I'm thinking of getting into dirt. What bike?

**Brett** · 27th February 2014, 22:59

Righto...decided that I would like to do some dirt riding. Looking to do trail riding largely. My dirt riding pals have suggested a 250cc is easier to ride/less work than the larger bikes. I have someone possibly keen to do a swap + cash deal on my CBR1000rr for a 2009 Honda crf250x. What are people's thoughts on this bike? Any other model recommendations to look at? I am not Brand/make loyal. I want something that is not too painful maintenance wise, is reasonably powerful (I am 6ft 3, 100kg) and handles well. I am keen to stay 4 stroke.

Fire thoughts away.

Cheers

**thorns** · 28th February 2014, 06:52

A 250 endure bike you might outgrow it quickly, they are fun to ride, but do lack a bit of horsepower, on the faster flowing sections, you just have the thing wide open trying to make it go faster.
Given the fact that your coming off a fast road bike, I think you may be let down by a 250 4 stroke endure bike.

Personally would suggest a 450 enduro bike, still easy to ride, but have that extra torque/power when you need it, or depending on budget could look at a 350 4 stroke, never ridden one myself, but lots of people seem to find it the perfect in between bike.

Although, I'd also say before you rule out the 2 strokes, have a look at some of the options, they are pretty good, lighter, more powerful, cheaper to maintain, drowning them isn't as much of an issue......lots to choose from as well, from 150 through to 300cc which are pretty much tractors and will walk up any hill.

End of the day, best way if possible is to try get a few rides on different bikes, its the only way to really find what works for you.

**Jay GTI** · 28th February 2014, 08:27

The CRF250X is an excellent choice to start out on. Most 450 enduro bikes (WR, RMX, EXC etc) are grunty enough to make life hard for you if are a complete dirt noob. They're also all a bit on the heavy side, not so much an issue when you're riding, but as you'll be doing a lot of picking the bike up while you're learning... a light bike is definitely your friend.

The main thing to remember, if you're pretty good on a road bike, that is largely irrelevant on a dirt bike. Most of what you do on a road bike, you do backwards on a dirt bike. It'll take a while to unlearn those instincts, so while you're doing that, make your life as easy as possible.

Having said that, the 250X is a bit on the friendly side, power-wise, but while that is perfect to begin with, you may get a little frustrated when you start picking up skills. However a decent exhaust and jetting to suit apparently wakes them up nicely, so you can get more out of them when you feel you're ready. They're also known for being bullet-proof, which is again great for starting out.

I have a 350, I agree with Thorns that they are a perfect compromise for the "heavier gentleman", but not really necessary and most people are faster on smaller bikes, bigger bikes just make you a lazy rider.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 28th February 2014, 08:51

Why not consider a DRZ400 mate?

**Jay GTI** · 28th February 2014, 09:25

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Why not consider a DRZ400 mate?

They weigh several metric tonnes. Not a bike you will want to pick up regularly.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 28th February 2014, 09:32

Originally Posted by Jay GTI

They weigh several metric tonnes. Not a bike you will want to pick up regularly.

I know mate...I've owned/raced one. But whilst they're not lightweight by any means...Brett ain't looking for a race bike, and at 6'3", he's more than big enough to pick the thing up etc. I would've thought as a first *trail bike*...they're fucking ideal for someone his size. Bullet proof too.

**Jay GTI** · 28th February 2014, 10:01

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I know mate...I've owned/raced one. But whilst they're not lightweight by any means...Brett ain't looking for a race bike, and at 6'3", he's more than big enough to pick the thing up etc. I would've thought as a first *trail bike*...they're fucking ideal for someone his size. Bullet proof too.

This is true, but while I'm not tall, I'm a decent build (loosehead prop in the school rugby team, way back when), last time I rode a DR400 I was seeing stars trying to drag that bastard up a slippery hill. He probably would be sweet, but I firmly believe in making life as easy as possible when trying to ride dirt for the first time.

