Dirt Bike anyone?

[Lumber_Jack]

So, I'm not interested in motor cross or jumping tall buildings in a single bound. I am more interested in trail riding and getting from point A to Point B.

I am looking for an alternative to a 4 wheeler. Which has limitations and unless your hauling stuff is big and heavy. My thought is I can get a hitch hauler and avoid having to pull a trailer. Plus they just look fun. Now, will I wish I had a 4wheeler at some point, probably, but I can live with that. I can count a number of times just in the last six months where a dirt bike could have been a huge help at work and go places (narrow) that a 4wheeler wouldn't have gone.

So the question, does anyone use one for trail riding? Is riding with a medium gear backpack hindering? Use a hitch hauler? Want to give me one?

Oh and I have no riding experience, but I can handle it, so no worries there.

[10-Ring]

I like to be as unencumbered as possible especially in any terrain that is tight as you will be moving your body around a lot and sometimes quickly.  I would put a top rack on it and carry your pack on the top rack to free yourself up. 

[gregintenn]

For lugging around in the woods, you'll want a 4 stroke engine. The two strokes are like chainsaw engines; all or nothing. I would also stay away from the dual sport bikes. They aren't very good for anything. Rough riding on the road, and geared too high for off road.

 

You won't go wrong with a Honda.

 

A CRF 250 would be a good place to start looking.

Edited January 4, 2015 by gregintenn

[Lumber_Jack]

Thanks for the 4stroke vs 2stroke. I wasn't sure how the difference conveyed. The issue I'm seeing is if buying used, most are 2 stroke.

Would a 2 stroke 450 be better or just look for a 4stroke?

[f3joel]

4 stroke for sure.

First bike your going to want to be able to lug it around.

Riding with a backpack doesn't bother me, but a rear rack or box is always nice.

[gregintenn]

Thanks for the 4stroke vs 2stroke. I wasn't sure how the difference conveyed. The issue I'm seeing is if buying used, most are 2 stroke.

Would a 2 stroke 450 be better or just look for a 4stroke?

You know how a chainsaw has no power and fouls plugs if idled and barely ran? The motorcycles are the same. Run em wide open, or you'll have problems. A 2 stroke is great for racing, although most hare scramble and motorcross racers have now switched over to four strokes as well.

[Lumber_Jack]

You know how a chainsaw has no power and fouls plugs if idled and barely ran? The motorcycles are the same. Run em wide open, or you'll have problems. A 2 stroke is great for racing, although most hare scramble and motorcross racers have now switched over to four strokes as well.

Ahh, yeah I got ya on that. I was reading about the switch to 4 stroke for most racing. I'm not really financially ready to buy a new one, but I'll definitely be looking for a 4stroke. Thanks for the advice

[Spots]

Used XR 400. You want a trail bike. The new water cooled racing four strokes can be maintenance intensive and are made to be revved to the moon, and some can be cranky about starting hot. I grew up on a YZ 490 two stroke and it wasnt bad on plugs. Just carry a few spares. I trail rode two strokes my whole life and they have a lot harder hit where as a four stroke has a smooth pull. But a used XR 400 or DRZ 400 or 250 will be reliable, smooth and comfy with great torque and a good trail ride demeanor.

[173rdABN]

All you haters on 2 strokes in the woods over here.

 

I ride a YZ250 with Eric Gorr 295 kit in it for woods riding, and only that. yes, it needs to be beat on and run hard, but I also baby it a lot and it does even better than my old YZ450. Hands down, I'll take a two stroke in the woods anyways. Period. 

 

I've never been a 4 stroke fan, and never will be. 2 strokes have bulletproof motors. They just run. Had a 99 CR125 with countless hours before I did a rebuild, took the top end apart and there was sand in there and everything. But it was still running strong.

 

Another thing I'll not, clutchs on a two stroke are much more forgiving. At least on my bikes. YMMV. But man, to me I just see no downside to running a two stroke in the woods. Just beat on it a bit here and there and you'll be fine.

 

Heres my baby:

[URL=http://s95.photobucket.com/user/eat7thirdythree/media/image_zps8c1b31b8.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[URL=http://s95.photobucket.com/user/eat7thirdythree/media/image_zpsc00773ca.jpg.html][/URL]

Edited January 4, 2015 by 173rdABN

[Lumber_Jack]

Well that's good to know. I'm not afraid of throttle, I can learn to manage it. There are a crap ton more 2 strokes available used.

There are a couple well maintained YZ250s for sale. I really like those.

[reed1285]

If you get a 450 four stroke I would HIGHLY recommend NOT getting a mx style since you do not have any riding experience. Like a yzf450, crf450r, rmz450, etc. They are making those things dangerously fast these days. The motors will rev to the moon and rev quick too. I rode my buddies yz450f and couldnt believe how fast it was. I have a yfz450 quad and its fast as crap too, but you can play with the throttle a little more on a quad than a dirtbike.

 

If I were in your shoes I'd take a look at the newer ktm four stroke trail bikes. I THINK they make a 300, which would probably be about perfect for a new rider. It wouldnt be too much or too little. I've been around dirt bikes and atv's my whole life, I've had em all. 2 stroke, 4 stroke, 125, 250, 450. As a matter of fact since I was 5 years old I've never been without one for more than a few months. If I can be any help to ya LJ just pm me man!

