First trail bike

Your best bet for establishing credit is to get a credit card or two. Use the cards, but pay the balance off each month so that you don't pay finance charges.

I doubt that the loan you could get on a dirt bike without prior credit would have a very attractive interest rate. Often these types of loans will come with pre-payment penalties or a loan structured so that you pay most of the interest in the beginning and don't start paying down the principal until quite a ways into the loan. This could end up being VERY expensive for you, especially if you decide to sell the bike before the loan has been paid off.

For example, you could finance $4000 for four years with a 10% interest rate, making payments of $101.45. Over the life of the loan you would pay $101.45/month x 48 months = $4869.90, which means that you will have paid $869.60 if you keep the loan the entire term. If you received a loan that was based on the "rule of 78" (rather common) and you decided that you wanted to sell the bike after only one year, you would discover that after making 12 paymens for a total of $1217.4 you would still owe 3159.73. Note that the situation only gets worse if the interest rates are higher.


You would be a lot better off to buy a used bike that you could pay cash for instead of financing a bike. If you can't afford to pay cash, then you probably can't afford dirt bike riding. Keep in mind that the bike is the cheap part. To go along with the bike you will need:

Helmet: $140 to $300
Boots: $120
gloves, goggles: $50
chest protector: $50

Gas can: $40
Tie downs: $20

Do you have a truck or trailer to haul the bike around? You can pick up a used trailer for a few hundred $$, or you might need a $100 ramp to get the bike into your truck.

Do you have a set of tools, metric wrenches and sockets?
I don't recommend cheap tools, and a reasonable set can cost several hundred $$

I might normally recommend a two stroke "off road" bike (Such as the TTR-230 you mentioned) in your situation instead of the MX style bike (YZ-anything...). The TT series woudl be a lot cheaper, which would allow you to get into the sport with a newer, more reliable bike. What concerns me is the statement that all your friends ride. If you are goint to be trying to keep up with them, and they have MX bikes, then riding a non MX bike could get you into trouble.

The concern that I have is that the off road bike wouldn't have the suspension to match your friends. If you try to follow them over the same terrain at anywhere near the same speed then you better have a suitable suspension. Power will get you into trouble, but a good suspension can help you ride through it.


I would recommend matching what your friends have, if you can afford it. If you can't afford that right now, then I would recommend starting with something like the TTr-230 that you mentioned. Being a cheaper model of bike you would be able to buy one that wasn't quite as old and therefore in better shape. Use it for a year or two and then you should be able to sell it with little lost value and buy the bike you really want.

Rod

Very sound advice from "rmc_olderthandirt".

My only question is, have you ridden before? If you have no experience what so ever, the TTR, DRZ, XR/CRF, KLX are the way to go. Good trail bikes that are beginer friendly with easy maintenence. Keep the gas tank filled, air filter clean and the occational oil change it they will last forever.

Their are a few options between trail bikes and full blown MX bike. The CFR250X and WR250.

Let us know what bikes your friends ridae and what type of riding they do. Will you be on your own concerning maintenence and learning how to ride, or are your buddies willing to teach you.

To be honest, I would suggest buying a used older bike to get your feet wet. Once you learn and become competent, you can move to a more "specific use" bike. On that note, an XR200 would be perfect for you.

Good luck, Steve.

Like started above if you dont need the fastest bike in the pack then the Kawasaki KLX300, Suzuki DRZ250, or TTR 250 if you find a used one.

Don't overlook a good used newer KDX (200 or 220). Great bike for a beginner w/ potential for more as you get better.

The KDX must have left my mind for a secon. I know everone says that 2 strokes are more matinece but they are not at all.

imprezagm4 said:

would a used (say, a 2001) yz125 be a good bike? as i understand it, a 2 stroke 125 will move pretty darn good.

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Can you drive a stick shift? If so you can teach yourself to ride this bike in one or two evenings. Esspecially if you have friends that ride. You can get one used for around 2200. You could go a little older and get one for cheaper. Just be cautious when you buy anything used cause believe it or not there are people out there that only want your money.

Kawasaki KDX200. 'Nuff said.