help a new girl out please!

[Concrete]

okay, so here is my thing. ive wanted to ride since i was a little kid but never had the money or a place to ride or anybody to ride with or to teach me for that matter. well i want to learn now. im completely new to this and know absolutely nothing. i dont know what size bike i would need,

1) your physical size im a big girl, 5'8" ~230lbs
2) How physical / aggressive are you i can get super agressive, but am still working on the physical part
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ? im thinking MX tracks for fun, and possible wooded trails
4) Do you have any riding experience? absolutely none. but thats why im here, right? :)
5) Do you think you will race ? nope.
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work? i'd like to get to that point, but as of now, no. i wont be working on my own bike
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)? nope
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry? im sure we do. i live in a large city
9) How much do you plan to spend on a bike? i wanan get a used one for my first, so really, i'd like to find something less than $1500
10) anything else that you think would help form an opinion like i said, im COMPLETELY new and could use all the help i could get. even if you happen to know anybody here in Austin, TX that would be willing to teach me how to ride once I get a bike would be cool. Thank's Y'all

 

[2 strokes for life]

Well, a good begginer bike that could be good would be a Kawasaki KDX220 or 200. They are cheap and easy to work on.

 

[Concrete]

today i mentioned my desire to get into riding to my boss (who used to ride) and he told me that a 220 or 200 will still be too much power for me. he said something about a 2 stroke, around 125 would be good for me to learn. any thoughts on this?

 

[kawicam250]

today i mentioned my desire to get into riding to my boss (who used to ride) and he told me that a 220 or 200 will still be too much power for me. he said something about a 2 stroke, around 125 would be good for me to learn. any thoughts on this?

125's have more power and better suspension than KDX200(220), but are usually around the same price, maybe a bit cheaper. the KDX will weigh more, but it will suit you better for now.

 

[2 strokes for life]

No, bike has too much power but has a dumb ridder. If you ride nicley and take it slow then it would be fine. Besides a 125 is faster then a 22 and the 125 has a harder hitting powerband.

 

[Octane250F]

If you didnt want to do MX Id suggest something like a Yamaha TT-R (trail bike), but considering that you said you wanna do MX, Id suggest a 125; either a KTM 125 SX or Yamaha YZ 125.
A 2-stroke is going to be cheaper and easier to maintain than a 4-stroke.

 

[robbie_new]

cr 125

the cr 125 is a great bike any year

 

[2 strokes for life]

robbie_new, i am from BC. What part are you from.

 

[RocketRaccoon]

Welcome to the world of dirt bikes. Its great to see more and more women get into this hobby/sport. I am currently trying to get my girlfriend interested so we can go ride together. Good luck.... :cool:

 

[pyrofreak]

The KDX200 or KDX220, is a two stroke WOODS bike. That means that it has alot more low end power, and a mellower hit compared to a 125 MX bike. I would definitly look for one. Maybe even an RMX250 if you can find one. They are older two stroke woods bikes also. Power is all in your right wrist and how far you turn it.

 

[rmc_olderthandirt]

Concrete:

I think that you would be better off on a 4-stroke "off road" bike rather than a "MX" bike. Something in the 200 - 250 4 stroke range rather than a 125 2-stroke.

A ~220 cc 4 stroke is going to provide about the same peak power as a 125 2-stroke but it will be a lot easier to manage. A two stroke has to be kept in the "power band" and can require a lot of shifting at times that you may be very busy or pre-occupied! A four stroke can lug down a lot more and still provide some torque.

The "off road" bikes, such as the Yamaha TT series, have a lower seat height. The TT230 has a seat height of 34 inches instead of the YZ125 that has a seat height of 39 inches. If your legs are short that five inches of extra seat height can have you trying to balance the bike on your tip-toes.

The newer off road bikes have electric start which can be great asset. It can be a real bitch to kick start a stubborn bike, especially if you are trying to balance the bike on tip-toe. The off road bikes will often come equipped with a kickstand which can be really handy.

