H@lp Me "BUY" A Honda 125 or 250

Im 6' , 165 lbs and my RM 125 is more than enough. I do crave more power at times, but i have learned more power doesnt always mean more fun.

 

Almost the same thing as zanodave said, but some manufacturers have something in between. KTM has a 144 and 200, and they make really nice bikes I've had two and have loved them

 

Get a CRF250, trust me. I got a 125 and hated every second I was on it. a 250 4 stroke is the way to go.

 

a yz125 or cr125 will haul ass with little work. i'm 5'8 and its a struggle to keep the front wheel down. the crf230 is a 4 stroke trail bike so its going to be a considerable bit slower than a Yz or cr, which is made for the track. I had a cr80 expert and it would wear out a crf150 all day long, bust it from the beginning all the way to top end.

 

Look im going to be honost this right here, "I will NOT be tracking this and want to ride Trails or Deserts" tells me that you should get a 230, my friends moved up from them, and i can say that if you are new to the sport, you want a very low matience bike and a good beginning bike thats not going to shoot out from under you get the 230. These bikes are great, they refuse to break (we tired in efforts to get them a 250) they last forever, and they are relatively inexpensive. I have seen these bikes rip through trails, and keep up on the track, so really consider the 230. Also be aware that 2 strokes require oil in the gas and can get pretty dirty from it. Really consider this.

Oh and no matter what way you choose WELCOME TO THE SPORT!!!!!

 

x2 yea dude no ones says tracking....the 230 is a great bike and for a beginner only riding 2 times a month. a 230 is a good bike. Honestly you change the oil and the tires,,,THATS IT. there is no other type of maintance that needs to be done on that bike. they are friggin TANKS

 

CRF 250x

 

My oldest son and myself both ride full blown race bikes - CRF250R and KX250F (we've both been riding 10 yrs +) while my youngest son (14) who just starting riding this last summer has a CRF230.

Most of our riding is trails although some track as well. The 230 can easily keep up with the big bikes (250F's) on the technical trails and is easy to ride and maintain. ...its not a great track bike as the suspension was never made for those kinds of jumps. That said, we've had the 230 on the track a bit without any problems. ...but I wouldn't expect it to last with an experienced driver.

You won't be disappointed with the 230 and it'll last forever with a little TLC. ...makes a great 'pit' bike too if you're riding skills improve and you find yourself moving up to the track and bigger bikes.

 

Once you start abusing a 125 get ready to spend some money, the 250 is a good reliable bike, an 02 is even better since you would get the green sticker, if you do get serious a cr500 is a fun reliable machine. Having own all 3 I'd go with the 250 for ease of maintenace and controlability. Currently I'm in the works of putting a cr500 motor into an 03 cr250 chassis hehe best of both worlds!

 

Get that one. Ray I Think you should go with a 250 f. Remember my buddy with the white Chevy? He rode a 125 last weekend, he said its a little small for him. He also rode a 250f that day and said it was just about perfect.

 

personally, if you ride very limited...then go with the two stroke especially a 125. There's more than enough power there if you dont ride alot and there easy to do maintenance on. The 2-stroke is a "do it yourself maintenence bike" where as a 4 stroke needs special equipment and a lot of calculations and specing. There lighter in weight which you really feel when you have inertia on your back goin thru turns and stuff. the 4 stroke is just a lazy mans bike, you can lug it thru the turns and everything plus there more exspensive in every aspect.

on a side note tho, even if i didnt race...i would still by 4-strokes cuz i like the way they ride better. its a personal opinion on which you would rather ride but the 125 2-stroke is ideal for you man, it sounds like.

 

Thanks Everyone as I've joined a few forums regarding it and will be looking.

I'm torn as all 3 have their Pros and Cons.

Saving up and will be buying one soon
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I'll talk to you about it. Too bad I just sold my cr250. I would have let you ride it.

 

x2!!!!!!!!

 

I would stay away from the 2-strokes they are going the way of the eight track, four strokes are the future, with 4 strokes you do have valves that need adjusting o/w not much more to do than a 2 stroke. Take it to a shop once a year end of season to check valve clearances you could do all the rest on your own, if you are good with a wrench adjusting valve clearance is no big deal find someone who knows whats up to help you the first time. 2- strokes are good for racing & freestyle where weight is huge o/w the 4 strokes have them beat, actually even in racing, IMO.

 

I would have to disagree with you saying that they are disapearing. In my opinion 2 strokes are going to be the way of the future.. just look at the come back with 2 stroke outboard motors on boats. They are said to burn cleaner and polute less than a 4t. I see more people going the way of a 2 stroke for a used bike than a 4 just because they (2t) are sooo much easier to work on and are way cheaper. That being said, a 230 is a tank and will survive a nuclear holocaust, but again imo if you are learning how to ride a moto and to have a hell of a time go with a 125 and change the gearing.

 

It seems that anybody under 25 is going to favor a 4 stroke. I have both and can tell you the 2 strokes are way easier to maintain. A perfect trail bike would be a later model KDX 200 or 220. Easy to ride, nice manageable power, and cheap. You can still buy a 2 stroke YZ 250 or 125 brand new. It will last a long time. Price out a complete top end for a 4 stroke to a 2 stroke and I think you might just have a stroke! Valves, timing chain cams, etc. all add up to big bucks. It is your choice in the end, but dont write off a smoker. My 97 YZ 250 will absolutely eat alive my DRZ400S. No contest. I'm sure a new 450 might get away from me, but it won't be a total blowout. Food for thought.

 

So I've been talking to JD a lot and he recommends a Honda 250 but they're out of my price range for now. I'd love it but I think it also may be too much Bike for me. I'm only 5'7 and a newb to all this.

I don't plan to race the bike. I just want to ride and get away from time to time. I'd like to just enjoy my self on some trails and relax.

So I've looked in to the Yamaha YZ 125's.

I've done some research on them and they seem to be what is best for a beginner like myself.

What do you guys think? I'm looking at a 2002-2005 YZ.

I love the Honda/Yamaha 250's but its out of my range of $$$$ I'd like to spend on a new hobby. I'd like to learn first and get the feel before I invest so much.


Thanks everyone and thanks JD for answering all my questions.
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Your very welcome. A 125 two stroke will keep up with a 250 4 stroke so it's still a lot of bike.

Just don't be limited to just yamaha.

Look on craigslist too. Lots of good deals.

 

I started on a four stroke Honda 250X which was fine for trail riding but if you have any plans of riding sand dunes get a 450. If the height of the bike is an issue you can get a lowering kit for the rear to lower it.

Also I highly recommend looking at used bikes, keep your eyes open and you can find great bikes with very very low hours for cheap! I bought my first bike new and took a huge hit when I sold it for 60% of what I paid new a year after I bought it.