New bike for beginner big guy

[Scooter650]

Have been riding quads for a couple year, and recently got my two boys an XR50 and XR70. Now I have decided that it would be more fun to ride on two wheels with them.

My only experience on dirt bikes was limited as a kid. I am 6'-3" and 220lbs, 32 years-young. We will be mostly trail riding, at least for a couple years. I will obviously want to be able to jump a little, but can not see myself going big at the track. I also want to be able to get it on the street to run to the store sometimes, but won't go any distance.

I really like the reliability of the XRs, but have also been reading about the KDX and DRZ. I want it to be reliable and am not really into modding it out. I want to ride it out of the box and not have to maintain and fix it all the time.

The only real drawback that I see with the XR is the kick start. How big of a pain is that? Do they kick and start as easy as the little ones? Any problem with stalling them? The DRZ looks good but I hear it is too heavy for what you get. The KDX sounds great, but not a 2-stroke fan. I like to be able to stop by the pump and fill it up or carry one can for all the bikes.

Found a used 2003 XR250, very clean, for $3500, is that a good deal, or able to pass on it and look for better?

Hopefully I followed the "rules" and you have all the info to give me some input. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[truespode]

I had a DRZ250 for the wife. It was a very fun bike. I'm 6' and 220 but I felt it was a little underpowered. However, I was used to a YZF250 at the time.

I feel with some sprocket changes the power would be better depending on what you want.

I do feel it is a very good beginner bike though. The e-start makes it really nice.

Ivan

 

[bsmith]

look at the DRZ 400 electric start!! Little more power and no kicking;-)

 

[Nordegg]

I like the XR250 and rode one for several years in the mountains, but I'm 5'8" and 165lbs. Any of these bikes is liable to be a "one year then move on proposition". That doesn't make them a bad idea, but I wouldn't get anything brand new 'cause you'll lose on trade in.

Any beginner will love the electric start, because you'll stall quite a bit while going thru the learning curve. I love my electric start because I can start the bike mid-stream, or half way up a mountain, or in a swamp. Having said that, a properly jetted kick start bike is generally very easy to start.

I'd buy whichever I got a better deal on a USED model. I bought and sold my XR250 for very similar prices, and it took my abuse with grace. I'd pay a little extra for electric start but don't stress about it.

 

[Scooter650]

Thanks all, with all the reading I did and your replies, I picked up a new 04 XR250 this Saturday, what a blast!!! OTD price of $4,100 vs. a used 03 for $3,575, I took the brand new one. Took the boys and went riding for about 4 hours on Sunday. Started it on the third kick at most all day, so can't really see the need for the electric start.

Might only be a one year bike, but that will have to wait and see. If it is, I can get the CRF250X when that finally comes out!

 

[70 marlin]

The XR400 mostly likely you'd on it longer, but the Xr250 would met your needs. Right from the start have your suspension corrected for your weight.