What bike should I get?

[cheese]

Ok so I've been looking for a while now and I go to the USA on friday for 2 weeks and buying a new bike when I get back.

My budget is 8k

The choices are so far

06 KTM sx 250 - $8000 pretty mint, owned by a guy at a shop so I'd say well looked after. around 50hours

04 CR250 - $5500 - looks very tidy. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=93247650

05 CR250 - starting bid 5k - looks quite good. Not a problem being in Napier as I can get my brother to look at it. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=92402282

04 CR250 - this bike is reasonably tidy, bit overpriced, but from a shop.. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=70009388

I did see a o6 KX250 for around $6800, but that may have sold

I'm not that keen on a Yamaha and I'd like to try another brand from Suzuki. I's also prefer a non steel frame.

I was tempted by a 4/, but the fact I can do all the work on a 2/ myself appeals to me. I hate having to pay the shop a few hundred dollars to do work I could do myself!! Plus the valve maintenance alone would annoy me. Clearances ever 10-20 hours!!! and the shop charges $70 to do that. Man that would get really expensive fast!!

This is a bike I'm hopefully going to keep for a long time so I guess as new as possible is the best bet. The other way I could go is get a slightly older bike and spend some money on it and get it like new.

[FlangMasterJ]

ktm. done!

[WRT]

The other way I could go is get a slightly older bike and spend some money on it and get it like new.

Just how well did that work out for you last time? Go the CR, you know you want to!

Edit: Just having a think - is there much benefit for buying a 2nd hand dirt bike from a shop? Cant imagine them putting too much of a warranty on it. I guess at least you know it's not hot . . .

[GR81]

get a rotor!

[cheese]

GR81 - I'll take that into consideration and look into that- whatever

WRT - when I said older I meant like 03 -04 and spend the money I save on making it like new. Like that -04 CR

[barty5]

fours are all good easy to work on and you dont have to do it that oftern had mine a year (and yes i know i blew the crank but thats kind extreme) had it stripped and running in 2 1/2 days checked valve clearances and there sweet 1st ive checked them since i got it. guys i ride with lot of them have ktm 4s can be little costly on some parts 1 also had second hand 2stroke nothing but probs did two boxs before he ditched it all within 6 months. I would proberly go for the honda option as a 2 stroke never had any hassles with one ive had in the past but then i like the fours better and will most likely get another YZF but a 450 at the end of the year.

[barty5]

ps just watch out for the hondas from honda dealers as you seam to pay a lot label

[cheese]

What do you mean by it did 2 boxes? are you talking about the CDI?

[barty5]

What do you mean by it did 2 boxes? are you talking about the CDI?

sorry g/box miss type

[cheese]

What flavour was the the gearbox eater? I heard that some of the early 2000 RMs were a shocker for that.

[barty5]

What flavour was the the gearbox eater? I heard that some of the early 2000 RMs were a shocker for that.

bout a 2005 ktm

[telliman]

i'd go with the brands who still invest big on developing there 2strk range,(ktm-kwaka), honda openly admit that all the attention was on there 4strks,and when was the last time you saw a honda on the podium anyway?long live the 2stroke!

[scott411]

if you want to wait a little bit longer, kawasaki will have new 08 models out in early july, only a little bit more than you are saying now and then you get a brand new bike, with a full spares kit, they are $9995 this year so i preume they will be simlar next year as well, i am sure some dealers will do deals for folding as well

[cheese]

What flavour?

[B0000M]

honda. its the only answer.

the hard part, is which one..