WR450 F or CRF450 X

**warewolf** · 9th January 2009, 10:22

Originally Posted by Paulus

KTM 200 EXC maybe?

Don't be fooled by the capacity, that is not a beginner's bike. Way too feisty to ride. The 250/300 2Ts are far more relaxed, but have more grunt of course... more on par with the 450Fs.

**Paulus** · 9th January 2009, 11:00

Originally Posted by warewolf

Don't be fooled by the capacity, that is not a beginner's bike. Way too feisty to ride. The 250/300 2Ts are far more relaxed, but have more grunt of course... more on par with the 450Fs.

I guess I'm thinking back to the legions of kiwis that learned to ride on a KDX200 and I sort of think of the 200EXC as a modernised KDX200. Sorry if that was a bum steer. Does tuning the PV not help?

I still think a 120kg 45hp bike is too much for a beginner.

**barty5** · 9th January 2009, 11:12

[QUOTE=Paulus;1882863]I sort of think of the 200EXC as a modernised KDX200.

your not the only one (now waiting for the back lash)

**Crisis management** · 9th January 2009, 11:23

Incoming.....

I rode both the KDX and 200 EXC when starting out looking for a first trail bike and chose the KTM as it was better equiped (suspension, brakes) and a better power plant with good mid range and plenty up top. The seat of the pants difference was: KDX = easy ride, KTM = respect required.

Having said that I'd recomend the KTM as a first bike as long as you know how to ride and can respect the power available. The KDX is ok but I suspect it's a bike you will grow out of whereas the KTM can be kept for years.

**ruphus** · 9th January 2009, 12:00

I've riden both the WR250f and CRF250x. To me the WR felt more balanced and lighter. I'm not a skinny person (117kgs) so had the suspension done when I bought one. There's plenty of power in the mid/top to get you into trouble but you have to be careful with your gear selections on big hill climbs.

I was a complete noob when it came to dirt riding only having ridden road bikes and the electric start helped big time.

**secondfield** · 9th January 2009, 12:01

Or if you want to play it safe without the higher financial outlay try a late 90's XR250 or 400 (or DRZ250/350/400). Great off road learners bikes (maybe not the 400 though), tough, dependable .. no fouled plugs from putting around on a race spec 2T .. Id go for a 97-98 XR250.

You will probably get more initial satisfaction if on a mellow 4T if your new to off road riding. Just keeping upright on a snotty trail for a beginner can be enough of a mission let alone keeping a race bike somewhat on the pipe over terrain. The modern 450's (mx type) tend to have very little flywheel weight and tend to stall often if your not used to riding the dirt.

I wouldnt go for a 450 straight away, when you get tired these things can be a handful and detract from riding pleasure if your not bike fit... (for offroad riding that is). A kdx 200 you will enjoy also, although I would go for an XR first time ..

**B0000M** · 9th January 2009, 12:21

Originally Posted by secondfield

no fouled plugs from putting around on a race spec 2T

time to go off on yet another tangent!!

does this actually happen?

ive done my fair share of chugging thru the bush on my CR's over the years- recently after the mrs had a big crash about 15km into a 45km loop in taupo i putted behind her the whole way back - barely getting off idle, ive NEVER had a plug foul up on a bike.

so does it actually happen to properly tuned bikes or is this just a myth that 4 strokers make up as an excuse for them to be pussys and not ride 2 strokes?

**barty5** · 9th January 2009, 13:00

Originally Posted by B0000M

time to go off on yet another tangent!!

does this actually happen?

ive done my fair share of chugging thru the bush on my CR's over the years- recently after the mrs had a big crash about 15km into a 45km loop in taupo i putted behind her the whole way back - barely getting off idle, ive NEVER had a plug foul up on a bike.

so does it actually happen to properly tuned bikes or is this just a myth that 4 strokers make up as an excuse for them to be pussys and not ride 2 strokes?

Who you calling a pussy i ride 4 stroke as preferance put have had both but would agree with you never had a fouled plug on any of my 2strokes i had.
best contact mythbusters i think

**mattwood** · 9th January 2009, 13:13

Originally Posted by B0000M

time to go off on yet another tangent!!

does this actually happen?

ive done my fair share of chugging thru the bush on my CR's over the years- recently after the mrs had a big crash about 15km into a 45km loop in taupo i putted behind her the whole way back - barely getting off idle, ive NEVER had a plug foul up on a bike.

so does it actually happen to properly tuned bikes or is this just a myth that 4 strokers make up as an excuse for them to be pussys and not ride 2 strokes?

Ive only ever fouled 1 plug on my 125. First ever trail ride, was putting around out of power band following a mate round, when we came up to a huge ass hill climb. He bailed right at the bottom and i sort of decided to stop then go again.. lol. Hit the hill with no revs at all in second gear (being a noob to a 2 stroke) and just managed to lug it up the hill with it boging and spluttering away. It went for another 20meters or so then stopped and wouldnt start.. needless to say it was a long ass push back to the trailer for a wire brush..

gave the plug a brush up and a wipe with a cloth, chucked it back in and it started first kick.

**B0000M** · 9th January 2009, 13:18

Originally Posted by barty5

Who you calling a pussy

you lol!

10chars

**noobi** · 9th January 2009, 13:35

I have a mate who fouled a plug on his 04' KX250 following dad and I around thunder at noob pace, came down the big hill at the end of the main forest bit and it just died going thru the gate, so we sat and waited by the bulldozer while dad went and got a new plug, put it in and she was sweet again, fair to say he didnt follow us around anymore
But I personally have never fouled a plug, to a point where it wont go, i think its fouled a little bit and wont run right for a while but after some revs it came right again

**warewolf** · 9th January 2009, 13:55

Originally Posted by Paulus

Does tuning the PV not help?

Not so much in this context, as the experienced riders tend to have it backed off anyway, to tame the hit and deliver better midrange.

Originally Posted by Paulus

I still think a 120kg 45hp bike is too much for a beginner.

Do you mean 450F? I'm with you there. Note that the 200EXC is <100kg and somewhere 40-ish hp?? (Haven't found numbers... anyone?).

Originally Posted by Crisis management

I rode both the KDX and 200 EXC

You're probably a better judge of this than I. Most of my time on the 200 is racing and/or in very steep unforgiving country.

Plus when I first got it, it wasn't jetted correctly, so would misfire (= erratic power delivery) on gentle throttle until it exploded into the power band. Now that the jetting is right, it has predictable throttle response from idle upwards.

**krad_nz** · 9th January 2009, 16:55

When I first got my KDX I fouled the plug a few times. This was mainly because I was riding it like an old four stroke I had previously. Lugging around in a gear higher than I should have been while following SpikedPunch around on her bike when she was first starting out.

Since then I've adjusted my riding style, moved to a hotter plug and dropped the needle down one step. Adjusting my riding style provided the most noticeable difference. Less oily splooge etc.

**Rupe** · 9th January 2009, 17:13

Originally Posted by Petsar68

I am a total novice when it comes to trail riding so would be interested in your opinions. I wont be going at it hardcore as most of my riding will be with my son on his TTR110. I will be looking to buy a 09 model from a dealer on the South Island. Would i be better off with a 250 or will i regret it a year down the line ?
I know its a personal choice but your opinions / advice are appreciated.
Thanks.

A Wr250 should/will do everything you are after, and you will get a good resale value if you want to try something else. It will also take a lot longer than a year to be able to out ride the bike. This would be the same for the crf250x.

I would pick the WR myself as have heard a lot of good things about them (although never ridden one).