Opinions

[ghunter]

Are you really suggesting a 2-stroke 125 for a beginner? having ridden some of the newer 125s and 250s, most of which will put you on the podium right off the showroom floor, I don't think I can justify putting my beginner wife on one of these. Not that I don't appreciate your opinion...I'm just a bit leary of the powerband for a beginner.

Or am I being overly concerned? Keep in mind that if she outgrows the bike in one season we will get her something else at that time. While I certainly don't want to be buying a new bike every year, my wife deserves to have the best beginner bike available. We can always keep it for one of our growing boys!

 

[gospeedracer]

ghunter,

Not sure why you started a new thread but here is my $.02.
While I can’t say that I would recommend a new 125 for all beginners, I did start out on one myself. Got an RM125 when I was about 16 and got another one when I got back into riding a couple of years ago. But I wasn’t specifically looking for a 125 more like something cheap! What was most important to me was weight. I wanted something light and my RM is just that. It was tougher to ride in some situations. Hill climbs and woods come to mind. Fine in wide-open desert. It really depends on the individual and what is important to them. It was important to me to be able to pick up my own bike and get my self out of any jam. Do you know what issues are important to your wife? You have described what you want or don’t want to get her, has she expressed her wants or concerns?

I'm not that far from you and you're not that far from some of the places I ride. When your wife is ready to ride let me know. I'd be happy to let her try out my KTM200. It was lowered prior to my purchasing it (not that I needed it at 5'10) and has a heavier flywheel weight. She is also welcome to try my RM125. It's an 88 and is lower than the modern 125s and has a new top end. Eric Gorr worked some of his magic on it so (once I get it back together) it should have more bottom end. I may consider adding a heavier flywheel weight to it as well. I could even arrange to have her try a TTR125L since I just started teaching my friend to ride on one. Just lemme know. :)

 

[crkid]

i was 15 when i first put my leg over a dirtbike. i learned on my friend's 1995 yz125. it wasn't at all difficult as long as you don't try to ride it like a crazy person first time out. i think as long as your wife rides conservitavely when she's learning it'll be good for her.

 

[firecracker22]

Two stroke versus four is entirely a personal decision. I, personally, wish I had started on a two stroke. I learned so many bad habits on my XR that I am now trying to correct: poor riding position, nonexistent throttle control, zero clutch technique, no braking finesse. These bikes are easy to learn on because they are so forgiving, but because of that they allow you to get away with a lot of things that a two-stroke wouldn't.

My opinion is, if the beginner is confident, athletic, and somewhat competitive and aggressive, a two stroke would be fine. A KX 100 or 125 makes a good bike, depending on height. Flywheel weights smooth out the two-stroke hit at first and some can be removed later.

 

[bbbom]

I think you can actually learn on just about anything on the easier more predictable terrain. The problem is when you try to advance your skills by trying more challenging terrain - that to me is when bike choice becomes important.

The difficulty with the 2 stroke 125's that I have ridden with is in technical areas and hillclimbing.

I have ridden with some kids that are pretty good riders and they have trouble keeping the 125 revved up to keep the bike moving over obstacles AND keep it controlled enough to stay on it and on the trail. The trails you would take for granted on your 500 will really make a 125 rider W-O-R-K.

Myself, I started out on a KLX300. Nice easy tractoring ride. I don't think I would have done well starting out on my CR. I know I got frustrated often enough to be tempted to throw either of them over a cliff at times. Fortunately, I've worked through that :think well not completely. :eek:

To me, it's better to let her learn how to handle something mild and get used to the terrain. She can always move up to something more challenging - that's what has worked for me and both of my kids.

 

[ghunter]

Sorry about the new thread

I accidentally pressed the New Thread button instead of the Reply button.

As my wife has really only ridden a few times and it was quite a long time ago, she hasn't really told me much about what she wants, probably because she doesn't have enough experience to determine what she wants, yet.

The only comments I got from her were that she wants something that won't intimidate her, she wants to be able to touch part of both feet on the ground, wants it to be lightweight, and wants it to not scare the stuff out of her if she accidentally twists the throttle too far. BTW, she reads these posts with me and supplies me with info for my responses.

