Thinking about getting a dirtbike, few questions

really? damn i thought everyone would say a 200-250 would be to much for a beginner lol

 

If it were me I'd go 250 4 stroke. Broader range of power,less issues with fouling plugs,easier to ride slowly when needed on trails due to the fact that the 4 stroke will idle along in gear far smoother than a 2 stroke will...easier transition from idle to light throttle.

If you were going to race...I may suggest differently,but for trails,4 stroke FTMFW.

As far as too much for a beginner,just don't forget to have a respect for what the bike is capable of. Keep your head and you'll be fine.

 

Not in a 4 stroke.
Seriously... the debate over "too much" is when the beginner asks about a 250 vs 450.
A 250 2-stroke? Oh hell no... a beginner will end up in the hospital PDQ.

My first bike was my WR250F.
My 2nd bike was a 1600 Vulcan cruiser.

 

this is all great info thanks everyone. time for me to do a little more research

 

That's the thing.

2 strokes are great for the track where you're running balls-out all the time, but on the trails, you're going to want to idle around a tight corner between a couple of trees or rocks, and then when you get around and notice the trail is getting a bit soft, you need to pin it to keep the front tire from digging in or washing out.
4 stroke will do that without a problem, just like driving the Taco.

 

I'm a 4 stroke guy all the way, but i'll put that aside and say START WITH A 2 stroke!!! it'll make you an overall better rider.

I started off on a 2 stroke. 4 stroke riders are lazy (as in they stay in one gear and lug it around). 2 strokes you need to be on the pipe, no engine braking so on the brakes hard as well. Constantly shifting and ripping it through the corners.

plus the two strokes are cheap and easy to fix.

I've got an 05 yz125 first year of the aluminum frame. go with an 06 it's got better suspension on it. I also ride a KTM 250sx-f with an 280 ktm kit on it. It's ballzzzzzz!

Not a big fan of yamaha, honda, kawi, suzuki trail bikes. KTMs are bad ass off road. The japanese bikes still lead in mx, but trails is all ktm.

I'll also chime in on handling and suspension. The handling on yamaha's SUCK! the front end tends to push and they wont stay in a rut if their life depended on it. BUT the suspension is super plush and soft and the power isnt as abrupt and is very linear. Great for confidence building.
The KTM 250 has more power and it corners like it's on rails! The suspension on the other hand is garbage. Need to go get it revalved and worked on.

 

They've made the ktm's for years and you can probably get a decent one for around $2000. the "w's" in the ktm line are geared higher for a really broad powerband. If you're in 1st or 2nd gear in the woods they're like mountain goats. The electric start on the newer ones doesn't hurt either.

 

i started out with 2 strokes on the trails and always rode em. made me a better rider. i just recently switched over to the 4 strokes.

 

Thats one reason i want a 2-stroke. ive heard it will make you a better rider

 

plus at 6 foot, 160 lbs you can toss that puppy around like a rag doll. I made the stupidest mistake of getting a 450 after i learned on the 125... I'm 5'5 150lbs... talk about automatic ejection seat! lol

 

my weapon of choice for wayne national forest. 2004 yz250 with a full racetech suspension, asv levers, pro tapers, etc.

 

does that have a shit ton of power? would you recomend a 250 2-stroke to a beginner?
sweet bike btw

 

go 4 stoke on trails. also go 250.

don’t give a 150 a 2nd thought. i have a ’08 CRF150r i got to race did some. but i’m now pushing 5’8’ and 122 and it’s to small for me. power is nice, and i can toss it around very easy! one reason why i wont sell/trade it for a 250 even tho i really want a 250!

 

please tell me where 2strokes are still relevant in pro mx... on the other hand

russell bobbit
charlie mullins
Nick Fahringer
david knight
steward baylor
brad bakken

 

Only if you have really good insurance and are still young enough to heal quickly

 

take that as a no lol

 

Their irrelevance is more due to the AMA tweaking the classes and rules (including fuel additive restrictions) to run them out of the competition.

In 2006, everyone joked about the 250 class having become "Thumpercross"... but the 125s were still quite competitive in their class, primarily because of the weight advantage.

But the writing was on the wall and the 2005-2007 seasons were the beginning of the end for the pingers.

 

yes it does. I'm 6' 220 and it will power wheelie in 3rd with me on it once it's on the pipe. The nice thing is you can lug it through the woods and it will pull like a 4 stroke. you always have to respect the power of a 250 2 stroke moto-x bike though. the time when you think you can man handle it is when you get up from your crash with tree branches coming out of your helmet. Don't start with a 250 2 stroke unless you're an experienced rider.

 

Ive ridden quads my whole life. just not dirtbikes lol