Starting out off-roading...

[gspiggs]

interested in any serious feedback on where to start out with first purchase of an off road motorX bike, is it worth getting a cheap older style bike to muck around on or save up for something more reliable and robust? Looking for recreational reasons, weekend riding etc.....

[LittleJohn]

Catch 22, you want something that is in good nick and new enough not to have any major problems with but also something that isn't going to worry you to much when (not if) you have a crash. I you are looking at a 2 stroke I would say something than is in the 2000's and not many hours since its last piston and rings. Some of the okder bike, around 1999/2000 that have had a recent engine rebuild are also alright for a starter.

[fridayflash]

try a mid 90's xr200,you'l pick one up for under $1500 and the resale value
will remain good. they mite sound a bit modest,but they are truly
capable and super reliable,economical etc. from there you can try other bikes
with people you ride with etc,and make make a more informed decision
on what to buy next

[gspiggs]

cheers good call, will shop around on trade me. Spose my first off roader will not be my last so I will start modestly....had a go on a gas gas 2007 model which was fun and reminded me of the good ol' 2 stroke smell of my NS250R back in the day......

[cowboyz]

i will put a vote in for the xr200. hard to wreck and you can be really rugged on them without them trying to throw you off. When I was farming I had a IT200 XR200 and XR400 and the XR200 was the one to take out when you couldnt give a rats and wanted to thrash something. The 400 was too big on some of the hills to be really fun. The IT was great but spent more time in the workshop than on the trails.

[motorbyclist]

if it's your first bike a two stroke may not be the best choice for reasons pertaining to ease of riding (nasty powerband, no engine brake) and reliability (need to be rebuilt often and can simply stop working/sieze for seemingly no reason.

if it were my money i'd go for an XR200 or 250. from experience they can take the abuse and keep a young learner happy for some time without breaking or feeling too small. myself i had a 1983 XR200 for years before things like lack of oil and running no air filter caught up with it - got it new rings and it was mint again. just don't get the model with the two header pipes (4 valves), i hear they're less reliable than the single pipe (2 valve) model

buy a rugged old farm bike for under 2k and when you go to upgrade it wont have lost value

[cheese]

2 strokes that have powervalves don't have nasty powerbands, tehy just have awesome power!

I Went back to dirt after about 10 years of not riding and went straight onto a RM250. Loved the power - hated teh suzuki (my bikeshop loved teh money I was forking out in repairs though) so I got a CR adn has been fantastic. Don't be scared of a 2 stroke. If you had a good ride on your mates gas gas you will be fine. I actually think it easier to ride a 250 2 stroke than a 125 2 stroke. 250MX bikes are getting cheaper now too as 4 strokes seem to be peopular (untill you have to rebuild them!!!)

[B0000M]

straight onto a RM250. Loved the power

what power? lol

[cheese]

Well when it was going it was grunty.

[barty5]

Well when it was going it was grunty.

think that might have been the point

[dammad1]

if it's your first bike a two stroke may not be the best choice for reasons pertaining to ease of riding (nasty powerband, no engine brake) and reliability (need to be rebuilt often and can simply stop working/sieze for seemingly no reason.

wtf????????????????

[B0000M]

another one who hasnt ridden a 2 stroke made in the last 10 years.....

[motorbyclist]

nope, haven't tried the new ones, but i doubt the OP wants to buy a new bike for a bashing around bike

had a go on a '01(?) KX250 - unfortunately the (novice) owner had it run out from under him going up a hill, mudguard hit the ground, subframe ripped to bits - yet another example of fine kawasaki engineering

and a late 90's KX85 which luvs the power wheelies

countless 2 strokes i've seen simply refuse to run - "but it was going before we put it on the trailer" - completely dismantled in the carpark to no avail

very good fun and all, but imo not a bike for novices - nor are the 450cc 4 strokes mind you

of course a novice can ride a 2 stroke, and don't get me wrong i do like 2 strokes and enjoy riding them, but imo they can't compete with an xr200 for teaching newbies to ride

(and my yammy hasn't had a rebuild since before the last owner! that's several years of regular abuse with only basic filter/oil maintenance. yes i know i'm skating on thin ice but it doesn't seem to be complaining)

[FROSTY:Me]

I went down this track about 12 moths ago.
I wish Ida listened to the old hands here--Get yaself a KDX 200 or if ya can a KDX220
bloody fantastic,light easy to ride bikes.

[dammad1]

I went down this track about 12 moths ago.
I wish Ida listened to the old hands here--Get yaself a KDX 200 or if ya can a KDX220
bloody fantastic,light easy to ride bikes.

And bullet proof.