Like I stated in an earlier post, I don't mind getting her a stepping-stone type of bike for the first few months and then another more advanced bike as she feels 'the need' or feels more confident.

Again, we thank everyone for there opinions and appreciate all the advice. We love the great info on this site and welcome any more comments that anyone has to offer.

Gregg and Nicole

 

[OnAnySunday]

Re: Sorry about the new thread

Originally posted by ghunter :
"As my wife has really only ridden a few times and it was quite a long time ago, she hasn't really told me much about what she wants, probably because she doesn't have enough experience to determine what she wants, yet.
The only comments I got from her were that she wants something that won't intimidate her, she wants to be able to touch part of both feet on the ground, wants it to be lightweight, and wants it to not scare the stuff out of her if she accidentally twists the throttle too far. "


I dont want to sound out of line here.
Or tick off any of the ladies, but i must question.
A 125 motoxer for a beginner? I know theyre smaller engine wise, but very peaky (pipey)? And just as tall as a 250.
Heck, I feel intimidated on some of the new machinery!! :confused:
And i'm 5'11" / 225 (or so:D ).
I know i wouldve had a hard time on a 125 racer when i was learning.
(although i WAS only 9 years old.)
But still...........
IMHO cr/yz/kx/rm 125's are not an appropriate beginners machine.
For MALE or female.
The peaky high strung power delivery may result in an accident, and the beginner may lose intrest in our fine sport.
Sorry if this offends, just my opinion.

 

[bbbom]

Who let YOU in here? :D

I guess my post wasn't very clear but OAS said it very well. Does that mean I have to agree with a mmmmmaaaallleee?!!!:scream:

 

[BikeDstroyer]

Ok here is my $.02 worth. I started out on a 1996 KDX 200. The bike is very forgiving. 125's seem pretty pipey for a beginner, but it all depends on the person. As she gets better you can bolt on aftermarket performance products, then eventually a newer & faster bike.

 

[firecracker22]

No offense taken, we're all entitled to our opinion. I am finding I stand alone on this topic but oh well. I know plenty of girls who hopped on a 125 and (although carefully at first) began riding.

Even though I have a 200, I like 125s equally well and may have bought one had I had a chance to ride one before I bought the KTM. They are not as scary as I was led to believe. Everyone told me, and I parroted it back to others when they asked, that 125s are not good trail bikes or beginner bikes. But a beginner isn't going to be riding in the gnarly stuff where a 125 could get out of hand, nor are they going to be pinning the throttle. I am not much more than a beginner--I'm barely at a point where I can let out the throttle without embarrassing myself--and didn't have any more problems handling the YZ and RM 125s I have test ridden than I did my KTM. In fact, the KTM has a gnarly midrange hit that can be deceptive and get you in trouble, where a 125 has to wind up before it wants to run away. I haven't ridden the KDX for comparison but I hear they are smoother, if heavier. An RM and CR 250 were my first two experiences on a two stroke and they didn't scare me, they made me want one.

Granted, a 125 isn't for every beginner, or even for very many. But it's an option to be considered. A 125 with shaved seat foam and a flywheel weight would have been great for me to start on looking back but I didn't know that since I had heard so many bad things about them. Oh well, at least I did get started, even if I hated the XR after 4 months.

 

[HoJo]

Well, if you want to know what I think a fisrt time woman rider should start on? It would have to be an xr650L or a klr650. Both of these machines have very plush suspension, really smooth power, electric start and only weigh about 350lbs. Perfect! These bikes will not be pipey and have too much head shake in the high speed stuff. Sometimes the answer is too obvious I guess. Hope this helps.

 

[firecracker22]

Bored, darling?

LMAO!!

Just proves that not mixing your oil causes brain damage. :p

 

[HoJo]

Yes, you are probably right. The lack of burnt oil in my lungs has probably increased my oxygen intake causing it to affect primarily my brain. Without all the smoke billowing out of my exhaust I can also see much clearer.

Although, :think I have seen a lot of good looking women on 2-strokes lately....maybe I should reconsider my thinking.

 

[Battered Sav]

if the beginner is confident, athletic, and somewhat competitive and aggressive, a two stroke would be fine.

