Dirt Bikes

[Dansedgli]

Who's got one, what do you have?

What kind of riding do you do?

I think I want to get one soon but not really sure what to get. Ive got a full license so it doesn't need to be a 250.

Any recommendations?

I want to try and spend less than $6k.

My mates currently ride a WR250, a CRF250 and a few of them have KTM 450's. My road bike cost less to buy than both the CRF and KTM's and I think Ive done 22,500km more than each of them since buying. I cant justify buying a new one.

Oh and post pics up.

[oneredED]

I'm hopefully buying a TE410 Husky tonight, that's why I was kinda rushing at yours today Dan!

I used to have a few shared between my brother and I. We started off on a KE100 2 stroke ag-bike, and moved on to an XR200 (we were told it would last our punishment, but 6 months and we'd cracked the frame, bent the forks , swingarm etc etc from jumping).

We then got a pair of WR125 Husky's, and they were absolutely brilliant bikes, can't recommend them highly enough. Very very nimble (~90kg wet weight) and extremely fast in the tight stuff. Essentially they're a road registerable motorcross race bike designed for enduro's (bigger tank, different valving and spring rates, taller gearing).

My brother then moved on to an XR400, but it was demolished in a high speed accident that broke his neck in 5 places. That motor now is being transplanted onto a Yamaha racing go-kart chassis, ala shifter-kart. The XR400 was a solid reliable bike though, very good for a newish trail-rider because it's very easy to ride, but enough power to pop it on the back wheel at 100km/h if you've got the skills*.

*note: beware the 400's don't run a dry sump, and after a minute or 2 on the back wheel, the top end is starved of oil... which can lead to a loss of compression or even seizing, and you'll break your neck on a tree... as my brother did ROFL.

[Gunns]

If you want to jump it: KTM250
For trail riding: WR450

[slo_sprint]

My brother then moved on to an XR400, but it was demolished in a high speed accident that broke his neck in 5 places. That motor now is being transplanted onto a Yamaha racing go-kart chassis, ala shifter-kart. The XR400 was a solid reliable bike though, very good for a newish trail-rider because it's very easy to ride, but enough power to pop it on the back wheel at 100km/h if you've got the skills*.

*note: beware the 400's don't run a dry sump, and after a minute or 2 on the back wheel, the top end is starved of oil... which can lead to a loss of compression or even seizing, and you'll break your neck on a tree... as my brother did ROFL.

I've got a Dry sumped dual port XR350, they are a heap of fun with an ass load of bottom end grunt. My old man used to have an XR400 and it siezed after a decent stint on the back wheel but there were no stacks and no broken necks

[oneredED]

This is my old bike, a '99 model. We also had a 2000 model, which was leaps and bounds ahead in terms of handling.

[nothin suss]

I have a 1999 DT200 at the moment, its okay. Doesnt do anything spectacular.

I used to race pre-80 motocross and had a few stroked sl100's and a PE250 with an RM engine in it. God it shook your arms off!

Im looking to upgrade it soon to something dual purpose (motard in summer/ dirt in winter) Issue is my height and im really strugglin to justify spending $10k+ on a good bike when i drive a $4k car... The new WR250 injected & water cooled motard looks so sweet!

[Russ.]

Back at the parents place I've got a Kawasaki Stockman (ag bike!) which is basically the KL250 (or whatever its called, one of their 250 enduro bikes) with longer suspension travel, shorter gear ratios and carry racks.
Its not real fast and sounds like a shite bike I know, but we farm in the hills, so its a lot of windy tracks, steep hill climbs (and descents) and trying to follow the sheep tracks around the side of hills, so having power at low revs and low speed, with good suspension and even power delivery (not snapy like a 2 stroke) was essential for keep out of trouble. Its got 6 gears and a digital speedo, i've hit 112km/h (could have gone higher, but blind corner I was on a blind corner where the sheep trucks and milk tankers barely squeeze around at the best of times so I decided to back off) on it on the road and 87km/h on the farm track

I also used to have a KE 100 which we had to have down-geared to cope with the hills but it was still to shite, and really struggled having long periods of time going slow behind the cattle.

[oneredED]

[sadface]
Didn't buy my bike tonight, sold to someone else. Shattered.
[/sadface]

[Dansedgli]

There are too many options.

Ill go check out some dealers tomorrow and see if they have anything good.

[Russ.]

I was chatting to a mate of mine the other night, he's just bought a road bike (2007 CBR 600RR) and was talking about selling his dirt bike to help ease the squeeze on his wallet.

