Who rides dirtbikes? I'm a noob and need some advice!

235Dude · 04-08-2010, 01:27 PM

Okay so basically I am considering getting a dirt bike.The only problem is I have never driven any kind of motorcycle before so I need something to easy to learn on. I am leaning towards something 4 stroke with electric start for convenience factor. Is a Honda CRF 230 a good beginner bike? I am 6 ft tall and weigh about 185 lbs and so I need something that is a good match for my size and I won't get bored of immediately.

Any input would be appreciated!

nmulax · 04-08-2010, 01:51 PM

I sold my bikes and stopped riding just as the 4-strokes were coming out, so I don't have any experience with them. My first bike was a Kawasaki KDX 220 (a trail bike like the CRF 230), then I went to a KX 125. I think the trail bike is a good starting point and you shouldn't get bored too quickly - it'll let you decide what exactly you want to do with the bike.

silvergray545 · 04-08-2010, 06:47 PM

Yamaha YZ250F

Best bike I've ever rode.

/thread

Spec 1 · 04-08-2010, 07:55 PM

Any 250 (or 230)+ cc should get the job done, especially if you haven't ridden before. The Top 4 (Kawi, Yami, Honda, Suzuki) are all such top-notch build quality that it comes down to which you feel the most comfortable sitting on. Go sit on a few. For your size, you should probably get a shop to tune the suspension for you.

235Dude · 04-09-2010, 12:18 PM

Ok so I am thinking a 250 is probably a better fit because of my size. So now my question is who makes the most reliable 250 4 stroke trail bike? (not looking for a motorcross race bike)

Spec 1 · 04-09-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E46andC6

So now my question is who makes the most reliable 250 4 stroke trail bike? (not looking for a motorcross race bike)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spec 1

The Top 4 (Kawi, Yami, Honda, Suzuki) are all such top-notch build quality that it comes down to which you feel the most comfortable sitting on. Go sit on a few. For your size, you should probably get a shop to tune the suspension for you.

You just blew right past my comment, eh?

I've been riding for years, street and dirt. Seriously, go find which one is the most comfortable for you to sit on and buy it.

Good brands: Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, Husqvarna, KTM
Bad brands: Hyosung

235Dude · 04-09-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spec 1

You just blew right past my comment, eh?

I've been riding for years, street and dirt. Seriously, go find which one is the most comfortable for you to sit on and buy it.

Good brands: Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, Husqvarna, KTM
Bad brands: Hyosung

I def read it and I know comfort is important but I have heard the Honda's have valve problems and want to know what else to look for.

Spec 1 · 04-09-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E46andC6

I def read it and I know comfort is important but I have heard the Honda's have valve problems and want to know what else to look for.

They really don't. As mentioned, all of those 250cc 4strokes are extremely reliable and built very well. That size is the bread and butter of the dirtbike world. Husqvarna & KTM will be slightly less reliable than the Big 4, but still shouldn't give much issue.

Find a buddy who knows motorcycles and take him with you. As long as the particular bike isn't having problems you should be fine. Valve problems on a newer Honda is more of a fluke than an actual issue. Most all bikes will need valve adjustments after a couple thousand miles or a few years.

SuitedPair · 04-09-2010, 10:48 PM

Had a Honda CRF250X for 3 years... I'm 6'1" and 175lbs... great bike. Not scary fast but perfect torque balance. It's tough b/c you can't just go to a dealership and test ride one so that's my vote. Get handlebar guards no matter which bike you get. Have fun.

ideliver · 04-13-2010, 12:32 AM

my 1979 Honda XL250 is still running strong...despite my best efforts to kill it...

04-08-2010, 01:27 PM	#1
235Dude Captain 110 Rep 925 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Potomac, MD iTrader: (19)	Who rides dirtbikes? I'm a noob and need some advice! Okay so basically I am considering getting a dirt bike.The only problem is I have never driven any kind of motorcycle before so I need something to easy to learn on. I am leaning towards something 4 stroke with electric start for convenience factor. Is a Honda CRF 230 a good beginner bike? I am 6 ft tall and weigh about 185 lbs and so I need something that is a good match for my size and I won't get bored of immediately. Any input would be appreciated! __________________ 2016 M235i \| BSM \| 6SPD \| BMS JB4 \| Dinan Intake \| Wagner Evo 2 Comp IC \| VRSF DP \| ER CP \| Dinan Exhaust \| M Performance LSD \| M Performance Springs Gone: 2016 F30 340i, 2015 Corvette Z06, 2011 E92 335i, 2007 E92 335i, 2008 Corvette Z51, 1999 E46 323i, 2001 Boxster, 1999 Carrera 2, 1997 Corvette, 2001 Camaro SS
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04-08-2010, 01:51 PM	#2
nmulax Brigadier General 407 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	I sold my bikes and stopped riding just as the 4-strokes were coming out, so I don't have any experience with them. My first bike was a Kawasaki KDX 220 (a trail bike like the CRF 230), then I went to a KX 125. I think the trail bike is a good starting point and you shouldn't get bored too quickly - it'll let you decide what exactly you want to do with the bike. __________________
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04-08-2010, 06:47 PM	#3
silvergray545 Skittles, OT OG 2353 Rep 649 Posts Drives: Lots of M cars Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00] 2000 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2004 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 VW GLI [0.00]	Yamaha YZ250F Best bike I've ever rode. /thread
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04-08-2010, 07:55 PM	#4
Spec 1 Faster in the Corners 58 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: '91 E30, '05 ZX6-R, '06 300C Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Any 250 (or 230)+ cc should get the job done, especially if you haven't ridden before. The Top 4 (Kawi, Yami, Honda, Suzuki) are all such top-notch build quality that it comes down to which you feel the most comfortable sitting on. Go sit on a few. For your size, you should probably get a shop to tune the suspension for you. __________________ '91 M42 E30 - All sorts of goodies.
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04-09-2010, 12:18 PM	#5
235Dude Captain 110 Rep 925 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Potomac, MD iTrader: (19)	Ok so I am thinking a 250 is probably a better fit because of my size. So now my question is who makes the most reliable 250 4 stroke trail bike? (not looking for a motorcross race bike) __________________ 2016 M235i \| BSM \| 6SPD \| BMS JB4 \| Dinan Intake \| Wagner Evo 2 Comp IC \| VRSF DP \| ER CP \| Dinan Exhaust \| M Performance LSD \| M Performance Springs Gone: 2016 F30 340i, 2015 Corvette Z06, 2011 E92 335i, 2007 E92 335i, 2008 Corvette Z51, 1999 E46 323i, 2001 Boxster, 1999 Carrera 2, 1997 Corvette, 2001 Camaro SS
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04-09-2010, 10:48 PM	#9
SuitedPair Private First Class 23 Rep 157 Posts Drives: GMC 2500hd Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	Had a Honda CRF250X for 3 years... I'm 6'1" and 175lbs... great bike. Not scary fast but perfect torque balance. It's tough b/c you can't just go to a dealership and test ride one so that's my vote. Get handlebar guards no matter which bike you get. Have fun.
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04-13-2010, 12:32 AM	#10
ideliver Major 248 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: E60 M5, E71 X6M, E46 M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: At the gas station iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW E46 M3 'vert [0.00] 2008 BMW M5 [0.00] 2011 BMW E92 [0.00] 2012 BMW X6M [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 [0.00]	my 1979 Honda XL250 is still running strong...despite my best efforts to kill it... __________________ Current: 2006 E46 M3 'vert 6-sp 2008 E60 M5, 2011 E92 328 6-sp, 2011 E70 N55, 2012 E71 X6M
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