I'm getting into dirt biking

[Borknagar]

Hey everyone

I'm new to dirt biking, a few friends of mine have convinced me to get a bike for trail riding - so I've got a couple questions.
I need some suggestions on what type of bike to get I don't want to spend over $3000 and I'm happy to get a second hand bike as I still need to purchase gear like helmets, boots etc and a trailer. I plan on riding at Woodhill mainly with mates.
I would appreciate it if someone could give me some suggestions on what type of bike to get, I'm 1m65cm and weigh 55KG (15 years old) if that helps, I've never owned a dirt bike before. I need a bike that is easy to learn on and will handle Woodhills beginner - intermediate tracks ok. I don't plan on racing it or doing jumps just simple trail riding for now.

My friends have told me to look at getting something a long the lines of a Suzuki DRZ 125 like this one: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-445133068.htm
And another friend rides Forza FMX140 Big Foot 2012: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-422981634.htm - this weekend I'm going to have a go on it and see if I like it.

So any suggestions on what to get and what to avoid would be greatly appreciated. Any links to useful reading or videos would also be nice.

Thanks for any help
Russ

[tigertim20]

Hey everyone

I'm new to dirt biking, a few friends of mine have convinced me to get a bike for trail riding - so I've got a couple questions.
I need some suggestions on what type of bike to get I don't want to spend over $3000 and I'm happy to get a second hand bike as I still need to purchase gear like helmets, boots etc and a trailer. I plan on riding at Woodhill mainly with mates.
I would appreciate it if someone could give me some suggestions on what type of bike to get, I'm 1m65cm and weigh 55KG (15 years old) if that helps, I've never owned a dirt bike before. I need a bike that is easy to learn on and will handle Woodhills beginner - intermediate tracks ok. I don't plan on racing it or doing jumps just simple trail riding for now.

My friends have told me to look at getting something a long the lines of a Suzuki DRZ 125 like this one: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-445133068.htm
And another friend rides Forza FMX140 Big Foot 2012: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-422981634.htm - this weekend I'm going to have a go on it and see if I like it.

So any suggestions on what to get and what to avoid would be greatly appreciated. Any links to useful reading or videos would also be nice.

Thanks for any help
Russ

ride all ya mates bikes and get a feel for them. might help you figure out what size/weight/characteristics etc you prefer

[Borknagar]

Thanks for the help, that what I plan on doing is just riding their bikes and seeing which one is the best feeling (hopefully I don't crash and screw it up). Also is getting lessons worth it or is it better just to keep the money and drive around on my mates farm to get a feel of how everything works?

[unstuck]

Just buy a bike and ride,not important what,just ride.Ride ride ride.

[tigertim20]

its a dirt bike, dont worry about dropping it.
If you are going with friends, ask them questions if you have any while out riding.
you're gonna have a great time!

[Jay GTI]

Thanks for the help, that what I plan on doing is just riding their bikes and seeing which one is the best feeling (hopefully I don't crash and screw it up). Also is getting lessons worth it or is it better just to keep the money and drive around on my mates farm to get a feel of how everything works?

A lesson from Tony at the Sandpit will pay dividends later on. Start out riding right, lot easier than unlearning all the shit you're doing wrong later. Got my GF a lesson with him the first time she tried riding, she now is way, way better than she should be for her level of experience. It's all Tony's doing.

[barty5]

Id go for some thing in the jap range if it where me the Chinese stuff all looks good but parts can be an arse to get and depending on how good you get my have an effect on how long it stays together as well you will also get a better resale value from any thing Japanese when it is time to up grade.

[glukasil]

get KDX 200..........not expensive and easy to fix

[D3ALN]

Cant agree more with what people have said re lessons. Broxy lessons are a good start.
When buying a bike think about where you want to ride and how you want to ride. I started on a KXF250 which was a little much for me as I was trail riding and falling off a lot and finding it hard to kick start the thing multiple times a ride so I sold it and got an electric start Wr250 till i got my confidence up and am now riding a 07 yzf250 when I get a chance to ride which is very little now due to work.

[ktm84mxc]

First thing work out a budget how much do you want to spend and allow up to $500 for helmet, boots, gloves, goggles, kidney belt etc.
A good 4 stoke trail bike can be had between $2.5g-4g were talking DR,TTr, CRf, KLx, 125-230cc . Some come with electric start which makes life easier for a newby.
There are good Chinese brands out there only you need to find a good dealer to get the parts support.

