Enduro / MX Bike - Ideas

Yo

I'm seriously considering getting a cheapish enduro / mx bike to have some sunday fun next year. My mate is getting one & converting a van to a camper, plus he has a trailer so my cash outlay wont be as much

Been ages since I've done any off-raod stuff (like 15+ years!), and that was only dicking around on spare ground.

Being a Suzuki man, looking at an RM 250, or quite like KMX250's......though mates say kawa's have reliabily issues.

Whats the powerband on 250 2 strokes vs 450's?

Anyone got any recommendations for a good all rounder for someone new to it. Will be doing primarily enduro events, the odd mx track weekend (not racing tho), greenlaning and dicking around Needs to have some grunt as overweight (working on that!) - but dont want something that is gonna rip me arms off.

Wont have a massive budget, 1 - 1.4k....need to flog my bandit first to get some wonga in.

Thoughts please........

Any of the 250cc 4 strokes Ben,they`re all mostly described as user friendly and mechanically durable,hope that helps.

Ben,

I presume you can ride a bike ? Yes, so you now how to control a throttle, so then should have no fear of the big bikes?
I'd say the perfect bike for you would be a KTM450exc, softer power than Mx, but still loads of torque, softer suspension for green lanes, road registered, electric start..
But I would say MX bikes are more fun, ie. Rip your arms off.. but thats what I like !!
2 strokes are on the way out.. 4 stokes generally easier to ride, more predictable.
I found this one on ebay, something like this is perfect for what you want
Dion.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KTM-450-EXC_W0QQitem...id=p3286.c0.m14

I agree with Drill, don't over look the 250's of the last 10 yrs. They are a huge improvement over their predecessors. I recuntly rode a 99 wr250 and was blown away with how much fun it was. What was crazy is it felt like it had no flywheel, and was kinda peaky with the power. I guess the problem is Suzuki hasn't made a 250(I could be wrong) but most everyone else has.

Still a two stroker has that great sound that no thumper can match. You might keep an eye out for a KTM EXC 200/300. They are very highly praised out here in Colorado. Old Bike nuts I've talked with say they are the best 2 strokes ever made.

Keep us posted (with pic's please!!!!).

get a 450 mx'er and learn to ride it. then sell that and get a 250 stroker and learn to ride that!
then sell that and get a cr or kx500 (ktms are acceptable too) and be satisfied that you have one of the most fearsome dirt bikes known to man.

on a serious note, the ktm 300 is a very good machine but can be hard to find in the uk so IMO stick with a 450 mx bike, they have better suspension and less weight coupled with less stuff to break when you fall off....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DRILL @ Oct 4 2009, 08:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Any of the 250cc 4 strokes Ben,they`re all mostly described as user friendly and mechanically durable,hope that helps.

Cheers drill

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dion @ Oct 4 2009, 10:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ben,

I presume you can ride a bike ? Yes, so you now how to control a throttle, so then should have no fear of the big bikes?

Not sure if your being patronising or not?

Anyway - yes I can ride a bike Going from 10 years road riding to dirt is going to be the learning curve, hence why I dont want a bike I cant manage - as I'll be a beginner till I get the hours in.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Traverser @ Oct 4 2009, 11:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I agree with Drill, don't over look the 250's of the last 10 yrs. They are a huge improvement over their predecessors. I recuntly rode a 99 wr250 and was blown away with how much fun it was. What was crazy is it felt like it had no flywheel, and was kinda peaky with the power. I guess the problem is Suzuki hasn't made a 250(I could be wrong) but most everyone else has.

Still a two stroker has that great sound that no thumper can match. You might keep an eye out for a KTM EXC 200/300. They are very highly praised out here in Colorado. Old Bike nuts I've talked with say they are the best 2 strokes ever made.

Keep us posted (with pic's please!!!!).

Cheers Trav - hadnt considering 250 4 strokes for some reason. The reasoning for a 250 RM is a)its a suzuki b)they look cool c)I did my mechanics course on a 2 stroke

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigAl @ Oct 5 2009, 10:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>get a 450 mx'er and learn to ride it. then sell that and get a 250 stroker and learn to ride that!
then sell that and get a cr or kx500 (ktms are acceptable too) and be satisfied that you have one of the most fearsome dirt bikes known to man.

on a serious note, the ktm 300 is a very good machine but can be hard to find in the uk so IMO stick with a 450 mx bike, they have better suspension and less weight coupled with less stuff to break when you fall off....



