what bike??

[Rider10926]

Hi my name is Bill and I need help on what kind of bike to buy.I am in highschool and I look to ride trails. I am 5 Foot 2 and weigh 115. Any advice on what to get would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I have riden dirtbikes before.

 

[thescooterstore]

If you arent that great and have no interest in jumps longer than 15 feet- crf230/150 or an xr200.

If you are a skilled rider, who knows how to stay on the pipe, knows about maitenance, has interest in jumping longer than 15 feet, and doesnt care about noise- rm85/kx100.

If you have any further inquiries, feel free to ask me as I have had experiance with the kx100 and crf models.

 

[Rider10926]

I will have trails behind my yard and i will have to bulid and maintain the jumps so i dont know if i will get over 15 feet. After i get comfortable with the bike and jumping i might try to go over 15 feet.

I was wondering how loud the kx 100 was compared to my friends kdx 200. when you said maintenance, about how much do you have to do.

Also will I fit on the kx 100 and is the kx 100 good on trails in wooded areas.

 

[thescooterstore]

I ride my kx everywhere, dunes, woods, tracks, and fireroads. It is great everywhere. It can be hard to ride in tight stuff, especially if you are new. If you have big hill climbs or whatnot without a great run-up, it will be hard to get up the hill. There is not a lot of bottom end like a kdx, and the top end is where the power is made.

The kdx can be louder than the kx depending on the exhaust system. If it is stock to stock, the kdx will be louder, but deeper. The kx sounds a bit like a loud chainsaw.

You will not fit the kx most likely at first. You may want to look into shaving the seat and/or purchasing a kouba link which will lower the bike an inch or so. The kdx is quite a bit taller than the kx too, so if you fit on your friends, you will probably fit a kx. It all depends on your build.

You may be better off with one of the crfs to learn on. Once you get comfortable, maybe upgrade to a bigger better bike.

By maitenance, I mean, changing the oil more often, rebuilding the top end or engine yearly (if you ride a lot). If you follow the manual, there is just a lot of stuff to do.

I think that you would be better off with the crf :)

 

[Rider10926]

Which bike between the kx 100 and the crf230 would probably last longer for me in fun wise.

Which bike has less fixings and is more reliable.

 

[a454elk]

CRF is more reliable and less maintenance. Electric start on the CRF but suspension is not the best for off the ground stuff. KX is better suited for track and some trails but you are comparing a 2 and 4 stroke, 4 stroke being the CRF. CRF is kinda heavy for your weight and is taller than the KX. You'll have to do top ends on the KX way before your CRF needs work. The CRF is the new version of the XR, great for trails but you may grow out of it if you really like to ride. There is a good write up in the Dirtrider mag last month or this month I think. Two totally different bikes with different power bands. Maybe decide between 4 and 2 stroke first, then go from there. Good luck!

 

[Rider10926]

Can u give me any advice on the 2 stroke and 4 stroke that might help me decide which bike to buy.

 

[a454elk]

A smaller 2 stroke motor will require more throttle, higher revs to maintain power band. Which, in turn, would require more top end and maintanence. Smaller two strokes are fine for younger and small kids that can use them on the track. They're lighter and easy to manuever but like I said, your power is up high. No low end torque usually. The 4 stroke has more bottom end torque usually, no matter the size. They are a little heavier and are more reliable with less maintanence. 2 strokes are touchy when it comes to altitude and jetting whereas the 4 stroke can usually run as is with less tweaking. 2 strokes benefit from porting and pipes and 4 strokes get a little benefit from pipe changes. For your height and weight, a KX 100 may be alittle small for you, but maybe not. The CRF 230 is a good bike, but a little heavy too. The electric start is very helpful though. Try and stay within a 5 year old used bike if possible, easier on parts. If you are just going to be on trails, a 4 stroke will do, if you plan on hitting a track, you may consider a 125 two stroke instead. The 125 will work fine, more bottom than the 100 and a good hit on top. Go for a Yamaha YZ125 or the newer Suzuki RM125, great bikes.

 

[shnalln]

RIDER10926...what are your thoughts? I can tell your sincere about this, you've got three threads going! LOL...Like a454elk said in the CRF thread, keep your questions in one thread, it'll make things alot less confusing for you.
By now you know my oppinion, but don't get frustrated, there's alot of people around here with some really valuable input.
So what are your thoughts?

 

[Rider10926]

I like all the ideas, but I cant fit on the 125's. I really am looking into the CRF230 and the KX100. If I were to get either of the to i would have to take off an inch or two. If you know any good sites that do write ups on various bikes that would be cool. I would try to geyt rid of the other threads but I dont know how. Opinions on different bikes would be nice to.

 

[matt90]

Try The Ttr125

you should take a look at the ttr125 its an awesome trailbike it im 5'4 nd weigh 150 it pulls me around plenty fastenough on the trails .but its a little too small for me now the power is great im just getting way too big for the bike . i ride all the time and i hardly ever do anything to the bike accept clean the chain and hose it off after a ride and i have never had a problem with this bike.this bike would prob fit you with out any adjustments.i feel really comfortable on the bike.i have nothing bad to say about the bike it has plenty of power still easy to learn on and it has lots of torque.i like everything about this bike this bike will pull 2 people around no problem. and if trailriding is about all ur gonna do and some small jumps i think this bike would be perfect i can do some pretty big jumps on it but make sure u adjust the rear shock first its real simple.and make sure u look at the bigwheel version not the crapy small wheel bike lol the seat height is about 31 inches i highly reccomend this bike for what type of riding u said ur gonne be doing

 

[sneeky]

At 5'2 I second the ttr 125, I have one and I'm 5'3 & 140. It goes a decent speed through trails (speed is mostly the rider in my opinion, cuz I'm rarely at WOT on trails..), decent pull up hills if your not really heavy, light, low, super fun with mods. I just put a fmf pipe, opened up air box, larger jets and it made a BIG difference in pull and response. Still need to tune it more but I'm waiting for my BBR air filter/springs to arrive in the mail :) before I waste any more plugs. I still want a bigger/faster bike but I like my ttr enough to not sell it. hope this helps.