Hmm, dont know if Nicole wants to fan the clutch so she can roost outta the berm and launch over the 80' double. Also seems like a lot of if's.
Sounds like they're after something for trailriding
Instead of talking 125/200/250, I think it would be more important to pay attention to seat height and power ( HP and delivery )
I believe a beginner needs to feel confident that the bike isn't too much for them to handle. Having said that, and you saying you dont mind upgrading later, I'd look at an XR/TTR kinda bike, the rider should be comfortable riding, not still learning, before deciding what SHE wants. I think a small four stroke would let her become a rider, before she has to ride like a racer.
It's terrible to see a novice, on a two stroke, get out of balance, wind it on and get hard on the gas, and end up totally outta control ( stopped my Mrs. coming to watch me ride ) ( and made me get a four stroke too ).
FC22 sounds like she was into it from the start, keen and rarin to roost, in that case a 125 was probably perfect, I'd just hate to see a new rider get hurt and never come back to riding.
Also, I'd go for flat feet on the ground, your tiptoes are pretty useless when your stopped and half way to falling over.
Hope I helped and didnt offend.
Good luck,
Peter.

 

[firecracker22]

Originally posted by HoJo
. . . affect primarily my brain . . .

Shall we really address this subject?

:p

:confused:

;)

 

[wayneg]

Hello

This may sound a little silly if you haven't tried one, but have you considered a modern trials bike. They are very light and manouverable (around 160lbs), easy to start (even when hot), have very forgiving power and a huge flywheel, so are hard to stall. They come with a hydraulic clutch, and reasonable brakes, with everything being pretty well tucked out of harms way when crashing. There are seat kits that you can get for Montesas, and Shercos that have a extra fuel tank in to give more fuel range, and for a smaller person (I'm only 5'8") pretty comfortable.

I know they don't have very long suspension travel, but for someone learning for the first six months or year, there probably won't be too many triple jumps just yet.

I have been riding my trials bike for about two years now, and found it to be nearly indestructable and very reliable. The motors are much more understressed than a motocross or enduro bike, and because they don't make 50 horsepower don't tend to wear out. I don't even seem to bend the handlebars as much (I guess because the lack of weight), or break things off in crashes. It has also helped me to be a better rider because of the skills I have been learning and improved balance, and you don't need huge amounts of space to practice in either - in your back yard for example.

I dunno - my wife (who has ridden street bikes for years but not much off-road) has been having a putter around, and the trials bike seems to fit someone who is learning very well.

I guess the other advantage is that its a different set of skills that you could also learn if you wanted too.

Thats just my NZ$2 worth (about US$.02!!)

 

[HoJo]

:silly: What Ever Dude!

 

[firecracker22]

You're no match for my powers!! ;)

 

[HoJo]

:p How about we race down some stairs, without almost taking a digger.

 

[firecracker22]

:think Shut up. I'll hit you with my crutches, or plant one on your foot. :confused:

 

[bbbom]

More info on 2 smoke 125 for trails

Yet another set of opinions on the 125 issue:

125 for the woods? Click here!

A quote from Spanky:

You have to keep the revs up, be very careful with proper gear selection, and learn good clutch control. I have friends that ride 125s in the woods, and they go anywhere that I go, just as fast. They just have to ride more aggressively than me.

Doesn't sound like a good beginner bike at all to me.

The biggest obstacle to beginning trail riding for me was lack of confidence that I could control the bike and manage to make it over the roots, rocks, ruts, logs, sand, mud, tight corners, goat trails along huge gulleys and all the other wonderful things that make trail riding so much fun. After riding for the past 3 years, 1.5 of which on my CR, I have in the past few months gained the confidence to just bounce over the obstacles without slowing down. I have a great time running in 3 - 4 th gear over the rocky areas and catching some decent air over the kelley humps - last year would have been crawling in 1st or 2nd.

The idea that speed is your friend on this stuff is easy to grasp AFTER you have managed to smoothly bounce over it a few times. Until then, the rough stuff can really freak you out. I know I would slow down for the rocky areas and the clear cut areas (lots of downed trees and sticks covered in brush) and it made it that much more difficult to ride through. But it takes time to build the confidence required to twist the throttle harder instead of backing off of it when you see the stuff in the trail.

