unbiased opinion

A

AmBull

Member
Dec 15, 2004
19
0
Well I have never actually ridden a dirt bike but want to get one to ride with my son who has one. '05 PW50. I have 2 friends that are selling bikes. I would like you more experienced guys to help me out!! Thanks And Honda and Zook fans dont be biased. I am talking about deals not brands!

1984 Honda XR250----bike is clean selling for $900

1997 Suzuki RM 250 $1500---with the following:

Gold plated cylinders and rings

Pro taper bar

Pro taper triples

gripper seat

aftermarket suspension

Factory case guards

carbon fiber frame guards

Full FMF Gold Series Fatty pipe

Jet Kit

Factory Effects graphics kit

Acerbis fork guards

service manual

spare fenders

new tires

rear stand
 
Last edited:
A

acanz

Damn Yankees
Member
Dec 7, 2004
195
0
If your a new rider the RM will probably be too powerful and scary at first, but after a while youll get used to it and be glad you didnt get that old XR250.
 

rickyd

Hot Sauce
Oct 28, 2001
3,447
0
If your going too ride around w/your son on his pw50, i'd go for the xr250.. Its a hassle following the lil ones around w/a MX bike like a rm.. Plus, i'd be leary of somebody trying too seel you a bike w/gold plated rings :coocoo:
Rick
 

Okiewan

Admin
Dec 31, 1969
29,550
2,238
Texas
What exactly are gold pipe and rings and why are soft / expensive materials good in the combustion process?

Full FMF Gold Series Fatty pipe
Click to expand...
vs. part of a pipe?

aftermarket suspension
Click to expand...
By who and set-up for who? A 150lb pro SX'er or a 300 lb weekender? "Aftermarket" suspension could REALLY SUCK.

Is this an E B ay ad by chance, lol.?
 
M

Michelle

Sponsoring Member
Oct 26, 1999
1,245
0
I'd keep looking, but if you've decided it's one or the other, I'd go for the old XR for riding with your boy. The two stroke isn't going to enjoy that much slow riding & will play up (fouling plugs, stalling & generally being a pita).

I don't think either bike is a "deal" & that if you spend more time looking around, you may find a "deal". I would look at a 4st rather than 2st though. Don't forget the year is 2005, which means the 2006 bikes will be out at the end of this year (i.e. neither bikes are young).
 
M

mtk

Member
Jun 9, 2004
1,409
0
If the RM is jetted right, it won't foul plugs.

With that said, it IS a bit much to follow a kid on a PW50. It's like borrowing Michael Schumacher's Ferrari to follow junior in his battery-powered car. But I've followed little kids around on my CR250 and it worked just fine (never fouled a plug either). I also had the option of doing all kinds of stuff that no XR250 could pull off with it when the youngin's weren't around.

But on the other hand, if you disable the oil pump on the PW50 and run it on premix, you and the boy can use the same fuel. He can help you mix it up at the gas station. Your bike will make the same kinds of noises. There's something to be said for stacking the deck so he can be "just like dad." After all, lots of folks on here have dirt bikes and when their kids wanted one, they wanted one of the same color as dad. Dad rides a KX, they want a KX. Dad's a Yamaha man, they want blue.

As for the particular bikes you mentioned, both seem expensive to me. Particularly the RM, since a 1997 motocrosser is ancient, not to mention the ad lists a bunch of stuff that is total BS (gold plated rings... Puhlease!)
 
K

killerbeez 75

Member
Oct 26, 2004
252
0
new rider = xr250.Its a great bike and it is nearly bullet proof.Learn how to ride and as your son steps up so should you.I think thats one of the best brginner bikes because it wont get you into to much trouble,the rm may hurt you,very bad beginner bike.
 
H

highmileage

Member
Jun 17, 2004
168
0
1) Get an XR250, but I am not particularly saying you need the one you mentioned. An XR250 will perform very well for what you want (a learner's bike) and actually has alot of up side with focused mods. A modified XR250 can be a weapon in the woods if set up properly.

2) For a true beginner's bike, an XR250 is something that you can keep alot of positive memories from. A modified MX 250 is something you won't have fond memories of IMHO.
 

xsnrg

Member
Jul 20, 2004
728
0
The RM250 would in most circumstances be more fun, but in your case, it would be a miserable choice for riding alongside a 50. The XR250 will be practically no maintenance, easy starting, and it is a 4stroke, so very easy to putt around on (plenty of torque, even at low speed/throttle). It is big enough to carry an adult just about anywhere on a trail and it will go plenty fast enough to scare a beginner. When your junior steps up to a 2stroke 80, then you can always upgrade to a 2stroke 250.
 
