Starting out enduro as a beginner?

[Jamie L]

Hey there, would like some help about taking up enduros, as it looks awesome, but i am a little intimidated by the fact that it looks like you have to have a top bike, lots of flash gear, and be an awesome rider. which i am none of those things.

ok a little about me...
I am 21 years old, have done a bit of trail riding on my old xr250, and am fairly confident on a bike but not awesome. I am between bikes at the moment and was thinking of getting either a 2007 honda crf250r and trail ride it as these are cheap and fun, or do i spend a little more and go for a Husqvarna te250 2005, as this is more my style and may suit enduros.

any advice is more than welcome, Cheers

[Devil]

How about a 2006 KTM 200EXC with about 107hrs on it? $4.2k

[barty5]

Id go for what you feel more comfortable with but in saying that check out what spares are like for the TE before running out and buying as im sure $$ wise in the long run you may find the Honda cheaper on part/ availability.

Ps: not to push you in that direction but will have a 07 crf250 for sale shortly with brand new rod/ bearings and piston new fork seals hr meter said 120ish hrs start date jan 2007

[noobi]

You could use either type of bike, but you have to be comfortable riding it for 5+ hours at a time. Typically enduro bikes have smoother power and plusher suspension making it more forgiving to ride for hours at a time. However, you could have any bikes suspension revalved for plushness, but that's an extra cost.
The actual riding is pretty similar to what you would encounter on a trail ride, most of the enduros are forest based with the exception being Oparau, so experience with forest riding helps plenty.

They have classes to accommodate most levels of skill, the only prerequisite is that you are semi competent, as there aren't usually marshals around to help you out.
Here's a good write up on how to enduro in NZ http://www.silverbullet.co.nz/news.php?id=4534

[Rupe]

what about doing cross countries? bit of travelling for you to do an enduro series.

I thought husky's depreciate pretty quick. Would the other have to be honda?

There is no real set bike to use, only personal choices, just get something modern and well maintained.

[NordieBoy]

I would have started on the XR. Worse bikes out there for beginning on.

[BoristheBiter]

Hey there, would like some help about taking up enduros, as it looks awesome, but i am a little intimidated by the fact that it looks like you have to have a top bike, lots of flash gear, and be an awesome rider. which i am none of those things.

ok a little about me...
I am 21 years old, have done a bit of trail riding on my old xr250, and am fairly confident on a bike but not awesome. I am between bikes at the moment and was thinking of getting either a 2007 honda crf250r and trail ride it as these are cheap and fun, or do i spend a little more and go for a Husqvarna te250 2005, as this is more my style and may suit enduros.

any advice is more than welcome, Cheers

I would have started on the XR. Worse bikes out there for beginning on.

I ride a '00 XR250. a great bike to learn on. light, nippy with a good solid engine and some good lower power that forgives the odd mistake and is dirt cheap to fix. I have been on that for over 8 hours and didn't hurt and at my age it is something of a rarity.

When I get a new one I would look at the KTM's. just the fact that there are so many to choose from depending on how you ride to what you ride.
Personally i will get the 350 EXCF.

[NordieBoy]

2 stroke starter bike - KDX200.
4 stroke starter bike - XR250 (maybe even one of those weird modern ones with only one rear shock).

[flyingcr250]

Enduros are good fun, itll take a couple of goes to get used to the rules and the way things work, you do need to be reasonably bike fit as you can be on the bike for about 5 hours with some rest stops between each stage to refuel drink eat etc (depending on how fast you are), as for which bike, id go fo the latest model bike you can afford, xr's and kdx's are ok but i guarantee youll have out grown them within a few months,

Since you live in whangarei, maybe you could do a couple of coaching days with either mike bennett or one of the neild boys up at the farm.co.nz? Any pro lessons is money well spent.

[Pornstar]

I would have started on the XR. Worse bikes out there for beginning on.

No offence there Nordie but I question your Impartiality, " what bike should I get for Trail rides?" XR, Enduro? XR, AMA Super X? ...XR, how bout Moto GP?...XR......with universals

[NordieBoy]

No offence there Nordie but I question your Impartiality, " what bike should I get for Trail rides?" XR, Enduro? XR, AMA Super X? ...XR, how bout Moto GP?...XR......with universals

No offence there Porny, but don't be stupid.

Moto GP would need a 19" front conversion and Shinko 705's FTW!

Anyway I ride a TT350 now. Single shock, disc front - welcome to the future baby!

[Rupe]

2 stroke starter bike - KDX200.
4 stroke starter bike - XR250 (maybe even one of those weird modern ones with only one rear shock).

maybe 15 years ago. not now though, bikes have changed for the better

[nzspokes]

Nah, XR200r is where its at. 82 was the best year.

[cheese]

Any modern 4 stroke 250 would suit a beginner. Better to get right into it than buy a 1995 remade KDX or aircooled 200kg XR250 farm hack.

[BoristheBiter]

Any modern 4 stroke 250 would suit a beginner. Better to get right into it than buy a 1995 remade KDX or aircooled 200kg XR250 farm hack.

200kg? I think there might be a slight exaggeration.
But like you said any 4 stroke would be good.