Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: beginner dirt trail bike

  1. #1
    Join Date
    17th December 2003 - 20:00
    Bike
    SV1000, RG500, RD350
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    1,098

    beginner dirt trail bike

    I have been riding road bikes for years although not so much if late due to work at. My 9yo recently got a PW80 which he rides around the lawn. I have been thinking he might like to try some low key trail rides. Means I should get a bike as well.
    Any suggestions for bikes up to $2.5k for 50yo old farts to pootle around tracks or the farm? Thinking of say CRF230 Hondas, DRZ250. No motocross bikes with huge maintenance costs.
    (\_/)
    (O.o)
    (> <) Peace through superior firepower...
    Build your own dyno - PM me for the link of if you want to use it (bring beer)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    4th November 2003 - 13:00
    Bike
    BSA A10
    Location
    Rangiora
    Posts
    12,711
    Quote Originally Posted by geoffm View Post
    I have been riding road bikes for years although not so much if late due to work at. My 9yo recently got a PW80 which he rides around the lawn. I have been thinking he might like to try some low key trail rides. Means I should get a bike as well.
    Any suggestions for bikes up to $2.5k for 50yo old farts to pootle around tracks or the farm? Thinking of say CRF230 Hondas, DRZ250. No motocross bikes with huge maintenance costs.
    Either of those two would be good, I've ridden both and they're easy to handle, the DRZ is a bit better in the suspension and brakes, electric start is a bonus on whatever you get
    "If you can make black marks on a straight from the time you turn out of a corner until the braking point of the next turn, then you have enough power."


    Quote Originally Posted by scracha View Post
    Even BP would shy away from cleaning up a sidecar oil spill.
    Quote Originally Posted by Warren Zevon
    Send Lawyers, guns and money, the shit has hit the fan

  3. #3
    Join Date
    23rd February 2007 - 08:47
    Bike
    Blandit 1200, DRZ250 K, Beta xtrainer
    Location
    CHCH
    Posts
    2,091
    Drzs are a good shout. Great bikes.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    26th July 2004 - 15:34
    Bike
    '06 Z750, '06 KDX200
    Location
    North Shore, Auckland
    Posts
    266
    If you are short in the leg, or you have others in the household who may also want to ride, there's also the CRF150F.

    Basically a sleeved-down 230, similar weight, just scaled down all over. Lower seat-height is handy if you're constantly getting on/off to pick up the PW80. Electric start from about 2006 onwards.

    It worked for us for a few years, got the wife off-road and even did #1 son for a bit - before he outgrew it and took up something else that means we never get to ride any more...
    BM-GS
    Auckland

  5. #5
    Join Date
    9th August 2005 - 19:57
    Bike
    Yamaha MT09 Tracer
    Location
    napier
    Posts
    1,115
    your bang on the money with those two options, of course there are others like the TTR250 yamaha, KLX250 kawasaki and the later XR250s (if were staying with the leccy start theme) but crf230 and drz250 are the most common and will fit your budget sweet-as.
    'the stickiest situation since sticky the stick insect got stuck on a sticky bun'

    Cpt Edmund Blackadder

  6. #6
    Join Date
    4th November 2003 - 13:00
    Bike
    BSA A10
    Location
    Rangiora
    Posts
    12,711
    Quote Originally Posted by fridayflash View Post
    your bang on the money with those two options, of course there are others like the TTR250 yamaha,

    I should have thought of that having ridden one on a trail ride, very easy to ride, suspension a bit plush for hammering them but as good as the DRZ
    "If you can make black marks on a straight from the time you turn out of a corner until the braking point of the next turn, then you have enough power."


    Quote Originally Posted by scracha View Post
    Even BP would shy away from cleaning up a sidecar oil spill.
    Quote Originally Posted by Warren Zevon
    Send Lawyers, guns and money, the shit has hit the fan

  7. #7
    Join Date
    1st May 2011 - 12:35
    Bike
    XT660R / TTR250 / 2 old Montesa's
    Location
    Blenheim.. now ChCh
    Posts
    1,802
    Yamaha TTR250 or Suzuki DRZ250...both near bullet proof...


    ..
    Pete

    90% of all Harleys built are still on the road... The other 10% made it back home...
    Ducati... Makeing riders into mechaincs since 1964...

  8. #8
    Join Date
    25th March 2004 - 17:22
    Bike
    RZ496/Street 765RS/GasGas/ etc etc
    Location
    Wellington. . ok the hutt
    Posts
    20,500
    Blog Entries
    2
    KDX200. Much more competent that the other shitters as it's a 2 stroke and lighter esp as not top heavy so easier to pick up for 50 yr olds.

    Easy to ride and reliable. Suspension is better, at least on the later model ones so doesn't punish old limbs.

    These days I'll offer to ride someone's bike up something but I never offer to push or pull them out. Not enough spare energy for that these days.
    Don't you look at my accountant.
    He's the only one I've got.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    14th June 2007 - 22:39
    Bike
    Obsolete ones.
    Location
    Pigs back.
    Posts
    5,393
    Quote Originally Posted by F5 Dave View Post
    KDX200. Much more competent that the other shitters as it's a 2 stroke and lighter esp as not top heavy so easier to pick up for 50 yr olds.

    Easy to ride and reliable. Suspension is better, at least on the later model ones so doesn't punish old limbs.

    These days I'll offer to ride someone's bike up something but I never offer to push or pull them out. Not enough spare energy for that these days.
    +1 I've wanted to mention a venerable 2t since the thread started. Next door neighbour has a kx 200, looks like scrap but is crisp as can be.
    Manopausal.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    25th March 2004 - 17:22
    Bike
    RZ496/Street 765RS/GasGas/ etc etc
    Location
    Wellington. . ok the hutt
    Posts
    20,500
    Blog Entries
    2
    Mate I had a ride on a GasGas200 and had to sell my kids. Auto correct. I didn't have kids back then, but my kdx went in favour of the GG.
    Although. . .

    Then I rode a mate's 300 and had to buy one. Of course 2 strokes are much more fun, and the big ones have huge spread of power. The GGs are pussycats. Wish I'd started this when I was much younger.
    Don't you look at my accountant.
    He's the only one I've got.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •