Thinking about an off-road bike

TraumaOne · 12-14-2006, 10:11 AM

My (business) partner and I live in the same neighborhood and he has several acres. He mentioned to me yesterday he was thinking about getting some dirtbikes. I have always wanted one but never had anyplace to ride.

What would you all recommend as far as a nice durable off road bike? I have pretty good road experience but minimal off-road except for some moountain biking

luvtolean · 12-14-2006, 10:18 AM

XR400 is kinda the standard answer.

CRF250X is a more modern design bike, and will have great resale value.

If you've never done dirt, no need to dive right into a frontline CRF450 or anything like that, no matter what people tell you. It'll just wear your ass out and scare you.

evl_twn · 12-14-2006, 10:52 AM

XR400, or XR650R. Buy a set of 17" Excel/Talon wheels. Now you have a dirt AND motard setup

Pete · 12-14-2006, 11:03 AM

There's plenty of good bikes to choose from among all the jap brands and Husky and KTM.

I'll second what LTL said about the 450. Mine stills wear me out AND scares me. Then again, the 250 just doesn't have enough grunt for my 220lbs.

The XR400/DRZ400/WR400 are GREAT ones to start on, especially with re-worked suspension, and if your focus is going to be trail riding.

TraumaOne · 12-14-2006, 11:16 AM

OK, I'll look into them, thanks!

SomeStrangeGuy · 12-14-2006, 11:34 AM

Honda CRF450x, 2005 model, with 29 miles on it and flatlands racing skid and rad guards, preferably if you can find one in Ma - jump on it!

navydevildoc · 12-14-2006, 11:50 AM

You could always get Aprilia's 550cc Twin...

Aprilia.com

Mini-me · 12-14-2006, 01:01 PM

If you plan to do a lot of trail riding, I'd go with the 250X. I had the 400 and it's a beast in the woods.

TraumaOne · 12-14-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navydevildoc

You could always get Aprilia's 550cc Twin...

Aprilia.com

very pretty! And pretty pricey!

navydevildoc · 12-14-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TraumaOne

very pretty! And pretty pricey!

Hey, if you want quality, you gotta pay.

G-ForceJunkie · 12-18-2006, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

I'll second what LTL said about the 450. Mine stills wear me out AND scares me. Then again, the 250 just doesn't have enough grunt for my _skill level._

Fixed that for ya

Seriously, for a dirt newbie, a 400-650 with a 37 inch seat is probaly the worst thing to start on . Think liter bike for 16 year old with a freshly minted MC permit. Find a used XR250, Dr350 or XT225 or similar, and put a few dozen weekends on it and see if you like it. When you find your self riding the hell out of the bike and pounding the suspension constantly, then step up. I think riding on the dirt is even more rider skill dependent over equiptment than track riding is to sportbikes.

Mojave954 · 12-18-2006, 11:28 PM

nice enduro, go for the big boy. WR for fiddy.

luvtolean · 12-19-2006, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-ForceJunkie

I think riding on the dirt is even more rider skill dependent over equiptment than track riding is to sportbikes.

Yeah I might agree in general, only I think the penalty for falling off is normally less on the dirt. With the caveat, I saw the Deathstar helicopter more when I rode dirt at Hollister than at riding asphalt racetracks.

G-ForceJunkie · 12-19-2006, 03:17 AM

What I ment is a shitty rider on a new CRF450 is going to get smoked by a good rider on a 1973 yamaha mx250. I'm not sure the same applies if you swithched bikes to a stock new 600RR and a stock 1973 H1 or something. On a sport bike, I think the difference between rider vs gear is less. My point, 90% of people on dirt bikes are never going to outgrow the capabilities of a 10 or 15 year old XR250R, their skill will always be the limiting factor. Work on the skills, stop worrying about having the latest, greatest, "dirt bike rider said it was the bomb and .4 seconds a lap better than last years bike".

quick26 · 12-19-2006, 08:42 AM

my buddy has a rm250 that is practically brand new that he is trying to move. i think he wants 3000, or 3500. i think its a late 05. he brought it over and i took it for a spin, it moves pretty good for a stock bike. still doesn't pull like my atvs, but is scoots. i started to get a little to comfy on it and had it crossed up comming around the bend in the field behind the house, could of got ugly in a hurry

bda116 · 12-19-2006, 12:36 PM

It is also REALLY easy to do something stupid on a new 450. Like that little bump you think would be a fun couple feet of air can turn into a big bill when one gets nervous and does something wrong with the right hand. The things can stand straight up if you sneeze with the wrong grip on the throttle as well.
One thing great about the dirt world is that used smaller bikes are pretty much a wash deal. By that, I mean you can buy one, play with it, get used to the whole dirt thing and then sell it for pretty much what you paid.
And those little bikes can be a total riot.

quick26 · 12-19-2006, 12:41 PM

you nailed it on the head, they can get you into some real trouble and pain, but can also be fun. alot of people think of them as bikes with motors and see the freestyle guys back flipping. but what they dont see is all the f ups and broken bones they got learning

12-14-2006, 10:11 AM	#1
TraumaOne a mowing target Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Greenville, NC Age: 34 Bike(s): 2008 Yamaha FZ-6 Posts: 1,570	Thinking about an off-road bike My (business) partner and I live in the same neighborhood and he has several acres. He mentioned to me yesterday he was thinking about getting some dirtbikes. I have always wanted one but never had anyplace to ride. What would you all recommend as far as a nice durable off road bike? I have pretty good road experience but minimal off-road except for some moountain biking

12-14-2006, 10:18 AM	#2
luvtolean Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Bike(s): 2008 BMW GS-A Posts: 6,340	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike XR400 is kinda the standard answer. CRF250X is a more modern design bike, and will have great resale value. If you've never done dirt, no need to dive right into a frontline CRF450 or anything like that, no matter what people tell you. It'll just wear your ass out and scare you.

