Good bike for a n00b?

**nomnomnom** · 17th February 2011, 15:06

lol what can I say I get bored easy! my free time used to be spent drifting but I sold my car and bikes are WAY more fun.

thanks for the suggestions! perhaps its time to get another loan to waste more money on toys.....sheesh 2011 was meant to be the "pull your head in" year for my debt....oh well. The heart wants what the heart wants right?!??!

**Jay GTI** · 17th February 2011, 15:27

Originally Posted by SpikedPunch

I agree, but wasn't sure if she wanted something road legal as well. There's not much available in the $2-3g range for that. Of course an actual dirt bike is better for off road, duh.
...I'd love to see someone backflip a KDX

They are good trail bikes tho

Sorry, I forgot the smilies, that was a tongue in cheek sorta post, but the basics of it I mean.

My first bike was an XT250, after 2 years of dragging that heavy, clunky old pig up and down the Nelson hills I learned sweet feck all about how to ride properly. My mate's son was given a CR125 when he was 14, 3 years later and he's fast as hell and rides my old RM250 way, way better than I ever could. Was just basically saying that if you're going to trail ride properly, get a proper trail bike, you'll learn far much more on one.

...and I'd like to see someone backflip a KDX too...

**oldguy** · 17th February 2011, 16:05

get a KTM............................even better get a 2stroke and you,ll be the envy of the trail.

sorry this is just a piss take.

as said DRZ, KLX, TTR 125,

**gwynfryn** · 17th February 2011, 18:30

I've backflipped, frontflipped, sideflipped, lowsided and highsided a kdx.

**Crisis management** · 17th February 2011, 19:46

Stop mucking around and get a harley, you can backflip them........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqgwo_WdyRo

Seriously, if you want to learn dirt don't compromise, buy a dirt bike and go riding, Taz, Spiked Punch & Scott are talking sense.

**cheese** · 17th February 2011, 21:05

I think that Sammikins is selling a DRZ for about the sort of money you want to spend. I's start on that then progress to a 125 2 stroke or possibly a 250 4 stroke. Get anything Japanese and you'll be fine.

**D3ALN** · 17th February 2011, 21:14

When i was looking for a first bike I was told go something 4 stroke with enough power that you wont get bored of it so quick. So I bought a Kx250f and it has been great. Unlike a 2 stroke its great to get your confidence up on and when your ready go hard on them.

**barty5** · 17th February 2011, 21:31

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Stop mucking around and get a harley, you can backflip them........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqgwo_WdyRo

Seriously, if you want to learn dirt don't compromise, buy a dirt bike and go riding, Taz, Spiked Punch & Scott are talking sense.

or you could race one on the mx track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nlq5...eature=related

**SpikedPunch** · 17th February 2011, 21:46

Oh yeah nomnom, you might find this thread and forum useful too in your bike-quest: http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/arc.../t-190408.html

**Crisis management** · 18th February 2011, 06:52

Originally Posted by barty5

or you could race one on the mx track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nlq5...eature=related

Good find Barty, comfortable seat and your legs reach the ground, they may be on to a winner here!

**Reckless** · 18th February 2011, 09:15

Originally Posted by SpikedPunch

Generic noobie girl bikes for trail riding:

Suzuki dr-z 125 (also sold by Kawasaki as the KLX125 but they don't make them anymore)
Yamaha ttr 125
Honda crf150f
Kawasaki KLX 140

If you are a bit taller:

ttr 230
crf 230

These bikes are all low maintenance 4 strokes, they have a low seat height and un-intimidating power, they are good to learn on if you're happy toodling around trails. I think the Kwaka is supposed to be the highest spec of them. You can jump them if you like but I don't think they'll handle that kind of abuse long term. I know some boys who have DR-Zs as playbikes for their MX track and there's been a broken subframe or two. Any one of these would probably do what you're looking for but if you're a keen/agressive rider you might find yourself getting bored with them soon. A totally good place to start though, and they should get around pretty much anything you'll find on trail rides (expert sections maybe not included) with enough stubborn determination. Whether you own one short term or decide it's the bike for you forever, they don't seem to loose much on resale after a certain age, which is good. I sold my DR-Z for about the same price I bought it for I think?

Another option is a small-bore MX bike, such as a cr85, kx85, yz85, or rm85 (kx and rm also come in 100 models if you can find one) It will need more maintenance and will be a steeper learning curve than the little four strokes, but will also (maybe?) last you longer and (jmo!) have more fun factor. They are lighter as well which is a godsend when you're learning and dropping the bike all the time, but they'll stall more easily, which is not! On the other hand, you'll learn good clutch skills

The 85s are also suitable for mx which it sounds like you might be looking at doing in the future too?

Any bike you have for your first dirt bike will be giving you big smiles though...

These suggestions are given assuming that as a chick, you are a shortarse! If the considerations of seat height aren't an issue, any bike that noob guys would ride would be fine for you, the only setback being you probably won't have as much upper body strength as the average dude and will find picking up a full sized bike pretty awful. But the ones I posted are all a good starting point for learning on anyway

Eveything she said A++ and she knows her stuff as I've watched her progress here and on the trails over the last two years!! My daughter has a CRF150f for just this riding! Spike has been there done that no better advice than chick to chick??
Mmmmm no smart ass jokes aye boys!! LOL!!!

**Reckless** · 18th February 2011, 09:25

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Stop mucking around and get a harley, you can backflip them........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqgwo_WdyRo

Originally Posted by barty5

or you could race one on the mx track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nlq5...eature=related

Good finds you two enjoyed both those A++++

**nomnomnom** · 18th February 2011, 10:36

Thanks heaps for everyones suggestions, now its my mission to troll through trademe and hopefully find something that suits me, suits my budget AND doesnt break down 5 minutes after I buy it

SpikedPunch - feel free to PM me any more suggestions, its awesome getting help from a chick that knows what shes talking about! Plus we can talk away from prying eyes of these boys

hahahaha just jokin! But not about the PM me bit - do that cos I need all the help I can get!