Looking to get my first dirt bike.

**sil3nt** · 20th December 2010, 18:42

But i don't really know what to get. I only have two on my list so far. Suzuki RM 125 and a KDX 200.

Just after something to hoon around the parents paddocks on and maybe even go on trail rides.

Cheaper the better! Anything over $2000 probably won't interest me.

Any suggestions? Something that wont cost an arm and a leg to maintain would be nice as well. I found out a spark plug for the RM 125 costs $90.....

**Ocean1** · 20th December 2010, 18:52

Originally Posted by sil3ntwar

But i don't really know what to get. I only have two on my list so far. Suzuki RM 125 and a KDX 200.

Just after something to hoon around the parents paddocks on and maybe even go on trail rides.

Cheaper the better! Anything over $2000 probably won't interest me.

Any suggestions? Something that wont cost an arm and a leg to maintain would be nice as well. I found out a spark plug for the RM 125 costs $90.....

The RM is a race bike, service intervals to suit, if you haven't done much time on a dirt bike I'd look elsewhere.

KDX200/220 are good machines, no slug but not difficult to manage.

If you find one for less than 2K it'll either be old and fookt or a bloody good deal.

**sil3nt** · 20th December 2010, 19:02

Originally Posted by Ocean1

The RM is a race bike, service intervals to suit, if you haven't done much time on a dirt bike I'd look elsewhere.

KDX200/220 are good machines, no slug but not difficult to manage.

If you find one for less than 2K it'll either be old and fookt or a bloody good deal.

There are a few KDX machines on trademe for around 2k. Even one from a dealer http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-340932468.htm

Anything else i could look at other than the KDX? Not fussed on engine size so long as pulls 80kg nicely.

**Ocean1** · 20th December 2010, 19:15

These are a good bulletproof general purpose dirt machine, good learners bike.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-342008903.htm

Keep an eye out for a Suzuki RMX250 maybe.

**Blagger** · 20th December 2010, 22:39

If you like 2-strokes there are some reasonable Honda CR250's out there.

Don't worry about expensive spark plugs - if someone is selling them for that much there'll be someone else undercutting them for cheaper

**sil3nt** · 21st December 2010, 16:30

Originally Posted by Blagger

If you like 2-strokes there are some reasonable Honda CR250's out there.

Don't worry about expensive spark plugs - if someone is selling them for that much there'll be someone else undercutting them for cheaper

Never had a 2 stroke. I hear its better getting a 2 stroke dirt bike as they are easier to work on. No idea if that is true or not.

**neels** · 21st December 2010, 16:40

Originally Posted by sil3ntwar

Never had a 2 stroke. I hear its better getting a 2 stroke dirt bike as they are easier to work on. No idea if that is true or not.

Easier to work on, but you need to work on them more often, more modern and more racy means more frequent piston replacements etc.

If you're just going to be paddock and trail riding an older XL, XR, XT or DR would probably do the job. My old XL250 drags my 80kg along as fast as I'm keen to go on gravel.

**Ocean1** · 21st December 2010, 17:05

Originally Posted by Blagger

If you like 2-strokes there are some reasonable Honda CR250's out there.

A CR is also a race bike. Light and quick they are, but also short lived and more apre' ride work.

Originally Posted by neels

If you're just going to be paddock and trail riding an older XL, XR, XT or DR would probably do the job. My old XL250 drags my 80kg along as fast as I'm keen to go on gravel.

+1.

**Rupe** · 21st December 2010, 17:20

Fuck me you road bike boys are a different breed.

Mate if someone has posted in this thread and the bike they ride under their details isn't a current dirt bike I wouldn't even read what they have written, complete bullshit 90% of the time.

some facts;

For around the 2k mark, you prob be best to get a 2 stroke.

2strokes are a more simple engine so they are easy to work on.

125cc bikes a great for hooning round padocks and anything else, and they don't need rebuilding every 5mins.

kdx's are fine also, but get a 1995+ model, 2k-ish should get you a good one.

Might aswell price in doing a new topend for piece of mind

spend more than you can afford it will save you $$ in the long run

get the best maintained bike rather than your favorite colour.

Also post up what you've seen on trademe so some of the keen eyes on here can have a look

**Rupe** · 21st December 2010, 17:21

Originally Posted by Ocean1

A CR is also a race bike. Light and quick they are, but also short lived and more apre' ride work.

+1.

short lived????

**noobi** · 21st December 2010, 17:25

Originally Posted by Rupe

short lived????

When you ride it like this maybe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISQpYz7s6sk

**bogan** · 21st December 2010, 17:33

for that budget I'd reckon a CR125 (or any other 125 but they ain't as good

). Depending on how you ride em you can get between 4-20hours out of a ring, double that for a piston, changing them is piss easy.

And 20hrs ain't long for a road bike, but on a 2t 125 race bike, it's quite a few days worth of riding, 10min ride followed by half an hour of rest keeps the engine in good nick

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