What bike to buy?

[grotto]

I'm looking at getting an off road bike so I can ride with my 11 year old, mainly at Woodhill or around farms. I've been doing it on my twin shock XR200, but it's getting a bit old and really needs an engine rebuild.
I don't have much cash, so would like to stay under $2K, less if I'm going to need to spend one on it.
I'm only 10 stone, so don't need heps of grunt to drag me around.

I'm uncertain about the new fangled bikes which I've seen on Trademe. Seems they get top ends rebuilt every week, and bottom ends every other. My XR's never had either, and I had DT175 which did 4 years before it needed the top end doing.

I don't want to buy a bike and find I'm up for a couple grand on an engine rebuild.

Is an RM or YZ a silly idea?

Would a 125 be OK or will it be under powered? (I can give a 125 to my son I a couple of years and upgrade).

Should I stick with a 4 stroke?

[ktm84mxc]

Contact Cave wetta the guy selling the Forza's and buy an engine of him as it should bolt straight into the XR's frame , then she's good for another 30 yrs.

[unstuck]

Spend the money on the XR..........For a bit of coin you could get it back in good shape. As you say, the newer bikes need a lot of work to keep em running right, especially the 2 smokes.

[cave weta]

I'm looking at getting an off road bike so I can ride with my 11 year old, mainly at Woodhill or around farms. I've been doing it on my twin shock XR200, but it's getting a bit old and really needs an engine rebuild.
I don't have much cash, so would like to stay under $2K, less if I'm going to need to spend one on it.
I'm only 10 stone, so don't need heps of grunt to drag me around.

I'm uncertain about the new fangled bikes which I've seen on Trademe. Seems they get top ends rebuilt every week, and bottom ends every other. My XR's never had either, and I had DT175 which did 4 years before it needed the top end doing.

I don't want to buy a bike and find I'm up for a couple grand on an engine rebuild.

Is an RM or YZ a silly idea?

Would a 125 be OK or will it be under powered? (I can give a 125 to my son I a couple of years and upgrade).

Should I stick with a 4 stroke?

Thanks for asking about this - I have top quality Honda design engines that bolt straight in- details here:

Part name: Engine Crate Package - FORZA 230Z engine Setup Kit

Specification:
-Bore and Stroke: 65.5mm x 66.2mm
-Carburetor: PZ30
-Clutch: Multi Plate Wet Clutch
-Compression Ratio: 9:1
-Cooling: Air Cooled
-Engine: Four stroke 223cc SOHC Air Cooled
-Ignition: Stator/ CDI with lighting coil
-Transmission: 5 Speed Manual Clutch
-Electric start/ Kick start

The Setup Kit includes
-CDI
-Solenoid
-Regulator
-Ignition Coil
-Wire harness
-Start switch assy
-Spark Plug
-Gear Shift Lever
-Forged Steel Kick Starter
-Carb intake & gasket kit

Suitable for: It fits in most of Honda CRF230, Yamaha TT-R230, Lifan 200/230, it might needs small modifications.

Price: NOW ONLY $999 (was $1300)

[gwynfryn]

kdx200........

[del-solider]

I've got a bullet proof 03 YZ125 if your interested? Really good Cond, has been looked after.

PM me if interested.

[Pornstar]

the newer bikes need a lot of work to keep em running right, especially the 2 smokes.

Really? especially 2 smokes? Hmmmmm?

[scott411]

Spend the money on the XR..........For a bit of coin you could get it back in good shape. As you say, the newer bikes need a lot of work to keep em running right, especially the 2 smokes.

you have not owned a new dirt bike for a while have you?

new world, off road 2 strokes are cheaper and require less maintence, late model performance four strokes require more maintainence,

[Edbear]

Cave Weta's idea has merit, but realistically, wouldn't your motor just need a freshen up? Rings, bearings and a valve grind should see it right.

Of course if the cost is about equal it may be a good idea to talk to Cave Weta.

A lot depends on the condition of the rest of the bike, gearbox, suspension and wheel bearings, etc.

[motor_mayhem]

It would be a complete waste to spend a 1k on a new engine to go in an old frame.

Looking on Bits for bikes http://www.bits4bikes.co.nz/parts/honda/600.aspx a new gasket set is $16 and a new piston is 280 though you could probably find a cheaper one if you shopped around, either way that's a lot less than 1k

Or

with 1k you could easily afford a mid 90's XR which would give you something with a (most likely) less used engine, monoshock suspension and a more modern design and easier to get parts for. In December I picked up a 96 XR 200 for $900. This one is currently going for $500 - http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-550046957.htm

Or

You spend a bit over the full 2k and get a new bike off CW.

[ktm84mxc]

For an extra grand you could by a 450 that's watt ya need either a YZF or CRF 03/04.

[grotto]

Looks like it's about $1,200 for a new motor, carb & battery, so I'll try and get some time to pull my XR apart and see what's needed.

It's only done about 10,000 k's, so maybe it's just the cam chain etc., although I've heard the rockers wear out if the oil's not changed very often or you do too many wheelies.

I'm starting to think if I fix my motor I'll know where I'm at, but if I buy another bike I may just end up having to do that motor.

[grotto]

Been busy readying my trailer for a wof and supervising my son (explaining you do need to fit the circlips to hold the gudgeon pin in) putting new rings and piston in the BW80 (runs great now, just have to track down a rear tyre).

XR200 is next on the list for work. I'll pull it apart and see how much is required but know it will be up for a cam chain and engine seals.

I saw a Suzuki RMZ450 on Trademe for $2,200 which seems like good value. Anything wrong with them? May be easier/cheaper than sorting the XR

[rowanfry]

Del-Solider , do you still have the YZ for sale? If so flick me a pm with your number or email address, I'm a new member so cannot send pm's yet, doh.