Best used beginner dirt bike

[k00leo]

What is the best used beginner dirt bike? I know nothing about them. Here is a little bit of background information to help.

Height: 5 6
Weight:130
Age: 20
Money to spend: $1500-2000
Never been on a dirt bike, but have ridden four and three wheelers.

I was thinking maybe a 125 two stroke or a 250 four stroke. What do you guys think?

It will be used for trail riding, some small jumping, no dunes.

[dksix]

KDX200, 96 or newer

[HuffieVA]

I'm partial to smokers, but 125's can be pretty pipey for trail riding (especially for beginners) if you could find a Husqvarna WR125 (wide ratio trans and weighted flywheel) it would be a great trail/woods bike, but Huskys are few and far between, you may want to lean towards a KDX200 or a KTM 200XC a little more overall power than a 125 but not as pipey and a great trail bike and alot easier to come by, The four stroke revolution has really killed the beginner bike market (but it looks like things are starting to get better and the smokers are starting to make a bit of a comeback)

Also, you are fairly light so a KX100, RM100 or KTM105 wouldn't be out of the question... My wife rides a KX80 she's 4'11" and 90#'s and she literally flies on it, the important thing is find a bike that fits you, and not one you think you can grow/learn into, its won't be any fun scaring the sheet outa yourself because you start out with too much bike, size isnt everything when it comes to bikes... there have been guys on 125's wining open class hare scrambles... or for a better known example... Travis Pastrana - he tore things up on the 125's but he didn't fair quite the same on the bigger bikes

[Bretmd94]

If you want to learn to be fast, a 125 is the ticket. I see you have a couple 250r's, so you are accustomed to the 2 stroke feeling and power. A newer 125 is still cheap and will work fine in the woods. If you want more torque, toss a bigger sprocket on the back.

A 125 dirt bike will teach you the art of carrying your speed through corners, as well as carrying your speed everywhere else (through ruts and up hills).

They are also very light and easy to toss around. My last bike was an 08' KTM 144, I loved it. I could keep up with buddies on 450's all day and I weigh in around 170lbs. I was also doing mostly woods riding with some big hill climbs, for a mx bike it was just fine out there. The only annoying thing was the 45mile limit on my rides.

With your size and weight, plus the fact that you can handle a 250r, a 125 is easily the perfect fit. Plus they are dirt cheap to buy and rebuild. That KTM200XC is the best woods bike out there though if you can find one.

Just remember, look where you want to go when turning. This tip works for everything, but it is a necessity on 2 wheels. If you look at the tree on the outside of the corner, you will hit the tree. Always look through the corner. Good luck! :Bounce

[k00leo]

Thanks for all the good advise.

Would the KTM200 be too large of a bike for me? or would the ktm144 fit me better?

What would be the Honda equivalent of the ktm200 and ktm144?

[HuffieVA]

KTM200 would be good and is designed as an enduro (great for trails) the 144 is basically a 125 with a big bore kit (was designed for MX but is trailable) size wize they are about the same, Im not 100% positive but they may have the same frame. Honda never really seriously entered the two stroke enduro market but their equivalent would be the XR line of thumpers unless you pick up a newer CRF but used modern four strokes (in my opinion) are often money pits unless they are extremely low hour KDX's were king of the woods for a long time and KTM improved where Kawasaki left off

[hillbilly 200x]

the honda xr 200 where ok, I loved my yamaha ttr 225 for woods and back roads it was my fisrt 2wheeler and I was 5'8 and 180lbs when I was riding it, only bad thing was that it only had electric start and nothing eles

[300rman]

I also vote the 125. Cheap, light, and will teach you a lot. Like previously mentioned, because of the peaky power and narrow powerband, you will learn how to ride better.

a 250 2 stroke is a LOT more torquey, BUT they are mean machines. Start with a 125, and if you learn it and it isnt enough, move up to a 250.

[k00leo]

It seems that most 250 2strokes are out of my price range. Would i get bored too quickly with a 125 2stroke? or would a 150 - 200 sized 2stroke bike suit me better?

[HuffieVA]

you wont get bored with a 125, they keep you very busy especially learning how to stay on the pipe, The reason I would consider the 200 not really for cc reasons but because they have a little wider range of power and a bit more torque (not necessarily any faster) that's better suited (in my opinion)for trail/woods riding

[Bretmd94]

Well the KTM200's aren't really cheap for the newer ones. I'm too scared to buy an old ktm, might have a lot of maintenance on your hands.