If you are completely new to all this then you need to allow in your budget all the protective gear. A helmet is an absolute must, as are goggles. I highly recommend gloves because your knuckles are hanging out at the widest point of the bike and you will eventually cut to close to a bush. Good riding boots may save you from breaking at toe, twisting an ankle, burning your calf on the pipe, etc. All that stuff is necessary even if you never fall. If you do fall, a chest protector and knee pads will help you get up again. Riding pants shed the dirt better and do provide some protection in a fall. A jersey looks cool and can be cooler. Better plan on ~$300 - $400 for basic gear.

If you buy a 2-stroke you will need to dedicate a good gas can (the utility jugs are the best) so that you can mix the gas. Utility jugs are nice for 4-strokes as well, but you could get away without one for a while. If you buy a 2-stroke you should buy yourself an oil measuring jar. I recommend buying one with a screw on lid so that the left over oil doesn't make a mess.

Do you have a way to haul a bike around? You will need a ramp to get the bike into the truck/trailer. Short ramp for a low trailer, long ramp for a pickup. You will need tie downs to secure the bike while you tow it. Better plan on another $100 or more for a ramp and tie downs.

If you don't plan on doing your own repair work then I recommend buying as new of a bike as possible. You really should learn some basics, though. If you buy a 2-stroke you should at least be able to change a sparkplug. You should also be able to oil your chain, inflate the tires, check the oil.

What you really need is to find a friend that you can ride with! It would be a really bad idea to go off riding by yourself.

Good luck!
Rod

 

[kawicam250]

Concrete:

I think that you would be better off on a 4-stroke "off road" bike rather than a "MX" bike. Something in the 200 - 250 4 stroke range rather than a 125 2-stroke.

A ~220 cc 4 stroke is going to provide about the same peak power as a 125 2-stroke but it will be a lot easier to manage. A two stroke has to be kept in the "power band" and can require a lot of shifting at times that you may be very busy or pre-occupied! A four stroke can lug down a lot more and still provide some torque.

The "off road" bikes, such as the Yamaha TT series, have a lower seat height. The TT230 has a seat height of 34 inches instead of the YZ125 that has a seat height of 39 inches. If your legs are short that five inches of extra seat height can have you trying to balance the bike on your tip-toes.

The newer off road bikes have electric start which can be great asset. It can be a real bitch to kick start a stubborn bike, especially if you are trying to balance the bike on tip-toe. The off road bikes will often come equipped with a kickstand which can be really handy.

If you are completely new to all this then you need to allow in your budget all the protective gear. A helmet is an absolute must, as are goggles. I highly recommend gloves because your knuckles are hanging out at the widest point of the bike and you will eventually cut to close to a bush. Good riding boots may save you from breaking at toe, twisting an ankle, burning your calf on the pipe, etc. All that stuff is necessary even if you never fall. If you do fall, a chest protector and knee pads will help you get up again. Riding pants shed the dirt better and do provide some protection in a fall. A jersey looks cool and can be cooler. Better plan on ~$300 - $400 for basic gear.

If you buy a 2-stroke you will need to dedicate a good gas can (the utility jugs are the best) so that you can mix the gas. Utility jugs are nice for 4-strokes as well, but you could get away without one for a while. If you buy a 2-stroke you should buy yourself an oil measuring jar. I recommend buying one with a screw on lid so that the left over oil doesn't make a mess.

Do you have a way to haul a bike around? You will need a ramp to get the bike into the truck/trailer. Short ramp for a low trailer, long ramp for a pickup. You will need tie downs to secure the bike while you tow it. Better plan on another $100 or more for a ramp and tie downs.

If you don't plan on doing your own repair work then I recommend buying as new of a bike as possible. You really should learn some basics, though. If you buy a 2-stroke you should at least be able to change a sparkplug. You should also be able to oil your chain, inflate the tires, check the oil.

What you really need is to find a friend that you can ride with! It would be a really bad idea to go off riding by yourself.

