I'm thinking of getting into dirt. What bike?

[Mike77]

Hia Mate,

Don't normally chime in here, but I've done exactly what your doing, and here's what I reckon.

Last roady was TL1000s and had never been on the dirt at all. 95kg.
Only ride the organised trail rides - no racing. And have fun with the kids.

Brought a KXF250 '05 4 stroke MX bike.
And now have a RMX250 2 smoker Enduro.

KXF MX .....
Stopped, go'ed, flew and landed awesome - so much fun to be honest.
Power was plently for me, only chasing a mate on a kx250 / f450 on the beach or a drag it had less go - every other time when you needed it, it seemed perfect, and the suspension was wicked.
Economy (Also Range) despite the mx fuel tank they go a fair distance on a tank - enough for the bigger rides like Boundary Buster etc.
Cons....
No kickstand (I wouldn't have a bike without one now) gates, helping kids, other riders/mates etc.
First gear is a bit higher than enduro's and the really steep stuff was more "interesting" especially for a learner aka no skills. My mates have no issues riding them, I'm just a shit rider to be honest!
If all the planets are aligned - it should start first kick every time - for me, not so much. It became a bit of an art at times. Usually after falling off, and your tired.
Maintenance - filters and oils and repeat again and again and again. Not to mention I had a big bill coming with a top end due soon, so sold it. I was scared everytime I rang it's neck that some would let go and grenade itself.

RMX enduro.....
Kickstand, lower first gear - check
Easy to start. - 2 stroke thing.
Riding position seems to be more comfortable for me, and I feel more balanced on the bike = I fall off less.
RMX 2 stoke is a tractor compared to the other 2 strokes (kx and yz 250's) I've ridden. heaps easier to control, not at all as snappy.
Maintenance is easier - but you do have to manage your fuel, as the 2s mix prefers to be fresh.
Cons .....
For my bike there is a small section of the rev range where I have more power than the kxf. But overall I would be faster on the kxf - if that matters to you. But when ya get things right on the 2s, it makes ya smile a bit more I reckon.
It has a huge fuel tank, but it likes to drink it too! I reckon my range hasn't changed, if not gone down a tich.

For me, the RMX is the go, and if I had some more dollars, it'ld be a newer 2 stroke enduro bike.
Sensible me says get a WR250, but my smokey bitch puts a smile on my face.

So I reckon buy anything, and you'll figure out what you want most out of a bike and go from there. Either way you won't go wrong with what ever ya buy because your going to have fun on it anyway!

[Brett]

Hia Mate,

Don't normally chime in here, but I've done exactly what your doing, and here's what I reckon.

Last roady was TL1000s and had never been on the dirt at all. 95kg.
Only ride the organised trail rides - no racing. And have fun with the kids.

Brought a KXF250 '05 4 stroke MX bike.
And now have a RMX250 2 smoker Enduro.

KXF MX .....
Stopped, go'ed, flew and landed awesome - so much fun to be honest.
Power was plently for me, only chasing a mate on a kx250 / f450 on the beach or a drag it had less go - every other time when you needed it, it seemed perfect, and the suspension was wicked.
Economy (Also Range) despite the mx fuel tank they go a fair distance on a tank - enough for the bigger rides like Boundary Buster etc.
Cons....
No kickstand (I wouldn't have a bike without one now) gates, helping kids, other riders/mates etc.
First gear is a bit higher than enduro's and the really steep stuff was more "interesting" especially for a learner aka no skills. My mates have no issues riding them, I'm just a shit rider to be honest!
If all the planets are aligned - it should start first kick every time - for me, not so much. It became a bit of an art at times. Usually after falling off, and your tired.
Maintenance - filters and oils and repeat again and again and again. Not to mention I had a big bill coming with a top end due soon, so sold it. I was scared everytime I rang it's neck that some would let go and grenade itself.

RMX enduro.....
Kickstand, lower first gear - check
Easy to start. - 2 stroke thing.
Riding position seems to be more comfortable for me, and I feel more balanced on the bike = I fall off less.
RMX 2 stoke is a tractor compared to the other 2 strokes (kx and yz 250's) I've ridden. heaps easier to control, not at all as snappy.
Maintenance is easier - but you do have to manage your fuel, as the 2s mix prefers to be fresh.
Cons .....
For my bike there is a small section of the rev range where I have more power than the kxf. But overall I would be faster on the kxf - if that matters to you. But when ya get things right on the 2s, it makes ya smile a bit more I reckon.
It has a huge fuel tank, but it likes to drink it too! I reckon my range hasn't changed, if not gone down a tich.

