Hey,

I am looking for a used DS bike for a first ride. I have been on +/- 200cc bikes and that was comfortable, but most of the used bikes around here in my price range aren't 250s.

I am 5'11" and about 140 lbs. I ride slightly aggressively, but nothing extreme.

Would a 400cc or 550 be too much bike for a beginner like me?

What about it could be a problem?

Thanks

Bradly

yea for a beginner at only 140 a 550 will rip your balls off.

that thing will blow u away. im 5' 1" 120 lbs (ALL MUSCLE!) and ride a 150. ull have a big problem turning a bike that fat. a good starter bike is a 2 stroke 125 its like a 4 stroke 250 but cheaper. the only reason 2 stroke over 4 stroke is cuzza price. ull definetelly get some lifting practice if u start wit a 550

Thanks for the advice.

As far as a 125.. I am new to motorcycle/engine maintenance and repair and need to do 50+mph comfortably, so I have been told that a larger 4 stroke would be better (at least for the maintenance aspect)

Is the maintenance over time going to be much different for a 2 stroke than a 4?

Thanks

Bradly

2 stroke= cheap maintnance.... 4 stroke= expensive as hell..... and for the cruising at 50 mph... if your doing trail riding youll want lower gearing(bigger rear sprocket) and for more top speed youll want a smaller rear sprocket.... but a 125 should be good in both aspects:ride: :ride: :ride: :ride:

sum person called me a fag cuzza my other post and took some gas:crazy: :cry:

flyin_high said:

although...you can take it slow....VERY slow...and get used to ball rippin' power...

until then...i agree, your balls will be ripped off:ride:

What bike? Just because it is 400 or 550 cc's doesn't mean much. We need to know the model. For example a XR400 is docile when compared to a YZ400. I'm not familiar with many 550 DS bikes. Is it a XT550. If so run don't walk to some other bike.

cleonard said:

haha oh man i totaly agree.

I totally disagree. If he gets an xr400 all he has to do is change the oil a few times a year and clean the air filter. No premix, no coolant, no top end etc. XR400 has to be about the most bomb proof motor ever made and i am a yamaha guy. When was the last time honda changed the motor on the XR? I am guessing years and years

I am so tired of everyone saying how expensive it is to maintain a 4 stroke. If you don't take care of them, then yes very very very expensive. But that is the case for any motorcycle.

I rode my YZ426 for 4 years and i never did a top end or a piston. Never had to adjust the valves either. I heard so many horror stories about 4 strokes from mostly two stroke guys and was really nervous about buying one. All i did was chang the oil and filter and that was it. If i had a two stroke i would of done at least one or two top ends at that point.

Erik47 said:

A good dual sport bike for this purpose might be a DRZ400. They are very reliable, will easily cruise at 50mph+, and can be modified to improve performance as necessary. I would personally look to the DRZ. If you are looking for a street legal DS then the drz400s would hit the spot.

you'll be fine with that bike! it'll be a little scary at first then you'll get used to the power and after that you'll crave the power just becasue some of the others here can't handle a bike that big doesn't mean you can't.
my first bike starting off at age 32 was an xr650r scared me at first but i got used to it and now i love the power

never59 said:

yea why does everyone have to be dissing the four strokes?? i havent had ANY problems with my ttr other than a few flats and all i've ever done is change the oil, and i've had it for three years. but i DO think a 400 will have so much power if your just a beginner rider.

no as long as you a carefull when using gas

that thing will be a monster

ToyMan said:

Ive got to agree here. The DRZ is a very user friendly machine, it has a very tame motor. Downside, theyre heavy.