NoPainXNoGain said:
1) your physical size (both height and weight are important)
*I am 100lbs and 5'1
Seat height is going to be a big issue for you. When riding flat ground it isn't so important but when you start picking your way across some gnarly terrain having your feet reach the ground can make the difference on keeping going or dropping the bike.
NoPainXNoGain said:
2) How physical / aggressive are you ?
*I am slightly nervous about crackin my head open,
Protective gear! A helmet goes without saying. Gloves, goggles and boots are also essential. I highly recommend a chest protector, knee & elbow pads and padded shorts and/or good padded MX pants (I wear both).
With the right gear you can take some nasty tumbles and come up a little bruised but otherwise unharmed.
NoPainXNoGain said:
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ?????
*My boyfriend has a backyard thats wooded so I'd more likely be riding in the woods. I can probably ride in some fields as well.
Fields are generally flat, easy to ride. Woods can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. A nice trail through the trees can be easy, but single track where you have to dodge the trees can be a real challenge. Hopping over roots, ducking under branches, throw in a little mud and you can really be working hard.
NoPainXNoGain said:
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)?
*Not really, I dont like yamaha for some reason..i really don't know why lol, just one of those things i suppose but my friend told me a 4 stroke would be best cause its less work or w/e I forget, i don't talk to them anymore
This is one area where you can pick your favorite color. Yamaha, Honda, KTM, Suzuki, Kawasaki all make good bikes.
One thing you should realize is that they all make several different types of dirt bikes. The "MX" bikes are the top of the line race bikes. In their stock configuration they would be too tall for you, as the seat height will be around 38 inches.
The "trail" or "off road" models are far less expensive and are targeted for less aggressive and smaller riders. A typical seat height would be around 31 inches. The bikes tend to be heavier, the engines are not as powerful, and the suspension is not nearly as capable as their MX cousins but they can be great beginner bikes.
As for 2 vs 4 stroke: I like to separate the bikes into "performance" vs "economy" engines. The race bikes will have high performance engines, either 2 or 4 stroke. These engines are powerful but at the expense of durability. If you have a high performance engine you MUST take care of it, which includes frequent top end rebuilds. When it comes to the maintenance, a two stroke is MUCH easier to rebuild and keep in tune that a four stroke.
When you buy the "off road" model bike it will have an "economy" engine. The compression ratio is lower (can use low octane pump gas) and if you adjust the valves every once in a while it can run for a long, long time.
NoPainXNoGain said:
10) Do you live in California?
*I don't know why this is on here, but i'll leave it just in case, but no i dont. I'm in Virginia
The question was included because California has some very strict regulations on off road vehicles that can make a big difference in what bike might be best suited for you. I wish, however, that the question had been more generic, like "what state do you live in?"
You can find suitable bikes in your price range, but they are going to be older models. Don't worry, you can find bikes that are still in decent shape and you can buy all the essential parts for bikes that are 20 years old! I would look for something around 10 years old, however.
Make sure you leave room in your budget for the protective gear. Some times you can find a great deal where the seller will throw in all the gear you need. People getting out of dirt biking will also get rid of their gear. People moving up will often have piles of old gear laying around, especially if they had kids that have outgrown their stuff.
Rod