I am 33 and have decided to try dirtbikes for a hobby. What are some of you guys ideas on a good trail bike? I am about 6' and 185 lbs. I really have no clue and have looked at all the usual suspects as far as brands go but was looking for some good/bad stories on different bikes.

 

hey there, well i can try to help ya out.. i bin riding for 6 years now, not to mention i did motocross for 2 years and im a real big fan of 2 strokes.. im guessing u do no wut 2 strokes are? well anyways a good bike would recommend for u is either a yamaha wr250F its a big bike so it won't be so cramped for u too ride not to mention it has lotsa power to play with which is also perfect for your weight, and if u want the extra power yamaha also makes a wr450f alot more power.. i wouldn't recommend it for first time rider, the 250 would proboly be perfect then u have power to grow into... cuz once u learn to ride u want power to play with! honda also makes similair bikes crf250x there pretty much the same bike but bit more money. it's presonal prefrence really on wut brand u like. I guess im also assuming u want to buy brand new? i dont trust buying used bikes anymore, but bikes arnt cheap these days i got to links here for u the yamaha and honda. If u have anymore questions let me no.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products...ha_wr250f.aspx

http://powersports.honda.com/motorcy...delId=CRF250X5

 

Been in the motorcycle industry for 17 years, I highly recommend the honda Xr400 it is an excellent trail bike great power and very forgiving. These are readily available new and used and they are bulletproof.
By the way Kawasaki is my brand preference, but I honestly think the Honda will be the best bike for your application.

Good luck and happy trails.

 

Well if you want a trail bike, stay away from 2 strokes. They will be more hassle than they are worth (fouling plugs, powerband too high, etc). I have always had Honda dirtbikes. Their XR (or whatever they are called now) line is quite dependable. I have owned both new and used, and could tell very little difference between them. They hold up well over time. I had two XR200Rs. I weighed more than you, but was slightly shorter, and it moved me around pretty well. I would look for a 250, or even a 400. When I buy a bike again (its been a few years since I had one. I have a Honda atv now), I will buy an XR400.

 

Been riding for about 20 yrs. Very partial to the Honda XR's. 4 Stroke, Low maintenance, reliability, durability, etc. I own an XR 250 right now. We do have other smaller bikes for the kid's, an XR 100, Kawasaki KLX 110, and a Yamaha TTR 90. They've all been good bikes.
An XR 250 would be perfect for you. You can also probably pick up a used one cheap. The CRF's are also beautiful bikes. Good Luck! If I can help you any more, let me know. I'll do my best.
There's good and bad in all makes!

 

I am going to also recommend for you the 250 cc 4-stroke bike, the Honda XR250 but I prefer the Yamaha bikes so the WR250 would be the equivalent. These are low work and would be good for your desired trail riding. I've done my 30 years in the saddle of the 2-strokes and just went back to a 125 from a 250, the 250 had good stuff but I like my engine to wine the second I crank the throttle. Since I only go 5'8 and a buck 65, it doesn't take a whole lot to feel like I'm movin

Enjoy whatever you get, they are a blast! --Mike

 

Great places to start. Thanks guys. I guess from what I have read a 4 stroke would be best. I am looking for used as well. Mostly trails and stuff. I don't want to out grow what I buy in the first few months. Thanks again...

 

I had a Honda XR650 for a while. It was a great bike but much more suited for road use than trail inasmuch as it is so big and heavy.

If you plan on spending most of the time off-road, I'd suggest a 250.

 

I've been riding and racing for 28 of my 35 years. Currently ride a crf450 and suzuki drz 400. For a beginning trail rider the above comments on an XR 250 or XR 400 are spot on. The 250 is much lighter than the 400 and is a smaller bike. The 400 is pretty tall and heavy. If you're planning to ride more wide open trails and roads, go with the 400. If you're riding some tighter rockier trails, you might try the 250.

Yamaha WR's and Honda CRF's are awesome machines but are an entirely different breed than the Honda XR's. Much more high strung and moch more maintenance (oil changes, filter changes, valve adjustments- as opposed to the XR, which can be basically neglected for a year and still rides like a champ).

Yamaha does have an XT lineup that might also fit the bill for you (air cooled 4 strokes- their version of the XR's.)

As for 2 strokes, the only one you might consider is a Kawasaki KDX 200 or 220. Great trail bike that is great for beginners and has won many medals at the six days enduros also.

If you don't mind a taller heavier bike than the XR250, take a hard look at a suzuki drz 400. Similar to an Xr 400 but water cooled with the magic button (elec. start) and much better chassis and suspension than the XR 400. Also can be made into a very fast bike with not alot of $$. But, if you fall over much, stick with an air cooled bike for reliability.

Enjoy- this is the best sport in the world.

 

I had an '82 XL500R dual purpose bike, by Honda. That bike had so much power it was incredible for a single cyl. bike...a thumper, as it were. The thing nice about the dual purpose bikes is you can license them for the road, so that 50+mpg can be utilized daily. I put over 17,000 miles on mine before I finally had to get rid of it because of my back. I saw one last week for sale..for $1100 with only 475 miles on it. I drooled all the way home..but decided it was best just to drool and not have another bill to pay. I agree with most here... you'll want a 4 stroke for bottom end torque and a more enjoyable ride.

 

be sure to invest in some safety gear....especially since your over thirty...bones don't heal as quick...first is a good full face helment..spend as much as you feel your heads worth..next is a good chest protector, it will protect your shoulders. next is a decent pair of boots..my shins and akles love'm...and lastly is a jersey and kevlar pants.Me and thorns and roadrash don't like each other very much......all the above gear help minimize the visits to my doctors...but not to the nurses

oh forgot about the kidney belt...once you wear one.you won't ride without it..

 

Started racing motocross at a very young age. Started off on a Honda, went to Yamaha. Started doing Trials riding on a Suzuki. Ran hare scrambles on KTM and Maico bikes.
I understand peoples appreciation of 4 stoke bikes. My humble opinion.....too heavy. Also if you submerge a 2 stroke, remove the spark plug, flip the bike over to drain the water, fire it back up. Sumbmerge a 4 stroke...push it home.
Motocross wont get you too much water. BUt you start serious trail riding, trials challanges, or even Hare Scrambles

Either way.....I'm a fan of bigger cc bikes. Like 500cc open class stuff.

 

I think Peppy is just looking to pick up a screaming deal on a 500CC 2-stroke after this beginner ends up in a full body cast after his first ride and the wife decides to sell the fire-breathing dirtbike that put him there!

 

KTM.... the only way to fly....

 

Blasted kids......foiled again.