What dirtbike?

RRWANTR · 02-27-2006, 12:37 PM

I'm thinking of picking up a dirt bike for some desert/trail riding with maybe some mx mixed in at times. I'd also like to be able to get another set of wheels etc for a smoto conversion that I could swap in at times. I don't have much dirt exp at all, so keep that in mind. Any bikes out there fit the bill?

phobiaphobe · 02-27-2006, 12:38 PM

BDA116 · 02-27-2006, 12:39 PM

For you a PW80.

RRWANTR · 02-27-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

250X

RRWANTR · 02-27-2006, 12:41 PM

And nothing new....Want to keep the price down just a bit as I'm looking at a db for the daughter, son and wifey.

RRWANTR · 02-27-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

For you a PW80.

You could have at least said an xr80...

luvtolean · 02-27-2006, 12:48 PM

I'll sell you my CR250.

RRWANTR · 02-27-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I'll sell you my CR250.

Does that fit the bill of my req? Is it red or green sticker?

luvtolean · 02-27-2006, 1:02 PM

Red sticker.

It's a great bike for trails and tracks.(what I use it for) Dunno about supermoto, probably a CRF450 or CR500 is better for that.

BDA116 · 02-27-2006, 1:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

You could have at least said an xr80...

Better shock value.

The CRF450 is a beast, so I would suggest finding a used CRF250 to get some dirty experience with.
Once you've got that down you can decide if the 450s are your bag. I thought about doing the motard thing to my 450, but decided against it and sold it.
I figured if I ever really wanted to go that route I would end up with one of those 'Prillers - if they ever show up and aren't so limited.

RRWANTR · 02-27-2006, 1:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Red sticker.

It's a great bike for trails and tracks.(what I use it for) Dunno about supermoto, probably a CRF450 or CR500 is better for that.

A green sticker would be nice....though I'm not sure if it matters out here where I am much...

BDA...seen a 05 crf250r in town for sale with 2 hrs on it for 4500.....although the xr50 fits more with my inseam...lol 5'8 doesn't work too well for dbs...lol

luvtolean · 02-27-2006, 1:20 PM

On Red/Green (no matter which bike): In general, you need to figure out where and when you will be riding.

Some people, like me, don't care (much). I don't like riding in the summer anyway, it's so dusty/hot...

Mattress wanted a green sticker, so he sold his CRF450 and bought an older CR500.

FYI Only the CRF250 and CRF450X are green sticker. Not the Rs.

RRWANTR · 02-27-2006, 1:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

On Red/Green (no matter which bike): In general, you need to figure out where and when you will be riding.

Some people, like me, don't care (much). I don't like riding in the summer anyway, it's so dusty/hot...

Mattress wanted a green sticker, so he sold his CRF450 and bought an older CR500.

FYI Only the CRF250 and CRF450X are green sticker. Not the Rs.

Is there a link with info on where/when you can/can't ride a red sticker bike?

luvtolean · 02-27-2006, 1:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

Is there a link with info on where/when you can/can't ride a red sticker bike?

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21928

Red sticker is basically fall to spring.

Non-public lands and mx tracks are fair game year round.

RRWANTR · 02-27-2006, 1:35 PM

Thanks!
Some of the area I'd be riding is open year round...

I don't see anywhere on that site listing red vs green models...know of anywhere that lists what is what?

luvtolean · 02-27-2006, 2:10 PM

Dunno.

I think anything made 2002 and earlier was grandfathered in and got a green sticker.

Pretty much anything made to use on a MX track will be red sticker. I think ALL 2-strokes (after 2002) are red sticker.

SomeStrangeGuy · 02-28-2006, 3:15 AM

Depends on your weight and how serious you are about the MX/s-moto portion of things.

Close friend of mine has a 250x, it's the reason I own a 450x today

. I'd have bought a 250x but the lustre of his was waning when he just got tired of wringing it in the sections of trail that actually let you use the big guns. The 450x has more power then I'll use, but it's very tame compared mannerswise to my 03 Yz450 with about 3k in 'woods conversion' to it. Side by side in any trim I think the 450x would hand the Yz it's ass too, if for no other reason then more tractable linear power delivery.

Weird thing about the 250x is that i was faster on it because it was so easy to flutter around the trails on. With my weight on it (250#) though it picked up well - just had to row the damn shifter alot.

If you want the power of a 2 stroke and manners of an XR - get a CRf450X. If you want to hang out with your family but still have a fun time even though you're just out tooling around - get a 250x. It's really similar to the 1000/600 thing on the street...you can make up for crap riding easier with the big HP but it can get you in over your head doubly fast. OTOH if you like lofting over logs and stuff at any gear, any time - the 250x becomes a bit more of a burden and does require a bit of planning.

Both have E starters and both are kickass

fat2k3 · 02-28-2006, 3:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Dunno.

I think anything made 2002 and earlier was grandfathered in and got a green sticker.

Pretty much anything made to use on a MX track will be red sticker. I think ALL 2-strokes (after 2002) are red sticker.

This is true! Get a 02 CRF450 (Under $4,000), it's grandfathered green sticker and call it a day! No other bike can do everything you require. The 450x can't supermoto. The KTM 520's are nice, but BIGGER-BUCKS!

Just my 2 cents.

ReaperAZ · 02-28-2006, 12:49 PM

CRF250R or X model will be just what you need. You won't regret it. After having the CRF250R I would get an X model if I got another bike. Already has lights on it and could switch the wheels out and be motarding that badboy.

luvtolean · 02-28-2006, 1:27 PM

Dude, a 250X does not have enough power to be fun motarding.

If you really want to motard, you need an "open" bike.

phobiaphobe · 02-28-2006, 1:32 PM

They can be de-restricted pretty easily can't they?

edit: nevermind. You probably meant 'open' as in "open-class"

luvtolean · 02-28-2006, 1:33 PM

The "X's"? Yes. But that doesn't change the fact it's only a 250CC four stroke.

luvtolean · 02-28-2006, 1:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

edit: nevermind. You probably meant 'open' as in "open-class"

Oh. Yeah, displacement.

ReaperAZ · 02-28-2006, 2:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Dude, a 250X does not have enough power to be fun motarding.

If you really want to motard, you need an "open" bike.

Well sure for you power hungry liter bike junkies it's not. But to me they are the perfect balance. I liken it to a 600 vs. a 1000.

luvtolean · 02-28-2006, 2:11 PM

I've seen hundreds of motards, but not one was a 125 or 250 4 stroke.

A CRF450 is a 600, the CR500 or maybe a Duke is the open bike of Motards.

And even a Duke II feels kinda slow BTW.

RRWANTR · 02-28-2006, 2:20 PM

I've heard both on the motard portion......heck alot of people think the minis motarded are fun.

luvtolean · 02-28-2006, 2:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

heck alot of people think the minis motarded are fun.

Now, that's a totally different thing.

Kinda like, I wouldn't want to race an EX500, but racing a YSR looks like silly fun.

johnnycrash · 02-28-2006, 3:08 PM

They aren't cheap, but the KTM 525's are longer stroke motors with more torque and an easier to ride power curve than the 450's from Honda or Yamaha. The EXC has e-start and a six speed but it's also probably a little heavier than the jap offerings.

RRWANTR · 02-28-2006, 3:37 PM

http://www.thumpertalk.com/classifie...=5h hmm.....i hate searching for bikes I don't know much about...lolLooking at the 02 CRF450 too...didn't see any for sale there with a quick look...any suggestions on sites to look for these?

luvtolean · 02-28-2006, 3:40 PM

Craigslist is always a good start.