45-year-old wants to get back into the dirt!

[stevet]

45-year old guy here....been riding street last few years..but started riding dirt back at age 7...wanting to get back into dirt riding..

someone close by to me is selling an 02 RM 250 for $3000. I haven't looked at the bike yet...he says he's ridden it very little (35 hours...if you can believe that)....

any quirks about this year of RM...would be used for trail riding (clear creek, carnage...other riding areas in northern calif)....

since its been a few years since I rode dirt I don't want to go out and buy a brand new bike ...just want something to ease back into dirt riding on.....like the new RM Z 450 and the CR 450...but don't think that would be a good idea just yet,.....never rode a 4-stroke dirt bike...always had 2-strokes.

sorry for the long post.....but if the bike looks clean I may go for it....

thanks in advance for any input/comments..

 

[killerbeez 75]

That seems like a good deal.Don't know much about the suzukis but 02 seemed to be a good year for dirt bikes.I love my 02cr250 and the suzuki cant be much off of that.I was a avid street rider before dirt and I rode dirt before street.It takes awhile to get used to the dirt again just have patience.You might want to look at some of the four strokes though,they will not dissapoint you,actually might suprise you with there easiness to ride and the smooth power delivrey throughout the rpm range instead of that mid to top end hit like on the two strokes.I would advise you to at least try one,especially for getting back into the dirt,I guarantee the four stroke will deliver the same power as the RM 250 just in a broader power range.My nieghbor was a two stroke fan until he rode my buddies 4stroke and he described it as cheating because all the power was there,it was just easier to ride because you could use the low end torque of the bike instead of having to be on the gas.Any way Im not trying to convert you to the 4stroke,I just wanted to tell you that there is a deffinate advantage to the four strokesince you are getting back into the dirt. :cool:

 

[mtk]

$3000 for a 2002 RM250 sounds expensive to me, especially at this time of year.

I paid $2700 for my 2002 CR250, in June (not in winter) and I also got two stands, two full sets of riding gear (virtually new), a helmet (also near-new), a new paddle tire, and a bunch of other stuff. At the time, the bike was only two years old. I'll bet you can do better.

As for the four-strokes, while they may be nice to ride, they're also a lot more expensive to maintain (more moving parts = more expense; there's no getting around it). I'll take premix over valve adjustments any day of the week. Besides, dirt bikes are meant to be two-strokes. It's just wrong for a dirt bike to not sound like a chainsaw on steroids. :) Just say no to the fart machines! :)

 

[stevet]

$3000 for a 2002 RM250 sounds expensive to me, especially at this time of year.

I paid $2700 for my 2002 CR250, in June (not in winter) and I also got two stands, two full sets of riding gear (virtually new), a helmet (also near-new), a new paddle tire, and a bunch of other stuff. At the time, the bike was only two years old. I'll bet you can do better.

As for the four-strokes, while they may be nice to ride, they're also a lot more expensive to maintain (more moving parts = more expense; there's no getting around it). I'll take premix over valve adjustments any day of the week. Besides, dirt bikes are meant to be two-strokes. It's just wrong for a dirt bike to not sound like a chainsaw on steroids. :) Just say no to the fart machines! :)

thanks to everyone for their input...

the guy hasn't got back to me...did some research and the price did seem a bit high...($400-$500 too high maybe?)....but ad said he would throw in a pair of boots (same size I wear) and a chest protector....ad did say bike had low hours (35)....won't know until I can look at it....

 

[dom]

You are in California so you need to learn about the green/red sticker restrictions. As I understand it all '03 + 2 strokes are red sticker which means you are restricted to when and where you can ride. That makes an '02 2 stroke potentially more valuable. In Oregon I would say that price is about $500 high.

 

[mtk]

Thanks for the reminder, I also got a Moose chest protector and a set of O'Neal boots too in the deal. And sets of SixSixOne elbow and knee pads. And a TwinAir filter wash/oiling kit. And the Owner's Manual for the bike.

This time of year you should be able to do a lot better.

