Starter Bike

[Tadpole1975]

So I'm thinking about buying a dirt bike however I've never ridden any motorcycle and don't know anything about them. I'm 34, 180 5'8" and my wife totally disapproves, any suggestions?

 

[suva]

How much are you planning on spending and what kind of riding are you planning on doing?

 

[brett]

yamaha wr250 is great first bike . do the maintenance, get ALL of the gear (helmet, boots, pants gloves, goggles, chest protector--AT a minimum!) i also recommend a leat brace but theyre not cheap.

 

[Big Kahuna]

yamaha wr250 is great first bike . do the maintenance, get ALL of the gear (helmet, boots, pants gloves, goggles, chest protector--AT a minimum!) i also recommend a leat brace but theyre not cheap.

That or an older Honda XR250. You cannot kill them!.

If interested I have all the gear that I need to sell. Chest Protector, Pants and Jersey, Boots

 

[Mark44]

Katie and I both purchased KTM’s 200 EXC It was Katie’s first time ever on a bike and she can now rip through some real tight trails and hills. Our KTM’s have been great bikes I recommend them. Safety equipment is a must don’t purchase junk equipment get the best! O and don’t ride faster then you are willing to fall.

Mark44

 

[b.lee]

I'd say a 250cc or bigger 4-stroke.
You could try a 2-stroke, but 4-strokers are very easy to ride and forgiving.
2-stroke is more of a full blast all the time kinda deal. (or risk fouling plugs)

 

[yamaslut]

I love my KTM 250EXC....

and I totally agree about gear... wear everything you can get your hands on... REAL MX boots are the most important, do not ride w/ work boots and get a real MX helmet too, not a BMX helmet.. the gear is expensive but will save your ass. I highly recommend knee pads and elbow pads along w/ a roost protector/chest protector and good gloves

 

[Pablo]

I've got a YZ250F for sale that's essentially the same bike as a WR250f with different gearing and no headlight. Makes good power but without the hard punch u get with a two stroke. I was out of dirt/motorcross for more than 10 yrs and this bike was easy to jump on and ride.

 

[yamaslut]

what year???

 

[Pablo]

2003

 

[Endo]

If you can find a KDX 200/220 they are a great all around bike with cheap maintenance and minimal cost to get you going. JMO of course.

 

[Tadpole1975]

Not sure. Would probably be riding in pastures, nothing crazy. I don't know what I'd spend, I have not looked much and would not know if I was getting hosed. I will probably be looking around this summer.

 

[shawn_NJ]

Do it! The upfront cost of all the gear is rough.... But once your setup its the cheapest hobby ever (if you dont dump $$$ into mods). A gallon of gas and I am good for a day of fun. Been riding my WR250 every second I'm not working, and it kept me sane through the cold months.

 

[brett]

biggest problem buyina beginner bike like a xr or ttr etc, is if you like riding and end up riding alot, you'll outride those things very quickly and need a new bike. start with a detuned fast bike and just mod a little as you get faster. plus modern suspension, even on a wr will make riding 10 times more enjoyable, even for a beginner. just IMO

 

[yamaslut]

what is a etc???

 

[suva]

I'd try to find a KDX 200 or 220, or wr250f. Up here you can find cherry KDXs for $1500-$2K. I rode a KDX a couple weeks ago and it reminded me how much I like them, Easy and comfortable to ride but you can still boogie, they are excellent beginner trail bikes that can still be competitive race bikes with minor work.

 

[Pablo]

I'd try to find a KDX 200 or 220, or wr250f. Up here you can find cherry KDXs for $1500-$2K. I rode a KDX a couple weeks ago and it reminded me how much I like them, Easy and comfortable to ride but you can still boogie, they are excellent beginner trail bikes that can still be competitive race bikes with minor work.

so is a YZ250f...easy to ride, enough giddyup, nice components/suspension, and pleny of mods for upgrades.

 

[brett]

what is a etc???

trail model crfs , small drz's, klx300, all the small slow beginner bikes, et cetera

 

[suva]

so is a YZ250f...easy to ride, enough giddyup, nice components/suspension, and pleny of mods for upgrades.

True, but I think the KDXs are more beginner friendly, easier starting, cheaper, more comfortable and a lot less $$ to fix.

 

[vitaly]

My first very own one (not my dad's who was a fanatic, LOL) was Minsk 117 (175cc 2-stroke)... 30 years ago.
One of the last ones was IZH Planeta Sport (350cc 2-stroke)... 20 years ago.

Today I would go for a Honda 4-stroke dual sport anywhere in the 450-650cc range, late model.