A

AmBull

Member
Dec 15, 2004
19
0
Ok I know both of the dudes from ridind street and track. One I know a little better than the other. Neither one is an E BAY ad. I am in the DC metro area so I dont know if that has anything to do with the price. I have seen one other '84 xr for 200 more than 900 and another '97 RM for 1750. So I am thinking maybe this area the pricing is ok? I know that when I was looking for my CBR I got it for like 500 more up here than from back where i am originally from. But anyways, sooooo overall the XR?? I will just be riding trails with my son and a little track.
 
A

AmBull

Member
Dec 15, 2004
19
0
you guys are great with the info!! Gimme the numbers to all of your bosses you need a raise!
 

Patman

Pantless Wonder
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Dec 26, 1999
19,765
1
I'll back up the XR choice for your application as well. I had a 2 stroke (KTM360) and it was not the bike to ride with my son no matter which bike he was on (PW50, KTM50, XR80) it was not the best mix. I solved that problem and then some with a XR250 that is slightly ;) modified. I really think a lot of people get hung up on the idea the NEED a race bike and that everybody else does too, that is not always the case.

http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=107809
 
M

mtk

Member
Jun 9, 2004
1,409
0
The terrain you ride on also makes a huge difference. When I was doing it, we were on a farm with large, open fields. Puttering on a trail would have been a different story.
 
A

AmBull

Member
Dec 15, 2004
19
0
damn there are too many riding types and styles for choosing a bike. I guess this is it, i want something to ride with my son, ride on track, trails, field all that.
 
M

Mike R.

Member
May 1, 2004
189
0
Lol

since a 1997 motocrosser is ancient,
Click to expand...
thats about the dumbest comment I have seen.
Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Oh sorry yours is a 00 thats only semi-ancient.
Pfffft
Just because a bike doesnt have 05 vin-sticker on there dont disregard it as non competetive.
Its about 80% rider 20% bike.
 
C

Chili

Lifetime Sponsor - Photog Moderator
Apr 9, 2002
8,062
17
Does budget limit you to a used bike in this price range? If not the new CRF250X might be a great option for a do it all type of bike. Another option for a do it all type of bike might be a Kawasaki KDX 200/220.
 
A

AmBull

Member
Dec 15, 2004
19
0
Yea budget plays a factor because I am looking to getting a new street bike also. I havent ridden dirt before and do not want something new to beat up. I went to check out the '84 XR today and it rode fine. Was kinda hard to start but it was about 11 degrees last night and about 28 when I went over to look at it so I imagine that had something to do with it. Ahhh why is dirt decisions so much more difficult than street :bang:
 
M

Mike R.

Member
May 1, 2004
189
0
XR's

Once you learn the drill of starting the XR its a snap.
Considering you got it started in 11* weather I would say thats a good sign. I can count numerous people I know who have looked at XR's and could not start them simply because they didnt know the drill on the XR.
They are generally harder to start cold if that helps you out. :cool:
 
8

83MX80

Member
Feb 21, 2005
347
0
how did you feel the XR was? you said fine, but that really doesnt give us any info. do your feet at least touch the ground? im short 5' 6" 150lbs.... and i fit the the 2004 CRF230F 4 stroke like it was made for me. so i think as soon as i get a job, (hopefully in the next couple of weeks) i can start making payments (12 percent financing,) on one at $112.00 US, so whatever that is in Canadian bux, i need to know, so if someone know's can you tell me? i'll prolly/hopefully start paying for it next month. because im going to Chilliwack to visit my grandparents. and thats where i sat on one. i found the 230 is right for me because 1) im short, and most 2 strokes are too big height wise. 2) i can touch the ground with my toes. i was at the Honda dealer when i sat on it, so it was a little awkward getting onto it because i was afraid of knocking or kicking the other bikes. its not that heavy at 238 pounds. its got a 2.2 gallon gas tank with a 0.4 reserve tank. disc brake up front and drum out back. 6 speed tranny. seat height is 34.1 inches.ground clearance is 11.7 inches. etc.
 
M

mtk

Member
Jun 9, 2004
1,409
0
83MX80 said:
its not that heavy at 238 pounds.
Click to expand...

A 238lb dirt bike is a tank.

My CR250 weighs 213lbs, according to Honda. Most 125s come in under the 200lb mark. Throwing around an extra 40lbs all day will suck the life out of you quickly.
 

Patman

Pantless Wonder
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Dec 26, 1999
19,765
1
mtk said:
My CR250 weighs 213lbs, according to Honda.
Click to expand...
Yeah? Well I go 190 on "my" scale but all the ones in the real world say 210 :laugh:
 
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