 

Here is a pic of my yfz 450 (yellow one) [url=http://s211.photobucket.com/user/reed1285/media/IMG_1118_zpsf239829f.jpg.html][/URL]

Edited January 4, 2015 by reed1285

[peejman]

I ride an XT225 and it's a fun little bike. For single track type stuff I'd be most aware of the weight. 450's are great right up until you have to drag it over/under a down tree or out of a ditch.

I wear a small pack to carry my lunch and a hydration bladder. I don't like much weight in it and I sure wouldn't want to fall on something hard. Speaking of that, be sure to leave plenty of room in the budget for good gear. Real off road boots seem to be the most common thing people skimp on, they make a world of different both in comfort and in protection.

[JohnC]

You might think MX bikes are only for jumping tall building and racing, but they also make GREAT trail bikes.

Heck, I rode a 2000 Honda CR500R for years for a trail bike and it worked great for those tall TN hills.

Anyway.. trail bikes

Trail: http://powersports.honda.com/offroad/trail.aspx

Off-road: http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modeloverview/cat/2015/59/model_overview.aspx?_ga=1.63992872.623469288.1420400609

Enduro: http://www.ktm.com/us/enduro.html

Suzuki didn't have much to offer for trail bikes, so here are their dual sport: http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Categories/DualSport

Edit: pics of my old 2000 Honda CR500R here: CR500R

Not sure on hitch haulers.

Any backpack, as long as it is not too heavy is fine. What weight do you plan to carry?

Just from experience, riding a mountain bike with a full time load of college textbooks so I could get across campus and not be late to class, too much weight on your back will throw your balance off if you hit too much of a bump. I darn near wiped out on campus one day from a bump. lol

Not sure if the same weight on a dirtbike would be so bad, but I do know riding with passengers on dirtbikes isn't easy either. Edited January 4, 2015 by JohnC

[Trekbike]

Like 173 I'm a fan of the two stroke.  It's so much simpler.   You just have to get the right one designed for woods riding.    Since you want to go used you should be able to find several options.    All the major brands offered "enduro/hare scrambles" models.   Riding a motocross model in the woods will be a little more demanding so that may be more than you want to get into right now.    

 

I used to ride a KDX220 (designed for the woods) that could be lugged when you wanted but would rev when you needed it.    Here's a crappy picture of the last one I used to have.  Prior to that I had a KDX200.   If you have the carb jetted correctly you shouldn't have a problem with fouling plugs.   Most folks that had problems years ago didn't take the time to re-jet the carb properly.   Most of the time they were jetted too rich from the factory.  

 

As others have said 4 strokes rule the world today.   Quite a bit of that change from 2 stroke to 4 stroke was driven from environmentalists so keep that in mind.   Gotta love the smell of pre-mix in the morning.  Take that Al Gore...  :)

 

[gregintenn]

I'd get as small a bike as I could stand. Extra weight will cause fatigue quickly when trail riding. I had a 125 when I was a teen. Since I've gotten old and chubby, I'd go for a 250 or 350 now.

 

 

 

 

Like 173 I'm a fan of the two stroke.  It's so much simpler.   You just have to get the right one designed for woods riding.    Since you want to go used you should be able to find several options.    All the major brands offered "enduro/hare scrambles" models.   Riding a motocross model in the woods will be a little more demanding so that may be more than you want to get into right now.    

 

I used to ride a KDX220 (designed for the woods) that could be lugged when you wanted but would rev when you needed it.    Here's a crappy picture of the last one I used to have.  Prior to that I had a KDX200.   If you have the carb jetted correctly you shouldn't have a problem with fouling plugs.   Most folks that had problems years ago didn't take the time to re-jet the carb properly.   Most of the time they were jetted too rich from the factory.  

 

As others have said 4 strokes rule the world today.   Quite a bit of that change from 2 stroke to 4 stroke was driven from environmentalists so keep that in mind.   Gotta love the smell of pre-mix in the morning.  Take that Al Gore...  :)

 

 

Sorry. I didn't realize a trail style 2 stroke was still available. I grew up riding Yamaha Enduros. They were great in the woods; if a bit heavy.

 

The CR 125 I had would be anyone's bike I rode with; even the 250s. It wasn't worth a nickle in the woods, however.

Edited January 4, 2015 by gregintenn

[JohnC]

I'd get as small a bike as I could stand. Extra weight will cause fatigue quickly when trail riding. I had a 125 when I was a teen. Since I've gotten old and chubby, I'd go for a 250 or 350 now.

He needs to find a good balance. The bike needs to have the power and gearing to get him up the hills in mud, loose rock, etc., at his weight and with whatever extra backpack weight as well.

[Johnny Rotten]

You might think MX bikes are only for jumping tall building and racing, but they also make GREAT trail bikes.

Heck, I rode a 2000 Honda CR500R for years for a trail bike and it worked great for those tall TN hills.

