I'm about to spend 10K on a dirt bike, is it the right one?!?

[ddaily726]

Yes I did listen to everyone's advice but I found out that we rarely ride tight single trails so I thought something a little faster would be more appropriate.

Also, the dealer I was going to buy from is WAY overpriced I found the 2016 ktm 250sf-x for about the same price.

[Gypsy501]

I race, so maybe it's different. I would never own a trail bike. 📎20160821_072619

My trail bike is a yz450f

stuff that for a joke , I had a mx for my first bike trail riding,only because I didn't know any better, I was a lot younger and fitter then to, no chance I can go back to kickstarting a bike stuck on a steep rocky hill, I love my button start,lol

[BOAB]

I race, so maybe it's different. I would never own a trail bike. 📎20160821_072619

My trail bike is a yz450f

 

Race what?  MX?  Otherwise your suspension is beating you to death unless you have had it substantially reworked.

[SilvFx]

Yes I did listen to everyone's advice but I found out that we rarely ride tight single trails so I thought something a little faster would be more appropriate.

Also, the dealer I was going to buy from is WAY overpriced I found the 2016 ktm 250sf-x for about the same price.

 

Enjoy the bike.  It's not like you cant have fun on MX bikes on the trail (I rode an 86 Honda CR250R on the trail for decades).  You can also do some things to it to make it a bit more trail worthy.

 

Just to clarify for you that the value of wide ratio bike is that you have a lower first gear and larger spreads between the gears.  Ultimately, the KTM XC/XC-W versions will run at faster speeds comfortably (not accelerate faster) than the MX versions due to gear ratios and 6th gear.

[EmpireofDerp]

OP, Please post video of your first actual trail ride, the learning curve should be you tube worthy.

[Big Ron L]

the 250 4 stroke moto bikes arent bad for trail riding, their light and make snappy power. get the suspension set up by a professional if you could afford it, moto suspension Is real harsh in rocky conditions which is what a lot of PA trails are and change the oil alot. btw singletrack is where its at on the East Coast and you eventually end up riding them. my buddy got a kx 250 4 stroke set up for the woods its an awesome bike.

[rexisme]

OP, Please post video of your first actual trail ride, the learning curve should be you tube worthy.

 

Yes, please OP, get a GoPro, borrow a GoPro; just get it on tape! It will be hilarious watching someone that thinks they can man handle a bike because they "lift bro."

[Doc_d]

I found out that we rarely ride tight single trails...

Every video I looked at online of PA riding was slow, rocky and steep. Maybe not every area of PA is the same though.

Ultimately it's your choice what you buy. Whatever you get, going from not riding a dirt bike to riding a dirt bike is a good thing. You'll have a blast. Good luck and keep us updated when you make the purchase and start riding.

Doc

Edited January 28, 2017 by Doc_d

[Salty Dog]

Adrenaline and enthusiasm go a long way. Wish you the best.

[Armbarn sailor]

You guys are funny.

[EmpireofDerp]

You guys are funny.

I said I know, everybody funny, now you funny too!

[Armbarn sailor]

I said I know, everybody funny, now you funny too!

A one bourbon, one scotch and one beeeer....well, I ain't seen my baby since.....

[Armbarn sailor]

stuff that for a joke , I had a mx for my first bike trail riding,only because I didn't know any better, I was a lot younger and fitter then to, no chance I can go back to kickstarting a bike stuck on a steep rocky hill, I love my button start,lol

The best harescramble bike I've ever owned was a brand new 1992 cr500r in 1992. Great woods bike. Next best was an 03 cr250, great bike but no top end. 16 yz450f? Not bad. I've ridden worse. I live in sand, ride in sand, race in sand....stiff forks aren't an issue, soft ones are. Those "offroad" xc-ws and shit will burrow in and flop, the slower you go, the worse it'll be. Beta I'm sure has a great bike but I rode a 300rr? And I could bottom the forks on single track junk, not a position Sandy soil likes motorcycles to be in. So yeah, people can say offroad bikes are great for trails....just don't bring them around here and expect to have fun. You won't. You will fall, fight and give up. Mx bike?....work great, keep your head in the tight stuff and don't overwork the clutch, idle high, first gear, keep her going. Bark busters are the best thing to use so you can ping pong off small trees to keep off your clutch. Leave your rear brake pedal at the truck.

[Armbarn sailor]

Race what? MX? Otherwise your suspension is beating you to death unless you have had it substantially reworked.

Bone stock. Perfect for Sandy trails. If enough riders are there the whoops will be 5 feet deep, trees on both sides....go ahead and try some soft forks, those trees keep souvenirs of those guys...

[EmpireofDerp]

The best harescramble bike I've ever owned was a brand new 1992 cr500r in 1992. Great woods bike. Next best was an 03 cr250, great bike but no top end. 16 yz450f? Not bad. I've ridden worse. I live in sand, ride in sand, race in sand....stiff forks aren't an issue, soft ones are. Those "offroad" xc-ws and shit will burrow in and flop, the slower you go, the worse it'll be. Beta I'm sure has a great bike but I rode a 300rr? And I could bottom the forks on single track junk, not a position Sandy soil likes motorcycles to be in. So yeah, people can say offroad bikes are great for trails....just don't bring them around here and expect to have fun. You won't. You will fall, fight and give up. Mx bike?....work great, keep your head in the tight stuff and don't overwork the clutch, idle high, first gear, keep her going. Bark busters are the best thing to use so you can ping pong off small trees to keep off your clutch. Leave your rear brake pedal at the truck.

Dis how I ride. Grew up on big sand dunes, miles of big whooped out double track between trails and big sand hill climbs. I'm not a good trail rider at all on the gnarly stuff though I try my best.

[Gypsy501]

The OP was asking for help for a trail bike for the Woods , How did we get to riding MX bikes in the sand dunes ?????

[EmpireofDerp]

The OP was asking for help for a trail bike for the Woods , How did we get to riding MX bikes in the sand dunes ?????

Mission creep.

[Big Ron L]

The best harescramble bike I've ever owned was a brand new 1992 cr500r in 1992. Great woods bike. Next best was an 03 cr250, great bike but no top end. 16 yz450f? Not bad. I've ridden worse. I live in sand, ride in sand, race in sand....stiff forks aren't an issue, soft ones are. Those "offroad" xc-ws and shit will burrow in and flop, the slower you go, the worse it'll be. Beta I'm sure has a great bike but I rode a 300rr? And I could bottom the forks on single track junk, not a position Sandy soil likes motorcycles to be in. So yeah, people can say offroad bikes are great for trails....just don't bring them around here and expect to have fun. You won't. You will fall, fight and give up. Mx bike?....work great, keep your head in the tight stuff and don't overwork the clutch, idle high, first gear, keep her going. Bark busters are the best thing to use so you can ping pong off small trees to keep off your clutch. Leave your rear brake pedal at the truck.

 

not much sand in PA, its rocky out there and technical.

[Armbarn sailor]

not much sand in PA, its rocky out there and technical.

Trials tires and softer valving...

[michaelchristie207]

buy a moped. it will solve everyones problems. particularly get one that has pedals too so when u run outta gas u can pedal home. good luck