I'm buying used with a max budget of about $1000, depending on how long I keep saving.
I'm 17, 5' 7", 135 pounds. I will be riding mostly trails, not too many jumps or anything. I was thinking maybe a 2 stroke 125? The lack of bottom end is what scares me. I've thought about an xr200 but they seem to have no suspension at all and i won't be able to progress. Any input?
Limited Budget
Started by
sterlin44
, Aug 06 2012 09:26 PM
18 replies to this topic
Posted 06 August 2012 - 10:03 PM
I think you would be happy with a 125, it may be a little less on the low end but youll have a great time on the bike and it'll be cheaper on maintenance than a lot of other options. I also know a 125 can be one of the funnest bikes youll ever ride.
Posted 06 August 2012 - 11:18 PM
I've heard they are quite a handful in the woods. My other problem is height. Sometimes on the trail it gets a little sketchy and its nice to be able to put a foot down. How does this affect trail riding the full size MX bikes?
Posted 08 August 2012 - 11:54 AM
My 97 Yz 125 stands a wee bit shorter then My buddy's Kdx220 but his Kdx is like a 1986 too as well 
,I ride desert trails on my bike and it is always a blast!
What it lacks in low end torque it gains in high end power,If you feel like your momentum is to slow pull in the clutch drop a gear and Pinn it xD
But I have taken my buddy's Kdx out and it has allot taller gears then the 125 (wider ratio trans) and I'm sure would be allot more useful in the trails .
,I ride desert trails on my bike and it is always a blast!What it lacks in low end torque it gains in high end power,If you feel like your momentum is to slow pull in the clutch drop a gear and Pinn it xD
But I have taken my buddy's Kdx out and it has allot taller gears then the 125 (wider ratio trans) and I'm sure would be allot more useful in the trails .
Posted 09 August 2012 - 04:46 AM
Yes, the KDX is a better pure trail bike,
but they don't have a 125 class at the ISDE for nothin' either (or they used to , not sure about now)
Dont look at it as the last dirt bike you will ever buy --- if you get a decent buy on a good condition 125, jump in and ride. Keep saving your money as you progress for a newer KTM or WR
but they don't have a 125 class at the ISDE for nothin' either (or they used to , not sure about now)
Dont look at it as the last dirt bike you will ever buy --- if you get a decent buy on a good condition 125, jump in and ride. Keep saving your money as you progress for a newer KTM or WR
Posted 09 August 2012 - 05:09 AM
KDX all the way. I am a huge Honda XR/CRF fan but the KDX series is, arguably, one of the best 2T woods/trail bikes ever made. Lots of capability at a very reasonable price. You can not go wrong and you will not be sorry.
Posted 15 August 2012 - 04:02 PM
I have a little update. The only bikes I have every rode are a crf230, and a crf100. The 230 wasn't too bad but the height of it made it a little sketchy in the rough stuff. I was always scared of sliding out. I recently rode a crf100. I could ride the crap out of it and it was fun. I could put a foot down at any time to save me. The light weight also made it super easy to pick up if I wrecked. This makes me wonder how I could ever possibley ride a full size bike. Do I just need to get over my fear of the height and weight and just go balls to the wall?
Posted 15 August 2012 - 04:53 PM
The 100's are always fun! My buddy had an XR100 and now has a TTR125. We are both grown-ass adults but those bikes are pure hooligan fun! But yeah....go with what these guys are saying. A good 2T 125 or the KDX would be a good choice. Ya know...the XR200 would be fine too. A lot of guys ride them and swear by them. Jump into the make/model specific forum and see what folks are saying about the different bikes you are considering.
Posted 17 August 2012 - 11:58 AM
dont leave out the ttr or crf230 either. they super cheap too. As long as not doing anything to serious with it a 230 would be a great bike.
Posted 17 August 2012 - 03:10 PM
Man I'm 6ft 1 and I still tip toe, you have to lean to one side then you have full control. Don't let your fear stand in the way of buying a bike you'll truly be happy with. Just take your time and learn. I have only had my bike for a month and I was nervous just like you but each day I keep getting better and better.
Posted 17 August 2012 - 03:37 PM
+3 on KDX200. You can cut at least 1.5" out the seat height by cutting down the foam and moto_rider is right they arent quite as tall as the MX bikes to begin with. However, given your budget, I think you need to look at the widest range of possible bikes including all 125 2 strokes and XR200's/ XR 250's, CRF150F, etc. You are going to have to make some compromises in age or condition or features to be able to achieve that budget....and look very hard for a deal.
You can also look at KX100, RM100, CR85L or RM85L. These are powerful but much easier to throw around like you mentioned you experienced with the CRF100F (same weight - 3 times the HP). I think you are a bit too tall for them in the long term, but they could serve as an interim bike considering your budget of $1000.
You can also look at KX100, RM100, CR85L or RM85L. These are powerful but much easier to throw around like you mentioned you experienced with the CRF100F (same weight - 3 times the HP). I think you are a bit too tall for them in the long term, but they could serve as an interim bike considering your budget of $1000.
Posted 18 August 2012 - 04:14 PM
The KDX 200/220 seems like about the best choice. I've found them for around 1k-1.5k in my area, and they all seem to be in much better condition than the 125s. I've still been looking at the 125s but the low end torque, less maintenance, and lower seat height of the KDX is hard to beat.
Posted 18 August 2012 - 07:37 PM
If you are going the route of the KDX200/KDX220, please take a look at the Kawasaki two stroke forum here at Thumper Talk and look at KDXRider.net. The KDX220 is the more sedate machine with a lower end torquier nature and a smaller carburetor. A lot (but not all), believe the KDX220 had defective piston skirts and recommend that the first thing you do is replace the top end. So you might want to factor that into the pricing when buying a KDX220.
Posted 29 September 2012 - 08:44 AM
I would start looking for a xr250r. I went from a xr100 to a xr200 and regreted it.
Make sure that it is new enough to have an oil cooler though.
Make sure that it is new enough to have an oil cooler though.