Good luck!
Rod

+1 to the gear and finding a friend, also maintaining it. most people only think about the bike, and sometimes even us more experienced people get to carried away :) .

 

[Concrete]

rmc_olderthandirt

thank you so much! you by far have given me the best look into all of this. i started looking at protective gear before i even started looking at a bike. :) i completely overlooked how i was going to get the thing into the back of my truck too. as for learning how to do basic maintenance, my boyfriend is pretty mechanicaly inclined and could help me learn. the only thing i have ever maintained was a riding lawnmower. hahaha. and changing filters/checking fluids on my truck. my boyfriend is also considering getting an ATV, so we could ride together in some places which makes me feel a bit better.

 

[SpDyKen]

Rod & Octane have both given you good advice.

The others are not considering the facts. That the best bike for you to learn the skills you will need, and gain the confidence required, to enjoy the kind of riding you hope to do, is not the same bike you will want AFTER you have moved from the 'beginner' status to 'intermediate' riding skills.

The absolute best thing you could do would be to attend one of the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) Dirt Bike Schools. I am not sure about all of them, but at most, THEY will supply the bike & gear you need! Of course, you can bring your own stuff, if you like. Hands down, you will find this to be one of the best experiences of your life! Talk your boyfriend into a 'romantic' roadtrip to the Honda sponsored facility in Irvine, TX., and he just might end up wanting a bike instead of a quad! Or agree to go to the 4-wheeler school with him, as well! You'll have a good time learning to ride them, as well, I assure you.

Once you have some experience, YOU will be able to decide what you WANT to ride, by yourself. Whatever you end up spending to take the MSF class will be the best $ you will ever spend on riding.

Check out the schools at - http://www.dirtbikeschool.com/ and - http://powersports.honda.com/the_ri...aining&bhcp=1&cookieOff=1&randnumber=29032.93

Otherwise, buy a TTR 125 L Yamaha, CRF 150 F Honda, DRZ 125 Suzuki, or KLX 125 Kawasaki to learn to ride on. I think they are all available in electric start, if that matters to you, or kickstart only, which makes for a lighter, better performing bike. You'll have a hoot on any one of them, and the resale value is good when you decide to sell it & move to a bigger bike. Sure, they are a little small. But why do you think so many people have mini-bikes these days? Because small bikes are a BLAST! (no matter how experienced you are!)

Have fun & good luck! You & your boyfriend will have a blast learning together & create lots of cool memories. If not, you'll find out soon that you need a different boyfriend, & that's important too! :nod: :cool: :laugh:

Take care, Ken

 

[rmc_olderthandirt]

rmc_olderthandirt

my boyfriend is also considering getting an ATV, so we could ride together in some places which makes me feel a bit better.

The girl on a bike and the guy on a quad, isn't that a role reversal!

I am sure that you will do fine. I would say that you would do a lot better buying a less expensive model of bike (such as the Yamaha TT line) that is newer just so that you didn't have as much maintenance problems. A low performance bike isn't going to hold you back in the beginning, nor will it cause you any frustration. A high performance bike that is broken all the time or is a bitch to start can be very frustrating.

In a year or two, when you have learned the basics and have established your skill level, you can sell that bike with relatively little loss and buy something more aggressive.

Rod

 

[mojave ron]

actually i think the ttr-125,dr-z125,crf150f...and any in that class are a bit small for you even for a first time bike....my wife is about your size aswell...5'9/220ish? and the ttr-125 was way to little...not talking power... just simply size...she was very cramped...then we bought her a crf230....she loves that bike to death...and i agree its 1000x better than the 4s125 class bikes..and hell i can even zip around on it and have alot of fun...ppl will say its underpowered and overweight...as for as i can see it has 2x the power of a ttr-125 and maybe 40lbs? heavier?to me the weight made it alot more stable on the trails...than a 4t 125 that is...but if your buying brand new ,the crf150"R" looks like a great fit for you...smooth powerband, same seat height as the crf230 but much lighter...