dirtbike discussion

[MonteC]

Any dirtbike aficionados on this board?

In the spring im going to try and trade two jetskis on a double trailer for two dirtbikes. Just something for my wife and I to ride. I guess we are beginners, but have been on bikes before. Just dont want to buy something too small and out grow it, but dont want something too big and waste its potential

Not looking for the fastest, most hardcore bike, just something reasonable, that does everything well.

[chrisheltra]

125cc for her 250cc for you.

[98nbmz]

Cr230f for her, and Crf450f for you.

[snakeplissken]

Yamaha TTR230 or Honda CRF230 for Tara. (any year on both)

Yamaha YZ250F (O4 and up) or Honda CRF250 (06 and up) for you.

[adamcs]

125cc for her 250cc for you.

this..make sure you get 4 stroke unless you like working on shit all the time.

[gearmesh, inc.]

Don't wait for springtime for dirtbikes. You can't ride skis comfortably in the cold months anyway, so dirtbikes may get more use until the weather warms up.

My wife cut her teeth on a Yamaha TTR-125 large wheel version. It is a reliable as all get out air cooled 4 stroke that isn't intimidating on power, and shorter adults like Tara can touch the ground easily.

Like Snake said, a CRF230 sized bike is easy to handle for beginners, too. It just depends on how comfortable Tara is about tiptoeing vs. being able to flatfoot when holding the bike up at a standstill.

The current crop of race ready 250 water cooled 4 strokes would be a good starting point power-wise for you just getting into the sport. Depending on how your inherent riding abilities mature over time, at your size and weight, you may eventually go looking for a 450 four stroke. The only problem with the current crop of race ready water cooled 250s and 450s, is that they all have titanium intake valves that constantly require valve adjustments. When your recreational time is at a premium, you don't particularly care to be spending some of that time doing periodic maintenance.

A good trailbike that isn't made anymore is the Suzuki DRZ-400. Power-wise it is between the race ready 250s and 450s. Even though it is a water cooled 400, it doesn't have the titanium intake valves like the race ready bikes. Maintenance is basic - just oil/filter changes and keep a clean air filter and go ride. Its a little heavier than the race bikes, but it will seem more planted in loose sand for someone just getting into the sport.

A while back, I had a KTM-450 and loved the way it performed. What I didn't care for was the periodic valve adjustments. After my intakes were at almost zero clearance on 4 separate occasions, I decided to sell it vs. taking the head off and getting it revalved.

My next bike will be a KTM-300 two stroke. Even if I have to re-ring it every two or three years, that would still be less maintenance than the 4 stroke 450 required. It's even 25 lbs. lighter than the 450. The KTM-300 is a perfect woods bike that has a smooth, predictable power delivery for a two-stroke.

[chrisheltra]

Get one of these and youll be dead in two days. :)

CR500

http://home.comcast.net/~csehmel/dirtbiking/cr500r_1.jpg

[Harry]

Get one of these and youll be dead in two days. :)

CR500

http://home.comcast.net/~csehmel/dirtbiking/cr500r_1.jpg

I used to race one of those. They are a beast.

[chrisheltra]

I used to race one of those. They are a beast.

MX or GNCC?

[Harry]

MX or GNCC?

MX for about 10 years.

[Matts94Z28]

No balls

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A0d3B7MPqUg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[snakeplissken]

This:

http://www.servicehonda.com/honda-2010-models/500af

[chrisheltra]

No balls

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A0d3B7MPqUg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

LMAO at the guy doing an arm drop for one bike.

[gearmesh, inc.]

Back in the old days the CR500F was a hot platform to start with for the woods riders. They detuned the hit by lowering the compression, heavier flywheel, and a FMF gnarly pipe. This gave the bike awesome, predictable low end for woods riding.

There's still a few gray haired dudes that still show up at the Francis Marion trails with their old CR500s set up this way. They still outrun a lot of modern day woods bikes despite younger riders riding them.

[BigdaddyDupree]

we just got rid of a cr 500 a few months ago. thats alot of bike for anyone

[CPTNSLOW]

Set a good bit of money aside for safety gear. One or two falls and you will be looking into the expensive stuff.

Stick with fourstroke. You dont have to buy the new FI ones to have a good riding bike. I was always a fan of the Kawi's. I could always make a few warm up laps on the track while my friends that had honda's were still kicking the starters.