What to Get ...

[DirtMad]

Firstly Id like to say a big hello to everyone on first post !
Im new to dirt bike riding and have had little experience on mototrbikes in general. I own a modified GTR skyline (the shape they raced at bathurst back in the days) and Im looking for a little side hobby ;-)
Ive been looking at some bikes on trademe and bikepoint but Id really appreciate some advice on where to start. I think it will be used at such places as woodhill forest, and beach / farm land.. I weigh approx 70kg and and obviously small to average height and build.
Ive been looking at such bikes as a "KDX 200" and "XR 200" but Im wondering if these are too much for me to handle? hehe. Would I be better off with a 125cc or even 80cc bike??
All helpful advice much appreciated!
Kev.

[Odin]

Welcome in

Have you got expirience with road bikes or are you new to bikes all together ?

[DirtMad]

Ive just had little 50cc bikes in the past ( a 2 and a 4 stroke). No road bike license or experience

[Motu]

Welcome to the site.

Of course the KDX is the better bike - for racing,the XR200 is a great beginners bike...I had one when I was 40 and it made me feel 16 again.A bike you can learn on and then work up to riding it at 110% and hang onto the tail of a KDX if he's not a very good rider.Of all the bikes I've ever owned I think the XR200 was the most fun,the labrador of the motorcycle world...eager to please and never bites the hand of those who feed him.Go for the XR.

[DirtMad]

thanks for the help ;-) sorry about my Noob knowledge.. I presume youre thinking a 200cc bike wont be too much if i take it a bit easy first hehe

[Kwaka-Kid]

have PM'ed you dude.

and even a beginner couldnt take an XR200 easy :P they are very easy to thrash about due to lack of power... but still a shitload of fun! KDX could be next step up maybe? if u do go KDX just means more room to learn for later on (but possibly slower learning first up, not as easy)

[Cary]

if u do go KDX just means more room to learn for later on (but possibly slower learning first up, not as easy)

I'd go for the KDX, bulletproof but easy to fix if something should go wrong. I think the KDX would make the better first bike and good for the longer term.

[DirtMad]

thanks guys
got my eyes on a `99 KDX200 at the mo.. gotta wait till this *#&* weather lets up first...

[enigma51]

have PM'ed you dude.

and even a beginner couldnt take an XR200 easy :P they are very easy to thrash about due to lack of power... but still a shitload of fun! KDX could be next step up maybe? if u do go KDX just means more room to learn for later on (but possibly slower learning first up, not as easy)

Second that

[Motu]

I think the power delivery is a bit aggressive on the KDX200 for a beginner,could be a bit daunting for awhile.I never got bored with lack of power from the XR200,I just rode harder and learnt more.

[Henk]

I'm going to go against the grain here and sugest the KDX over the XR. A KDX with a stock pipe has incredibly mellow power and won't bite. If the bike you buy has an aftermaket pipe there are stock pipes all ver the place so it shouldn't be hard to get one. The XR is a good learners bike no doubt but you will be replacing quickly. The KDX can go from a good learners bike to something that can still take enduro class wins with the right rider in the right conditions with a few cheapish mods.

[Henk]

Just an add on to that last post. Make sure you get a 95 or later. They haven't changed since then baring the graphics

[Kwaka-Kid]

sounds like u know a bit henk, i own a KDX200H myself... what mods dude?

[DirtMad]

got myself a bike now aye :-) kdx200h 98/6 but need to figure out how the gears work... lol . fill me in
im also looking at some riding gear. am I right that "oneal" and "fly" are the cheap brands? I was thinking of getting some fly 805 boots and shirt,pant,gloves ... cause its alot of money upfront.. should be ok gear for awhile?

[Kwaka-Kid]

AWESOME! let me be the first to say congrats!

well done dude.

Your are fairly right on the gear there, however flick me a PM later and i can give you some better advice, and prolly have some spare gear that will help you aswell.

Anyways, till then! And we can go ride our KDX's

p.s, from neutral, down shift into 1st, then the other 5 gears are up (and it skips neutral when the bike is rolling straight thru to second, mostly that is, hehe)