 

[yamahonky]

Crf230

for trail riding, I'd go with the 230. but that bike might be hard to pick up after a spill.
4 strokes:
run forever with little maintnence
require no clutch use in tight woods
are heavy
make little hi rev power

2 strokes:
easy to start
need top ends if you run them hard
use the clutch when you bog down
are light
make lots of hi rev power

good luck on your choice, Yamahonky :ride:

 

[shnalln]

...If I were to get either of the to i would have to take off an inch or two...

Your 15 right? All I have to say about this is that here really soon you'll be growing an inch a day...ok. maybe that's overexagerating, but you kinda wanna get something alittle big so you don't grow out of it too fast...they're not cheap ya know...I bet you could learn to live with an inch or two, for a couple days anyhow... :cool:

P.S. yamahonkey pretty much spelled out for ya right there...

 

[Rider10926]

Hey my friend told me to get the KX 100. It looks like it would fit me well. Is there any bad things I should know about the KX? Any really good things?

 

[shnalln]

Depending on elevation and tempuratures (I'm at 1300' above sea level, with average temp of 80-100 deg.) the bike runs really rich. I ended up dropping the carburator needle (I can't remember which position, just drop it/raise the clip position one position at a time untill the blubber goes away), I put in a 42 pilot jet for better responsiveness, and dropped the main jet two sizes to controll the spooge. After this was done the bike has done really good.
***Get the carburator jetted correctly first thing and you'll be good to go, otherwise you'll be changing out silencer packing like it's going out of style.***
The good thing is that while the bike is freindly enough for you to learn on, it's got plenty of power for you to grow into. I'm 5'11 and 200#, I have a blast when I ride it. It'll last you a long time as long you maintain it. You should easily be able to keep it untill your ready to step up to a 125 mx bike.
Have fun! :ride: :cool:

 

[Drtbke1210]

i'm 5'3 and 95lbs. i was actually considering both of those bikes (the crf230 and the kx100). i ended up getting a 2003 yz85. sofar i have only ridden trails, the only problem with my bike is going slow. 85's aren't ment to go slow, when u go to slow just pull in ur clutch i love my bike and i am happy with my choice, the kx100 is a good idea for you buy the crf230 is very heavy. when i first walked p to one in the dealer, i could barely pick it up off the kickstand. 2 stroke or 4 stroke, you'll love riding and both options are good.

 

[Rider10926]

Now my firend is being himself and recomended the CRF230. Any thing I should know?

 

[shnalln]

Read "THIS".
and this:
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/01ma...100modified.htm
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/18au...asakikx100.html

Opinions vary, you just need to figure out what is going to best for YOU.
I will say this, the CRF weighs just as much, maybe more than my CR250 (there's a number given in the thread above for the CRF weight (238 lbs?)), where as the KX weighs 150 lbs (dry). This is about a 90 pound differance! That's also about 2 times more than you weigh! So maybe that will put things in perspective for you. :think: Do you really want to lug around something that is twice your weight? :think:
You have alot of info on these two bikes here, only YOU can decide what is going to best for YOU.

 

[JasonWho]

Since you will soon be growing a lot, plus probably start becoming a better rider and wanting a better, faster bike in a year or two, you might want to look into a used Honda XR200. If you are rich, go for the Honda CRF230F. You need a bike properly sized so you can learn better without being worried about tipping over. You will have enough to concentrate on already.

 

[Rider10926]

Ok thanks for all the info everybody. I think I am going to try for a xr 200. I am thinking that because I am not a mechanic. I dont know how to tear apart top ends.Do things like jetting that 2 strokes. seem to be more finiky than fours. Am i making sense to anybody else. And by the way I not rich!!!

 

[Rider10926]

Does the xr 200 have a lower seat height than the crf 230? I love this site you guys are so helpful.

 

[JasonWho]

Seat heights should be the same. The 230 is somewhat of an XR200 replacement. Go to various dealers and look around at what they have. You will find one is too short, one is too tall, etc.

 

[Rider10926]

If I bought the XR or any bike what equipment would be necesities and where would good places be to get them at a lower price? Also what sites or places would be good for getting the XR200? I live in Fairless Hills just outside of Philly.

 

[JasonWho]

Some neccesities are riding gear and basic maintenance supplies.

Riding Gear:

Helmet
goggles
boots
gloves
etc. (I don't think many people crash and wish for less protection equipment, so more is usually better)

Basic / Maintenance Supplies
gas jug
some cheap nylon brushes (like those at Harbor Freight) to help clean your chain
a can of chain lube
a bucket/soap/sponge to wash it after riding
if it has a foam air filter, some cleaner and foam air filter oil
basic tools (sockets, screwdrivers, wrenches and such)
grease for properly maintaining suspension, steering and swingarm bearings

There are many more things you can buy to help you enjoy riding a dirt bike. Don't forget to factor in the TOTAL cost vs. just the cost of the bike.