looking for the perfect bike

Z

ZEKEDAWG

Member

Oct 14, 2002

36

0

• Mar 3, 2003

• #1

I am looking for a bike for my wife. Here is what I am considering. The TTR125 LE, crf 150, drz 125, dr 200, xr 200, crf230. I am leaning toward the crf150 but it is heavy at 216lb. She rides an older dr 125 now and the lack of power is actually getting her into problems because she has not learned to ride with momentum. She is new to the sport but very athletic so once she gets going she advances quickly. I don't want to buy something she will be bored with in 6 monthes, ( I did that myself and learned my lesson) She has gotten better with every trip. She is 5'4" and a size 14/16 that is all I will say about that. What do you ladies ride. I am ruling out 2 strokes. Am I missing something. Electric start would be nice but not necessary. We will be riding single track, fire roads.

 

GETMETOCA

Can't Wait For Tuesdays

Mar 17, 2002

4,765

0

• Mar 3, 2003

• #2

Pegasus has a BBR Modified XR200 for sale and she is an excellent rider, the bike is awesome and she had no problems with really technical stuff on that bike.

If the BBR goodies don't interest you, I'd still recommend a regular XR200 for what you're riding, although something with an electric start makes a huge difference. I think the TTR125 is popular with the 5'4" and under crowd, and it also weighs a lot less. Good luck!

 

P

Pegasus

~SPONSOR~

Jan 31, 2001

177

0

• Mar 4, 2003

• #3

ZEEKEDAWG.. My BBR is for sale.. if you interested PM me and Ill tell you more about it.
Ellen

 

K

kburati

Member

Mar 3, 2003

6

0

• Mar 4, 2003

• #4

ZEKEDAWG, I'm in a similar boat except this will be my wife's first bike. I too am looking for my first bike. We are not unfamiliar to the riding position/terrain as both of us ride and race downhill moutain bikes which get a lot of their suspension design and actually parts from the dirt bike world (my DH bike fork has Showa seals etc. in it).

What I've considered so far is the CRF150F, CRF230F, TTR125 and XR100 for her. You'll note all 4 strokes since a loud bike would turn her off from the sport as it somewhat did at first with snow mobiles. I started with the CRF230F since it has the electric start option but I had her sit on a CRF150F this past weekend and she thought it was too heavy and didn't want to go any bigger than that, actually thought it may be too big for her to start.

So anyways, what I'm currently thinking is that I pick up a used XR100 (understand that these are small and people outgrow them fast) which she can learn on this year, a lot of people say that this is a great confidence builder beginner bike. I can get one of these for about $1500 used. Then for me I'll probably get a CRF230F, not that much heavier than the CRF150F, that I'll use this year and will end up "hopefully" being my wife's bike next year once she's outgrown the XR100. This way I'm only in the hole $1500 which I'm sure I'll be able to get $1000 back on the XR100 next year so I'll really only be paying $500 for her first season of riding/learning.

Does this sound like a good approach? I've considered the KDX200 for me but again I think the 2 stroke will turn her off from ever moving up to it.

 

Z

ZEKEDAWG

Member

Oct 14, 2002

36

0

• Mar 4, 2003

• Thread starter
• #5

Sorry to sound this way but no it doesn't sound like a good deal. I just went through the same senario. I bought a ttr 225 thinking I could pass it down, my wife has been riding a 1983 dr 125 which is fine for the first part of the learning curve it is the next step that is the killer. She rode the ttr and it was too heavy I think the crf230 will be too. Also my wife doesn't want a hand me down bike again she wants her own. I am involving her as much as possible in the process. Get the bike you want first. Do not plan on passing it down. Get her a beginner bike the xr 100 would be great. keep it for kids or a play bike or sell it when she out grows it. Then she can pick out her own. This is where I am at. I am not ready to buy quite yet, I am thinking of a great x-mas present though. So I am trying to see what other women like that have been down this road before. The xr 200 to me really seems good, how much do they weigh approx. , also really thinking about the crf150, but really want to ride one first. Keep em coming I am listening.

 

K

kburati

Member

Mar 3, 2003

6

0

• Mar 4, 2003

• #6

There is a huge jump in weight between the TTR 125 and the TTR 225, I can understand why she thinks the 225 is too heavy. Between the CRF150 and CRF230 the difference looks more negligable, 216 vs 228 lbs. I think TTR 125 may be the way to go for you, maybe for me as well since my wife might be able to get 2 seasons out of that where the XR100 most people say is a one season bike, if that, for an adult.

Do you know anything about the TTR125 suspension? I've heard that the XR100 is a great bike for beginners and my wife's the type that's more talented than her confidence level allows so I do want a bike that she can enjoy learning on and have fun with. The one concern I have with the XR100 is that it's a 6" front/5.5" rear travel bike, that's less than her Downhill Bicycle which has 7" front and rear which is more in line with the TTR 125.

I hear you on the hand me down thing, probably a bad idea to look at the CRF230 due to it's weight for her and knowing my aggressive nature I'm guessing I'll be looking for more that the CRF230 can give before long.

Any thoughts on the XR250 for me?

 

Z

ZEKEDAWG

Member

Oct 14, 2002

36

0

• Mar 11, 2003

• Thread starter
• #7

What about a klx 300? ANyone have any experience with these.

