Welcome to 2-strokes. You really cant go wrong with any of the major brands. If you buy based on the reviews in the magazines, you would want to stay away from Kawasaki and Suzuki for most of the years you mentioned. Kawasaki was considered slow from the factory, but with the right pipe,etc. could be a great bike. It finished in the bottom 2 from 2000-2005. Suzuki was about the same. Honda was hit and miss. Yamaha would be the brand to get if going by the reviews. IMHO the reviews dont mean crap. Any of the bikes can be great. Get the newest/cleanest bike you can afford and have some fun. :cool: