New guy here, I need some help!

[INEEDSPEED]

Hey guys. I just discovered the this site about an hour ago, its great! I am a current street rider(929). Yesterday, my buddy introduced my to dirtbikes. WOOHOO!! I NEED one bad! We got in his truck and drove for 2 1/2 miles to Warren PA. and hit some trails. I used his 2000 XR200. Keep in mind this was my first time on a dirtbike.
The bike was great, in my opinion. The only thing a did not like was the rear brake and it could have used a little more uummfff up the hills. My buddy has a new DX400, what a monster. Anyways, I am now looking into getting a dirtbike. I am thinking maybe a XR250 or CRF230. It their a major differance? I will only be doing trail riding so a four stroke is what I want. I am also a Honda fan so that is what I am looking into.
So lets here it guys, what would make a better bike? The 200 fit me great(5'10", 175) So will it be a XR250 or CRF 250?? Any opinions would be great.

 

[truespode]

The 250 fourstrokes that are out there will fit you great. The XR is stone reliable and one of the best out there. They hold their value well and you can probably find a good used 96 or up XR250 for a fair price and in good condition. If you get the XR get one at least 96 or newer. In 96 they made a lot of changes.

I have a DRZ250 (for sale) that my wife learned to ride on. It is a good bike too. Here is a link to a bike test for the DRZ.
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/27feb01firstridedrz250.html

The DRZ is heavier than the XR but it has e-start and an oil cooler.

I know many people who prefer the XR line simply b/c of Honda's reliability history but you can't go wrong with any bike that is in good shape.

Ivan

 

[XR400RMan]

I say get an XR250R,I have a 91 and it is great, in my opinion you don't have to get a 96-up XR250R, My 91 is a great bike I don't think the 96's and up are that much better, If you find say a 90,91,94 model cheap then go for it, It will grunt up any hill you come to for the most part and has plenty of power also if you uncork it. Keep the Oil,Oil Filter changed and the Air Filter clean and you won't have any problems,good luck,Matt

 

[woodsy]

Hi INS - We are very glad you found us!!! Welcome to the greatest info site on Dirtriding that there is!!! I hope you get as addicted to this place as I am cause that will mean you have become as addicted to dirtbikin as the rest of us!!
Now right to the point. I would say that XR400man is correct in his point about you not needing a 96/up XR but I would add "at this time"! Ivan is correct that Honda did make some significant improvememnts starting in 96! Prior to that the XR250 remained unchanged for years and were fine bikes as long as they were used for just plain play bikes! I had a 95 that was a RIOT but I very quickly started riding WAY beyond the boundries of its limits! The bike could be ridden very fast thru the tight woods, which I did every time I rode it LOL. The problem I encountered consistantly was that I wasnt always in the tight woods - at times I would break into a set of whoops and I would quickly be reminded that the 95 on down model did not have the suspention capible of handleing serious whoops of any sort (and my bike was like brand new when I purchased it so the mono/forks were not clapped out!). The 96 ups are closer to the XR400 in this catergory which really makes them a lot nicer bike for the novice rider!
I am not sure the following info applys to you cause I dont know where you ride. Here in Michigan it is very difficult to find ANY trails that dont not require a LOT of whoop ridin so this one little issue becomes one BIG issue to any seroius woods/trail rider!!
I would at minimum contact a Honda dealer or go to the thumper section here at DRN and find out what the suspention updates are for the CRF230 compared to the current XR250!! If the new CRF has any major changes in a positive way (more adjustability in compression/rebound/high speed/low speed) I would really consider one!! I rode with a guy up north a couple weeks ago that had a BBR 200 (this is a CR125 frame with a XR200 motor in it) and NO ONE could stay with him in the tights!! Over the whoops he FLEW!!!! Cool bike!
Yea Buddy, any way you look at it - YOU ARE IN FOR THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE!!
WELCOME!
Woodsy
By the way, you just go on thinking that Hondas are great bikes cause they are!! However, it never hurts to look around, maybe even ride a few other brands a little before you buy a new bike - there are some really AWESOME steeds out there that deserve a look!! Buy a bike that FITS YOU - it may not be the cheapest, prettiest, tallest, shortest, fanciest (you get the point) but if it fits YOU - YOU will more FUN and THATS WHAT IT ALL ABOUT!!!

 

[beer_stud_76]

INEEDSPEED -

if you are streeting a cbr929, i promise an XR250 will not be enuf for you. if you go XR, get the 400. you'll thank me later.

having said that, you gotta pitch the "i only ride honda's" thinking right out the window. fact is, pretty much everyone is making good bikes these days. knowing that you can get a good bike of pretty much any make (ok, big 5 anyway) means the honda dealer doesn't have you by the short &curlies.

anyway, like i said, being a cbr929 type guy you might want to look at some of the higher performance woods/trail/enduro type bikes, or even getting a MX bike a detuning it for the trails.\

jeremiah


ps - XR guys just remember i'm one of you

 

[INEEDSPEED]

Beer stud 76, you make a good piont about power but remember I am a new rider. I don't want the biggest, fastest thing out there. I need to learn. I riding off-road in the woods is apples and oranges compared to the streets.
I went out today to check out a new xr250r. SWEEETT!! I just wanted to give the salesman my cc but had to restrain myself. I also checked out a Yamaha WR(I think) 250. It also lookes like a sweet bike. Plus it was liquid cooled, the Honda isn't. But looking through the cycle trader, I saw a bunch of slightly used xr's for about 3 grand. I think I'll buy a used one and save some cash for gear. Thanks for the comments guys, keep'em coming if you got them.

 

[truespode]

Originally posted by INEEDSPEED
I think I'll buy a used one and save some cash for gear.

VERY smart. Don't ever buy a bike if you can't afford the gear.

Safety first IMO.

Ivan

 

[zio]

I agree with Ivan. XR's are good buys used. Buy one, ride it, then if you decide to sell it, you will find you'll almost get as much out as you put in.

I've ridden the newer XR's, and just yesterday had a chance to ride a newer KLX 300. I think I'd pick that out of any small-bore four-stroke. It was lightweight and felt nimble & slim. It handled well (for the short time I was on it) too. Also had pretty decent power for a smaller 4 stroke. Xr's tend to hold their value quite well, whereas I've seen several of the KLX's for sale with tons of aftermarket stuff added to them, and still usually less than a comparable XR. Just more food for thought to confuse ya ;)

 

[flying W]

One bike that you will want to consider is a Kawasaki KDX 220. This bike comes with a mellow, torquey motor and is very easy to ride. Where the KDX outshines the XR is in hopup potential. As you gain ability, the KDX can easily be modified to be a very fast and competitive enduro racer. It is not so easy to do so with the XR. You will appreciate a bike that will grow with your abilities.

Also, a new KDX is $200 cheaper than the XR250.