Getting back into it after 11 years what bike

1) your physical size (both height and weight are important)
6 feet, 200 pounds

2) How physical / aggressive are you ?
Very physical have my moments of aggression

3) what do you plan to ride?
MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends, fields and light trails, sand dunes

4) Do you have any riding experience?
Had a CR80 from the age of 9, had an XR200 till 14 have not riden in 11 years.

5) Do you think you will race ?
Not seriously

6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work?
No I'm useless but might give easy jobs a go

7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)?
I prefer 2 stroke all out aggresive powerband accelleration. I have always favoured Honda the best Yamaha close second

8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry?
Heaps of dealers in town with honda,kawasaki,yamaha, and suzuki

9) How much do you plan to spend on a bike?
$3000NZ$ about $2100US

10) anything else that you think would help form an opinion

I have a full sized Motorcross track at my parents farm, just sitting there that I'd love to use. For my money I can get a 97 or so 250 RM or 250 KX or a 2001 or so CR125 or 99 YZ125.

What would be best Yamaha's are alot more expensive here in NZ and Honda's are also very expensive. I am stuck on price so should I go older 250 or newer 125 and should I go older honda or Yamaha or newer Suz or Kawi.

Also I would love to know all the differences in the bike models 125 and 250 between the years of 96 and 2001. eg Honda CR250R was stiffer in 97 but had a strong motor, Kawi's had the strongest motor around 97, Yamaha's are easyer to work on Honda's are very reliable etc. I really have no idea about any of this stuff.

I tried a 1990 CR125 a year ago and thought it was pretty fast and lots of fun I also tried a rmx250 I enjoyed the CR125 more I like quick aggressive accelleration.

Thanks, are there big differences between different CR250's between 96 and 2002 what years did they change the alloy frame. Any other big changes made throughout the years.

Thanks Ants, I've looked into it and they seem to be running a little over my budget, but if I find a really good one I'll just pay the difference. Does anyone else have any other opinions on something a little more in the budget.

It's Summer where I am in Auckland NZ and I've found heaps of CR250's but they are mostly 1999, 2002's and 2003's what are the major differences in the 2000 and 2001's vs the 2002's or 1999's. I've also found a 1998 KX250 that needs new fork seals due to being left on a trailor with tiedowns is this a mojor problem.

So whats the major differences between bikes KX, CR, RM and YZ I know they are all very similar but do the CR's have the best brakes and reliableity KX the fastest best motors YZ best overall package or is it to close to call and is it easyer to maintain one motor vs another. What do you gain when buying a 2001 bike over a 1998 more power speed better handling how much more reliable are the newer bikes.

Sorry for all the questions but I'm searching through the current posts and am left wanting more in depth details what makes CR's better than the others and what makes KX's or RM's better than the others what was the thing that helped you make your decision to buy one bike over another other than colour. I'm having a really hard time choosing.

I think I always loved Honda because I was into Supercross during 1989, 1990, 1992, Ricky Johnson, Jeff Stanton, Jean Michalle Baile and Jeremy McG Days when they were cleaning up everything. I have no idea about any of the current riders. By the way can I buy the AMA Supercross from 89 - 93 on DVD and any idea where I can get it.

Many thanks for the awesome advice given so far.

Yeah I love vintage amps have a 60's Vox AC30TB and an early 70's Marshall Superlead.

I'm going to blow the budget out the window and have a look at a few 2002/2003 CR250R. Does anyone have opinions on these bikes and is there a huge difference between 2002 vs 2003.