School me on buying a dirtbike

[ktm_guy]

So I keep asking... In your opinion, what would be a the price range to look into for this first bike?

A decent 2T 250 = 1500-2000?
A decent 4T 250 = 2500-3500?

This is the info I have been trying to get... What is the price range to look into? What bikes do you recommend besides the KDX,XR,and 250F if you up the price range? Maybe those are the ones to go for? I was unclear with your statement regarding a much less capable play bike.

A 2T will teach you to ride in the dirt. A 4T makes you a bit lazy. Once you can ride a 2T well you can ride anything but not vice versa. Guys that learn on 4T never like a 2T.

$2000 would be the bottom of the the 250 MX'er price range, model year 2000 and above. I recommend the CR250 or YZ250 as they have the best longevity as compared to KX250 or RM250. You should also consider a KTM 250 smoker, EXC up to 2004 or later would be the XC-W. These KTM's will give you a wide ratio gear box more suitable for trail riding. The Japanese MX'er have close ratio trany more suited to the track but add 2 teeth to the rear sproket and some flywheel and the MX bike will do fine on the trails.

If you move up closer to the $3000 range you will get a newer bike in much better condition. The $1000 more seems like a lot but it doesn't take too many repairs to make up that cost.

What ever you decide on be sure to take an experience dirt rider who is a good mechanic along with you to evaluate the bike. There are many indications of a neglected or abused bike that are not obvious to the un-trained eye. Try to find a bike being sold by the original owner who will know the history of the bike and what's been done to it. Good luck

 

[Matt.Lai]

If you move up closer to the $3000 range you will get a newer bike in much better condition. The $1000 more seems like a lot but it doesn't take too many repairs to make up that cost.

QFT x1,000,000 This is gospel.

The bullshit that needs fixing on a used $2K bike easily eats up $1K in pocket change in short order. After making those fixes, you're left with an older $2K bike that you're $3K in to. Been there, done that. Buy newer and cleaner for around $3K bike to start. You actually end up spending less in the long run (really) and you will have a fresher bike.

But. . . most folks need to learn it the hard way. I did myself -- because I was drawn in by the $2K buy-in price. Never again!

 

[turbodubb]

just go buy a new 1. suzuki still has 0% fin for 5yrs for qualified buyers.

 

[2strokeYardSale]

Yeah but Suzuki doesn't offer a RMX250 or RM250 anymore.

Holy shit! $7400 for a 250 four stroke!?

 

[ktm_guy]

Yeah but Suzuki doesn't offer a RMX250 or RM250 anymore.

Holy shit! $7400 for a 250 four stroke!?

True enough but KTM is leading the way on 2T development. I picked up an '11 250xcw last fall with only 10hrs for $6k. It's like spanky new and it's the best I've ever had

Yamaha is the only Japanese MX 2T still be sold in the US. Hasn't changed since 2005 when the went to the aluminum frame but still a great bike. There's an '08 YZ250 on SBR for $3500 that's been set up well for trail riding or cross country racing. That's the deal one should be looking for

 

[revnort]

I think if you stick to the 2T, you should be able to find a really clean KDX/YZ in the $2k range. The YZ is suggested more often than the RM, CR, or KX just because is was/is so popular with lots of support still as its still being produced. One of the best all round motors. A clean XR250/400 could be found in the same price range.

I would skip any and all of the high performance 4T 250s in that price range unless you got it from a trusted source. I would jump up to $3.5-5k range for a 07 or newer WR250F or CRF250X (the early ones ate valves). Unless you really really think you want need a MX version and dont mind a red sticker, skip MX 250 4Ts. But realisticlly, thats what you will pay for a clean 4T bike. KTM's, Huskys, and Husabergs are going to go for a premium over that. Most who own newer ones believe they are worth it.


If I had the space and extra $$, I would have a 2T in my garage like a YZ set up for the woods, or a Husky WR300/KTM300 EXC (the new KDX really).

A 2T will teach you to ride in the dirt. A 4T makes you a bit lazy. Once you can ride a 2T well you can ride anything but not vice versa. Guys that learn on 4T never like a 2T.

$2000 would be the bottom of the the 250 MX'er price range, model year 2000 and above. I recommend the CR250 or YZ250 as they have the best longevity as compared to KX250 or RM250. You should also consider a KTM 250 smoker, EXC up to 2004 or later would be the XC-W. These KTM's will give you a wide ratio gear box more suitable for trail riding. The Japanese MX'er have close ratio trany more suited to the track but add 2 teeth to the rear sproket and some flywheel and the MX bike will do fine on the trails.

If you move up closer to the $3000 range you will get a newer bike in much better condition. The $1000 more seems like a lot but it doesn't take too many repairs to make up that cost.

What ever you decide on be sure to take an experience dirt rider who is a good mechanic along with you to evaluate the bike. There are many indications of a neglected or abused bike that are not obvious to the un-trained eye. Try to find a bike being sold by the original owner who will know the history of the bike and what's been done to it. Good luck

Thanks for the good info. I will most likely save up a little bit more and get something I won't need to dump money into, but will keep an eye out for those good deals.

FWIW I think you guys convinced me that 2t is the way to go, so there's that. I appreciate all the help

 

[mnb]

btw...

A 2003+ 2 stroke is a red sticker bike. Older ones are grandfathered in.

Most four strokes are green sticker. (ie: ride it year round)