Other Whats the "Square Nose" of dirt bikes?

[icecoled007]

I know alot of guys come from riding MX to riding skis and I am looking to do it backwards. Never been much of a dirt bike rider but I am thinking of picking something up this summer. I have had/have quads and I am looking for something for me to ride so the wife can ride my ATV.

I am looking for something cheap, decently low maintenance, and has good "bang for you buck". Looking to spend less than $3k, but would like to stay closer to $2k if possible.

I am a tall guy 6'5" and weight 215-220 depending on the day and what I had for breakfast. Problem is, I look funny on most small bikes because of my giant size. I am a newb rider so it probably wont be a good idea to get something I "cant" control - or dare I say, too much power?.

I was originally looking at KLR 650's because I like the option to ride to work, or travel to the trails. However, I am not to sure how comfortable I will be riding on the street (I like as much metal, glass, airbags, etc, between me and the next car as possible) I do know they are bigger bikes and really heavy for most off road activities. Some of the dirt trails I ride here can get really rocky (they dont call them Rocky Mountains for nothing) and I am not sure the bikes too designed for that kind of abuse. I think the KLR 650's might be the 650sx of stand up jet skis. Decently powered but slow compared to most, poor handeling, heavy, and a little outdated? Correct me if I am wrong.

What other bikes should I look at? Tips/tricks when searching on Craigslist? What year? What to watch out for?

Thanks in advance

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

I have been out of the MX game for several years. The best advice I can give you is to get what feels the best between your legs. Sit on a few, ride em, etc. It isnt like on here where the superjet is the best for everyone. Some prefer a more narrow tank and shrouds while others like a little wider. Bar height and all that can be adjusted to suit your height. As far as a particular bike, I can't really recommend one that is the "650sx" of bikes. Know if you wanted to know what the Superjet of Bikes is then Id tell you any KTM (IMO).

 

[icecoled007]

Not looking for the 650sx of bikes.... but the square nose

 

[shawn_NJ]

Have you had seat time on any bikes yet? You narrow down to 2stoke or 4?

 

[Pablo]

xr 600...or even a 350 if you can find one.

I've owned xr's and love the reliability, decent performance and stump pulling power of 4 stroke. They'll never win a motocross race, but you can ride all day between trails and track and have a good time doing it. My old XR's started every time and kept me riding instead of wrenching as a late teen and early 20's kid. Don't get me wrong 2 stokes are nasty when you have a fresh one to rip on, but the versatility of a 4stroke is awesome. I owned a newer YZ250F and liked it, but not as much as the XR's.

 

[Thejet]

For learning I would say for sure get a 4 stroke! Probably a 250f if you don't want to have to much power to control. You can find 2010 crf250rs for sale for 3k and lower pretty easy and they are gas and go kind of bikes. The square nose of bikes would be any 125 2 stroke but for less then 1k more you will get a bike 8 years newer that would be the rn of bikes.

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

for the 4 vs 2 debate, for rec ridding id prefer a 2 stroke. More fun, easy and cheap repairs. For competitive racing or street use then a 4 stroke is best.

 

[Thejet]

For a first bike tho a 4 will be much easier to ride

 

[icecoled007]

I have not spent much seat time on anything unfortunately - looking for a gas and go beginner bike. I think 4 stroke is what I am looking for.

Did a quick google search for CRF250 and found this:

Looks clean to me http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/mcy/4499749981.html

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

I have not spent much seat time on anything unfortunately - looking for a gas and go beginner bike. I think 4 stroke is what I am looking for.

Did a quick google search for CRF250 and found this:

Looks clean to me http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/mcy/4499749981.html

they made an CRF250X as well with lights, would be a great bike. Or Yamaha WR250F was their enduro.

 

[nucleus_coolins]

get a green sticker honda cr250 2 stroke and never look back. best bang for your buck @ around $1500-2000 for a 2001 or 2002. amazing bike, ive beat the piss out of my '01 for almost 6 years now with no issues. easier to maintain than a 4 stroke, more fun imo.

the 4 stroke crf250 could be a bit underpowered for your weight (im 6'2" and 200lbs and theyre too sluggish for me). if your dead set on a 4 stroke, a crf450 would be pretty sweet.

 

[shawn_NJ]

I have a WR 250 and have not done a single thing to it other then oil changes, air filter clean, and adjust chain. I put a bigger rear sprocket to get more low end torque. 2600miles so far on it and still has the factory spark plug. Mine is street legal, but I hate riding on the road for reasons you have prev mentioned. Pretty much gas and go, and has E Start! After owning a KTM200 and YZ250F, I will NEVER buy a bike without the magic start button....lol I'm 180lbs, and if you just riding along with your chick on trails, the 250 is plenty. (can always add a pipe later..) I am sure any equivalent manf 250+ trail bike would fit the bill.

 

[AKskier]

I ride a 250 2 stroke and love it! Don't drink the 4 stroke kool aid! Haha but seriously I prefer 2 stroke over 4 for many reasons. If you blow up a 4 stroke its easy $1500 for a re build, but a 2 stroke is $150 and a night of work. People say 2 strokes don't last very long, I like to call those people lazy! Anything will run forever if you take care of it. Just get 125 or 250 2 stroke and do the regular oil changes and clean the air filter after every ride and you'll never look back! 2 stroke or die!

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[Scorn800]

If you just plan to rip around an learn. Might want to consider a Kawasaki klx100L. It's pitbike but has a clutch and is blast to get to know a bike. I've never owned a big bike so I can't tell you which route to go. I can tell you pitbikes are great to rip around small mx style tracks with jumps. It's just enough to hurt yourself bu not kill yourself

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

I ride a 250 2 stroke and love it! Don't drink the 4 stroke kool aid! Haha but seriously I prefer 2 stroke over 4 for many reasons. If you blow up a 4 stroke its easy $1500 for a re build, but a 2 stroke is $150 and a night of work. People say 2 strokes don't last very long, I like to call those people lazy! Anything will run forever if you take care of it. Just get 125 or 250 2 stroke and do the regular oil changes and clean the air filter after every ride and you'll never look back! 2 stroke or die!

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Agreed other than a top end on a 2stroke can be done between Motos! - from experience. (with no break in period, straight to the starting gate)


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[Thejet]

Agreed other than a top end on a 2stroke can be done between Motos! - from experience. (with no break in period, straight to the starting gate)


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And blown up the next Moto lol

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

And blown up the next Moto lol

Na, not saying I recommend it but saying it's possible, gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.


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[AKskier]

Na, not saying I recommend it but saying it's possible, gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.

True story

 

[icecoled007]

Thanks guys keep it coming. This helps a lot

 

[senor]

DRZ400 suzuki. Just spent 2 days riding with just about every kind of bike out there.My old drz still runs with the best of them and only cost me 800 with a plate. I own plenty of others but for some reason i always end up on this one. These are abit heavy but with your size no problem and they have the Magic Button.Look to spend around 2g's though. Low cost to maintain and parts are plentyful. My advice is to stay away from the mx bikes. Try to stick with the Enduro theme.