Best Bike for Beginnners?

[slashfan7964]

I rarely ride...if anything I ride our Yerf Dog 3203 go-cart. We do have a '85 200x in the shed (completely stock, minus rear tires, though the stock rears are in a different shed). I never have ridden it. Like driven I mean. I rode it when I was little with my dad. I'm 16 now. Anyway the front tire is shot and it won't start (bad gas from sitting, carb clogged, chain extremely stretched out, just don't have time to clean it). I'd get it out but he won't let me. So I plan on buying my own. I was wondering which of these 2 bikes (posted below) would be better for me. I do love 200x's but I was debating between an '86 200X and '86 350X. I've read good things about both, and I'm really shooting for a 350X (more availablity) but which one is better for a beginner. I'm thinking 200X. I'd rather have a 350X though, so I'm hung up.

Help me haha.

[bobotech]

More availability on the 350x? Really? I really think that there were many more 200x models made than 350x models. Just for poops and giggles, I went to Ebay and did a search using Honda 200x as the terms and got roughly 4100 hits then I did the search using Honda 350x and got only 2000. To me that shows that there is quite a bit more available for the 200x than the 350x.

Newbie though? i would go with the 200x.

[ridered86]

200x would be a good starter. The Honda 200 motors are nearly bulletproof, so you can't go wrong with one.

[Taiser]

200x is plenty at 16!!! 350x is a monster in it's own right...and they are WAYYYY harder to find than a 200x, and that goes for parts too! Of course if you can find one for the right price.... :D

[jb2wheels]

What do your funds look like? You can get a first gen 200x for 1/4 to 1/2 what you'll pay for a similar condition 350x.

Do you want electric start or kick or pull?
Do you want manual clutch or automatic?

Think about the answers because that changes your choices.

I used to think e-start was for wimps and I did not want to deal with a battery but one of my 84 200x has an e-start Loncin in it and it spoiled me fast. Now I am the wimp...

[bobotech]

I think there is nothing wrong with electric start just so long you have a nice manual starter as a backup.

[zzmegad]

of course the 200x is better for a starter and way cheaper but if your like me you always want bigger and badder things, but where do you draw the line? I have never ridden either the 200x or 350x but I'm sure you could learn on a 350x just fine. I think the main thing to consider is your own physical size. If your a big dude don't settle for a small machine.

[Xpress]

Go with a 200X. You can get a good one for around 500 clams, and the parts availability is huge from websites like Dennis Kirk or Rocky Mountain MC. A 350X is a hell of a trike for a first trike, you're better off with a 200X.

I know the first handful of times on my 200X, it scared the Trailpro's right out of me. It's PLENTY of power for a first time rider, and it's a GREAT trails bike, as well as a perfect entry level sport/race trike.

[Team ATC]

200x all the way i love the 2nd gens more comfortable i think

[Frankencelery]

Gotta agree with most everyone here...go with a 200x. It will be much cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain. And I hate to say it, because at 16 you're probably more testosterone-poisoned that I am at 44, but the 350x might be a little too much for a beginner.

[mohadib]

yep, got to wait for your judgement to catch up with the rest of you, then you can get a 350x ;) But i know a few kids who started off on a yz125, that seems pretty hardcore to me.

[dougspcs]

I may be steering this dicussion way off course cause you guys are all over the Xs..but I liked my 250sx for my learning curve.

Electric start is great, the auto clutch is really easy to manage in challenging terrain, you won't ever stall because you popped the clutch just as you are about to top the crest of some tricky hill. It's a really durable trike that can take some serious pounding but yet still has some sport character also.

I have moved to other trikes now, but still like to take the SX for a spin.

[Team ATC]

ya true he should ride one see if likes the clutch or the auto

[Kale]

Id say grab a 250r. might as well start off fast. :) lol I learned to ride on a crf150r and blew the pants off my buddies on 125's. just respect the power till u get used to it. my $0.02...

[dougspcs]

Id say grab a 250r. might as well start off fast. :) lol I learned to ride on a crf150r and blew the pants off my buddies on 125's. just respect the power till u get used to it. my $0.02...

The 250r has a mighty steep learning curve and the lad is only 16..if someone put me on a 250r at 16 I'd likely be dead..

16 year olds know no fear..this is an animal that needs to be feared just a bit!!

200x, 250sx, maybe even a 350x..get some skills then move up!

I'm 44, I'm allow to put in $0.05

[dksix]

I would go with a gen 1 200X, cheaper and more plentiful the the gen 2 or 350X. When you get used to it find a 350X or an R but you'll still enjoy the gen 1 on lazy days. In my opinion, the 225dx or dr would be a better choice for a 1 trike but that wasn't a consideration.

[codynewman]

im 16 and the first thing i ever started off on was a 400ex and im 5'10" and weigh 140 pounds and i had never ridden a bike with a clutch before and i was fine on my 400. no i have a 350x 2 200s's just for fun, and a banshee. start off with whatever you want just dont go out and be dumb thinking you can do anything i found out real quick im not invincible on my 350x and banshee, just get used to your bike and you will be fine

[Kale]

im 16 and the first thing i ever started off on was a 400ex and im 5'10" and weigh 140 pounds and i had never ridden a bike with a clutch before and i was fine on my 400. no i have a 350x 2 200s's just for fun, and a banshee. start off with whatever you want just dont go out and be dumb thinking you can do anything i found out real quick im not invincible on my 350x and banshee, just get used to your bike and you will be fine
thats what im sayin. just use your head lik you always should.

[hang&rattle]

Both my kids have 200x's. My daughter is 9 (auto-x), and my son 11. Plus, easy to work on and comfortable.-

[250rRoostmaster]

200x for sure man, that's what i learned on when i was 16 and i loved it!! Then i moved on to a 250r but i still have a 200x for trails cause they're just solid built
bullet proof bikes!!

[carsurgin]

I like my 83 big red 200e. (no reverse but awesome). all down gears, no clutch. and got big B*LLS. Im a fairly new rider and I got it within 1-1 1/2 minutes. But everyone is different. Maybe try some of your buddys out, see which one YOUR (not your friends or others) comfortable with. If your nervous while riding then (1)you'll have no fun, and (2) you'll get hurt. Have fun!