Heading back to the dirt, what bike?

[2_SL0]

Its been a while but after about a 5 year break Im looking at getting another dirt bike. The last bike I had was a KDX220, great woods bike, plenty of power for me. At this point in time this is going to be just a bit of a hobby, I may get a bit more serious and looking at doing the odd event. Ive had a look around but cant really decide, I want to spend 3 -5k, the lower the better the wife tells me. Options I have looked at as follows: KLX300r, WR250F, KTM 200EXC (If I could find one for the right price) Gas Gas 200EC.
I liked the KDX but been their done that and would prefer USD forks these days.

I really like the look of the KLX300, but not sure about the power (carb issue Ive read about etc?) or ability of the bike if I did do the odd event? Certainly appears I could get a late model one for my money.
Really like the WR, but for the money I would be looking 2000 -2003 model.
Ktm, pricey and hard to find.
GAS GAS hard to find and quality suspect (plastics)

[cheese]

Gas gas you will get a newish one for your coin, but that plastics thing would sure piss me off.

KTM or a 250 MX'r I'd say. Not a fan presonally of the KLX300. they are set up with low bars and funny shape.

[merv]

From 4 years of experience with my WR the one thing that still absolutely fascinates me is the engine. I've compromised my chassis and suspension because I shortened it to suit my short arse, but man I can't believe how that engine pulls like a long stroke tractor at low revs and then screams like a race engine at the top end.

My latest amount of fun was on the Capital Coast Adventure (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=72456) where I know 4skins kept telling people its going to be slippery put on a new set of sharp tyres. Well I didn't bother, left the old tyres on and I had great fun all day with no loss of traction. One of the longest challenge sections I think was called Hydro Road, and on that section of about 20km there were bikes strewn everywhere with riders coming to grief on the slippery clay. I just weaved my way through them on the WR with it slogging away in 2nd gear even on the sharpest corners and then a blip on the throttle and it was off like a shot probably showering mud behind it, but I wasn't looking back or stopping. The lightness of the bike helps too, it just makes it so easy to ride. No KLX300 would be like that. So a whole day riding was just easy on that bike and I never got close to decking it on the muck or anywhere else.

How can such a short stroke engine pull like that? I don't know, it must be the new world of electronics. Try a WR I'm sure you will love one even though you are about 20 years younger than I am.

[2_SL0]

Yeah the WR does interest me as they do seem to be the bees knees. How much for parts to do a top end on one of these.

[cowpoos]

From 4 years of experience with my WR the one thing that still absolutely fascinates me is the engine. I've compromised my chassis and suspension because I shortened it to suit my short arse, but man I can't believe how that engine pulls like a long stroke tractor at low revs and then screams like a race engine at the top end.

My latest amount of fun was on the Capital Coast Adventure (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=72456) where I know 4skins kept telling people its going to be slippery put on a new set of sharp tyres. Well I didn't bother, left the old tyres on and I had great fun all day with no loss of traction. One of the longest challenge sections I think was called Hydro Road, and on that section of about 20km there were bikes strewn everywhere with riders coming to grief on the slippery clay. I just weaved my way through them on the WR with it slogging away in 2nd gear even on the sharpest corners and then a blip on the throttle and it was off like a shot probably showering mud behind it, but I wasn't looking back or stopping. The lightness of the bike helps too, it just makes it so easy to ride. No KLX300 would be like that. So a whole day riding was just easy on that bike and I never got close to decking it on the muck or anywhere else.

How can such a short stroke engine pull like that? I don't know, it must be the new world of electronics. Try a WR I'm sure you will love one even though you are about 20 years younger than I am.

KLX300 is just as capable as a WR250 for most people...A hell of alot cheaper...long term more reliable...No carb issuse's I've ever heard of...I've abused the shit out of three of them so dam reliable it amazed me!! no fancy rebuilds needed ever XX amount of hours!! bang for buck you ani't going to get a better trail bike!! now...if you have the dosh!! get a wr250 other wise KLX300 and if you search the site...theres heaps of threads similar to this full of info about this very subject. including the bikes you mention

PS: Merv...u wanna race..u on ur WR and me on a KLX [that someone will lend me] sometime

[merv]

Yeah the WR does interest me as they do seem to be the bees knees. How much for parts to do a top end on one of these.

Dunno - seeing I'm only a weekend biker and share my riding across a few bikes I've not touched my engine at all other than oil and filters and on the advice from Brendan at Motorad (bought it off him when they had Sawyers shop as well) I've ignored the manual which would have you doing the top end every 1,000km (it says do the rings and check piston condition but I guess most would throw a piston in at the same time) and I'm not riding like Stefan Merriman.

[merv]

PS: Merv...u wanna race..u on ur WR and me on a KLX [that someone will lend me] sometime

Shit mate I'm an old c... now so racing isn't my thing, but riding nice trails is, hence my comment on the traction the things make. That coupled with the light weight makes for a very easy ride for us old guys. I've said on here many a time they weigh as little as and pull like an old XR200R at the bottom end but with the benefit of a massive top end with around another 4,500rpm and about another 15hp that goes with it.

