I feel new again

Let me start off by saying that I am not new here. I had a 96 KDX200 about 4yrs ago. I liked it for trail riding and putting around. I did not know how that bike should have felt when I bought it, but something was wrong with it come to find out. It ran good down low, but it was like it hit a brick wall when it should have gotten on the pipe. Anway, I was out with a few friends riding the other day and we are all 21-24. Im 24, 6' 190lbs. We were just out messing around on a Honda Fourtrax 300 4x4, a 97 XR80 and a 94 YZ80. Of course the bikes were ridiculously small, but I had a ton of fun and I really want to get back into riding. I need a hobby.

I want to buy another bike but I have a couple questions. How much faster is a 125cc compared to an 80cc? That YZ80 would have smoked my KDX bad. Im not ready for a 250 and Im really not sure that I am ready for a 125. I feel comfortable on a bike, but I am not by any means a good rider. I just like to ride around and enjoy the trails, but I also like to open it up when I can. Im not into big hillclimbs or anything like that. I am looking at all of the japanese 125's mainly because they are pretty cheap and I dont have too much money to work with. I just want a bike that I wont get bored with after a month and want more. I just ride trails, so its not tight woods or anything. I would really like to ride a KDX that ran right. Other than the issues it had I loved that bike. I should have never sold it and learned how to fix it properly, but I bought a "cough" 400EX.

Sorry that was kind of long, but hopefully ya'll can point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Joey

I guess I should have done this the first time....



1) your physical size (both height and weight are important)

6' 190lbs

2) How physical / aggressive are you ?

5 on a 1-10

3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ?????

Trails/Fireroads

4) Do you have any riding experience?

Yes but Im not Ricky Carmichael

5) Do you think you will race ?

Probably not, but I cant rule out a Harescramble or something down the road

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)?

Not really brand preference, but I like how easy it is to work on and the feel of a 2 stroke.

8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry?

Yes
9) How much ($) do you plan to spend on a bike?

Im on a tight budget so $1000-$1500

10) Do you live in California?

Nope
11) Your age?

24

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

I just want a fun bike that I can get better at riding on.

I have another question about a 125. With my size, would I be better off looking at 250's? Like I said I have riding experience, but Im not experienced on a fast bike like that. Im just wondering how many have started off on a 250?

Joey