Anyway.. trail bikes

Trail: http://powersports.honda.com/offroad/trail.aspx

Off-road: http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modeloverview/cat/2015/59/model_overview.aspx?_ga=1.63992872.623469288.1420400609

Enduro: http://www.ktm.com/us/enduro.html

Suzuki didn't have much to offer for trail bikes, so here are their dual sport: http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Categories/DualSport

Edit: pics of my old 2000 Honda CR500R here: CR500R

Not sure on hitch haulers.

Any backpack, as long as it is not too heavy is fine. What weight do you plan to carry?

Just from experience, riding a mountain bike with a full time load of college textbooks so I could get across campus and not be late to class, too much weight on your back will throw your balance off if you hit too much of a bump. I darn near wiped out on campus one day from a bump. lol

Not sure of the same weight on a dirtbike would be so bad, but I do know riding with passengers on dirtbikes isn't easy either.

Too funny, I use to race 250/500 pro in SoCal, my last bike was a 89 CR500, first yr upside down forks showed up on stock MX bikes, my last race was in 92, me and my buddies made our own practice track that overlooked Carlsbad raceway (mid 80's), we had countless factory riders ride with us (Marty Moats, Chuck Sun, Rick Johnson and many more) those were the best of times I lived motocross in fact I missed high school graduation to race..LOL

[Good_Steward]

Thanks for the 4stroke vs 2stroke. I wasn't sure how the difference conveyed. The issue I'm seeing is if buying used, most are 2 stroke.
Would a 2 stroke 450 be better or just look for a 4stroke?

450 2 stroke is a HOSS. You may want to check out something like the CR230 and the TT-R230. Great 4 stroke bikes with plenty of oomph.

[Good_Steward]

Like 173 I'm a fan of the two stroke.  It's so much simpler.   You just have to get the right one designed for woods riding.    Since you want to go used you should be able to find several options.    All the major brands offered "enduro/hare scrambles" models.   Riding a motocross model in the woods will be a little more demanding so that may be more than you want to get into right now.    
 
I used to ride a KDX220 (designed for the woods) that could be lugged when you wanted but would rev when you needed it.    Here's a crappy picture of the last one I used to have.  Prior to that I had a KDX200.   If you have the carb jetted correctly you shouldn't have a problem with fouling plugs.   Most folks that had problems years ago didn't take the time to re-jet the carb properly.   Most of the time they were jetted too rich from the factory.  
 
As others have said 4 strokes rule the world today.   Quite a bit of that change from 2 stroke to 4 stroke was driven from environmentalists so keep that in mind.   Gotta love the smell of pre-mix in the morning.  Take that Al Gore...  :)
 

I ride a 79 KDX400. That thing is a beast.

[Trekbike]

I'm going to throw this video back out there for the KDX's.    The last generation (H series) of the 200 stayed basically the same from 95-06, the 220 was made from 97-05.   The 220 had better low end torque, the 200 was better on the top end.    Here's a video of a 200 in action so you can thrash them if you want or putt around if you want.   Due to their age you can probably find one for cheap but still have decent performance.  

 

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DPNanQIlic[/media]

 

 

[JohnC]

Too funny, I use to race 250/500 pro in SoCal, my last bike was a 89 CR500, first yr upside down forks showed up on stock MX bikes, my last race was in 92, me and my buddies made our own practice track that overlooked Carlsbad raceway (mid 80's), we had countless factory riders ride with us (Marty Moats, Chuck Sun, Rick Johnson and many more) those were the best of times I lived motocross in fact I missed high school graduation to race..LOL

What do you think about the service Honda CR 500AF? :D

http://www.servicehonda.com/cr500af05.html

[Trekbike]

If you're able to spend more, the other bike I can suggest is a KTM 300 EXC.   It's a "do all" bike that I've always wanted.  The video does a good job in the begining at explaining why a 2 stroke still wins the hearts of many folks.   

 

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cwImtQw3WA[/media]

[Johnny Rotten]

What do you think about the service Honda CR 500AF? :D

http://www.servicehonda.com/cr500af05.html

Only difference between that bike and a 89, is the aluminum frame and a few other goodies, I haven't followed bikes in yrs so I don't know if the $10.5k price tag is good or bad, gut feeling it's a couple k over a regular bike...
I'm too old to ride 500's nowadays I'd probably do something really stupid and pay big time for it, this is more my speed today:

[Lumber_Jack]

Man this turned into a great topic. Thanks for all the tips.

I definitely can't afford a brand new bike right now. And may not buy anything for a while, I just like exploring the options.

My backpack would be lite nothing heavy, just water, lunch and maybe a rain jacket. And if carrying the bag the trail would be an easy one, just using the bike to save walking....so that I can walk more after getting to the work area :)

I also agree that 250, 300 is probably plenty of bike for me.

[Trekbike]

My backpack would be lite nothing heavy, just water, lunch and maybe a rain jacket. And if carrying the bag the trail would be an easy one, just using the bike to save walking....so that I can walk more after getting to the work area :)

Just a thought, but any chance you can do what you want on a mountain bike? You might be surprised by the terrain you can ride on one if you haven't tried.

It sure would be a lot cheaper, easier to haul around, plus more exercise. :)