What would be a good choice for a dune/fun bike

[JHerington]

the 2 stroke isnt a big adjustment from a 4 stroke. i go to the track ad switch onto my friends 125 from my 250f without any trouble. you would get the hang of it. If you go with 2 stroke get a 07 or newer YZ250. I think a 450 would be a better choice though. They have tons more power and are easier to ride. if you go 4 stroke, either get a kawasaki (09 or newer) or a Honda (08 or older)

[Kevin415mx]

The thing is i really wont have that much money to spend on a bike that new. Because i spend most of my money on my race bikes. So thats why i was trying to get an older less expensive bike.

[j44]

I would say newer honda 450's 09 and newer are more solid than the 08 and older. Ofcourse once suspension is dialed which I think the thread poster has. Thats my opinion though. They say you either love or hate the new 450R's, but for what he states he wants the bike for. If Iam correct a 2nd bike and for him and maybe buddies. I would def go 250 or higher 2t. cost and fun.

[Kevin415mx]

I would say newer honda 450's 09 and newer are more solid than the 08 and older. Ofcourse once suspension is dialed which I think the thread poster has. Thats my opinion though. They say you either love or hate the new 450R's, but for what he states he wants the bike for. If Iam correct a 2nd bike and for him and maybe buddies. I would def go 250 or higher 2t. cost and fun.

Yea thats what this bike will be for. I have an 09 Honda 450 i like it alot, but its my race bike for the desert, so i dont really want to take it to the dunes or let some of my buddies ride it that might mess it up. Thats why im leaning towards the 2 stroke.

[j44]

I have a 2t and I race a 450r also. I love my sx250 but the ride style is just enough diff that messes me up sometimes. I love both, my 2t is just for fun also. The biggest diff between the two is jumping. if iam not front forward off the face of a jump on that thing its nose high. where my 450r if iam centered it shoots me perfect no mater what size jump. The 2t will have you working the clutch better. Iam faster on my 450r from day one but playing on the 2t made me even more faster. I just have a whole lot more confidence on my 450r. and I still jump every triple or big jump on the 2t just not as much confidence because if your not where that bike wants you body position wise you will be nose high and all out of whack.

[j44]

And bad thing lol, I grew up racen 2t just been on 4t for so long like 6 years when I went back I had mucle memory for the 4t. so my point is after few rides and the transition between the 2 will be smooth. there both gonna help you and it will still be a good play bike.

[sjrdr]

2fiddy smoker; its no fun on a 250 4T, been there, done that. if you dont carry your speed, then you'd be stuck like OrangeYZ's posted pic. with the smoker, it doesnt matter. a little bit of clutch and you'd be smilin ear-to-ear

[shrubitup]

I have a 250F and I took it to the dunes. Not THAT bad but yes you hafta carry speed and WORK that clutch and valve train. Not good for engine longevity IMO. Rode a 450F later that day. So much easier. So a 250 smoker should be somewhere in between. You can NEVER have too much horsepower in the dunes really.

[07ATKEnduro]

good dune weapons:

CR/KX500

KTM 550->380

ATK/Maico 620 - is the best bike I've ridden in the Dunes

Most Fun:

Yamaha Banchee - quads and dunes are more fun for me

[Kevin415mx]

Ok cool thanks for all the info guys. What are the best choices for a used 250 2T that wont be that expensive?

[shrubitup]

Ok cool thanks for all the info guys. What are the best choices for a used 250 2T that wont be that expensive?

Believe it or not, none are bad bikes! Buy based on condition and price rather than brand IMO.

[J T K]

Ok cool thanks for all the info guys. What are the best choices for a used 250 2T that wont be that expensive?

04+ RM250

05+ KX250

05+ YZ250 (some say 06+)

00+ CR250 (00-01 were great engine years, and 02+ dont have as good of an engine but have the newer look and they are still awesome bikes)

And I dont really know what KTMs are good years. I bought my RM250, and I love it, but I kinda wish I would have gotten a Honda...

[Kevin415mx]

Believe it or not, none are bad bikes! Buy based on condition and price rather than brand IMO.

