takethebounce
Active VIP Member
Most people are going to find flaws in my suggestion, and it doesn't bother me, its only a suggestion.
If you are not racing in a series, go with the largest displacement of a bike you can comfortably handle. If you are riding more offroad and trail than at the track, consider something other than a MX bike like the YZF, KXF, CRF and RMF bikes. These bikes are designed and tuned for track use. Sure MX bikes work great for trail use, but these bikes are geared much more for top rpm range than lugging around tight trails. Heating issues can arise along with motor longevity.
I have a KX250F, I love my bike, its light compared to 450's and easier to toss around, but after not having a bike for a few years I went with what I thought at the time was going to be a 50% track, 50% trail bike and be suitable for it. Its not. I am a short mofo too, 5'3, 150 pounds. I had the seat shaved an inch and had the suspension dropped an inch by a suspension guy. Put spacers in the front forks and a lighter rear spring and small tweak to the rear as MX track bikes are sprung for heavier riders doing bigger things than me. We then set the sag and everything for my riding weight.
This bike is almost %90 trail used now as I only go to the track a handful of times a year now.
If I was going to do it over again I would have went with probably a KTM, and probably done a 350. I also like the KTM 2-stroke XC's, and the CRF X bikes as these bikes all have lighting stators which if you are doing any off road, trail use, lights are not only madatory if you frequent ride areas that have checks, but just make it better for any late finishes that have you coming out at dark. Also some of the off ride bikes have larger fuel tanks so range is never an issue. We have done some pretty long rides in BC and have had to take fuel for the MX bikes.
My next bike is most likely going to have e-start as well, man, riding in narly single track and hair scrambles, stalling and being short sucks sometimes when you are riding a stock height bike, and trying to kick it over and still go uphill. There are auto clutch systems as well that will aid from stalling when you are trying to lug the bike around, but again, MX bikes are just not best suited for this. Maybe e-start is not something that is needed by most, but its handy.
So if you still have an open mind, don't exclude 2 strokes, they still have their place and anyone who has ever sunk a bike in Alberta muskeg can agree they might rather sink a 2 stroke than a 4. Also consider a bike that is more applicable to your riding needs.
If you are going to be at the track every 2 days, then yeah for sure get a 4 stroke MX bike, don't change anything like ride height and suspension components as at the track you only need to touch once in awhile, set the sag to you and maybe look at shaving the seat, but I doubt you will need it unless you have short legs and a tall body.
If you are not racing in a series, go with the largest displacement of a bike you can comfortably handle. If you are riding more offroad and trail than at the track, consider something other than a MX bike like the YZF, KXF, CRF and RMF bikes. These bikes are designed and tuned for track use. Sure MX bikes work great for trail use, but these bikes are geared much more for top rpm range than lugging around tight trails. Heating issues can arise along with motor longevity.
I have a KX250F, I love my bike, its light compared to 450's and easier to toss around, but after not having a bike for a few years I went with what I thought at the time was going to be a 50% track, 50% trail bike and be suitable for it. Its not. I am a short mofo too, 5'3, 150 pounds. I had the seat shaved an inch and had the suspension dropped an inch by a suspension guy. Put spacers in the front forks and a lighter rear spring and small tweak to the rear as MX track bikes are sprung for heavier riders doing bigger things than me. We then set the sag and everything for my riding weight.
This bike is almost %90 trail used now as I only go to the track a handful of times a year now.
If I was going to do it over again I would have went with probably a KTM, and probably done a 350. I also like the KTM 2-stroke XC's, and the CRF X bikes as these bikes all have lighting stators which if you are doing any off road, trail use, lights are not only madatory if you frequent ride areas that have checks, but just make it better for any late finishes that have you coming out at dark. Also some of the off ride bikes have larger fuel tanks so range is never an issue. We have done some pretty long rides in BC and have had to take fuel for the MX bikes.
My next bike is most likely going to have e-start as well, man, riding in narly single track and hair scrambles, stalling and being short sucks sometimes when you are riding a stock height bike, and trying to kick it over and still go uphill. There are auto clutch systems as well that will aid from stalling when you are trying to lug the bike around, but again, MX bikes are just not best suited for this. Maybe e-start is not something that is needed by most, but its handy.
So if you still have an open mind, don't exclude 2 strokes, they still have their place and anyone who has ever sunk a bike in Alberta muskeg can agree they might rather sink a 2 stroke than a 4. Also consider a bike that is more applicable to your riding needs.
If you are going to be at the track every 2 days, then yeah for sure get a 4 stroke MX bike, don't change anything like ride height and suspension components as at the track you only need to touch once in awhile, set the sag to you and maybe look at shaving the seat, but I doubt you will need it unless you have short legs and a tall body.
