FF- Definitely try out a Gas Gas 280/250 (
www.gasgas.com) they are the easiest to ride trail bike out there. I predominatly compete at the National Level of Observed Trials, so that's where my main interests lie; however, I am a motorcycle nut. I love trail riding too and racing Enduros'.
I have a full-size 1999 Gas Gas EC200 Enduro bike and a 2002 Gas Gas Pampera 280. I'm 5'4" - the EC has been lowered a little, but not firmly touching the ground as been no big deal. It has a very powerful 200 engine and we've modified it to make the hit more linear and gave it more bottom end. It weighs about 40lbs more than the pampera when they're gased up.
The P280 has a trials based engine (trials engines have LOTS of bottom end - torquey power. Seat height is 34" and it has very good, suspension on it, but less travel than the EC. The bike is EFFORTLESS to ride, it pulls down low and is literally a cross between a john deer tractor and a mtn. goat. The bike will go anywhere you point it, over the roughest terrain you can imagine. The bike takes little ENERGY from the rider.
Ok, I've predominately raced the EC200 in Enduro's and hare scrambles. To date, I've ridden one enduro on the P280. I'm riding another enduro this sunday in SC. Guess what bike I've chosen to ride? The P280! It's just gonna be easier on me for the 70 mile race. I have very good riding skills and move my body alot and regardless of what "little me" does, I always feel like the EC200 is jerking my arms/shoulders. And I ride standing up, using my legs not my arms. SO, I'm gonna ride the bike that is going to take less energy from my body and this means I will be able to go faster and longer and not feel like a wet dish towel.
yes, i do sell Gas Gas trials bikes and pamperas. So take what you hear from me and combine with what you hear from others. I'm selling alot of these P280's to guys now, who have ridden mine or others and found out from themselves it was easier than riding there big KTM's or whatever. And these are really good riders. So, I'm glad to see that happening, cause I didn't want the public to think it was a "women's bike". The bike has a wide range of appeal to various riders of all skill levels.
Plus, it's really fun to pass alot of other racers on a smaller bike. They think "what was that thing?" and then the next thought was "was that a girl?"