At your size, I don't see how your going to get bored on a 125 if your new to dirt bikes. Just try to pick up the newest 125 you can afford. the 2000's and older seem to be less than a grand, I would try to find a nice 02-05 for about 1500. Look at the cases and swing arm to see how much use it has had. Buying a rapped out 125 that needs all new bearings, top end, and suspension work will be no fun and end up costing the same as just throwing down for a nice 05 or newer 125.

Good luck!

[atctim]

just my personal opinion here - a 2-stroke 125 for a beginner with a height of 5'6" is way too much bike! Start out with a 4 stroke 200 - 250cc - like an XR. The new generation of 250cc four strokes are really powerful too! Not saying you couldn;t ride one - but if you are a beginner I certainly would not suggest one for you! I would suggest a trail bike to start - not a full on MX bike.

[k00leo]

You guys may have convinced me to look into a 125.

What would be the best brand of 125?

Is the ktm 125 considered up there? I'm open to any brand.

[Bretmd94]

You guys may have convinced me to look into a 125.

What would be the best brand of 125?

Is the ktm 125 considered up there? I'm open to any brand.

Most 125's are all pretty close. The newer KTM's are great, not sure on the olders ones.

A 96' KX125 was my first bike. Like Julian said above though, they aren't slow. I am only suggesting a 125 because you are 20 and already ride ATC250r's. You will definitely have to take it easy for the first few months of regular riding.

An XR200 would be great as well and a lot more reliable. I know I crashed that KX twice while being a dummy and gassing it unintentionally while trying to brake. I wasn't used to wrist throttle.

For instance my 144 pulled away from my friends YFZ450 quad on a paved road. They aren't slow, and at your weight I doubt you will ever need a 250. Just take it easy and don't push yourself.

Also I want to make sure to say this; Make sure you have some proper riding gear. A good set of boots is a must on two wheels. I started with Alpinestar Tech 6's. Good boot, and not too spendy. I currently wear Gaerne SG10's, spendy but at the end of the day when my whole body is destroyed my feet and ankles are like new.

They have some new body armor out too, get it or at least get elbow pads. Plan for a lot of light crashes and a couple decent crashes.

[k00leo]

What do you guys think of the yz125 and the rm125?

[HuffieVA]

Both good, but I'd go with the YZ because they are still importing them (Suzuki is still making RM's just not importing them at the moment, same with Kawi) but either would be fine, I would stay away from CR's for moral reasons (Honda's stance on two strokes), KX's, KTM's, Husky's, Gas Gas are all good bikes. if you want easy to find parts stick with YZ, RM, KTM or KX

[cr480r]

A 250 is easier to go slow on. requires less frequent maintenance. And is much easier to resale. If you have skill you can quickly adapt to anything.

[dksix]

The thing I have against MX bikes for trail riding is, they are MX bikes. MX bikes have stiff suspension, small gas tanks and no lights. At your size and being new to 2 wheelers rough trails are not going to be fun with MX springs and valving. Mx tanks offer limited range and not having lights to get you back in when something goes wrong really sucks. The pipey power of a 125 is hard to manage if you are in slick stuff, even when you drop the gearing. MX bikes can be made good for trail riding but that takes a tank, new springs and suspension valving, armor and a spark arrestor. On top of that, the MX bikes get updates often and parts normally only fit 2 or 3 years of bike. The KDX has been the same bike since the mid 90's and parts are everywhere used and made by all the after market companies. I like the KTM's but buy in is much higher and keeping them up is also. My opinion is limited, though. I've only ridden in the mountains, I like tight challenging slick stuff and that's what we have here. If you are talking logging roads and fields on private property the MX bike would probably a better choice but if you're going to get into the 3 R's (roots, rocks and ruts) the KDX is worth a second look.

[Buck Snort]

No one has said anything about Yamahas IT. I know they are a old model but in my opinion they were great old bikes and came in many sizes. I currently have a 1984 it 250 . Bought it awhile ago and then ran into another deal. For $ 200 I got a truck load of parts for the bike. Two motors included. However I was looking for a KDX before the It came along. I like the 2 strokes and I ride where you need the bikes to lug down. The mx bikes can be made to do this or like my son you can ride the crap out of the bike and clutch. I am too old and believe too wise too ride like that now.(lol) THe kdx can be bought for a good price and like my IT, easy to find used parts. If I had some extra money I would like to get into a newer KTM or Husquvarna but for alot less money I am riding what I believe too be a great bike. Also this style of 2 stroke can get up and rip with the best of them and with the extra fuel capacity you have more range.