12-14-2006, 10:52 AM	#3
evl_twn CAN CRUSHER Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Central Illinois Age: 40 Bike(s): worm gear Posts: 1,646	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike XR400, or XR650R. Buy a set of 17" Excel/Talon wheels. Now you have a dirt AND motard setup

12-14-2006, 11:03 AM	#4
Pete Pit Mule Join Date: 12-14-2006 Location: at ma momma house Age: 43 Posts: 253	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike There's plenty of good bikes to choose from among all the jap brands and Husky and KTM. I'll second what LTL said about the 450. Mine stills wear me out AND scares me. Then again, the 250 just doesn't have enough grunt for my 220lbs. The XR400/DRZ400/WR400 are GREAT ones to start on, especially with re-worked suspension, and if your focus is going to be trail riding.

12-14-2006, 11:16 AM	#5
TraumaOne a mowing target Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Greenville, NC Age: 34 Bike(s): 2008 Yamaha FZ-6 Posts: 1,570	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike OK, I'll look into them, thanks!

12-14-2006, 11:34 AM	#6
SomeStrangeGuy no longer ready to mingle. Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Debt, where else? Bike(s): GS / KLR Posts: 3,811	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike Honda CRF450x, 2005 model, with 29 miles on it and flatlands racing skid and rad guards, preferably if you can find one in Ma - jump on it!

12-14-2006, 11:50 AM	#7
navydevildoc Smog is better. Join Date: 12-13-2006 Bike(s): Aprilia RSV-R Posts: 1,266	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike You could always get Aprilia's 550cc Twin... Aprilia.com

12-14-2006, 01:01 PM	#8
Mini-me Join Date: 12-13-2006 Posts: 70	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike If you plan to do a lot of trail riding, I'd go with the 250X. I had the 400 and it's a beast in the woods.

12-18-2006, 11:28 PM	#12
Mojave954 GONE PLAID! Join Date: 12-18-2006 Bike(s): 08 FJR, 08 R 1200 GS Posts: 902	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike nice enduro, go for the big boy. WR for fiddy.

12-19-2006, 03:17 AM	#14
G-ForceJunkie Who's driving? Join Date: 12-15-2006 Location: Valencia, CA Bike(s): BMW GS1150 ADV, DRZ400 Posts: 625	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike What I ment is a shitty rider on a new CRF450 is going to get smoked by a good rider on a 1973 yamaha mx250. I'm not sure the same applies if you swithched bikes to a stock new 600RR and a stock 1973 H1 or something. On a sport bike, I think the difference between rider vs gear is less. My point, 90% of people on dirt bikes are never going to outgrow the capabilities of a 10 or 15 year old XR250R, their skill will always be the limiting factor. Work on the skills, stop worrying about having the latest, greatest, "dirt bike rider said it was the bomb and .4 seconds a lap better than last years bike".

12-19-2006, 08:42 AM	#15
quick26 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Age: 25 Bike(s): 06 TRX 450r Posts: 1,613	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike my buddy has a rm250 that is practically brand new that he is trying to move. i think he wants 3000, or 3500. i think its a late 05. he brought it over and i took it for a spin, it moves pretty good for a stock bike. still doesn't pull like my atvs, but is scoots. i started to get a little to comfy on it and had it crossed up comming around the bend in the field behind the house, could of got ugly in a hurry __________________ I am not post whoring, I am providing an abundance of useless opinion.

12-19-2006, 12:36 PM	#16
bda116 Done. Join Date: 12-17-2006 Bike(s): . Posts: 2,113	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike It is also REALLY easy to do something stupid on a new 450. Like that little bump you think would be a fun couple feet of air can turn into a big bill when one gets nervous and does something wrong with the right hand. The things can stand straight up if you sneeze with the wrong grip on the throttle as well. One thing great about the dirt world is that used smaller bikes are pretty much a wash deal. By that, I mean you can buy one, play with it, get used to the whole dirt thing and then sell it for pretty much what you paid. And those little bikes can be a total riot. __________________ "Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth." - Omar M. Ahmad, founding chairman of CAIR.

12-19-2006, 12:41 PM	#17
quick26 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Age: 25 Bike(s): 06 TRX 450r Posts: 1,613	Re: Thinking about an off-road bike you nailed it on the head, they can get you into some real trouble and pain, but can also be fun. alot of people think of them as bikes with motors and see the freestyle guys back flipping. but what they dont see is all the f ups and broken bones they got learning __________________ I am not post whoring, I am providing an abundance of useless opinion.