Newbie here

Hi, Tom,

Nice to see a local rider. There are lots of off-road enthusiasts around our parts, in particular www.endurozone.com , which provides a database of riders and their riding level/type of bike to hook up with and go riding. If you want to want to try well-organized off road racing (from newbie to expert riders), check out www.fmsq.net to get dates for the next EnduroCross or group trail ride.

My unsolicited advice: hold off on the Honda until you figure out what kind of riding you want to do. A KDX 200 is a more complete off-road package right out of the box, and costs less than modifying a motocrosser for trail duty. At the $2000 price point, you're going to need an experienced friend to find a bike that is mechanically and well-suited to the type of riding you wish to do. If you want some general help, shoot me an email.

Its great to hear stories like yours, because people forget what truly having simple fun is like when they "grow up" :yeehaw: I'd agree that you should decide if you want to trail ride or race MX as the bike available to do both and they can be modified to do either with more cash. KTM makes an MXC that is as close as your going to get to a do all right from the factory, if you can't decide ;) . It’s a 2 stroke and it has been around long enough to be available for the cash you talking about. As for a nice trail bike that is inexpensive try the KDX line, 2 grand will get you a pretty nice one and mods are easy, cheap (free in some cases) and can turn it into a serious woods weapon.

Yes, a KDX is far more powerful than a TTR, and at least 25 lbs lighter. A KDX can be modified to go from a mellow beginner's ride to a competitive off-road race bike. The reason I'm big on KDX's is because they're reasonably priced, versatile, and modifiable. There's also an astounding amount of information about and loyalty toward these machines. I've never owned one, but I've ridden with dozens.

I don't know that the Honda 250 is inherently more reliable than the Suzuki; both are well-made and more than robust enough for sand pit riding. Reliability stories from riders usually circulate around rumours or the experience they had with their last bike of a given colour. I was a Honda guy my whole life, but my latest ride is a Yamaha, and it's every bit as reliable. Might have something to do with the fact that I look after my possessions, as I'm sure you will.

I've been to the Yamachiche pits, and the trails around Ste-Ursule/Louiseville area. Beaucoup de sable. Sand sucks up horsepower, so a 250 MX bike or CRF/YZF 450 is a good choice. However, with a budget of $2,000 you're looking at a mid-90's 250 MX bike or the KDX.

Best of luck to you, Tom.

Reality has a way of making money go away...we've all been there! Actually, bike prices are pretty darn good in January/February as people scramble to find cash to pay off Christmas credit purchases. You might get more bike for your money.

I'm on the North Shore of Montreal, lower Laurentian area (I don't get too specific over the internet...nothing to do with you). I know Longueuil quite well.

Can't go too wrong with a 250 2-stroke, as long as you're pretty disciplined about basic maintenance. There are a whole lot of guys with 8 year old bikes that have hardly slung a leg over them for the past five years, yet keep the bike for sentimental reasons. $3,000 to $3,500 will get you a fairly unabused 250. Budget at least $500 for safety gear, if you don't already own some. You can get used boots, chest protector, knee and elbow pads, but buy a new helmet...they're way cheaper than they used to be, and $175 picks up a safe, comfortable lid.

Anyway, you probably know all this stuff. If you ever want a hand, let me know. I'm going into my 26th year of off-road riding, so I've seen a bit.

The best value in a simple trailer for bikes is...Wal-Mart!

They carry the Sno-Bear line (same as Cdn Tire, Home Depot). $578 gets you a 4'X8' flat trailer with 12" wheels (much better than 8" or 10") and serviceable bearings. Wiring's all done, hardware is quality, and the trailer is articulating for all your dumping needs. Another $120 for a bike rail and wheel chock kit (you can order directly from Sno-Bear, or over the counter at the Cdn Tire parts section), and you're good to go. The trailer fits 2 bikes comfortably, 3 if you're creative, but you'll need to buy one wheel chock kit for each bike.

I've put roughly 9,000km's on mine in the last year and a half, and I get all kinds of compliments from folks, especially when I tell them what I paid. You might save $200 getting a used one, but a lot of them are real Frankensteins (snowblower tires mated to a buick regal differential, lighting system from a 1984 moped, capped off with some nasty looking plywood), and they're often those "wobblers" you see buzzing back and forth behind cars on the highway. Mine is very balanced, and virtually imperceptible on the back of the minivan. Or you could spend $5000 on spiffy enclosed trailer. Then I'll be your friend!
A trailer hitch will run you about $250, including install. So, you're looking at another $1,000 on top of bike purchase and safety gear. However, the trailer will hardly depreciate in value, your used bike will barely drop in value over a few years time, and the safety gear is a consumable that you'll replace piece by piece. Once you take the $5,000 plunge, it's not that expensive. Compared to golf or downhill skiing, owning a bike for trail riding or sand pits is a bargain. Or so I told my wife!

Welcome to the site :cool:

It looks like you have been in good hands while we were all at DirtWeek.

BBdotcom said:

Now if i could get someone to teach me how to make money grow on trees

Click to expand...

If you find that person, send him my way after you are done learning or take dang good notes. :laugh:

Watch the Damn Yankee Dirt Riders and Michigan Trail Riders forums for opportunities to hook up with some fellow DRNers just south of the border.

The DYDR group always has a Rites of Spring ride at Paragon in Central PA and I am sure the MTR fellows schedule one as well.

Good luck on finding a bike. You might want to wait until first snow. That might make the prices drop a little. It is kind of like buying a convertable in the winter.

Good luck with the bike purcahse and don't be bashfull about asking questions, answering them makes us feel like we know something :)