Cheers - quite like the look of a Yamaha YZF-450..........seems to be around my budget for a 3/ year old one, any good?

Cheers folks!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BEN @ Oct 9 2009, 10:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Cheers drill



Not sure if your being patronising or not?

Anyway - yes I can ride a bike Going from 10 years road riding to dirt is going to be the learning curve, hence why I dont want a bike I cant manage - as I'll be a beginner till I get the hours in.



Cheers Trav - hadnt considering 250 4 strokes for some reason. The reasoning for a 250 RM is a)its a suzuki b)they look cool c)I did my mechanics course on a 2 stroke



Cheers - quite like the look of a Yamaha YZF-450..........seems to be around my budget for a 3/ year old one, any good?

Cheers folks!

YZF's are good bikes although the honda of that vintage is the better bike. its not really important if it is because they are so similar that it would take a seasoned rider to exploit the differences. go for the one that has the nicest price tag, you will not be disappointed..

Just let you know of a trick I learnt from an open class mx`er who rode the big 500cc 2 strokes.If the power is too much for you then double up on the head gasket as it lowers the compression to make it more manageable ,lot of folk did this on the Yam YZ 465/490.Anyway Ben,enjoy the mud and filth,its deffo worth it!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DRILL @ Oct 9 2009, 06:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Just let you know of a trick I learnt from an open class mx`er who rode the big 500cc 2 strokes.If the power is too much for you then double up on the head gasket as it lowers the compression to make it more manageable ,lot of folk did this on the Yam YZ 465/490.Anyway Ben,enjoy the mud and filth,its deffo worth it!!

Never heard of the head gasket technique, I like it tho.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DRILL @ Oct 9 2009, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Just let you know of a trick I learnt from an open class mx`er who rode the big 500cc 2 strokes.If the power is too much for you then double up on the head gasket as it lowers the compression to make it more manageable ,lot of folk did this on the Yam YZ 465/490.Anyway Ben,enjoy the mud and filth,its deffo worth it!!

Thanks.... now I know who NOT to go to if I ever need a mechanic. And I use the word mechanic loosely.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SuperShinya56 @ Oct 12 2009, 10:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thanks.... now I know who NOT to go to if I ever need a mechanic. And I use the word mechanic loosely.


You have seriously never heard of that? Jeezus you are even thicker than I thought. And I thought you were as thick as ....!


Pete

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SuperShinya56 @ Oct 12 2009, 10:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thanks.... now I know who NOT to go to if I ever need a mechanic. And I use the word mechanic loosely.

If you have nowt constructive to say in this thread, keep the .... out please.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Oct 12 2009, 11:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You have seriously never heard of that? Jeezus you are even thicker than I thought. And I thought you were as thick as ....!


Pete



Decided on a yz250f.....a few around that fit my critera. Started cleaning up the bandit to flog now

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BEN @ Oct 13 2009, 08:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If you have nowt constructive to say in this thread, keep the .... out please.





Decided on a yz250f.....a few around that fit my critera. Started cleaning up the bandit to flog now


Great choice, I love the Yz's. Once you get the Yz goin' your not gonna miss the Bandit.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (johnny @ Oct 13 2009, 09:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Great choice, I love the Yz's. Once you get the Yz goin' your not gonna miss the Bandit.


Cheers - good for a newbie then? Didnt want anything too big to handle

I think I will, its kinda trick - but looking forward to swapping road for dirt, less cars to pul out on you!

My bud who's doing this with me (he has more off road experiance than me, but does more road riding) is on about doing soem WOR events, rather than getting eaten up on mx track practices:

http://www.worevents.com/index.html

Anyone done these?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BEN @ Oct 13 2009, 01:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Cheers - good for a newbie then? Didnt want anything too big to handle

I think I will, its kinda trick - but looking forward to swapping road for dirt, less cars to pul out on you!

My bud who's doing this with me (he has more off road experiance than me, but does more road riding) is on about doing soem WOR events, rather than getting eaten up on mx track practices:

http://www.worevents.com/index.html

Anyone done these?