My point is, when you are just starting out you should learn how to handle the terrain. The bike should be something that you are comfortable on and that you don't have to concentrate on controlling just so.

I know several women that are very good riders and they started on XR200's and they will stay on their XR200's until the end of time. I also know that for me, the KLX was a great bike to start on but, any bike that was large enough for my height would have been just as good.

Once I had developed enough confidence to RIDE the trails, instead of letting them intimidate me then I came to the conclusion that I wanted a different bike and by then I had the skills to try any bike available. Even the 500 which had been totally out of the question until I threw a leg over one - that was THE bike for me.

 

[LoriKTM]

Well said, bbbom!

Back when I was looking for my first bike, it was pretty much either a XR200, KDX200, an old IT200 or a late 80's 125. Mind you, the 125s didn't have nearly the power and suspension they do now. KX100s were only available as an aftermarket kit for the KX80. The seat height of the KDX and the 125s put me off-- I wanted something I could touch ground on while learning. I spent many, many hours poring over bike reviews from the late 80s and early 90s, trying to figure out which bike to get. I decided on the XR200, and ended up getting a 1987 frankenstein with a 1983 motor in it. Nice bike, when it ran. Doing it all over again, I'd probably get another XR200, only newer.

There's plenty of time to grow into a 2-stroke 125 later.

 

[Bob Brooks]

I don't normally invade the women's forum a whole lot, but since I have a wealth of recent experience teaching my spouse to ride the past couple of years, I feel I have a lot of useful information on this topic. First off, I agree 100-percent with LoriKTM and Bbom. In my opinion, a 125cc motocrosser is a ridiculous choice for any rookie rider, regardless of gender. Those bikes are racing machines, designed to be shrieked at very high rpms and ridden HARD. How many rookies are equipped to ride like that? None that I know of or have seen. For just starting out on the trails, it's best to pick a mild-mannered machine that is forgiving. It's difficult enough learning the fundamentals of riding and reading terrain without having to worry about covering the clutch, keeping the revs up and managing a lot of horsepower. Like Lori wrote, there is plenty of time for a 125 two-stroke, later. Start on a beginner bike, ride it for a year and sell it. There's always a good market for beginner bikes and they're easy to sell. Over the years, I've seen so many people buy too much motorcycle too soon and end up discouraged or injured or both and totally out of riding within a short period of time. Can a person learn the fundamentals of riding on a high-performance two-stroke? Sure, but it's going to take longer, be more frustrating and daunting and potentially more dangerous and ultimately, less fun.

Firecracker is the biggest advocate for jumping on a racebike right away and look at her track record...bum knee and out of riding for at least six months. She's into it enough and has decided that this is what she wants to do so she'll come back once the injuries heal. Others might not. My wife started on an XR100, moved to a TTR225, now she rides an XR250 and next year she'll graduate to a KDX and so on. It's been a methodical graduation. She hasn't been hurt so far and she enjoys riding more every time out and now she's a lifelong addict like the rest of us. As for me personally, I learned how to ride on a Honda XR75, the easiest, most forgiving bike in the world. I got on two-strokes later and eventually raced 750cc dirt-trackers and everything else along the way. Did starting on a little meek four-stroke hurt me? Absolutely not. If you researched it, you would find that most of the best motorcycle racers in the world started on little four-strokes, not that I'm anywhere near that category, but my point is that they make a wonderful starting point. I don't want to offend anyone, but those are my thoughts and essentially, I concur with Lori and BBOM. Good luck with the bike shopping and let us know what you come up with.

 

[firecracker22]

Hey let's not point fingers here. My bike choice has nothing to do with my knee. Thousands of people hurt their knees stepping off curbs, climbing stairs, and engaging in high speed dangerous sports like skiing and basketball.

I never said everybody would be happy on one--just to think about it and try it. For some people, it might be the best thing since sliced bread.

My point was that you can learn bad habits as well as good on forgiving bikes, and in some ways it lengthens the learning process.

I'm not going to argue the subject any further. My opinion is that 125s aren't bad bikes, but they're not for everybody. Signing off this thread.