 

G

Girlrider

Member

Sep 1, 2000

313

0

• Mar 11, 2003

• #8

I had a KLX 250 and it was easy to ride but HARD to start once tipped over. It was heavy but aren't most 4 strokes??

 

C

CO Dan

~SPONSOR~

Apr 20, 2001

234

0

• Mar 11, 2003

• #9

I went through the same thinking last summer and fall about the TTR125L (too small) CRF150/230 (too heavy).

I am building a KX100 for my daugher - 13 yo, 5'6"", 110 lbs.

This bike is the right height and only weighs 150 lbs.

EG modified the ports for smoother power, and I may add a flywheel weight to smooth out power.

Just a thought.


I

 

bbbom

~SPONSOR~

Aug 13, 1999

2,092

0

• Mar 11, 2003

• #10

Like I said before: ;)

The KLX300 is a nice ride for both beginners & advanced riders. I started out on a 98KLX300 back in 99. My bro who's been riding for most of his life rode a KLX250 at the time. He switched to a KX250 a couple years ago, but kept his KLX. He's selling the KX this year and going back to the KLX because he says it's easier to ride on our terrain.

The KLX is very forgiving and has a lower seat height than other full size fourstrokes but it has plenty of power for climbing. The only problem I had with mine was a lack of upper body strength and riding skill that prevented me from getting the front end over logs and objects easily - that's what I like about my CR. I don't need skill or strength with it, I just twist the throttle and the bike pops over the stuff. Sometimes without me if I'm not careful!

As far as weight goes, the KLX300 is listed at 232 lbs dry, compared to the XR250 at 240 lbs and XR400 at 257 lbs.

I never had much problem with starting, even in summer following the kids around or tipping over. The full throttle drill usually took care of it once I figured it out.

My 98 is for sale and it's only been ridden two seasons. It sure is pretty!

More pics HERE

 

Attachments

• klx.jpg

  22.4 KB · Views: 196

Last edited: Mar 11, 2003

Z

ZEKEDAWG

Member

Oct 14, 2002

36

0

• Mar 11, 2003

• Thread starter
• #11

How much and where are you at. I really am getting ahead of myself, this is going to be more like an end of summer/fall thing but it never hurts to gather info. Email to casey@superdeck.com

 

bbbom

~SPONSOR~

Aug 13, 1999

2,092

0

• Mar 11, 2003

• #12

Info is on it's way.

 

T

Tom Ludolff

Member

Oct 3, 2002

250

0

• Mar 14, 2003

• #13

C O Dan, I like your idea!!! Super light 2-stroke with a nice low seat. Add a flywheel weight to mellow it out a bit, but enough zip to keep it fun!!! You can always take off the fww later to make it zippier!!! I'd keep the quiet exhaust though. Noisy bikes can be very irritating. You could even close off the air box a bit to kill the power until she gets used to it!!! Actually, you can do that to any bike. It's much easier to make a powerful bike weak than vice-versa.

Tom L.

 

A

Amber Farris

Member

Mar 14, 2003

40

0

• Mar 14, 2003

• #14

I am 5'4" & 125lbs. My husband and I just started riding last year. I bought a 97 XR200. The bike weighed about 230lbs with the aftermarket exhaust. I liked this bike. It was great to learn on, but it felt a little heavy. I am very athletic and strong for a female. But when you fall on a hill, that bike gets heavy. Also the suspension on wasn't the greatest, and drum brakes can be a drag. I just got a 03 KX100 and I love it! I can throw the bike around, and go much faster because the suspention is killer. I sat on a CRF230 and it felt too heavy(238lbs?). The CRF150 didn't feel too bad. At least they have a disc front brake & a little better suspension. The KX100 feels perfect but it is a different kind of riding and may be intimidating to a beginner. I put a fly wheel weight which mellowed out the abruptness of the power band.

 

D

ddeaver

Member

Mar 15, 2003

3

0

• Mar 15, 2003

• #15

Originally posted by Girlrider
I had a KLX 250 and it was easy to ride but HARD to start once tipped over. It was heavy but aren't most 4 strokes??

Click to expand...

My friend started out on a klx 300 and they are pretty big and also pretyy heavy. I think and xr200 would be a great starter bike. They are a little heavy but very easy to learn on and they are tanks. I have burried mine up to the handle bars in mud pulled it out w/ my truck kicked it twice and rode it back home.

 

bbbom

~SPONSOR~

Aug 13, 1999

2,092

0

• Mar 15, 2003

• #16

Originally posted by ddeaver

My friend started out on a klx 300 and they are pretty big and also pretyy heavy.

Click to expand...

KLX300 = 232 lbs dry

XR200 = 223 lbs dry

KLX250 = 213 lbs dry

9 lbs is not a big difference but, the KLX is taller than the XR200. Bigger wheels also means easier riding over bumpy areas.

 

C

CO Dan

~SPONSOR~

Apr 20, 2001

234

0

• Mar 17, 2003

• #17

Tom Ludolff,

You're right about the noise, I forgot to mention that the first things that went on it was an FMF Power Core II Q muff/spark arrestor.

The bike got ridden around the yard (before the tear down) and it seemed no louder than my KTM EXC with the stock muff. Certainly nothing like a standard MX muff.

I'm finally putting it together today. If I don't blow it up I'll post some preliminary results in a month or so. We are supposed to get 16" of snow today!