Help Picking a Bike

[stevekent98]

Hey there,

I'm new to the forums. I am looking at getting a bike in the near future. I have more experiance with 4X4's, sleds, and seedoos than I do bikes. I have always wanted a bike so the time is coming. I am 6'4" and 240 pounds. I plan on getting either a 250f, 450f, or a 250 2-stroke. I respect all motor based toys and know they are dangerous if ridden improperly and without respect. I will be mainly riding on trails and bombing around hitting some jumps and hopefully going to sand dunes. I am just looking for opinions on the type of bike I should get/if there are any brands to stay away from. I like the looks of Kawasaki's, Suzuki's and KTM's.

Thanks for your help!

Stephen

 

[250mark1]

with your size i would stay away from a 250 4 stroke as you will want more power than a 250f before long and the bigger 4 strokes require less rebuilds as you generally do not have to rev them to the moon to get the power out of them
also nothing wrong with a 250 2 stroke or even a 300 ktm 2 stroke depends on what type of riding you are going to be doing

 

[Bnorth]

I'm a bit bigger than you and ride a 250 2 stroke. It has enough power almost all the time. Only time I desire more is in technical/twisty long climbs. My next bike will be a 300 2 stroke for that reason. Either a KTM, Husqvarna, or GasGas. The 250 would feel doggy in the sand dunes as well but for our size pretty much anything other than a 500 2 stroke would.

 

[sumx54]

stay away from the 250f. Im 6'2" and 205 lbs and ride a KTM 450f. Love it. my son rides a 250f and it seriously does not have enough suspension or power for me to have any fun on. A stock 250f is set up for a 150lb rider.

 

[stevekent98]

Thanks for the reply's so far! I agree that after I would get used to the 250F I would want more power, it's just the way I am. Just thought I would see if there are people my size who enjoy riding them. Is there any years I should stay away from for Suzuki, Kawasaki, or KTM's?? I don't plan on getting a brand new bike right now but maybe in a year or 2.

 

[Bnorth]

Not sure on the 4 strokes but the 2 strokes were all solid bikes. The kawaski's make a little less power than the other two but are smooth.

 

[Iron Horse Racing]

Just my 2 cents....

Without knowing you and what level of bike rider you aretoday....my suggestion would be to find a friend’s bike like a 250F and ride itfirst, even if you had to buy a used one, tighten up the suspension and yes youwill outgrow it fairly quickly. But it will give you a chance to learn to ridea bike....The 450’s all brands have lots of power and I’ve seen lots of ridersget turned off jumping to a 450 right off the bat.
Some will take only a month or two and some the firstseason...totally depends on the rider, has......Ive seen some start there andhave done just fine....

There’s more to riding an off road bike then sitting inthe seat...balance on the ground and in the air, weight transfer in and out ofcorners....traction or lack of it, climbing hills....

If you can learning on the lighter less powerful bike willgive you the opportunity to learn how to make the bike work for you so when yougo to the bigger more powerful bike it works for you and not against you.

One of the hardest thinks to teach a racer is that speedis a byproduct of being smooth, well balanced and confident....because withoutthose speed hurts.....

Good Luck have fun.....

 

[mavrick]

like iron horse just said start with a 250f if u have never been on a bike before a 450 is asking for a#@ kicking. the 450 can and most likely put u on the ground. my buddy bought one this year frist time on a bike in 5 years and shocked him big time not use to the power and that kx450f will stand on the back wheel with out warning. start with a 250f but a used one play with it for a season u can alway sell it in a year and get a 450 or if u want a new one next season trade it off

 

[jbb]

what kind of riding do you wanna do? if its bush/trail riding any 250-300 2 stroke are good. look at bikes like the ktm xc's. great bush bikes. if you plan on on being a moto guy. go 450 four stroke. dont waste your time on a 250f. if you are. just go 2 stroke. imo. plus if your planning to go hard core bush riding, look into a rekluse clutch and flywheel weights. makes even a novice ride look awesome.

 

[E to the v]

450! You ll learn throttle & clutch control real fast on an mx bike. I ride an rmz 450, great bike! If i were shopping for a new ride i would consider an xc though, they are cammed a little milder (more reliable), have better cooling, kickstands and e start

 

[stevekent98]

I really do want a 450 but I understand the power. I was on one and it was a blast. I have never ridden a 250f or a competition 2 stroke. I really want a competition bike just because I'm the guy that is looking for a little more power. I will be riding mostly sandy trails and gravel pits. Thanks for everyone's input do far

 

[KWIK RACING INC.]

i had a couple of friends buy the 2011 Kawi KX250F MX bike..its a 4 stroke.... they had them on for 6999.00 out the door a month ago here.. not saying that is the bike to buy just that it was a good deal and the guys that bought them are in there 20's and weigh 160 lbs so that bike was right up there alley.. thats all...

 

[TheMuffinMan]

Why not split the difference and get a 350?

 

[Canadianking]

I raced two strokes for years and always rode two strokes then quit riding for four or five years and jumped on my nephews yz450f and those four strokes relly rip hard scared the shat right out of me. Im looking at getting another bike just to trail ride and stuff but those 450's have so much power that im not used to coming from two strokes.

 

[stevekent98]

The only 350's are KTM's correct??

 

[TheMuffinMan]

The only 350's are KTM's correct??

Yep. I've been a Honda/Yamaha guy my whole life but I have to admit KTM is the only one really pushing bike development forward right now. My next one will be orange for sure. Best advice I can offer: unless you are going to try and race motocross on a competitive basis, DO NOT buy a motocross bike. You will hate your life if you try and take an mx bike on a technical trail ride. The gearing is too tall, the suspension too stiff, power to abrupt and the lack of flywheel weight makes them stall easily. Get an offroad bike and if you're one of those guys who think the headlight and taillight don't look cool enough, then take them off. I'd think about a 350exc; plenty of power without the scary snap of a 450, and street legal to boot!

 

[jbb]

the only 350's are ktm's correct??

nope......

 

[jbb]

yep. I've been a honda/yamaha guy my whole life but i have to admit ktm is the only one really pushing bike development forward right now. My next one will be orange for sure. Best advice i can offer: Unless you are going to try and race motocross on a competitive basis, do not buy a motocross bike. You will hate your life if you try and take an mx bike on a technical trail ride. The gearing is too tall, the suspension too stiff, power to abrupt and the lack of flywheel weight makes them stall easily. Get an offroad bike and if you're one of those guys who think the headlight and taillight don't look cool enough, then take them off. I'd think about a 350exc; plenty of power without the scary snap of a 450, and street legal to boot!

i rode mx bikes all my life off road. And theres no problem making them a bush weapon, as long as you dont mind spending a little extra. My last crf450 had suspension revalved, rekluse, flywheel weight and regear and it worked awesome. The ktm i have now. Comes stk with a lot of that stuff. Imo you cant beat a ktm for offroad.

 

[sumx54]

My 11 year old rocks a yammy yz250f. Don't let all these grown men that ride 250's convince you that a 450 has too much jam for a 240lbs man. The power is smooth and VERY controllable. A 250f races the same class as a 125cc 2-stroker