Its a CR250, from memory about 2001 model or something like that (I can confirm if anyone is interested), back when they released a limited number with black/grey colour scheme, I haven't seen/ridden it for a few years now but I dont think it has seen too much action in that time (he moved away from the farm to the city, took it bush once or twice but dis-located his shoulder so that stopped him for a while)

I can make some inquiries if anyone is interested? (i'm looking at you Jared & Dan)

[Dansedgli]

A price and some pics would be good mate, thanks.

[oneredED]

Yeah Russ I'm interested. Was kinda after something I can rego, but hey those CR250's weren't bad back in that model. I'm keen, let me know a price.

[Dansedgli]

Do you think a sorta tame DRZ400 would be shit in the forest?

They seem to be less highly strung than an RMX, CRF, 2 stroke etc and run a wet sump but I can rego it and thrash it around, they have 5000km service intervals. Im guessing the frame wouldnt be as strong as a moto x based bike for jumps and stuff.

Any ideas?

[Dansedgli]

Winnah:

http://www.bikesales.com.au/as/search/s ... age=1&x=47

[Fritzz]

dirt bike are my second hoby to booted falcons.

use to race motocross when i was younger now i just ride bush and hit ramps.

i got a 2007 ktm sxf250

[Russ.]

A price and some pics would be good mate, thanks.

Yeah Russ I'm interested. Was kinda after something I can rego, but hey those CR250's weren't bad back in that model. I'm keen, let me know a price.

Just spoke to him on the phone: its a 2001/02 CR250
Overall bike is in pretty good condition (including all plastics and frame etc. are good), has a pro-circuit pipe.
He's after about $4000, he's driving back to Melbourne at this minute so he can't give me photos until tomorrow night, so I'll post them up when I get them

[Parfrey]

DRZ400's are good bikes, easier to look after than a wrf or crf and it'll last ages.
it depends what you want to do really... are you going to use it on the road much to get to and from the bush or what?
A WR450F or 250 would be good aswell but you do have to keep up the sevicing etc or it'll end up costing big $$$. also a fair bit lighter than a DRZ.

oh my old man also has a 99 TE610E (electric start, black one) that he wants to sell if anyone is interested?

[Dansedgli]

It will be rec reg only. Ive got an SV650 for commuting.

Those ktm's look like reasonable value 2nd hand. My mates paid near on $13k for theirs I think and they are going for between $6-8k for an 05 model.

This one is $7500 at a bike shop.

[Parfrey]

ktm's are good aswell, i had a 05 KTM450exc new... pretty good bike. i wouldn't buy from a dealer but thats just me [mainly cos i work at a bike shop] but yeah you'll pay a fair bit more as you probably already worked out.
I would recommend a WRF aslong as your prepaired to do a bit of maintenance like valve clearances and regular oil/air filter changes... be careful buying a second hand bike, i've seen heaps of people buy shitboxes and end up spending another 3grand rebuilding the engine a month later.

[oneredED]

oh my old man also has a 99 TE610E (electric start, black one) that he wants to sell if anyone is interested?

Interested. Approx price? Answer via PM if you think it's more appropriate

Dan, the DR-Z's are really great bikes for what they're intended to do, but in a similar vein to the XR400's they're not nearly as snappy or rigid as the enduro type bikes (ktm exc's, WR-F, TE/WR Husky's etc) without quite a bit of work. It would be a far better bike to commute on occasionally, but if you're planning on hitting a few large-ish jumps, I'd steer well clear. That said, depending on your riding style, they can be great fun in the forests unless your riding @ 110% all day long.

[Dansedgli]

Yeah, I would like to do jumps on it. There are heaps of water bars where we go that you could get decent air from. I get air in the maverick so Im guessing the bike would do it too.

I dont mind doing working on it. Bikes are heaps better to work on than cars and my shed is empty all the time now that I flogged the EF off to Mum.

I have heard that buying some highly strung dirt bikes 2nd hand can lead to trouble. What should I be checking when I go to look at one?

[Dansedgli]

How do you find the motorcross bike on the trails Frittz?

Honda CRF450R's seem to go alright as far as pricing goes. 04 and 05 models can be had for under $5k which is closer to what I want to spend.

My mate who just bought his CRF250X went for the X version because it was more suited to trail riding though. Will a 450R suck at trail riding? Will gearing down with the sprockets fix it?

I reckon these look pretty mint as well.

[EDFalcon]

Girlfriends family have a few KTM's and DT's. But this is the most recent POS i've ridden. Little 125 peewee.

