending on your budget I would suggest a Yamaha WR250F or a Honda CRF250X

Thank you very much. This actually makes sense and is to date the most valuable advice I have received.

Not looking at a Brand New Bike More an 08-09 and around 6-7k.

For dirt bikes are hours completed are more important than kilometres travelled? Is just that a couple of bikes I looked at had been 'rebuilt' at 60 hours. Is this fairly normal?

**K6K** · 18th April 2010, 13:40

Originally Posted by rustic101

Thank you very much. This actually makes sense and is to date the most valuable advice I have received.

Not looking at a Brand New Bike More an 08-09 and around 6-7k.

For dirt bikes are hours completed are more important than kilometres travelled? Is just that a couple of bikes I looked at had been 'rebuilt' at 60 hours. Is this fairly normal?

Hours are more important, Kms don't mean much. A MX bike may need a rebuild at 60 hours that is when it has been raced or rode particularly hard. Most enduro's that have been trail ridden will not likely need one for at least a 100 hours. I changed the piston in my first bike (05 WR250F) at 120 hours and it was still fine. If you get a bike that is advertised as trail ridden only and has as low hours as possible you can't go far wrong. The more hours a bike does the more it wears out parts like shock/linkage bearings etc. The difference between bikes 4 or 5 years old is minimal so it is not a bad thing to get an older bike with lower hours than a new one with high hours.

**Crisis management** · 18th April 2010, 18:03

Originally Posted by Reckless

That sounds exactly like a 200exc LOL!!!!

You better have a word to mine then, it's currently trying to kill me.....bastid thing wheelied me into a gorse bush at Riverhead, I'm still picking thorns out of my arse!

To the OP, look at lots of second hand bikes before you buy to get used to what is normal wear and what is thrashed, dirt bikes are maintenance intensive and it's easy to buy a dog. You're in Wobblington? Track down Pete ("Crasher from way back" on here) he is a bike salesman for one of the city bike sshops and is known for his good advice and dirt experience.

**CRF119** · 18th April 2010, 18:15

I ride both Road and dirt they do kind of help each other but they can also have bad effects on each other. A 650 bandit is big and heavy so similar power to weight as a 250 four stroke. I think that is all you will need to start with. My mate is learning on a YZF250 and he is over 100kg and he is happy and will be for along time.

Whats your budget?

**Reckless** · 18th April 2010, 19:43

Originally Posted by Crisis management

You better have a word to mine then, it's currently trying to kill me.....bastid thing wheelied me into a gorse bush at Riverhead, I'm still picking thorns out of my arse!

Mine too, into the gorse and the bloody stuff got into my Armour mesh, just hurt enough to be annoying but not enough to stop and strip down so I put put with it for a loop LOL!! Must be a 200exc thing! LOL!!

I'm 100kg plus and its perfect for me but I'm to frekin scared to recommend it, or highlight what I think the advantages would be for Rustic, as I'll have the KB posse down on my neck??

If you want a 2stroke option look at the 200exc?? NUFF said???? Do a search??

**green machine** · 18th April 2010, 20:07

I started on a KDX 200 as a complete novice and i just could'nt come to grips with the 2 stroke(don't laugh i'd never ridden before that),so i got a 250 four stroke and it was perfect for me,just doin trailrides,Sandpit etc,(i'm 100kgs)take some advice from me tho.........don't get caught in your mates hype and step up to a 450 too early like i did,they are a whole different ball game,all that achieved was broken bones and set my riding back....in saying that i am starting to enjoy it now.As it's been said before,if poss ride a few different bikes