dirt bike question

I have several motorcycles, but am thinking about buying a dirt bike for various reasons. I probably wont use it alot but am curious if you any of you guys know if a yamaha 230 will have enough power to move me around on trails and hills. i am about 5'10" and 210 lbs......I ain't looking to motorcross race, but don't want a real dog if I am too heavy for this size. Thanks any feedback will help

 

it'll be ok. you may want a bit more power. I'm 6'0" and 190 and have a honda xr200r. wish i had a bit more torque at times.

 

I don't have one but I have heard that the 250 range is a pretty good range. It really boils down to frame size and what feels good under you.

 

dont go with a 230. get a used 250. they have so much more power.

I have a 2009 kx250f and its a blast. the 230's are so underpowered. you will hate it.

 

most 230's on the market are beginners bikes so go with a 250 you will be much happier

 

Definitely a 250 or bigger i love my xr250 and my dad loves his xy250. My moms crf230 doesn't have enough power to push me and i am 6ft 180lbs. I rode a crf450 and if you want power that is the way to go.

 

I would go with a used 250 as well...

I think the 230 is leaned more to trail riding, which is probably what you want to do with it right? So, it would be good for just that. And they do cost a bit less I believe...

I'm contradicting myself...

 

Oh yes. 450's are scary!

Special Edition YZ450F!

 

Why is everyone recommending 4-strokes?

I have owned a Suzuki PE175 (2S), Honda CRF250 (4S) and now a KTM 200exc (2S). My current KTM is THE most forgiving bike. It has the power if you want it but can crawl through a rock pile just off idle. What I mean is that some 2-strokes require you to be "on the pipe" or riding in the powerband (top side of the gears). This means you have to pin it everywhere and will bog or stall if you aren't aggressive enough on the throttle.

The 200exc is a very luggable bike and is great for off-road. It can also be converted to a street legal bike. Actual weight is just a bit more than my CRF250r was but it feels SOOO much lighter. 4 strokes carry their weight up high because of the valves, cam chain and head assembly. 2 strokes have a low center of gravity and are much easier to pick up off the ground.

Finally, 2 strokes are much cheaper. I paid about $600 to rebuild the top-end on my CRF and did the work myself. Most shops will charge another $500 in labor. I am currently looking at $120 to rebuild the top-end on my 200exc.

It is an awesome bike and I highly recommend it for someone of your size and ability. I am 29yrs old, 6'1" and 220 (w/ gear) and ride all woods (no mx). It also has the kickstand and that is important if you ride off road. There is not always a tree around to lean it against.

Now, please allow me to whore some pictures on to you...

the CRF is now sold:


2004 KTM 200exc:

 

i had a 02 rm250 before my 09. it was a blast to ride until it came to hard parts in the trails. then it was a pita. the 2 stroke power when it comes on it just like a girl with std's. you wanna hit it but are afraid of what will happen. i did learn to climb hills on my 2 stroke so riding t his 4 stroke up hills is easy. I love the 4 stroke for the easiness of trail riding. but the 2 stroke is where the fun factor is.

 

I have a Yamaha WR426FP, the thing is crazy fun. You can fart around woods trails with the xr's needing very little shifting. Also it will hang with most bikes in the open areas. I am 6'2" and 225-230 lbs, I really like having the extra power when I need it, I could not imagine something smaller.

 

You could also look into a used Kawasaki KDX200\220 (both 2 smokers) or a Honda XR400 is a real good bike and the motor is bullet proof (air cooled 4 stoker).

 

I had a 2001 kdx 200. After I put a fmf pipe and baffle on it it smoked!!
Loved that bike! Not really for Motocross though.

 

i love my 450 both in a quad and in a bike. they are scary fast but if you know how to ride them there tame as all hell in the woods.

 

+1

 

This thread makes me want a dirt bike again. My '91 CRF250's bottom end has a good crack in it.

 

sorry to hear that, but when you change it around a little it is kinda funny

 

ok, great responses. thanks everyone. the seArch begins.....ebay here i come...

 

do not do not do not do not! go with a 230! you'll hate it. the suspension sucksss, you'll bottom out. a 230 is a 'wife' bike. look into the WR 250 range, its a yamaha trailing bike. but it has plenty of power for what you need. ive always rode yamahas and they've never let me down

 

If you just want something to cruise around on and dont expect to win any races, the 230 would be fine for you.
I personally would stay away from any of the newer 250F or 450 4-strokes. They are very fast bikes, but the maintenance costs on the engine is a killer.
If you want something faster than 230 trail bike, I say go with a 2-stroke. 2-strokes are so much less expensive to own than 4-strokes. You could rebuild a 2-stroke 10x over for what it would cost to rebuild a 4-stroke once. In addition to engine rebuilds, you will still have to change the oil on a regular basis and you will need to adjust the valves every now and then.
I used to have an '06 Yamaha YZ 250F SE and while it was a great bike, I wouldnt own another 4-stroke just because of the maintenance costs.
If you grenade a 2-stroke, no big deal. It only costs about $100 to rebuild it and its a job that you can do yourself pretty easily. Greneade a 4-stroke and you will be look at anywhere from $1,200-$1,500 to rebuild it and much of the work you cant do yourself because often the heads need to be machined or else the valves wont seat correctly.