Good Bike For Beginer with a Budget--Advice

[xxxendurorider14]

Hi I'm a beginer rider (newbie), I've never actually ridden a dirtbike but am very interrested and I'll be getting on in the next few months. If it would help, I'm 14, 5' 8", 127lbs., and I'm a girl. I'll be riding for fun around the farm and trails. I'm not really interrested in 2 strokes so I've pretty much narrowed it down to a few 4 strokes with the Honda CRF 150F being my first choice. :thumb:
The question is do you recomend any other bikes that might be slightly cheaper? Cuz I'm on a $2,500 to a little bit more budget. And I don't wanna get in over my head so I've gotta be strict about my top price. So yeah if ya have any help or suggestions drop me a line. Lookin forward to hearing from you guys :worship: , Ruthie from MT

 

[Green Horn]

At your size/ age you can find some newer XR 200's (Honda) for cheap. They're VERY reliable and are excellent trail bikes.

 

[Zerotact]

there is always an XR in your size, and budget, no matter who you are....

 

[pdiddy]

Definately a used XR200. Shop around some. They are good little bikes.

Once you get a little older, tell guys you ride a dirtbike and they will think you are 10x hotter!

 

[snb73]

My son's 1996 XR-100 thats up for sale.

I think you're a bit big for an intermediate bike, ie..CRF150 or TTR125 or simular. For your height, and if you grow a little more, I'd have to echo the XR-200. It might be a bit heavy, but you will get used to it. I would suggest going to the local dealer and sitting on a few bikes. You should be on you're tippy-toes not flat-footed. Remember, a new bikes suspension hasn't "sagged" yet.

The "offroad/non-mx" line of four strokes, XR/CRF DRZ KLX TTR ,would be great since your just getting into riding. I would suggest something in the 200-250 size. They will be tame enought to learn on but also challege you as your skill grows. I'm a firm beleiver in buying a bike that you can grow into.

Good luck, Steve.

 

[xxxendurorider14]

Once you get a little older, tell guys you ride a dirtbike and they will think you are 10x hotter!

LOL oh really? OK is anyone against me getting CRF? Cuz I'll probably end up getting one; although I'll check out the XR's first. but ya never know... :think: :thumb:

 

[Patman]

XR=CRF

The TTR125 might be found for a little less $$ and they are generally lighter than the XR/CRF. All that said my shop is full of Hondas.

 

[BunduBasher]

hotcarchick, are you just yanking our chains here, or are you serious about getting a dirtbike. ?

As you are a newbie, look at getting a clean used bike, you will save a lot of money, and you can easily resell. The XR200R is a solid bet - even a solid dual sport like the XT200/225, TW200, DR200 are all good starter bikes - look at spending $1500 or so.

 

[xxxendurorider14]

Yes I'm serious!! I am selling a horse that I don't ride anymore and using the money to buy a dirtbike, K? The horse sold for $3,500 but my mom gets $1,00 so, yeah.

 

[xxxendurorider14]

And by the way my new screen-name is xxxendurorider14. Just to be technical ya know. :)

 

[pdiddy]

Yeah, a CRF is the new version of the XR's with some little changes. Nothing wrong with a CRF150, but a used XR250 will be a little cheaper and will have a little more power. But the 150 does have electric start, no need to kick start it like the XR200.

 

[Patman]

Little changes = plastic & stickers.

The 150 will NOT have electric start, that's a CRF230 thing.

On the up side the XR250 WILL actually have more power :laugh:

 

[xxxendurorider14]

How could I find a used XR200 in my area? I only really have access to bikes at a dealer and the didn't have any XR's; of course they're trying to sell their NEW ones (CRF). ;)

 

[KXaggerator]

Don't let the CRF name on smaller bikes fool you, not too long ago some of the current CRF's were XR's. Don't spend more for Bold New Graphics, which is a marketing term for they changed nothing other then the stickers. Any thing under 250 in the CRF is a fancy XR. I have to agree that a XR200 is a fun bike, but if you are getting a brand new bike the CRF150 (MSRP $2899) is a pretty good choice. At 5'8" you should be able to ride any of the "off-road" bikes in the under 250 range.

 

[BunduBasher]

start with http://www.cycletrader.com/adsearch.html - key in a few different options year, price name etc this will give you a fair idea of what is out there and the average price

 

[pdiddy]

The 150 will NOT have electric start, that's a CRF230 thing.

Whoops, my bad. Thanks for correcting me
:thumb:

 

[xxxendurorider14]

I was gonna try to get a '03 (CRF) not an '04 so the MSRP is $2,799 for those.

 

[Tomck]

If you decide to buy a new CRF230 (as noted above, it includes an electric starter, which is a nice feature), be sure to do some price shopping at several dealers, and politely let the dealers know that you are comparison shopping. Dealers will typically be glad to charge more if they sense that you are not doing some research. Wear some sturdy work shoes when you ride, and be sure to buy a quality full face helmet (Snell2000 and DOT approved, as signified by stickers on/in the helmet).

 

[xxxendurorider14]

I was gonna get a CRF *150* not a *230* so no electric start. :(

 

[fender92883]

Where do you live? I've got a 2002 XR200 for sale (I'm located in MI). A good idea would be to subscribe to DRN so you can get into the For Sale/Wanted forum. Lots of bikes in there that might be just what you're looking for! :thumb:

 

[xxxendurorider14]

I live in MT, Whitehall to be exact. Yeah it's a small town, probably never heard of it. There's not much selection around here when it comes to bikes (especially used) but my local honda dealer is super stocked when it comes to gear!!

I'll keep you updated, Ruthie

 

[Killer McCoy]

too bad about no used bikes. XR200's go probably 2,000-2,500 used. they are great trailbikes and very reliable. havent had a single problem with mine yet. The XR's are strictly trailbikes though. im 150lbs and i feel like its gonna snap in two when i hit a bigger jump on one of our trails. suspension is a little on the soft side, wich can be a good thing. My friends call it the cadilliac.. :)

 

[Yz250FinAZ]

I just turned 15 and have been riding since i was about 8. all my friends have xrs(80s, 100s, 200s, 250s,and yes a 14 yr old friend of mine rides a 650) but i nvr liked the look of the xrs. I was riding a cr80 for a while then i got my yz250f. the crf is a good alternatvie to the xr since it is pretty much the same bike cept it looks more like a race bike and has better susp. correct me if im wrong. just go to a dealer and sit on the bikes that is how i chose between a cr125 and my yz250f. good luck on getting ur bike.

 

[Killer McCoy]

ya you should be able to touch the ground with youre toes, because the suspension will lower a little after being broken in. (especially xr's)

 

[xxxendurorider14]

:aj: :yeehaw: :aj: :yeehaw: I GOT MY BIKE!! I'm so happy, on Tuesday night I got a brand new Honda CRF150F.

It's been super fun riding around and learning the gears and stuff. I did kinda run into a bush but I'm ok. I figured that would happen! Beening bushwacked isn't gonna stop me from riding so thanks for your advice throughout this proccess and I'll keep you updated! :thumb: