what is the best mx/trail bike

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beach

Member

Oct 28, 2001

9

0

• Nov 11, 2001

• #1

new to mx .have an rm 250 but its to hot for me in the woods even after gear changes but ok on the track.interested in getting a bike i can play hard with but still can chase the kids in the woods.please include brand names.still learning the alphabet of all the different models.also had my rm's top end done and jetted it different but it is hard starting.any tricks.thanks.jbmc.

 

R

ride_red_15

Uhhh...

Oct 14, 2001

574

0

• Nov 11, 2001

• #2

honda xr400 is great for woods and track, or if thats too hot a xr250

 

D

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member

May 3, 2000

5,348

3

• Nov 11, 2001

• #3

Beach - a couple of tricks for cold starting are lean the bike over to the left until fuel trickles out the vent hose and to turn the air screw in 1/2 turn.

One motocross 250 with good low end power is the '99 Honda CR250, but there are lots of other things you might want to modify (like the forks) to make it into a good trail bike.

 

BSWIFT

Sponsoring Member

N. Texas SP

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Nov 25, 1999

7,926

43

• Nov 11, 2001

• #4

Beach, if you want a really good bike for trail and track you could go with a GasGas 250 EC or a KTM 250 EXC. The GasGas is very woods friendly and quite capable on the track. The KTM will give you more of the explosive type power of your RM but will be more woods friendly with zero modifications.
Both bikes are pricey new but come with some of the best equipment on them stock.
On the other hand, a flywheel weight can help calm your RM down in the woods and some suspension work will help as well. Get yourself "bark busters" as well. Check out MXTech (link on the lower left of your screen). Jeremy did my suspension on the Mamba and it works much better now. I ride mostly woods and some track. The cost of doing your suspension is worth it. That alone may be all you need, except the "bark busters".
Sorry, the Mamba is the DRN project bike. 99 KX 310, MXTech suspension, Eric Gore porting, extras out the wazoo.

 

T

ToddHawaii

Member

Apr 3, 2000

117

0

• Nov 14, 2001

• #5

Beach...My buddy had the same problem - had a 98'RM250. After "all" kinds of work(top-end rebuild, shocks, gearing, etc.) he broke down and purchased a 2002 Honda CR250. I got a chance to ride the new Honda, and was pretty impressed. In stock form I was extremely comfortable in the woods, and on the track. Although I would change gearing, handlebar location, and add a flywheel weight.

Iif I were to purchase a new ride, it would have to be (four or two-stroke) a KTM250/400EXC, a GasGas250/450?EC/, or Husqvarna250/450?WR. Although the new Honda CR450(with some work) sounds appealing.

Aloooha!:)
TrailTramp
98'Husky
87'Husky
74'Husky

 

9

94ruck

Member

Sep 14, 2001

318

0

• Nov 14, 2001

• #6

There are many and I many answers to your question. I suggest a KTM 200 mxc or maybe even a KDX 200(not good suspension). I do have a 99 Honda that is near new with suspension mods done. It is a good bike for both track and trail(too slow for me)(for sale cheap). i personally like the KTM300 but it is "hot". 4 strokes are good alternatives but somewhat heavy. I am sure that everyone here has an opinion:p

 

M

Mr. Clean

~SPONSOR~

Nov 8, 2001

162

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• Nov 15, 2001

• #7

Install an FMF pipe designed to give your bike more power low in the revs and less on the top. Any shop should be able to tell you more. Also, try to back off on your compression dampening on your forks and rear shock. You can go all the way if you like and increase the front and rear one click at a time until you get to where it feels good. Keep a screwdriver with you so you can adjust on the trail so you can feel the difference while it is still fresh in your memory. This technique worked for me. About hard starting, bear in mind the choke on your bike only functions with the throttle fully closed. Always turn your fuel off when parked to prevent flooding and confusion about your cold starting routine.When the bike starts, turn the choke off as soon as possible and slowly warm up your bike. Never clear up the bike by shifting under full throttle until it clears up. This will foul your plug much quicker than normal because you are flushing oil up from the crankcase that has settled into a puddle while your engine has been setting up for a week. I hope this helps.

 

K

ktmboy

~SPONSOR~

Apr 1, 2001

2,470

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• Nov 17, 2001

• #8

Best trailbike? KTM 360/380 EXC!:p I'm a little biased, but as an experienced rider I feel my 360 is the best trail bike around overall----good 'hit', good bottom (with the FMF pipe/silencer), wide ratio gearing, big tank, light, fast, and nasty!:p

 

nephron

Dr. Feel Good

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Jun 15, 2001

2,551

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• Nov 18, 2001

• #9

My experience is 'nil, but keep the KX500 in mind. You may laugh, but really--I guarantee this bike is easier to ride than a high-strung RM250. And while it's not nearly as good in the woods or as cleverly designed as GAS GAS or KTM, it does have a reasonable MX suspension and, of course, all the power you can handle. It will out-chug most 4 strokes all day long, if jetted properly.

