Dirt bike recommendations?

[BoristheBiter]

Chinese copy other frames and a copy of Honda engines... Personally I would have a 5-10 year old original than the copy... the Chinese ones generally generally don't have good bearings etc so when they get in the dirt and water blasted they start to clap out....OK for a toy for a short while..... but not so great when they start to clap out

Search for old threads and I bet you a the same few people talking on them...the sellers and there mates.... They could be better now but I wouldn't risk it.

I would have said that too but i took one of the new ones for a test ride at cavewetas request. (there is a right up around here somewhere)
Must say i was extremely surprised. feels and handles just like a crf230.
with a few tweaks it can run pretty well, shocks are adjustable, and for under half price for anything else out there it is a good deal.

Couldn't say what the bearings are like but you can change them out (not that costly) and you should be greasing them under normal maintenance.
My other half's crf230 had a rusted head bearing, still full of grease, in just over a year so just because you pay more doesn't mean it will last.

[BM-GS]

I would have said that too but i took one of the new ones for a test ride at cavewetas request. (there is a right up around here somewhere)

There was, cos I wrote it. The whole thread seems to have vanished, along with the contents of Mr Weta's website, though he seems to still be active in the forums. Anyone know what's up?

Biggest gripes I had with the bike were small tank (since enlarged on later models) and the fact that the rhs footpeg wasn't sprung so that it wouldn't foul the kick-start - not that I needed it particularly, as the electric one worked.

[nzspokes]

I would have said that too but i took one of the new ones for a test ride at cavewetas request. (there is a right up around here somewhere)
Must say i was extremely surprised. feels and handles just like a crf230.
with a few tweaks it can run pretty well, shocks are adjustable, and for under half price for anything else out there it is a good deal.

Couldn't say what the bearings are like but you can change them out (not that costly) and you should be greasing them under normal maintenance.
My other half's crf230 had a rusted head bearing, still full of grease, in just over a year so just because you pay more doesn't mean it will last.

I believe the Forzas are good bikes for the price. As long as you dont think your buying a new Honda/Kawasaki. For a fun learning bike I reckon they would be cool. Better than my 82 XR200. The motor is very standard. I would be into one if had not tripped over my KDX.

I think you would have to go to the importer that sells on TM as it looks like Caveweata has stopped a lot of his business interest. The importer seems to have a solid range of parts to go with them. Somebody was selling a used one on here a while back.

[leathel]

There was, cos I wrote it. The whole thread seems to have vanished, along with the contents of Mr Weta's website, though he seems to still be active in the forums. Anyone know what's up?

Biggest gripes I had with the bike were small tank (since enlarged on later models) and the fact that the rhs footpeg wasn't sprung so that it wouldn't foul the kick-start - not that I needed it particularly, as the electric one worked.

When I did a google search a couple of old threads were pulled up, what is needed though is a writeup from an older used one.....not a near new one

[BoristheBiter]

Biggest gripes I had with the bike were small tank (since enlarged on later models) and the fact that the rhs footpeg wasn't sprung so that it wouldn't foul the kick-start - not that I needed it particularly, as the electric one worked.

the kick start just got in the way full stop. I would just take it off.

I believe the Forzas are good bikes for the price. As long as you dont think your buying a new Honda/Kawasaki. For a fun learning bike I reckon they would be cool. Better than my 82 XR200. The motor is very standard. I would be into one if had not tripped over my KDX.

I think you would have to go to the importer that sells on TM as it looks like Caveweata has stopped a lot of his business interest. The importer seems to have a solid range of parts to go with them. Somebody was selling a used one on here a while back.

I also remember when the used to say the same bad things about hyundai.
If we had rode it before we got the crf we would have brought one and saved $4k.

[nzspokes]

the kick start just got in the way full stop. I would just take it off.



I also remember when the used to say the same bad things about hyundai.
If we had rode it before we got the crf we would have brought one and saved $4k.

You may not be old enough to remember but they said the same about Toyota.

[nzspokes]

Found the one for sale, owner cant ride anymore due to medical issues I believe.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ight=nomnomnom

[BoristheBiter]

You may not be old enough to remember but they said the same about Toyota.

I still do, over priced pieces of shit that they are.

[JimmyC]

I really just don't know what to do. Sick of my GN. Love the look of motards, freaking awesome. But want something with enough power to keep me happy for a couple of years. Would love to do dirt bikes too cause it's something to do in the weekend that's not a $150 track day all the way in Taupo! if I buy a dirt bike I won't be able to buy a new road bike for AGES. If I buy a motard I'm scared it will be too high maintenance and costly for me and that if I keep dropping it on trail rides etc. I'll then have no road bike until I could get it fixed!

Possibly the best of both worlds? - http://www.yamahawr250r.com/wr250r.html

Not in the price bracket but it certainly ticks motard, on road and off road with just a change of wheels.

[Maha]

Found the one for sale, owner cant ride anymore due to medical issues I believe.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ight=nomnomnom

Yeah she's sick of it....

[bosslady]

seems to be lots of yzf250's on tm? any good?

[bosslady]

also, is there any benefit at all to a kick start bike?

[ktm84mxc]

In a side by side comparo the electric leg adds weight by up to 5 kg , starter/battery etc all adds up. For MX it is an issue on the trail not really.
The weights have come down for electric legs but it still adds weight.

[ktm84mxc]

Yamaha yzf250 wet weight 227 pounds, wrf250 254 pounds wet 013 models though wr has a bigger tank, both off road models only.

[bosslady]

So I tried a bit of dirt biking today SO MUCH FUN!!! Midget200 let me have a go on her 2013 KTM 200. Was super cool, went around the learners track on Woodhill, only dropped the bike once pretty much soon after I got on it. Yup, I want (need?) a dirt bike now!