I just found this forum and thought I would get some real world opinions.
I guess I'll get the factual info out here first...
1) I'm 5'4" ~140-150lbs
2) I was very athletic/aggressive in HS but have slacked of the last 4 years, hopefully a bike will help get me active again (I'm not a sloth or anything, just don't play lots of sports anymore)
3) I would like to try racing, but I realize I have a lot of learning to do first, mainly I want to do fields and off road parks.
I live pretty close to Cooper Creek (Deepwater) in Missouri.
A street legal bike would be nice, but I feel like I need to learn how to ride before getting on the roadway with 18 wheelers, blue hairs, and the other really great drivers.
4) Do you have any riding experience? ... on a quad yeah, I've been on a bike less than 10 time ever.
5) Do you think you will race ? ... maybe someday
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work?... I can do the basics, but like to leave transmission/differential type work on my car/truck to a professional
7) Do YOU have a preference to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)? .... not really price and performance matter more than brand
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry? ... I have a local Suzuki, Yamaha, and Honda dealer I prefer the Suzuki dealer, but the others are trustworthy enough
9) How much do you plan to spend on a bike? I would like to stay under $2500
10) I have been around utility atvs since I could walk, and just in the past few years have been starting to get into (be able to almost afford) sport quads.
So thats pretty much my story, what do you guys/gals recommend and why?