 

[killerbeez 75]

:) Just say no to the fart machines! :)

:rotfl: Thats hot ,I love it

 

[stevet]

went at looked at the 02 RM 250....listed as in "good condition" with only "35 hours on the bike"...asking 3200.00

plastic was thrashed....front brake lever broken....huge dent in pipe....must of been a real rough 35 hours.....lol

 

[rickyd]

I'd keep shopping around, you may find a dealer w/an 02 bike that they need too off load.. All the 02 bikes and older are green stickered, the newere ones depends on which model bike it is.. I myself am looking into getting on a Honda CRF450X when they come available.. They are a green stickered trail bike..
BTW,, Welcome too DRN, Im in the Bay area if your lookin for peole too ride with..
Rick

 

[stevet]

I'd keep shopping around, you may find a dealer w/an 02 bike that they need too off load.. All the 02 bikes and older are green stickered, the newere ones depends on which model bike it is.. I myself am looking into getting on a Honda CRF450X when they come available.. They are a green stickered trail bike..
BTW,, Welcome too DRN, Im in the Bay area if your lookin for peole too ride with..
Rick

from what I heard it might be another couple months before the crf 450X hits dealers in calif....glad to hear its green stickered.....wish the cfr 450 and the new suzuki rmz 450 weren't red stickered...

once i get a dirt bike may take you up on going riding....thanks

 

[GhostRider32]

Pick up a cycle trader, there can be great deals in there. I bought a new 03 KX250 for $3900 in early Feb. 04. If you don't like green, there's other good deals in there of various colors too, although I don't know much about the red/green tag thing and what the limit is.

 

[Okiewan]

Humm... 45, riding at 7? That's what 1966? Why the issue with 4-strokes? Isn't that what you were riding then? LOL. You know, before those buzzy, smokin' weed whacker things came around?

 

[stevet]

Humm... 45, riding at 7? That's what 1966? Why the issue with 4-strokes? Isn't that what you were ring then? LOL. You know, before those buzzy, smokin' weed whacker things came around?

thanks for reminding me how old I am.. :rotfl:

well I guess my mini-bike was a four stroke...but then had a Bridgestone 50, Greeves, Bultaco, Suzuki....all 2-strokes...though I did ride my dad's BSA a couple of times and it was a four-stroke (BSA engine in a Bultaco frame...it was a beast to ride and to try to start...)

watched a video today on the new RM-Z 450...http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/videos/0,20898,,00.html ....sweet sounding 4-stroke...cool looking bike...and the few reviews out look positive...but not sure it would be a great idea going out and getting a new bike ......and since I'm in Calif....it would be a "red Sticker bike".(so would the CRF 450)..meaning in summer limited public riding areas..... :(

the honda CRF 450X is a green sticker bike....but apparently not available in Calif until april or may...

 

[Okiewan]

Might want to let the RMZ450 "mature" a little before investing... Honestly not a "color" thing, but you might want to seriously consider the CRF250X.... SWEET BIKE.

 

[Tony Eeds]

Humm... 45, riding at 7? That's what 1966? Why the issue with 4-strokes? Isn't that what you were riding then? LOL. You know, before those buzzy, smokin' weed whacker things came around?

Careful with the old statements there buster. My first set of two wheels had a 4 stroke, but it was a Briggs & Stratton. My first "real" bike was a 2 stroke.

There is a simple way to solve the "red sticker / green sticker" issue .... MOVE :laugh: Just think, if everyone left California that has to pay a fee to access the environment, it would leave the state with ecoterrorists having to foot all the bills and not being able to get off the freeways far enough to even change a flat tire.

 

[billc]

stevet,Did you buy a bike yet? If not,I think you should check out a KDX.They are overlooked by many people.You can get a new KDX for the price of a used MX bike.
I always thought KDXs were not good quality bikes but I was very wrong.
I got a used 220 last year cuz I needed a bike to ride while selling a WR450.It was a good deal and I never thought I would keep it long.After a few cheap mods I just love this bike and I'm going to keep it.Very fun,very reliable.I have a new KTM to ride but I'll still keep the KDX because it is such a good bike.