Never tried a KLX so not able to comment on them and certainly not bagging them but what do they weigh? Comfort or otherwise depends on your own weight. I'm not a big guy so I don't like heavy dirt bikes.

We also talked a while back about the beauty of Michelin knobbly tyres and that comes into the equation too. Picking your bike up off the ground every few kms aint as much fun as just blasting past the fallen I reckon. I'm too old for that energetic shit. Just my 2c worth and it does get down to personal choice.

[cowpoos]

Shit mate I'm an old c... now so racing isn't my thing, but riding nice trails is, hence my comment on the traction the things make. That coupled with the light weight makes for a very easy ride for us old guys. I've said on here many a time they weigh as little as and pull like an old XR200R at the bottom end but with the benefit of a massive top end with around another 4,500rpm and about another 15hp that goes with it.

Never tried a KLX so not able to comment on them and certainly not bagging them but what do they weigh? Comfort or otherwise depends on your own weight. I'm not a big guy so I don't like heavy dirt bikes.

We also talked a while back about the beauty of Michelin knobbly tyres and that comes into the equation too. Picking your bike up off the ground every few kms aint as much fun as just blasting past the fallen I reckon. I'm too old for that energetic shit. Just my 2c worth and it does get down to personal choice.

Only winding you up as usual mate...lol I used to use the mc10 brillent alround tyres...sh12 are a league above again but not dot legal I don't think.

The Klx 300 is 107 kgs I think from memory...so not a heavy bike at all...and the engines are fantastic for trails!!pull from everywhere like a tractor...far better than the earilier KLX250's...But like I said..if you have the dosh..I'd get a wr250 too

[merv]

Only winding you up as usual mate...lol I used to use the mc10 brillent alround tyres...sh12 are a league above again but not dot legal I don't think.

The Klx 300 is 107 kgs I think from memory...so not a heavy bike at all...and the engines are fantastic for trails!!pull from everywhere like a tractor...far better than the earilier KLX250's...But like I said..if you have the dosh..I'd get a wr250 too

Mate no one can wind me up from relaxed.

Again depends on your need. If you want road legal there aren't many KLX300 around that are and if you kitted them the weight goes up. If you want to be trailer trash then it doesn't matter.

One more post and I'm on 5,000 again. What's Spank going to do this time to take our hard earned action service from us? Bugger is I should have been with my Boss in Canberra tonight but cancelled due to my bro' getting crook. Fingers crossed we can get him fixed.

[CRM]

I've compromised my chassis and suspension because I shortened it to suit my short arse, but man I can't believe how that engine pulls like a long stroke tractor at low revs and then screams like a race engine at the top end.

What did you do to it to shorten it? I rode one and loved the performance but needed to be a bit lower for me.

[merv]

What did you do to it to shorten it? I rode one and loved the performance but needed to be a bit lower for me.

Got Robert Taylor to make up a shorter Ohlins shock for it and Sawyers did something to the fork internals to respace them - I think it was Derek did it when he worked there though all my dealings were through Brendan. I think in the end I over did the lowering a bit but for adventure rides its perfect, you just wouldn't want to leap over jumps with it.

[jimmy 2006]

ride them both yourself, it is the only way to make the decision.
my vote goes for the klx300.
http://www.mrmotorcycles.co.nz/produ...roducts_id=827
go see Mr motorcycles.

[camchain]

Hey there 2 slo,
I bought an '05 KLX300 a year ago to get back into it after over 20yrs off (A bit longer in hibernation than you!) It was an excellent choice but I'm ready for something better now. Bike was certainly capable enough for a bit of CC racing, the piece of meat on top of it being the biggest limiting factor.

CV Carb issue can be improved with Dynojet kit - $100. Bike realy needs bigger header pipe $200 (same size as old KLX250). Could do with stiffer fork springs. Point is, you can easily spend money you didn't originally intend to. Older WR250f should be ok if not abused, there are a few on Trademe. I'm just doing new rings and inlet valves on mine, and will be for sale shortly at a sensible price if interested. Bike is solid and well maintained. Think 4t top end valves/piston kit/gaskets etc generally run around $500 parts.

[SlowHand]

Well I found the thread.

Mr. 2_SL0_in_the_head,

It's been 3 days since the post. What do you want to do now? Go back to cars? or was that day 2 and you now want to fly to the moon?

[2_SL0]

What is that thing in your avatar Slow hand, do you even own a bike anymore?

I was looking at a couple of KTM's on trade-me, 200cc 2002 year 2 stroke. But neither of them say EXC etc, what do you think they are? If I could pick up a EXC 200 for 3-4 k I would be happy. Not to worried if it needed a little work to tidy it up.