Best trail bike for a newbee?

**FROSTY:Me** · 5th September 2007, 21:32

My lads now have themselves sorted out with trail bikes. peewee80's Great but now dad has a hankering to hit the trails with them.
My budget is well er not a lot
Advice is really apreciated

**merv** · 5th September 2007, 21:34

How tall are you and do you want road legal or not and how hard out do you want to go?

You usually can't beat the ol' XR250 if you can get one for a good price.

**cowpoos** · 5th September 2007, 21:44

xr's are okay...I'ld suggest a kdx200/220 yes its a 2 stroke...and a very very broad power abnd though...can be picked up dirt cheap [excuse the pun]...and are cheap as chips to run and maintain...and they just keep going and going and dam going!!

**FROSTY:Me** · 5th September 2007, 21:46

I'm 1.75 and I dont need any road legalness at all.
Hard out probably not a good idea -but i do wanna be able to break the back endloose

**Ktmboy** · 5th September 2007, 22:00

Yep, the KDX200, can't beat them for getting back into the sport as well as being semi (depends on the body) competitive without modification. Also probably the cheapest and easiest dirt bike to run and maintain.

**merv** · 5th September 2007, 22:01

OK if you don't need road legal and you're not such a short arse as me you could buy just about anything in your price range (that not a lot budget).

You'd be able to break the rear loose on even 100cc so that's not an issue, but at your height you are going to want at least a 250 4 stroke and 2 strokes like the KDX would be OK because they are a reasonable size.

The XT250 like Mrs merv has and later model XR200 would be too small for you I reckon with their low seat heights so you'll need something bigger than them.

XR250R or DR350 are a good size and I'll always bleat on about the Hondas to keep Poos happy and say they are just built that tad more rugged than the Suzukis, though Aslan is thoroughly enjoying his 1999 DR350. The 4 strokes I reckon would be the better bike for tootling along with the kids and are still good for a squirt.

**dino3310** · 5th September 2007, 22:13

even a late eighties XR200,they're pretty cheap, should be able to keep up with the PW's

**cowpoos** · 5th September 2007, 22:19

Originally Posted by merv

and I'll always bleat on about the Hondas to keep Poos happy and say they are just built that tad more rugged than the Suzukis, .

meh!!! not alway's merv

I too will never ever ever say a good thing about DRZ250's they should have the suzuki stickers taken off and labled shineray or chinacrap

**B0000M** · 5th September 2007, 22:33

Originally Posted by cowpoos

meh!!! not alway's merv

I too will never ever ever say a good thing about DRZ250's they should have the suzuki stickers taken off and labled shineray or chinacrap

from the experience ive had with suzuki's of mates tho, it sounds like shineray or chinacrap are more reliable...

(thatl open some cans of worms)

**ArcherWC** · 6th September 2007, 06:35

The KDX would be the way to go Tony, give me a yell if you need a hand with anything

**scott411** · 6th September 2007, 07:58

KDX200 is the go, light, easy to ride, try to get one with the std pipe as well, leave that on for the first couple of months then put the pro circuit/FMF one on,
any model after 95 is the go, even early E model bikes still go good

**FlangMasterJ** · 6th September 2007, 09:48

For the beginner I suggest the ATK 700 Intimidator. It's light, easy to handle and has a powerband ideally suited to the younger or less experienced rider.

**Transalper** · 6th September 2007, 10:46

I'm 1m 76cm tall, 60kg and was happy with XR200 size, although felt a little under powered.
Now riding a stock standard CRF230 (except for bashplate/handle bar risers sort of mods) and very happy with it. Same height as XR200, similar power to XR250. Very easy to break the back loose.