[nothin suss]

DRZ400's are good bikes, easier to look after than a wrf or crf and it'll last ages.

I have been looking to get a DRZ400 perhaps to use a multipurpose motard/trail bike.
Only thing i have against me is my height which nearly rules out KTM's and WR's unfortunatly.

I will find one someday, im looking forward to a 4stroke again, especially for the bush.

[Parfrey]

check everything!!! ok umm just start at the front of the bike and go back... stuff that could be worn out...
wheel bearings/headstem/swingarm linkages
suspension [leaking fork seals or siezed linkages]
ask to check the airfilter, it should be clean and have sticky oil on it... if it doesn't i'd run away lol
if its a 2 stroke pull the exhaust off and look into the cylinder, it only take about 2min and you'll see what the piston/cylinder is like.
brakes/chain + sprockets/tyres
go for a ride and check all gears, make sure it don't jump or slip. listen to the engine for noises an shit... some bikes are heaps more rattly than others [husky, ktm, wr450f]
thats a few things to check... remember plastics and stickers are easy and cheap to replace so a bike might look good but really be a heap of shit.

[Stengord]

Anybody who rides a 'thumpster' might as well drive a laser and say its a performance vehicle

I got a XR250... not that new but does the trick
I normally take it when theres no room in the 4x4 when they go up the bush

[EDFalcon]

Anybody who rides a 'thumpster' might as well drive a laser and say its a performance vehicle

Wasnt saying it was awsome, notice i called it a POS which means Piece of Shit. It was a kids bike that we were showing him how to ride "properly"... Ease up mate.

[Fritzz]

How do you find the motocross bike on the trails Fritzz?

good, motocross bike and trail bike arnt really all that different, trail bikes just have wider gear ratios and final gear ratios with alot higher top speed.

then just ur visual stuff added like headlight, tail lights, speed o........... and the rest.

engines on trail bikes are usally less peaky and aggressive to.

trail bike isn't really practical for me.

[Dansedgli]

Cool, thanks for that Frittz.

Still unsure what to get.

I went into kawasaki and the guy recommended a KLX250 which looked like an XR250 kind of. That was after I said I had a full license and my mates all had KTM450's. :S

[oneredED]

How do you find the motocross bike on the trails Fritzz?

good, motocross bike and trail bike arnt really all that different, trail bikes just have wider gear ratios and final gear ratios with alot higher top speed.

then just ur visual stuff added like headlight, tail lights, speed o........... and the rest.

engines on trail bikes are usally less peaky and aggressive to.

trail bike isn't really practical for me.

I usually define "trail bikes" as the cushy DR, XR models, and call the semi-race bikes (ktm, wrf, te) enduro bikes. As far as jumping is concerned Dan, if you're only getting 1-2m off the ground, then the trail bikes will handle it if it's occasionally. But If you're going go 3-4m and upwards, then the enduro/motorcross bikes will be the go.

As far as a race bike on a fire trail goes, the only real drawback can be the smaller fuel tanks, and the suspension. You'll find the different setup leads to the front deflecting off the trail frequently if you hit a rock or root, so you need to be on the ball 100%. The rear tends to kick a bit on large tree roots as well. In basic terms, the initial travel of the susp is softer to better suit the riding environment. This is easily changed though, both through the clickers (free but limited) and mods like revalving (less cheap, far more scope).

Be prepared to change the oil after at least every third ride on the highly strung beasts, and filter after every ride. Rings on the 2strokers should be done every 20 hrs or so, 30 at the absolute maximum (you'll feel it go "off" at around 15hrs). Highly strung 4 strokers, are less frequent in their requirements (valve clearances etc), but cost about 3 times as much when you do service them. A two-stroker you can do yourself in about half an hour for under $200, the 4's you'd probably take to a shop.

Trail bikes however, it's just doing air-filter after a dirty ride, and check the oil level occasionally, swap it out after maybe 3000km. Change the oil and filters, and you'll pretty much never kill an XR400 or similar with normal riding.

I'm ranting I know, but I miss my bikes and I guess every bit helps in your decision

[oneredED]

KLX's are not bad bikes, but I've not heard any raving reviews either. I take it you're buying new Dan? Be aware that bikes are worse than cars as far as initial depreciation goes, and your $11k dirtbike will be worth $6k in two years (model dependent of course).

[Dansedgli]

Thanks Jared, thats good info.