For me, the RMX is the go, and if I had some more dollars, it'ld be a newer 2 stroke enduro bike.
Sensible me says get a WR250, but my smokey bitch puts a smile on my face.

So I reckon buy anything, and you'll figure out what you want most out of a bike and go from there. Either way you won't go wrong with what ever ya buy because your going to have fun on it anyway!

Really appreciate your thoughts above mate. Much appreciated.

[10bikekid]

RMX enduro.....
Kickstand, lower first gear - check
Easy to start. - 2 stroke thing.
Riding position seems to be more comfortable for me, and I feel more balanced on the bike = I fall off less.
RMX 2 stoke is a tractor compared to the other 2 strokes (kx and yz 250's) I've ridden. heaps easier to control, not at all as snappy.
Maintenance is easier - but you do have to manage your fuel, as the 2s mix prefers to be fresh.
Cons .....
For my bike there is a small section of the rev range where I have more power than the kxf. But overall I would be faster on the kxf - if that matters to you. But when ya get things right on the 2s, it makes ya smile a bit more I reckon.
It has a huge fuel tank, but it likes to drink it too! I reckon my range hasn't changed, if not gone down a tich.

For me, the RMX is the go, and if I had some more dollars, it'ld be a newer 2 stroke enduro bike.
Sensible me says get a WR250, but my smokey bitch puts a smile on my face.

So I reckon buy anything, and you'll figure out what you want most out of a bike and go from there. Either way you won't go wrong with what ever ya buy because your going to have fun on it anyway!

Ha, I have an RMX to, its road legal and geared to the moon 165-170kph, it contanrous around town, flys once on the open road and is a weapon and also legal on the Beach

Its the second one I've own my first one an 89 offroad only and I'm now reminded how good these things are

[Brett]

Ok, so looking like I am going to go for a Honda CRF450r or Yamaha YZF450. Talking to a few mates who ride larger dirt bikes, they think that given my size (6ft3/100kg) and the fact that I am used having to manage power on a bike rather than just riding balls out and taking it easy to start with, that a 450 is probably the way to go. Looking at two 2012 CRF450r's on trademe.

First one is this one:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-710513707.htm

Second one is this one:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=706760784

Anyone know anything about either of these bikes and also, what do you guys/girls think is a reasonable price for them (the second one I have had as a fixed price offer of mid fives that I am thinking of accepting.

Cheers

[leathel]

going that way may work out well if you pick up dirt riding pretty fast..... saves selling smaller bike and upgrading

But the 450 Injected has power on tap at any revs so can send you at on your way quicker any accidental twist of the throttle, but power on tap can be vary handy to lift the wheel when required

The CRF is a very rideable bike and even though little has changed they still go well

I am also 100k+ and pretty much 6 ft and can still have fun on smaller bikes (XR250 a few rides ago)

Have you had a play on your mates bikes on dirt yet? If you felt comfortable on dirt go the 450...... if not smaller would still get you around

[Brett]

going that way may work out well if you pick up dirt riding pretty fast..... saves selling smaller bike and upgrading

But the 450 Injected has power on tap at any revs so can send you at on your way quicker any accidental twist of the throttle, but power on tap can be vary handy to lift the wheel when required

The CRF is a very rideable bike and even though little has changed they still go well

I am also 100k+ and pretty much 6 ft and can still have fun on smaller bikes (XR250 a few rides ago)

Have you had a play on your mates bikes on dirt yet? If you felt comfortable on dirt go the 450...... if not smaller would still get you around

The other reason for 450 is I would be keen on getting some motard wheels and doing some track day stuff - there the extra power would make a lot of sense. Felt reasonably comfy on dirt, although experience is limited, so far it seems to feel somewhat intuitive to me.

[Jay GTI]

ha ha I knew you'd end up going for a 450...

[Crasherfromwayback]

ha ha I knew you'd end up going for a 450...

450's fucking rock!

[Brett]

ha ha I knew you'd end up going for a 450...

One of the clinchers for me was that I am keen to ride "cruisy". I'm too old now to have much to prove on dirt/sand/mud and I know that I will never be a real racing hell-raiser. I also don't want to have to be too worried about gear selection etc. when climbing hills/dune and that sort of carry on. I do however also enjoy doing mad wheelies...although i could wheelie my 250cc ZXR just fine back in the day, so I'm certain a 250cc dirt would be all the easier. Haven't bought a CRF450 yet, so could be swayed. But I am actively looking at the 450's now.

[thorns]

Nice choice on the 450's, they are awesome machines (although your looking at the wrong colours, green FTW)
If you find it too much, you can always put a throttle tamer on it for a start until you get more comfortable, I had one on a 250 2 stroke and it worked really well.