O heard that the Honda 2 strokes werent that good. or is that just the 125s ?

[shrubitup]

O heard that the Honda 2 strokes werent that good. or is that just the 125s ?

The 02-07 CR250R is known to have poor low end. Add a JD jet kit to sorta fix it. However, they have amazing mid and top end. IMO, you don't use too much low end in the dunes. I have my eye on a Honda for dune work too.

Yes, the 125s from 00-04 were really really bad motor wise.

[KJ55]

Just get a two stroke 250 and above and rev it to the moon.

[Kevin415mx]

Thanks for all the help guys i wont have the money for quite a while jus trying to get an idea of what i want

[Jeezo]

Why are you against a big bore smoker? I'd think a cr/kx500 would be perfect.

Or a ktm 300/360/380. They are killer bikes. Whoever told you it costs 1000 to do the bottom end is nuts.

If you're getting a 250 for dunes, I'd try to find a yz250 or kx250, maybe a cr250. The honda is great but the case reed motors had too much case volume and it isn't easy to get much bottom end out of them without reducing case volume. If you dont care about low end I'm sure it's fine. The RM is good, but it was a sharp handling bike, and not as stable at speed as the other 3. KX is an awesome bike, hard hitting and fun. The yz will be the most linear and stable of all. The YZ250 from 99- is widely considered to be the best 250 2t ever made.

[Junkstar]

CR or KX 500af. These things are nuts, my mate has a KX and it absolutly fly's.

He uses it mostly on the local island here its all sand. Get your suspension sorted and your away.

250 frame modified for 500 engine. Dune bike all over.

[shrubitup]

Why are you against a big bore smoker? I'd think a cr/kx500 would be perfect.

Or a ktm 300/360/380. They are killer bikes. Whoever told you it costs 1000 to do the bottom end is nuts.

If you're getting a 250 for dunes, I'd try to find a yz250 or kx250, maybe a cr250. The honda is great but the case reed motors had too much case volume and it isn't easy to get much bottom end out of them without reducing case volume. If you dont care about low end I'm sure it's fine. The RM is good, but it was a sharp handling bike, and not as stable at speed as the other 3. KX is an awesome bike, hard hitting and fun. The yz will be the most linear and stable of all. The YZ250 from 99- is widely considered to be the best 250 2t ever made.

The old KX and CR 500s handle like a piece of shiz. You hafta go AF to get the modern suspension and frame geometry. Any newer 250 smoker will turn circles and fly past a 500 say in the whoop sections. No doubt about it, the 500cc smoker motor is tops for dune work. There's very little time spent in the low end on dunes either unless you're there for the scenery.

[lvrider]

I'm surprised no one else mentioned this.

I personally think 250 smokers are too weak for the dunes and you have to wrap them way to far out to get them to move/climb. The more you wrap it out the sooner your top end will go. I just spent today pushing my buddies yz250 at dumount cuz he blew it up. I also had my buddy blow up his cr250 out there as well las season. The kid that helped us get my buddies Tacoma unstuck today said he blew his cr250 up out there as well. I would also advocate against a 250 thumper, no need for explanation.

With a cr/kx500 (i am Honda man all the way) you burp the throttle for first shift to second burp shift to third burp burp your at the top of any dune big as they come. This way your not wrapping it out wearing your motor out. Sure 500s are bigger and bulkier but if you man up and get used to it , it shouldn't be a big deal (your a desert racer so this shouldn't be a problem). Plus who doesn't love throwing up a fifty foot rooster smoking every and anything up comp with a virtually stock bike while they have thousands in theirs? I do not think a 500 will end you up in the hospital esp if you race desert... There no rocks boulders trees ditches (well maybe a witch eye but you can read the sand and see these coming) cliffs to smash into flinging you off the bike in the dunes.

I have a 05crf450r and i feel that you have to be pretty hard on the throttle more than I would like to climb big hills. So i'd say its what you want out of a dune bike. Do you like climbing any and all the big hills with no problem? Or do you like haulin through smaller technical dunes?

Are there more votes for the 250 smokers because more people have them and less for the 500 cuz they are more rare?

just my .02 go for the 500