The 250 will be perfect but a 450 would be just as good you'd be used to it after a few hours.

Thats a sweet looking Bandit ya got. I have an Rsvr and a Yz450, when I'm deciding which one to take out for a burn(unless I got a ride out planned) I usually pick the Yz over the Rsvr.

Go for the best of both worlds and get a SM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (johnny @ Oct 13 2009, 02:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The 250 will be perfect but a 450 would be just as good you'd be used to it after a few hours.

Thats a sweet looking Bandit ya got. I have an Rsvr and a Yz450, when I'm deciding which one to take out for a burn(unless I got a ride out planned) I usually pick the Yz over the Rsvr.

Go for the best of both worlds and get a SM

I've had it with road riding, too many nob's around - got the heebie jebbies now, maybe its coz I have a kid and one due (anyday!). But I see way to many overtakes from cars, and think .... - if I was pootling (not even canning it) on the otherside a biker would be toast.

I used to ride fast, but sensible fast - never even had a scrape (touch wood) - hyper aware at all times, but you cant account for a prick overtaking on blind bends or on hill crests. Theres a really fast country road 2 mins from my house, used to love it - now - in the car I just see so much bad driving.

I know there is risks off road too, but I feel I'll still be able to get my buzz cheaply, and without worrying about whats round the corner.

If I'm sht off road - will get a track bike instead

A Supermoto would make me wanna cane it on the road, so sack that!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BEN @ Oct 13 2009, 05:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I've had it with road riding, too many nob's around - got the heebie jebbies now, maybe its coz I have a kid and one due (anyday!). But I see way to many overtakes from cars, and think .... - if I was pootling (not even canning it) on the otherside a biker would be toast.

I used to ride fast, but sensible fast - never even had a scrape (touch wood) - hyper aware at all times, but you cant account for a prick overtaking on blind bends or on hill crests. Theres a really fast country road 2 mins from my house, used to love it - now - in the car I just see so much bad driving.

I know there is risks off road too, but I feel I'll still be able to get my buzz cheaply, and without worrying about whats round the corner.

If I'm sht off road - will get a track bike instead

A Supermoto would make me wanna cane it on the road, so sack that!

Riding offroad is a piece of cake, once you get your head around the looseness of the bike you will have no worries. As you said its got risks, bones can and will be broke but nothing compare to some ....... taking you out with their car\truck. As long as your not looking to do freestyle, mx is definitely the lesser of two evils.

The fun you will be having is a major plus but also if you do a few hours a week you will get super fit. Probably the best thing about offroading is the bike control you will learn and how that will stand to you ten fold if you do ever go crusin' the roads again

Check out this guys youtube channel. Hes got some nice vids on tips and advice and some really nice freestyle\mx vids
http://www.youtube.com/user/mxtvshow

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (johnny @ Oct 13 2009, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Riding offroad is a piece of cake, once you get your head around the looseness of the bike you will have no worries. As you said its got risks, bones can and will be broke but nothing compare to some ....... taking you out with their car\truck. As long as your not looking to do freestyle, mx is definitely the lesser of two evils.

The fun you will be having is a major plus but also if you do a few hours a week you will get super fit. Probably the best thing about offroading is the bike control you will learn and how that will stand to you ten fold if you do ever go crusin' the roads again

Check out this guys youtube channel. Hes got some nice vids on tips and advice and some really nice freestyle\mx vids
http://www.youtube.com/user/mxtvshow

Cool, just what I want to hear! Deffo no free style! Just out for a good time, and develop my skills and fitness.

I'm actually training for a half marathon, so I can use this as an excuse to train

Check out this vid, its one of the local WOR events....2 mins or so in, a guy takes a wrong turn and comes out with part of a bush on him - that will be me! ha

Lucky that we have some good places to practice locally.

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Get yourself a Honda Elsinore CR500, then go have fun and break some limbs. There Ben, simple really don't stress yourself out too much.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SuperShinya56 @ Oct 13 2009, 01:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Get yourself a Honda Elsinore CR500, then go have fun and break some limbs. There Ben, simple really don't stress yourself out too much.

Why are you here? Why do you follow motorcycle racing? Why are you such a prick?

Actually don't bother replying. Why? Couse your now blocked.