Pick my new bike for me (because I can't figure it out)

**SpikedPunch** · 18th April 2010, 21:43

It was just sooo different to my bike, like quite alien, even though it was obviously a way smoother power delivery, I was riding it kinda jerkily because I'm not really used to a throttle that tapers off rather than off/on. So it wasn't exactly love at first ride, more like 'Hmm, I could make this work, maybe'

It did feel good to ride something more powerful though. I sort of started to get the hang of cornering it just on my last lap, since it was a really different centre of gravity, and I didn't want to really throw myself into it and crash it, haha.
How did you like the 125 in the sand? Was it the handling that was awkward or the power delivery?

**cheese** · 18th April 2010, 21:49

Its just you have to "fang" it more on the 125. Especially hauling my 85kg ass around. Absolutely no bottom end either.

**cheese** · 18th April 2010, 21:54

Oh and the 4 strokes, they are weird at first. On a 2 stroke you get on the gas, then coast. On a 4 stroke, get on the gas, if you let off its massive engine braking! So you have to retrain yourself a bit to keep on the gas all the time.

Also as Rupe might have said the throttle is weird to use too. His "use it like a screwdriver" method works well.

**SpikedPunch** · 18th April 2010, 22:03

Originally Posted by cheese

Oh and the 4 strokes, they are weird at first. On a 2 stroke you get on the gas, then coast. On a 4 stroke, get on the gas, if you let off its massive engine braking! So you have to retrain yourself a bit to keep on the gas all the time.

Also as Rupe might have said the throttle is weird to use too. His "use it like a screwdriver" method works well.

Ah yup, that's what the problem was, the engine braking! I remember when I moved from the DR-Z to the RM I was so scared of riding a bike with 'no' engine braking (I think it's got plenty myself!

). But I'm really used to it now.

**cheese** · 18th April 2010, 22:11

yeah it would be quick to get used to.

**Rupe** · 18th April 2010, 22:13

Originally Posted by SpikedPunch

Ah yup, that's what the problem was, the engine braking! I remember when I moved from the DR-Z to the RM I was so scared of riding a bike with 'no' engine braking (I think it's got plenty myself!

). But I'm really used to it now.

Thats why I thought it was good to try. Some like it, others don't. I found it strange at first, but my ridding got much better than it ever was on a 2stroke after a short while, now when I jump on a 2stroke I over shoot corners and have no control haha. Go try a 125cc mx bike now, comming from a 100cc and not weighing much it might have enough bottom end to keep you happy.

**SpikedPunch** · 18th April 2010, 22:48

Originally Posted by Rupe

Thats why I thought it was good to try. Some like it, others don't. I found it strange at first, but my ridding got much better than it ever was on a 2stroke after a short while, now when I jump on a 2stroke I over shoot corners and have no control haha. Go try a 125cc mx bike now, comming from a 100cc and not weighing much it might have enough bottom end to keep you happy.

That's what's got me thinking - I really like the 100 cause it's peaky and peppy and fun to ride and manhandle since it's so little, but I think maybe on a 250, once I got used to it, I would ride better. Maybe an enduro-y 200 2t would be the best of both worlds. Still gotta try an mx 125 anyway

**laserracer** · 20th April 2010, 00:04

Hey spikey have you checked out the thumpette forum on thumpertalk ? lots of short gals talking about which bikes suit them best

**Midget200** · 20th April 2010, 06:23

Originally Posted by SpikedPunch

That's what's got me thinking - I really like the 100 cause it's peaky and peppy and fun to ride and manhandle since it's so little, but I think maybe on a 250, once I got used to it, I would ride better. Maybe an enduro-y 200 2t would be the best of both worlds. Still gotta try an mx 125 anyway

Hey there! Just to let you know that I cut about 2 inches out of the kickstart on the KDX200 and it's mint! Thanks to CLMINTIE and the other person off here that suggested it! Maybe Krad will let you cut his kickstart down when you're having a ride on his bike! It's awesome, you don't have to get your leg as high and it still kicks over! Might now get the 125 kickstart as suggested! Definitely have a ride at the Jolly Roosta. Next thing for me will be a lighter pipe and maybe 125 front forks which will make the suspension better! Go the KDX200!!!

**SpikedPunch** · 20th April 2010, 07:50

Originally Posted by laserracer

Hey spikey have you checked out the thumpette forum on thumpertalk ? lots of short gals talking about which bikes suit them best

Sure do, that's where I learnt about the mighty KX/RM 100 many moons ago. They're pretty popular on there.

**SpikedPunch** · 24th April 2010, 20:46

I rode the kdx all day today at the Sandpit. I didn't find the weight too bad, did get a bit annoying after dropping it about 50000 times though. I don't really like the forks, they seemed to shake a lot? I dunno, I ended up riding back home on the klx300 and liked the suspension a lot more on that. I was going fast along a straight sandy woopy bit and the KDX started shaking around a lot at the front, and next thing I knew I was ejected 5m in front of the bike. Landed on the top of my back and then head really hard. Had an off on headache since and feel really weak and a bit dizzy and it hurts a bit to turn my neck. Fucking glad I had my brace on. I wrecked the KDX's front fender pretty well and I think I need a new helmet now. We went and looked at where the tire tracks stopped for the bike and there was a big hidden root on a nice slidey angle there. Stink.
I rode the klx300 home and it was being on an armchair or a tractor haha. Pretty easy to ride. I think I might end up being most comfortable on something similar to what I have already. People talk about the powerband being bad but I kind of like that readily available power. On the other hand, I shouldnt discount other bikes as being bad because they're different to ride.
Interesting day, anyway.

**krad_nz** · 24th April 2010, 21:22

I was following behind you. It was an excellent high side. Pretty spectacular. Flew a good 4-5m.
KDX has a steep rake angle. This gives good turn in, but reduces high speed stability. The bars wobble around a fair bit at speed, but I'm used to it. Also, my bars are setup for me, and I'm tall and lanky. Probably didn't help things.

I rode my brothers KLX300 while SPunch was on my KDX. I have to say that it has heaps better suspension, really noticeable coming from the KDX.

However, the throttle requires an additional 10-15deg of rotation to get to wide open throttle compared to any other dirt bike I've been on. Weird. Also CV carb sucks, delayed throttle response really bothered me. It has no snap at all. The weight was quite noticeable too. I don't think its much different on paper, but wow, feels much heavier to ride. In my opinion the KDX is the better bike in every respect other than the front end suspension. Such a shame really.

For a beginner either bike would do, the KLX is probably more forgiving, but would start to hold the rider back after a year or two. Time to upgrade by then anyway! KDX suffers from bad front end, but after a couple of years this starts to hold the rider back too. Time to upgrade.

**laserracer** · 24th April 2010, 22:47

we had an 05 klx 300 that had a flat slide carb on it and a host of other mods .. wasnt a speed demon in a straught line..but wasnt really slow either. but give it some tight singletrack or a steep hill and it was in its element...and oh yeah was like riding a comfy couch...i kinda miss it.. now a klx engine and suspension in a mx frame would be kinda different