Getting backing in to off-road after 7 years off

iorndorff

Member
Feb 4, 2007
4
0
1) your physical size (both height and weight are important)
6'5" 200lb
2) How physical / aggressive are you ?
Moderate to Aggressive
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ?????
Woods mostly, Maybe some MX track
4) Do you have any riding experience?
Yes about 12 years
5) Do you think you will race ?
Maybe (I was just getting into Harescrambles when I quit in 1999)
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work?
Yes
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)?
No
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry?
Yes - Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawaski
9) How much do you plan to spend on a bike?
3000
10) Do you live in California?
No
11) anything else that you think would help form an opinion
First here is a list of dirt bikes I've owned in order of 1st to most recent: 1986 Honda XR250, 1993 Honda CR125, 1995 Kawasaki KX125, 1993 Yamaha YZ250, 1998 Kawasaki KDX220, 1997 Honda CR250. I was just getting into Harescrambles with my CR250 in 1999-2000 but had to sell the bike for financial reasons. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. A friend of mine is getting into trail riding a wanted to meet at trails near Atlanta (Highland Park Resort). They are a KTM dealer and I rented a 2007 KTM 400 XCW. Wow, the new 4-strokes are pretty good. Real easy to ride on the fast stuff, pretty good on the slow tight stuff (Kinda heavy). I'm use to riding 125 and 250 two-strokes but that four stroke was so easy to ride moderately fast. I can't afford a new bike but want something that if I want to race I will be able. I was thinking about a 98-02 YZ250 or YZ125 (big bore kit), Flywheel weight, Bark busters and a suspension revalve or even a 98-02 WR400-426. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
 

mandark1967

Member
Mar 12, 2007
246
0
Sounds from your previous bikes like you could go for something like a used KTM300EXC....It's a great in-between bike. big and roomy since you are tall, and light enough not to tire you out in the slower technical sections.

You should try combing through the cycletrader or the EB motors site and look around at what a late model KTM would run...you may be suprised
 

iorndorff

Member
Feb 4, 2007
4
0
mandark1967 said:
Sounds from your previous bikes like you could go for something like a used KTM300EXC....It's a great in-between bike. big and roomy since you are tall, and light enough not to tire you out in the slower technical sections.

You should try combing through the cycletrader or the EB motors site and look around at what a late model KTM would run...you may be suprised

Thanks for the advice. I've considered this bike but don't know how brutal the power delivery is. I will check out late model 250/300 KTMs.
 

iorndorff

Member
Feb 4, 2007
4
0
2 strokes for life said:
Yeah a bigger bore 2 stroke would fit the bill quite nicely. If you can handle it the CR or KX500 can make great trail bikes. The one gear dose all kind of thing.

Thanks but no thanks. A little to much for my taste. I rather wring out a small bike (125cc) than be extra careful on a 500cc.
 

iorndorff

Member
Feb 4, 2007
4
0
O.K. guys. I'm still searching. My top two bikes in the $2500 range are a 2002 CR250 and a 2001 YZ426F. I just can't make up my mind between the 2-stroker or the 4-stroker. Please sway me one way.

Thanks.

Ivan
 
Jan 3, 2007
1,860
0
The 426 is heavie and slugish compared to the CR250. I would say buy the 2 stroke because buying a used 4 stroke race bike is like buying a time bomb with out a clock.
 

450X

Test It!!!
Member
Mar 25, 2007
86
0
even though it pains me to say this haha. i would have to agree with these guys go CR on this one :cool: , from what i have seen the 426 takes quite a "special" ritual to get it started :yell: and if it ever stalls out its a pig to get going again. :pissed:
 
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