Like this.
http://www.g2ergo.com/store/g2-throttle-cam-system/

[Brett]

Nice choice on the 450's, they are awesome machines (although your looking at the wrong colours, green FTW)
If you find it too much, you can always put a throttle tamer on it for a start until you get more comfortable, I had one on a 250 2 stroke and it worked really well.

Like this.
http://www.g2ergo.com/store/g2-throttle-cam-system/

That's a great idea. Will bear that in mind. Cheers for suggestion. Will take any decent condition fuel injected 450...don't care about brand really. CRF450 is only at the top of the list as it is noted as having smoother, easier to manage power delivery and there are a few around in my price budget.

[Brett]

For those in the know...I suspect that one of the bikes that I am looking at is an ex-race bike. It had a full top and bottom rebuild just under 3 hrs ago, along with a few other things checked in the ad as per below"

"Honda crf450r 2012
had full rebuild 2.8 hours ago (top and bottom)
also new clutch
pro curcuit pipe and standard pipe
near new tyres
brand new graphics and seat cover
k&n air filter
old spare plastics
brand new linkage bearings
suspension revalved at preformance factory
upgraded ecu and comes with standard
well serviced and greased oftenly and services were every 5 hours
renthal fatbars and renthal clamps"

I can get this bike for $5.5k. seems reasonable. Assume that with the rebuild and maintenance as noted that there can't be too much else to worry about? If nothing else pops up in the next couple of days, I will prob buy this bike. Thoughts appreciated.

[Crasherfromwayback]

For those in the know...I suspect that one of the bikes that I am looking at is an ex-race bike. It had a full top and bottom rebuild just under 3 hrs ago, along with a few other things checked in the ad as per below"

"Honda crf450r 2012
had full rebuild 2.8 hours ago (top and bottom)
also new clutch
pro curcuit pipe and standard pipe
near new tyres
brand new graphics and seat cover
k&n air filter
old spare plastics
brand new linkage bearings
suspension revalved at preformance factory
upgraded ecu and comes with standard
well serviced and greased oftenly and services were every 5 hours
renthal fatbars and renthal clamps"

I can get this bike for $5.5k. seems reasonable. Assume that with the rebuild and maintenance as noted that there can't be too much else to worry about? If nothing else pops up in the next couple of days, I will prob buy this bike. Thoughts appreciated.

Sounds like a bargin mate!

[Jay GTI]

450's fucking rock!

Yes they do, but go back a few pages and see why I suggested a 250. Which was advice I knew would be ignored, it always is

As the OP is still deciding (although sounding very sure), I'll chuck in a couple of last comments.

First is, modern 250 4Ts have plenty of power, so it's not like you'll be fighting the gearbox just to keep the bike on the boil. A later KXF250 is the one to go for, expecially the 2nd injector models, has more than enough grunt to get you around easily. Just don't under-estimate a 250, you will be faster on one.

Second, you don't have to keep the first bike you buy forever. You can get a 250, get comfortable and build up your skills, then swap it for a 450 when you're starting to feel like you could do with a bit more power. I just think that potentially jumping in at the deep end with little to no offroad experience will create bad habits. I know you're not trying to be the next Paul Whibley or anything, but as riding offroad starts getting under your skin (warning, it's hugely addictive), you'll naturally want to improve. I'm far from a fast rider and I know I'll never be a fast rider, but I'm constantly looking at ways to improve, ride better and have more fun. I'll never buy a 450 either...

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yes they do, but go back a few pages and see why I suggested a 250. Which was advice I knew would be ignored, it always is

As the OP is still deciding (although sounding very sure), I'll chuck in a couple of last comments.

First is, modern 250 4Ts have plenty of power, so it's not like you'll be fighting the gearbox just to keep the bike on the boil. A later KXF250 is the one to go for, expecially the 2nd injector models, has more than enough grunt to get you around easily. Just don't under-estimate a 250, you will be faster on one.

Second, you don't have to keep the first bike you buy forever. You can get a 250, get comfortable and build up your skills, then swap it for a 450 when you're starting to feel like you could do with a bit more power. I just think that potentially jumping in at the deep end with little to no offroad experience will create bad habits. I know you're not trying to be the next Paul Whibley or anything, but as riding offroad starts getting under your skin (warning, it's hugely addictive), you'll naturally want to improve. I'm far from a fast rider and I know I'll never be a fast rider, but I'm constantly looking at ways to improve, ride better and have more fun. I'll never buy a 450 either...

All very valid points and I don't dissagree with any of them. Me saying 450's rock is simply what I think of 'em. I love them and can't wait to get another.