A 2 stroke seems like it going to be the go. I rode a DT230 for a weekend once and loved it. A decent one would be way betterer

I liked the random 180's going up slippery hills Up up up, nearly to the top then all of a sudden I was facing the other way and going back down. I did it twice in 1 day on 2 different hills without stacking. It was good as.

New 250 2 strokes seem to be around $8k at the shops. I might hang out til the end of this semester then get one if i pass all my shit as a present to myself or something.

Thats a good way to justify dropping $8k on another toy I reckon.

I wanted to buy 2nd hand and not spend much but new ones arent that much more expensive. For 2 strokes anyways. If I was buying a bigger 450 I'd get 2nd hand for sure.

What would be better? An $8k 3 year old KTM 450 or a new $8k 2 stroke RM250?

2nd hand Rm250's are $5k ish but I imagine they'd new a piston and ring and who knows what else done straight away?

[Parfrey]

klx 250's aren't the greatest thing out there... a klx 400 is a drz400 painted green if you didn't no aswell...
if all ya mates ride KTM's and similar bikes you won't be happy with a road-trail bike IMO. Also crf450 are good bikes... just watch 04-05 crf250 as they tend to eat valves
brand new rm250 would be better of course... it hasn't had 3 years of someone thrashing it...

[oneredED]

The second hand RM250 is a hard one to judge. Lot's of people won't buy an ex-race bike, but I most certainly would. Some knob who's had it for trail riding and plastered metal mulisha stickers all over it is far less likely to have maintained it well. A race bike, whilst pushed hard, will have had the oil changed after every half hour moto with a new filter and plug, a looked after and lubed chain, and probably new ring(s) at least once a season, more than likely twice, and it would probably come with a decent amount of spares inc. half used tyres, levers, sprockets chains etc. Even if the RM needs a new piston and rings, the ring kit is around $150 (used to be a few years ago, I may be wrong now), and it's honestly a half hour job to swap it over. Being two-stroke, you just drain the coolant, pull the lines, disconnect the exhaust retaining springs, pull the barrel off the top over the piston. Check the required tolerances and the bore finish (should be fine if it's been maintained well) and swap the rings over and put it back together. Then start the bike, let it idle for a minute or two, and then take it for a 5 min ride, just going easy and not hitting powerband at first, then slowly ease it in over about 10-15 mins until it feels snappier rather than doughy. Then thrash the **** out of it and enjoy the "crisp" power a new ring provides. A new piston is probably every 5 rings or so IIRC, unless the ring hasn't been changed regularly in which case the bore could be scored also, but having the bore sitting in your hands, it's easy to see or check the piston visually and with the appropriate gauges.


*just a note, I haven't been involved in this scene for a few years, things may have changed since then.

[Parfrey]

pretty much right there... although it depends on the bike.
Its easy enough to damage a cylinder and they can't be rebored on newer bikes so they have to be replated in this nikosil stuff. costs around $500 for a replate or a new cylinder. so buying a used bike can get expensive but i suppose its the same with anything used. a 2 stroke is going to be cheaper and easier to rebuild if its not much good.
i take it you've ridden a few bikes? if you haven't i'd suggest trying out a few before you get one.
if your getting a new suzuki tell us and i might be able to find you a good deal if your lucky

[Dansedgli]

Ooh that sounds promising

Do you work at a dealer?

I've ridden a few different bikes. I want to get something fast straight up so I'm not disappointed later. Made that mistake with my 650.

Ill start saving my cash and buy something once this semesters exams are over.

[Damo]

I like bikes. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Did any of you guys watch the series on FUEL TV P.I.G ? it was pretty good. Backflips FTW!

[Stengord]

Anybody who rides a 'thumpster' might as well drive a laser and say its a performance vehicle

Wasnt saying it was awsome, notice i called it a POS which means Piece of Shit. It was a kids bike that we were showing him how to ride "properly"... Ease up mate.

your right champ... kids sure, anything over 12... sad lolz

[Fritzz]

i ment trail bikes as in ktm exc, honda crfx, yamaha wr and so on. but yeh they are realy enduro bikes.

xr, klx and shit like that are shit.

ktm exc or honda crfx would be the go.

[oneredED]

Ooh that sounds promising

Do you work at a dealer?

I've ridden a few different bikes. I want to get something fast straight up so I'm not disappointed later. Made that mistake with my 650.

Ill start saving my cash and buy something once this semesters exams are over.

I hear WR360's and KTM380's are almost adequately powered . Try a ride on one of them Those old CR500's had a bit of stick to them as well, but I wouldn't be able to tell you first hand, I've never had the balls to get on one.