2 stroke for beginner?

Noa

Member
Jul 25, 2003
17
0
Hi, I was wondering if a kx 85, cr 85, or yz 85 would be to hard for me to ride as a beginner. I have never owned a dirt-bike and have only ridden my friend's a few times(he has a tt-r 125). Do you think I should get one of those or should I get either a klx 125 or a tt-r 125. I don't plan on racing in any major races but me and my friends will race eachother every now and then just for fun, no tournaments or anything, other than that I'll just be going up some ramps and riding around off road w/my friends. I am 14 years old, about 5'5", and about 112 pounds. Thanks for the help.
 

Chief

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Damn Yankees
Aug 17, 2001
682
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It may be possible for you to ride any of those bikes. The TTR or KLX deliver smooth power. The 2 strokes you mention would probably keep up with the 125 4 strokes and would feel a lot different. Easier air, landings, handling, lighter. Those little bikes are explosive and a world apart from 4 strokes, well the 4 strokes you mentioned anyway. If you are seating on a 125 then one of those smaller 85's might even be a little small for you. I'm not sure how tall they are but remember you are still growing so don't buy something you barely fit on.

It also depends on your style. Do you just like to ride easily or will you tend to be aggressive. How comfortable are you riding at this point?

I got my 1st 2 stroke 125mx at 15 or 16 and had your dimensions roughly. After riding smaller tamer bikes since age 12 this bike was a dream although it took more maintenence and money than I was capable of at the time.

I really think you should ride a few bikes before you buy, both 2 and 4 stroke and see what YOU think. It's a very personal issue. I like them both but prefer a 2 stroke because I think the liabilities are far outweighed by the performance, maybe even the sound.

Make sure you end up with something you are comfortable with also, a bike you can have fun on and handle well. Too much bike can give you a ride from hell just trying to hang on to it. That's my opinion and experience.

Chief
 

Porstala F9

Member
Jul 30, 2003
345
0
I think an RM 85 or 85L would be a good decision. The RM 85 itself is larger than the other 85s, so it should be a perfect size for you, but you might want to go with its bigwheel brother, the 85L, so go to the dealer and try it out.

If you are going to be riding occasional trails (even though these bikes really arent designed for them), they would be easiest with the Suzuki (or even the Kawasaki, since they are basically identical) since the bike seems to have smoother powerband in the lower end range, and the bike wont be so hard to handle in the twisty trails to control, and the better throttle response will be down there.

oh.. And you would smoke your friends TTR 125's and such with your 85 btw.

One bike I would also STRONGLY consider is the Kawasaki KX100 if you have your heart set on a Motocross bike (which I think you want, and would have the most fun on, since they really are a hell of alot of fun, expecially 85s) - Only problem, if you 'do' plan to eventually race, then it might be harder to find a 2-stroke 100cc class, so you would have to do so in the 125cc class, so you would be underpowered there.
 

Noa

Member
Jul 25, 2003
17
0
Right now I am thinking of getting a 4 stroke and when I get the hang of the basics I will get a 2 stroke. I am thinking of getting a crf 150 but right now no one has one(i am buying used). Do you think that a xr 200 would be to big for me because someone has one for $1500. How much bigger and heavier is the xr 200. Thanks.
 

Chief

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Damn Yankees
Aug 17, 2001
682
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An XR 200 is a good bike. For 1500 dollars it could be a deal depending on the shape it's in and how old it is. Go ride it and see what you think. The seat height is low, weightwise I don't know, still likely about the same as the TTR.

Chief
 

Noa

Member
Jul 25, 2003
17
0
My only problem is that I hardly know anything about dirt bikes so I won't know what to look for when I go see the bike. And the only bike I will be able to compare it to is my friends ttr 125 and I've only rode that one for a couple 15 minute sessions(his step mom just had a baby so we can't ride it to long before she gets irratated). Also, I was just wondering, how much better will the xr 200 be compared to a 125 4 stroke?
 

Chief

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Damn Yankees
Aug 17, 2001
682
0
The 200 will be faster, it's a 4 stroke as well. compare it to the ttr. Then go out and look at more bikes and compare them all. Take your time, shop around. I recommend riding a 2 stroke (small, say 85-100-125 max) because they ride so much differently than what you are considering. There will always be used bikes out there so try to get educated by test riding different used models before you buy.

One excellent resource is Eric Gore's dirtbike maintenence manual. You can order it on his site which is linked on DRN. It has a great buying guide section for used bikes and tells you what to look for. Excellent reading for any offroader. It will give you tons more insight.