Older 2 strokes

[thorns]

Just been talking to someone who had been playing round in the Grass Roots MX days here in Canterbury, and they sound a bloody good time!
Its got me wanting to scratch the itch again so to speak, as I'm interested in track riding, just not a full on competition or anything.

Would you bother with the older 2 strokes these days, ie early-mid 90's, or are they just going to be far more hassle than they are worth? Just thinking it could be a bit of fun of to pick one up on the cheap and have some fun at these casual fun days. I see there are lots on trademe for around the 2k mark, just not sure if they would end up costing a ton more in the short and long term than buying a 4k bike.

This sort of thing here for example:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=449798719

[Pornstar]

sounds good to me bro, check out the rebuild thread of the same bike. me personally, i love the 90's 2 strokes and would have one, but yea, find a goody

[barty5]

need to be a little careful we had a kx125 same sorta age not so long a we got cheap to do up an sell ran well and all but closer inspection found the power valve gearing etc was really badly worn and wasnt worth fixing

[cambocambo]

I have a 2000 KX and love it. After every ride on top of regular maintenance I pick something and replace it to stay on top of parts wearing out. Bikes almost new now

If you dont mind getting stuck in with a spanner they are alot of fun.

[CHOPPA]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=451961320

[Jay GTI]

It would depend on what you want out of the bike and what amount of maintenance you're prepared to put in. If it's just going to be a track hack/bush basher, then you won't be too concerned that it's not perfect, there's play in the linkage bearings, you have to stand on the rear brake to get it to work etc.

However, being that even with the work done on the example you put up, it will be tired in other areas and will need a few things looking at sooner or later, which is where older bikes stop making sense. If you are going to maintain it properly, it doesn't take long for the parts bills to add up to what you could have bought a decent 3 year old bike for. Of course, the 3 year old bike will also need maintaining, but at least you're starting with something a lot more modern and better performing.

In your position, I'd buy one and do the absolute bare minimum to keep it running and not let myself get carried away...

[ktm84mxc]

Yep an older 2 smoke can be fun just look at Aarondukes KX250 thread, a bloke in his shed with his toys.
Engine parts seem to be the biggest costs as there are plenty of replacement parts from non oem suppliers, if I was to choose a mid 90's 2 smoke my choice wud be a CR500 fairly basic piston port design eg no power valves etc. Mega power plenty of parts available new or 2nd hand.

[thorns]

I think I'd kill myself on a 500 haha.

[george formby]

I bought a mid 90's KDX 250 cheap, needed to tutu the carb to getting it running clean but other than checking it over to ensure that nothing was going to fall off I have just ridden it. It performs tickety boo in every department, brakes, clutch, suspenders are all fine for a geriatric like me & it is hilarious to ride. Just need more time, it's more a garage ornament at the mo. If you find one check it over & go for it. Valveless revival!

[thorns]

Are there any good used dirt bike shops in and around CHCH worth checking out?
I know of Superior Motorcycles, and all the dealers etc, but any who specialise in second hand mainly?

[been_there]

Are there any good used dirt bike shops in and around CHCH worth checking out?
I know of Superior Motorcycles, and all the dealers etc, but any who specialise in second hand mainly?

U could try Dirt Extreme? - Marshlands rd, just after QE2 drive roundabout

[SMOKEU]

I scored myself a 1973 TS185 for $340. I spent around $60 giving it a good service and it goes all good. Win.

[ktm84mxc]

Good bikes those TS185's , did the same many tears ago bought a 1978 ts185 c for $100, rode it to work for a few years ended up selling it $400, only bike I made money on.
Wish I'd kept it to use on adventure rides etc.

[thorns]

As a lesser experienced rider, would a 4 stroke be a better option? Its been suggested to me that a 2 stroke can be quite a handful really?
Havent ridden regulary for probably 16-18 years which was a old DS80, apart from a brief stint on a mates xr400 a few years back that I babysitted for a few months.

Would a 250 4 stroke MXer be okay for someone 6ft2 and 110kgs, or would it be too small and would need the 250 2t/45- 4t frame and power?
Also, as i plan on doing trail rides as well, was mentioned that 4 strokes are a better choice for that.

[Jay GTI]

As a lesser experienced rider, would a 4 stroke be a better option? Its been suggested to me that a 2 stroke can be quite a handful really?
Havent ridden regulary for probably 16-18 years which was a old DS80, apart from a brief stint on a mates xr400 a few years back that I babysitted for a few months.

Would a 250 4 stroke MXer be okay for someone 6ft2 and 110kgs, or would it be too small and would need the 250 2t/45- 4t frame and power?
Also, as i plan on doing trail rides as well, was mentioned that 4 strokes are a better choice for that.

A 250 2T will be a bit of a handful for getting back into it. Not to say that you couldn't cope, but I got back into riding on an RM250 and spent the first 18 months of ownership basically scared of the bloody thing. My riding buddy was doing the same on a KXF250 and he found life much easier, he was always faster than me because his bike was easier to ride.

At 110kgs, you won't have any problems with a 250 4T, I've been around that weight and had no issues with my mate's bike, it had more than enough power to scoot me around at a reasonable pace. It was only after the 18 months on the RM that I started being able to use all the power, only then did my mate's bike start feeling underpowered. Height wise you'll be ok, just get risers for the bars if it feels a bit cramped.