2 or 4 stroke for a new rider?

**khabel** · 11th November 2005, 14:53

Me and some friends are getting into trail riding but before I can decide on what bike to buy I need to narrow it down on 2 or 4 stroke.

I have riden a little both on and off road but nothing serious and am a fairly big guy, 120kg 6'2". I was thinking something along the lines of a 4 stroke 250.

I want something I go grow into and I don't mind fixing myself.

Whats the benefits of 2 vs 4 stroke and what would you recommend?

I am wanting to spend up to $3000

**WRT** · 11th November 2005, 15:01

2 stroke you get waaaay more power and torque for the CC rating, but its all in one big wallop. 4 stroke is much easier to control, power comes on smoothly and progressively over the whole rev range (rather than just at high revs), gives you loads of traction and good down low pull.

But even the 250cc 4 strokes make good power these days, and could be a good place to start. Once you are confident blasting round on that, then try a couple of 2 strokes and see how you go - you might just convert to the dark side

**Motu** · 11th November 2005, 15:26

I'd go with a 4 stroke for learning - the 2 strokes are either doddery farm bike types of pretty low performance,or banzai enduro or MX bikes.But even a high performance thumper is pretty easy to ride,so long as you don't go to the extreme and get an MX thumper.Some will recomend a KDX200,but I feel the power is still a bit aggressive for a learner,you may find yourself bogging out and stalling or wheelspinnig crazily until you figure out how to ride a 2 stroke,while a 4 stroke will plod you through some difficulty as you are still figuring out what the hell do I do in this situation.You may be able to find some between era 2 stroke like a late 70s early 80s DT250 which will have almost some handling and a powerful yet torquey motor.XR250 is the best learner bike,it has handling beyond most riders ability and an engine that takes some serious effort to kill.

**WRT** · 11th November 2005, 15:38

Yup, I'd second Motu on that, the XR's are legendary. Easy to ride, tough as, and bullet proof. I think there was one model to steer clear of, something like a late 80's twin carbie 350 - someone may be able to confirm. Otherwise all good.

I would suspect you would want something like a 250 so that you dont get bored of it too soon, and it will handle 6'2" and 120kg easily enough.

**NordieBoy** · 11th November 2005, 15:58

Originally Posted by WRT

I think there was one model to steer clear of, something like a late 80's twin carbie 350 - someone may be able to confirm.

But if you do get an XR350 then I have at least half an engine for one here

**Mattyc** · 11th November 2005, 18:11

if you are 120 kg a 4 stroke 250 prolly wont cut it, specially if like you say "you are looking for a bike you can grow into" you may have to go to something bigger

IMO KDX200 is about the best power spread of any 2 stroke ive ever owned/ ridden - on a 120kg person you may find that even the kdx wont satisfy your power demons - they are relatively tame and the powerband is reasonably flat - Go See scott at Mr Motorcycles in puke and organise a demo

Im a big 2 stroke fan cause i can rebuild them myself, and they are reasonably cheap to rebuild, if you dont get them to a stage where they are completely fucked. and plus you get good power to weight

as a general rule - (not in all cases) 4 strokes are heavier, and in my personal experience a pain in the arse to rebuild yourself, although it is do-able

another option is a KLX300 ? - near the same chassis as a kdx but about 6 kg heavier, a wee bit more poke than a 4 stroke 250

**VasalineWarrior** · 11th November 2005, 18:38

So exactly how much experience have you had mate? A four stroke 250 will definitly be the biz for a complete learner, but if this seems a little tame a 2 stroke 250 might be the go with heaps of scope to grow into

. Trouble is they are hard to find, not cheap, are usually in poor order and not well maintained.

**Motu** · 11th November 2005, 18:50

Originally Posted by Mattyc

another option is a KLX300 ? - near the same chassis as a kdx but about 6 kg heavier, a wee bit more poke than a 4 stroke 250

That'd be my pick,but for under $3000? He's in XR territory.

**avgas** · 11th November 2005, 18:58

Depends what your after in a bike, while the four strokes are reliable this can have a downside - as i learnt So MUch with my two strokes.
But i love a good thumper all the same.
Also depends on how you ride as well.

**khabel** · 12th November 2005, 18:14

I've ridden around on a farm bike a few times a while back which is pretty much all the off road riding I have done so serious off road riding is all new to me.

I was thinking either 2 stroke 200/250 or a 4 stroke 250.

I'll be doing mostly trail riding.

**khabel** · 12th November 2005, 18:25

How about something like these?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-40184528.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-40326398.htm

**Cary** · 13th November 2005, 20:05

Originally Posted by Mattyc

if you are 120 kg a 4 stroke 250 prolly wont cut it

Sorry Mattyc but rubbish

I'm 110, 6'1" and I pass 450's all the time

$3000, XR250 or KDX200/220 is the bike to get.

**cheese** · 14th November 2005, 08:01

yeah how good are you with fixing things?

If you like to get hands on and fix things, get a 2 stroke.

if you hate that shit, get a 4.

steer clear of the old 80's XR's with the RFVC, they were the shit ones. you should be able to get a early 90's one for that sort of money though.

**clint640** · 14th November 2005, 09:34

Go the XR, even an XR400 would be good but prolly more than $3K. Much as I like the KDX's they are a pretty small bike for someone that is 6'2", although bars & things can be altered it's all extra money.

Whatever you get, once you gain a bit of confidence and start going faster you'll want to upgrade the suspension. Dirt bikes are generally designed for a 70kg rider so you'll be maxing it out well & truly.

Cheers
Clint