[Lawrence]

Be wary of small wheeled pit bikes. My nephew is same age as you and also starting out. He's been struggling at Woodhill with a small wheeled 125 Chinese bike (14"-12" wheels). Good bike, but the small wheels have limited traction in the soft sand. He's moving up to a TTR230 with elec start. A large wheeled 125 (19"-16" wheels) would be sweet for you. TTR125L DRZ125L CRF150F

[English Kiwi]

Be wary of small wheeled pit bikes. My nephew is same age as you and also starting out. He's been struggling at Woodhill with a small wheeled 125 Chinese bike (14"-12" wheels). Good bike, but the small wheels have limited traction in the soft sand. He's moving up to a TTR230 with elec start. A large wheeled 125 (19"-16" wheels) would be sweet for you. TTR125L DRZ125L CRF150F

I have a DRZ-125L and it's a great starting off bike!! You can still do the drifties as well which is great

I've bailed a few times now at the Sandpit and bike is still pretty mint with only a bent clutch lever They are pretty indestructable!

But go ride a few...I'm only 5ft 4 (pretty small) but older than you and it is an awesome bike! Just get the DRZ 125 L!! you'll get the small wheel otherwise and that won't do you any favours!

[Borknagar]

Hey guys thanks for all the help . I've decided I'm just going to have a go on my friends bike and decide from there.
If I like it I'll go and get some proper lessons so I can get the basics and as other people said it's better to get good techniques when you start then teach yourself wrong techniques and have to try unlearn them.
I will also base my decision on what type of bike to get on how I like my friends bikes.

Also I've got a question regarding safety gear like helmets, neck braces and chest protectors.
Firstly my friends reckon that wearing a neck brace isn't worth it as they break your collar bone is this true?
And are there any specific things too look at and avoid when buying helmets, boots etc?

Thanks for all of your help

[Borknagar]

Be wary of small wheeled pit bikes. My nephew is same age as you and also starting out. He's been struggling at Woodhill with a small wheeled 125 Chinese bike (14"-12" wheels). Good bike, but the small wheels have limited traction in the soft sand. He's moving up to a TTR230 with elec start. A large wheeled 125 (19"-16" wheels) would be sweet for you. TTR125L DRZ125L CRF150F

I'll keep that in mind when buying a bike. The Forza 140 Big Foot has 17/14 inch wheels, will this cope ok at Woodhill?

[Leyton]

I'll keep that in mind when buying a bike. The Forza 140 Big Foot has 17/14 inch wheels, will this cope ok at Woodhill?

I don't know if they are a racey motor. If they are modeled off the brisilian crf230 then no, it will suck balls.

Someone up here mentioned a KDX200

For under $3000, they are the best value. Plenty of parts around for them, after market parts! and OEM of course. They are a 2-stroke but they have fairly good low down tourqe for someone starting out. They are not a bike that will give you too many supprises on the trail.

A MX 125 bike on the other hand is a good choice! But, they tend to appriciate someone whom is not afrade to ride with the gas wide open a times as the power is up top.

A TTR230 or CRF230, erm... they are a farm bike. They say they are a Trail's/Farmbike. But honestly, I have had one and the biggest let down was the suspension and brakes. I would recommend them for every other reason though, The motors are simple, easy to work on, electric start is nice. They dont rev out like a 2-stroke or perform too racey. So you will find you ride better on them just plonking around... one problem though...

Plonking does not clear the wheels of muck and mud! So your slightly weighty bike all of a sudden becomes a barge, and suspension that wont handle you riding quick over the mudded ruts etc.. to clear out ya wheels.

KDX200 For tamer, reliable cheap fun. Or MX125 (YZ125, CR125, RM125 etc..) for a bit of all balls entertainment with a higher maintence bill.

TTR230 or CRF230 for reliable, boringness. But atleast you always run, and are able to ride a trail right ?

Hope this clears up the nature of the bikes in question.

The Forza I know nothing about, apart from it is not a big brand. Eg.. they are just fresh on the market, and not proven themselfs just yet.

They are kinda like Hyosung road bikes 7 years ago, no one would touch them, now they seam like a decent entry level option.

Chur