Need some MX advice

[FrankyRizzo]

Looking to get a dirt bike. I am eyeing a Yamaha 250 2 stroke. Kind of fond of the Yammies since I have ridden them before. I know the Hondas are good but I can be swayed.

I know the 4 strokes are popular but I kind of long for the 2 stroke sound.

Any advice? What are you experiences. I am a bigger guy as well so would I look for a jumper because of the heavier duty suspension or am I wrong in my thinking?

Let's not make this a one is better than the other thread. I just would like some direction to go in. I plan on doing more trailing than the freestyle bit.

[slobin3d]

are you looking for new or used? I had an old RM 400 that was stupid fast and my buddys YZ 490 would haul you around pretty well

[FrankyRizzo]

Used preferably.

[Squid121]

For trail riding you might want a four stroke, don't have to worry about fouling a plug when your just putting around. If your not stuck on a new one then a good bike is an older (late 90's) DR350 Suzuki, air cooled and pretty much bullet proof.

[racerx]

I just sold my YZ450F and it was an awesome bike! I rode some woods/trails and some track with some pretty good size jumps(bigger than my balls would allow) and the only complaint I had was on some steep climbs if you let it stall you where gonna be kicking for awhile! Good bike though, I always liked the 2 stroke sound but after riding 4 strokers I don't think I'd go back.

[dezfan]

I was thinking more along the lines of a XR400 or 600.

[FrankyRizzo]

I really would like a 4 stroke but they really like holding on to them out here in Vegas.

[FrankyRizzo]

This isn't priced too bad.

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/mcy/229462659.html

[dezfan]

Nice!

[FrankyRizzo]

Might have to go check it out in the AM.

[86chevy]

I would look for something like a crf250x or wr250 for trail riding. Suspension shouldn't be a problem for trail riding or even some small jumps depending on your weight.

[trost]

Well whats yor skill leavl? that and the type of riding will factor into the type of bike you get.I would get a 4 strike no matter what kinda riding you do.Yamaha is a great choice they biuld awsome bikes that last forever.I would go with the wr450f or wr250f both are great bikes set up for trail riding!

[CRAWLERLIFEFORME]

well if were talking about fairly new bikes here than ill fill u in. the yamaha has a screamin motor. its pretty light and has decent hadeling. the hondas last motors havent been p to par with the yami but is still decently strong. but honda has always been known for exceptional handeling and suspension. and the newer cr's are no exception. the suspension is dynamite and so is its handling. throw a pipe and even some reeds in it and it will be a screamer. kawasaki has the best 250 motor but not the best chasis and suspension. the engine also starts to have a huge knock and it sounds like it is going to explode. now this isent an performance issue. i belive its caused by the fly wheel and magnet pickup spacing but dont hold me to that. suzuki. well there motor isent very good but there suspenition and handeling is very good also.

so if u were to ask me what bike to go with...well i would say honda just for the handeling, ergonomics, and suspention. the motor is fine as its still going to be plenty fast at first you just might want to put a pipe on it later.

if u wat a green sticker bike(if it aplies to were u live) or a little older cheaper bike. a 2001 cr250 will blow your mind. stock they are very nice and fast.
my dads got one with a ported head a pipe and stuffed cases and thats it as far as motor and let me tell you it is almost scary how fast it will go. he was clocked at 90mph by his buddy on a 06 ktm 525 with a pipe. the ktm never gained an inch on that bike.

[FrankyRizzo]

Skill level on a scale of 1-10 being about a 4. Rode YZ 80's with friends as a kid but nothing too crazy. I intend on getting all the right gear so I can do it right.

[FrankyRizzo]

So what are the longevity issues with a 2 stroke vs. a 4?

I hear of top ends and such. Is it because some are abused or do they have a short time span?

[86chevy]

2 strokes are a dieing/dead breed. Many brands have just quit on the 2 strokes. Eight or so years ago no one thought 4 strokes would ever stand a chance (in racing) against a 2 stroke, slowly but surely 4 strokes have caught and passed 2 strokes in every aspect but weight.

[CRAWLERLIFEFORME]

o man a two stroke has half the maintnence a 4 stroke has. a 4 stroke needs valves adjusted and when its time to do a top end witch is a pretty sort time its like 2 grand. a two stroke is easy to maintain. ans long as its jetted decently and not run lean then just put a ring on it every year or two then do the piston a year after that. my buddys dad has a 1990 cr500 that is still on the stock piston and ring 16 years and it still runs like a raped ape on steroids!

[FrankyRizzo]

Originally Posted by CRAWLERLIFEFORME

o man a two stroke has half the maintnence a 4 stroke has. a 4 stroke needs valves adjusted and when its time to do a top end witch is a pretty sort time its like 2 grand. a two stroke is easy to maintain. ans long as its jetted decently and not run lean then just put a ring on it every year or two then do the piston a year after that. my buddys dad has a 1990 cr500 that is still on the stock piston and ring 16 years and it still runs like a raped ape on steroids!

Good to know.

[86chevy]

That is totally wrong 4 strokes are very low maintenance.

[CRAWLERLIFEFORME]

slowly but surely 4 strokes have caught and passed 2 strokes in every aspect but weight.

not completely true. 4 strokes have beaten the 2 smokers in most things they still have there advantages such and flickability, handiling, andmaintnence.


Frankyrizo- no problem all that reading of magazines dos come in handy sometimes.