Keep the source in mind, though. I'm just getting back into this, and I do not have the experience most here have. Good luck.

 

J

JMD

Member

Jul 11, 2001

1,402

0

• Nov 18, 2001

• #10

Nephron writes:
___________________________________________________________
"(A KX 500) will out-chug most 4 strokes all day long, if jetted properly. "
___________________________________________________________

Yes, but from what I hear, even God couldn't get his KX 500 jetted right. They either blubber or ping, sometimes both, and it changes with every foot of elevation and degree of temperature.

 

G

GBKTM

Member

Nov 13, 2001

22

0

• Nov 18, 2001

• #11

My suggestion is to buy a KTM 200EXC. perfect woods bike and passable on the mx track. All you need is a skid plate and handguards.:confused:

 

O

OffRoadWarrior

Member

Mar 13, 2001

49

0

• Nov 20, 2001

• #12

If you are slow or timid XR250 or KDX 200/220. Even Okie could ride one of these in the woods safely;)

Somewhat faster guys will prefer the Gas Gas or KTM 200s or a WR 250.

If you're real fast but just don't like the way the RM behaves in the woods go with a Gas Gas, TM or KTM 250 or 300. More power than these bikes make is more hinderance than help IMHO. If you're thinking valves 400-450ccs is the most you would probably want in the trees. Again too much HP and too much weight will just beat you up.

Nephon, no offense but anybody on a 500 mxer in the woods is either density gifted or has a death wish. Here in the central and western NY hare scrambles series there were exactly two regular riders in open B. One KX 500 and one WR 426. The biggest line I ever saw start in open B was 4 riders. I've ridden a CR 500 and honestly I've never had a dirtbike scare me like that thing did.

Motocrossers are for the track. Enduro bikes are for everywhere else.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Paradigm shifting without a clutch.

ORW
KTM 250
B HS
C Enduro

 

Okiewan

Admin

Dec 31, 1969

29,550

2,238

Texas

• Jan 5, 2002

• #13

bump

 

Y

yzeater

~SPONSOR~

May 21, 2001

1,995

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• Jan 5, 2002

• #14

I'd strongly recommend the WR250F. It has more than enough power for a beginner, you don't have to mix gas and do top ends. It rips in the woods and can hold it's own on a mx track...what's not to like about it?

 

R

rcers

Member

Jan 17, 2001

95

0

• Jan 6, 2002

• #15

KTM 300 MXC
Hands down my favorite bike

 

A

atc3434`

~SPONSOR~

Nov 1, 2001

579

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• Jan 6, 2002

• #16

Don't rule out the KDX200/220! The 220 (I have no experience with the 200) is a wonderful bike... great to learn on, and quite fast when worked over. And Cheap! With the money you save on a KDX220R over a much faster bike... you can afford to have the suspension reworked, as well as a pipe and carb.

 

Z

ziggypop

Member

Apr 24, 2001

62

0

• Jan 6, 2002

• #17

Don't overlook the KTM 250 EXC. Tons of grunt for hills and still a fun top end. Very easy to ride in the woods and still fun on a motocross track. The cool thing about this bike is the faster you ride it, the better it works.:)

 

zio

Mr. Atlas

Jul 28, 2000

2,284

0

• Jan 7, 2002

• #18

Gotta second the kTm 200's. FWIW- I've ridden new 250 2-stroke MXers, older (and heavy) 4 strokes, and the kTm 200 (although very briefly), and found that the kTm had plenty of power for my lard butt. They're light, nimble, well suspended, and reliable. Remember, Shane Watts consistently beats out guys on much larger, more powerful machines. 90% rider, 10% bike is how the saying goes.

Find one that "feels" right, hopefully by actually riding them, not just sitting on them at the dealer. I can't ever remember any dirtbiker saying "no" to a request to try his or her ride. In fact, I don't remember having to ask much. Just express interest, that you're currently looking for something different, and 9 times out of 10 they'll offer before you have to ask. :cool:

I'm real antsy to try a KDX, and a kTm 300, and on and on.... I'm going to a DRN Spodefest here soon and can't wait to try out lots of different bikes (currently bikeless and saving my $$$). Good luck!

 

C

cannpn

Member

Dec 9, 2001

10

0

• Jan 9, 2002

• #19

Best all around bike I've ever ridden is the Katoom 300E/XC.Would not be as good for supercross but anything else.I miss mine.cannon

 

5

520pilot

Member

Dec 31, 2001

12

0

• Jan 14, 2002

• #20

you should try a KTM 4-stroke. you will love the awsome but mellow power. KTM really kicks when it comes to quility components right out of the box too. it will make you smoothe, and flowing. it did me! i'll never go back!

 

5

520pilot

Member

Dec 31, 2001

12

0

• Jan 14, 2002

• #21

plus i dont have to shake my gas can any more. it saves money.