I took a bunch of roadies out to Thundercross a couple of years ago to get them to try dirt riding, they had the choice of hiring DRZ250s or 400s, the couple that went for the 400s really struggled. Even though they were plenty experienced on the road, they found the weight and even the power a bit too much.

**leathel** · 28th February 2014, 10:06

How mechanically minded are you? the race style 4 stroke bikes do have short service periods and if you intend to do a lot of riding be prepared for top end rebuilds etc

CRF250F is a great start if its not due for a rebuild

KX/RM/CR 450 F's are loads of fun and for trail rides, I would go the enduro model for the electric start as those rides through bogs/ slippery clay slopes etc are dicey to try and kick start your bike in at times !

I went down the DRZ400 route as I wanted to just ride and do F/all maintanace, I am not racing and its a bloody tractor in the wet slippery shit, keep the revs low and it just kept trucking over the slippery clay on a recent ride that say bikes laying all over the track..... It is heavy and way short on my brothers RMX 450 when it comes to suspension and HP but it is also has a way longer span before it needs to be rebuilt.

I still love blatting around on my OLD XR250 and its as rough as guts but you can still give it heaps and thrash it...

If I was buying again and a 450 RMX turned up that had a good service history I would still love one but be ware they can get you in trouble as they get you going deceptively quick!

If you want to go Kickstart only look at this video and think how hard it would be to start the bike when you are sliding down the slope.... not even that steep at that stage. Not my footage, one of the Mr Motorcycles mechanics from memory...... I really enjoyed that ride as the DRZ tractored through that slippery shit very well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbelapS9J74

**thorns** · 28th February 2014, 10:20

I feel bad I pissed myself laughing when he just starting sliding on his arse haha.

Some interesting videos on the sidebar there....

**scott411** · 28th February 2014, 10:31

Originally Posted by thorns

I feel bad I pissed myself laughing when he just starting sliding on his arse haha.

Some interesting videos on the sidebar there....

he should have been standing up, might have helped, but i know that section well, and when its like that, its nasty slippery, we had to leave a bike in there one year as we could not tow it out, the 4x4 quad barley got out of that section, and they tell me it was even worse this year,

**leathel** · 28th February 2014, 11:02

Originally Posted by scott411

he should have been standing up, might have helped, but i know that section well, and when its like that, its nasty slippery, we had to leave a bike in there one year as we could not tow it out, the 4x4 quad barley got out of that section, and they tell me it was even worse this year,

I had a moment in the same spot when I stalled it trying to avoid another bike...(pretty sure it was the same spot) back overtook the front like his with each wheel in a different goove but the other way around so I was facing the direction on the track... the next down hill I saw someone try to walk his CR500 down the hill but it slid out and he fell forwards doing a superman slide down the hill, I wish I had my camera for that! :P

**Crisis management** · 28th February 2014, 11:38

If that video doesn't convince you that a light bike is a good idea nothing will.

A DR is an adventure bike, not a trail bike, get something that weighs 100kgs so you can pick it up, electric start and about 30HP, a four stroke 250.

I don't know the Hondas' but get an entry level trail / enduro bike, not a motocross bike, ride it and see where you go from there, it's the bike to learn on, not the one to beat all your mates on.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 28th February 2014, 11:55

Originally Posted by Crisis management

A DR is an adventure bike, not a trail bike, .

Sorry, can't agree with that at all. A DR650 is an adventure bike for sure...but a DRZ400 is most certainly a trail bike.

**Crisis management** · 28th February 2014, 12:18

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Sorry, can't agree with that at all. A DR650 is an adventure bike for sure...but a DRZ400 is most certainly a trail bike.

We may have to agree to disgree then, I've ridden the DRZ as an adventure bike and there is no way I'm taking a 130kg lump into steep terrain when I can shed 30kgs by chosing a better bike.

I acknowledge you can use a DRZ as a trail bike but why would you if you have the choice of a better tool?