Help me pick a dirt bike

[GIXXERKELLY]

I’m getting the itch to have another dirt bike. I’ve had a 2003 XR250 and it was a bit of a slug and the suspension left something to be desired. I HATED starting it. 4 strokes seem to be finicky about how you start them.



I have about 25 yrs of riding experience but, 95% of that is on the street not the dirt. I do track days in the intermediate class with my 2007 GSXR 750. My daily driver is a Goldwing GL1800.



I’m thinking of a KTM 250 XC-W (2 stroke). I have a friend that just loves his. He keeps telling me I should get one and do some enduros with him. I would just use it for trail riding mostly. I’m to old to be doing motocross. Looks like 2 strokes are way easier to work on which appeals to me when it needs a top end job. Seems like Yamaha and KTM are the only ones still making 2 strokes. I would consider a used bike just because of how much they seem to depreciate from new but, some of them look like they have had a hard life and I would hate to sink back into a used bike any money I might be saving.

[TwoSmokeDS]

Hail to the 2 smokes.

I dunno. 250cc seems like a lot for a beginner. Yamaha makes YZ 125 still I think.

[Rsquared]

Originally Posted by GIXXERKELLY

I’m thinking of a KTM 250 XC-W (2 stroke).

That'd be a good choice.

You may also want to consider the KTM 200. (my personal favorite)

[RollingJ]

I don't think GK is a beginner.

Something tells me he has a few hours on him...

A used KDX250/220 would be my suggestion. Rock solid and a very tuneable powervalve, with a softer hit you can put where you want it. Cheap. Resell for what you bought it for when you want to go lighter and much more expensive.

Or, jump right in on the KTM bandwagon and get it over with!

[poser]

KTM has a 150 and a 200 2stroke. The 200xc-w now comes with electric start if I'm not wrong.
KTM actually has a ton of 2strokes, but for what you described I'd stick with the xc or the xc-w in one of those middle middle sizes.

My 250 4stroke starts pretty easy these days. If you're in the Katy area you can throw a leg over and try starting it if you'd like. Unfortunately I don't have anywhere to ride at the house.

[KenH]

I rode 4-stroke kick-start dualsports from 70cc to 500cc for 38 years and never had a problem starting one hot or cold once the carb was properly jetted. I've never had one of those funky 2-carb singles, though. Tdub is my first dualsport ever with a button. Tdub could not be cold started at all when the air temperature was below freezing with the factory jetting. $7 for a main jet and a couple flat washers and she now starts right up hot or cold in any conditions.

I've found 2-strokes much more finicky about varying conditions. Some required different heat range spark plugs for different riding conditions. Some required a hot plug to avoid fouling to start and warm up the bike, then a cold plug to ride to avoid burning a whole in the piston. Trail riding the plug used for racing fouled the plug. Racing with the plug used for trail riding holed the piston.

Pretty much high-strung 2-strokes need rings and sometimes a piston almost as often as 4-strokes need valve adjustments. My experience is that the notion that high performance 2-strokes require less maintenance is a myth. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. 2-strokes sure are fun, though.

[Johnf3]

[quote=RollingJ;1066229]I don't think GK is a beginner.

Something tells me he has a few hours on him...

A used KDX250/220 would be my suggestion. Rock solid and a very tuneable powervalve, with a softer hit you can put where you want it. Cheap. Resell for what you bought it for when you want to go lighter and much more expensive.

QUOTE]

He said he was thinking about riding enduros. The KDX 250, in the few years they made it (maybe 2?) had the reputation of being a slug, a heavy slug too. It was universally disliked when it came out. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who was thinking about racing, especially with what is available now. It is old and obsolete for riding enduros.

A KTM 250 two stroke is near bullet proof. Rings and pistons will last 200 hours or more easy. Does anyone here actually race? Just curious. KTM's are 70% of the bikes on the line.

[jimhaleyscomet]

Originally Posted by GIXXERKELLY

I’m getting the itch to have another dirt bike. I’ve had a 2003 XR250 and it was a bit of a slug and the suspension left something to be desired. I HATED starting it. 4 strokes seem to be finicky about how you start them. .......I’m to old to be doing motocross.

Were I in your shoes I would at least check out the new Honda CRF250L. The price is so low it is less than many used bikes. If your heart is set on a two stroke for race paces then the CRF will be too slow for you. But if trail riding is more your pace then it just might do. it is fuel injected and electric start and very fun to ride. It will not win races nor was it designed to do that. It should, however, be very reliable. Another alternative is the WR250r but you have to rev it high to get the kick.

Good luck!

[swoody126]

orange kool-aid

blue kool-aid

green kool-aid

yellow kool-aid

red kool-aid

get one that FITS YOUR BODY

get one that has a local support system(spelt DEALER)

get one that you can afford

get one that your friends can help you work on, if needed

2-smoke/4-stroke±

the MAGIC BUTTON will alleviate most of your starting worries

let someone else take the depreciation hit(you can find lotsa used skoots w/ very few hours & little or no serious damage

take your time & take everybody up when they offer to let you throw a leg over one of theirs

here is a great link that lists all the dirt bikes that have been listed, in some form, on the internet:

http://www.bikefinds.com/

it includes all brands & all types of dirt bikes(mini bikes, race bikes, trail bikes, enduros & dual sports)

BIKEFINDS is a good place to start

GOOD LUCK on your quest

sw

[TwoSmokeDS]

He said he is too old to race.

[RollingJ]

No, I don't race.

It's totally cool if no one listens to me.
I've been married with children for a long time now, I'm used to it.

The KTM 200 strokes are like riding a mountian bikes. 200lbs is sure sweet. My problem is that I am cheap, work 6 days a week, have hardly any time to ride, and did I mention that I am cheap?

I ride the family ride days on the enduro tracks in Bastrop County on my CRF450X. It is dual sported and has a 4 gallon tank. I can take it over just about anything, but it weighs in at about 287lbs with 2 gallons of gas so it can be a workout. I did a SS valve conversion 700 miles ago and they haven't moved at all, even after running at 90+ MPH. I can check the valves is less than 20 minutes, and re-shim them in under an hour.

It's all about what you want. You are welcome to ride mine sometime if you are ever headed my way.

[DFW_Warrior]

After being a long time four stroke rider (20 or so years), I finally have a two stroke and I'm wondering why it took so darn long.

My vote is for the KTM200 if you can find one for a decent price. That is what I was looking for when my current YZ landed in my lap and I couldn't pass up the deal.

[poser]

Originally Posted by DFW_Warrior

After being a long time four stroke rider (20 or so years), I finally have a two stroke and I'm wondering why it took so darn long.

My vote is for the KTM200 if you can find one for a decent price. That is what I was looking for when my current YZ landed in my lap and I couldn't pass up the deal.

You know the orange kool-aide is good when yama riders are recommending it

[RollingJ]

The best deals are to be had at Jonestown KTM.

[trainman]

Whats wrong with a Yamaha TW200, after he learns on this tractor he will be able to handle most anything.

[Keith]

While it doesn't fit your "original" description...

How about a 2007 Kawasaki KX450F with less than 10 hours on it? I keep thinking I'm going to ride it, but I never seem to get around to it. I even joined Skull Creek this year - but never made it out there either. It's probably time I let someone else have fun with it...

[KenH]

Originally Posted by trainman

Whats wrong with a Yamaha TW200, after he learns on this tractor he will be able to handle most anything.

No. TW200 is a unique niche/cult bike that appeals to those riders who just like to cruise around in the dirt. TWs are so easy and forgiving that bad habits are easily developed and reinforced, but they require very well-developed skills to be ridden at speed. Reality is riding dirt and even dirt roads often presents unexpected surprises and even on a TW those basic offroad reflexes developed on skinny tires are necessary to survive. TWs can be surprisingly fast through slippery and or twisty conditions. It does take a unique set of skills and a certain measure of faith to take advantage of a TW's monster traction. Making time on a
TW is possible, but it is hard work.

Sounds like the OP wants a lightweight playbike for playracing. A 200 to 250cc 2-stroke would be a good choice. A good one certainly is fun.