Possible Dirt Bike Opinions wanted?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey folks,

Ever since I started riding motorcycles I've always wanted to get a dirt bike, but due to lack of $$ and need for street transportation, never got around to getting one!

Well, still don't have a lot of Xs $$, but with my 50th B'day fast approaching I've been thinking about getting one to play with/on!?

I just did a search on Ebay and Craigslist, but it's either a 5 year old or less true MOTOCROSS style machine asking $1,500 or more, some 20+ y/o little 125!

You might not recall, but I'm not a little person, not Xtremely heavy, about 225, but 6'6" tall, with a 36" inseam, so I don't want a pocket machine, or one that is way too short!
See below photo! This was my neighbors KW70 that I repaired a bent valve on about 2 years ago! I know, no helmet!


I found a website www.scooterdepot.us that sells what I'm sure are Chinese or other IMPORTS(many typos on their web page), but they have some 200cc machines available. The full size "pit" bikes don't have any guages , their ENDURO style have both speedo/tach since it can be street legal and still play on dirt. The Enduro has 21" front and 19" rear tire, seat is 33" high. The full Pit/no gauge one has 19" front and 16" rear but still has a 33" seat height? Does this mean that it might have more suspension travel to reach the same height with smaller wheels?

I would probably have to trailer it to where I could ride it, but being street legal would make it easier IF I find a place fairly close to ride, I wouldn't have to mess with the trailer.

I "think" I just want something that I can fart around on in the dirt and hills, not planning on doing any MX type jumps !

Okay, let the ideas flow! T.C.

[Da-Bubble]

My Choice

I've always wanted a Yamaha TW200. They've been making them for 20 years so there should be plenty of used ones and parts out there. I wouldn't by an off brand but that's just me. Here's a Pic...



It's 200cc 4-stroke street legal. I love the fat tires!!!

[Da-Bubble]

HaHa! I couldn't resist posting this link of one with a Street Tracker Tail

Ok I have to quit looking for pics of these because now I want one again!!!

[BrianB]

I picked this up last Summer. It is only a 125cc but you can find them up to a 350cc. It is a 1979 and there are tons of parts out there for these. I opted for the 125 because my kids will be riding this in the hills and it has the power to climb. Real low first gear as well. Has full gages, and is street legal. Seat height is 31". Got this one in perfect shape for $800



This probably is not what your looking for but it sure has a great Grin factor when riding. It is a 1974 CT70. It has turn signals that can be added to make it street legal. Seat height is 27 inches but it is built to support adults. I have had myself and another 120 lb person on it. It has a shut off on the gas cap to eliminate air getting into the tank and can be laid on its side. The handlebars fold down as well. It was built this way since car trunks were so huge back then, you could just load it in the back of your car. I had one of these as a kid and it was a total impulse but but I sure do enjoy it as well as the kids love it.



That TW200 looks pretty nice too.

[tomatao]

I would stay away from the Chinese stuff. I know a few people that have bought one because of the low price and found out why they are cheap. It's one thing to always be working on a 30 year old bike but you wouldn't expect that on a new one.

I also have a second job selling tractors on the weekends. We have a Chinese tractor there mainly just to show people the difference in quality between Japanese, South Korean and Chinese built.

I have a XT225. They are street legal and with a few little mods pretty fun to ride. Out here I have seen 90's models advertised for under $1500. I would guess that outside of California they are cheaper as most everything outside of California is. Newer models like mine have a 6 speed transmission that make it very ridable on the highway.

My brother in law has a Honda CRF 400 with a Baja Kit that makes it street legal in CA. It is quite a bit taller than my XT and obviously more powerful. In California it seems that these bikes (Dirt with Baja Kit) are more expensive than just buying either a dirt bike or a bike made as a dual sport.

Both bikes weigh in at just over 250 pounds.

There is a website for the XT. www.xt225.com with a lot of info about them.

[prometheus578]

"I'd advise against it."

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...=united+motors

Most major shop who carry these things(just to test the waters) soon stop carrying these things.

These are only carried by shops that don't have a distributorship from the "big four" brands. You will also find that these shops, often change from one "off brand" to another, due to customer complaints, parts unavailability, warranty issues and a host of other problems.
Lot's of stress and impacts on bikes made for off-road that street bikes don't have to take. This is where these brands fail.
If your main goal is to" just fart around", why start by sitting on a turd?

[COOL TOM]

Dirt Bike

Years ago when i wanted to buy a on/off road bike, the guys that i was around said if you want to ride it buy a Yamaha and if you want to work on it buy something else. They said the Yamaha enduro was the best bike to ride day after day without working on them. The others you ride one day and work on them the next day. So i bought a 72 250 Yamaha enduro and was very happy with it, wound up with a 250 and 2 360 enduros at one time. I don't know how tall the new ones are but the old 360's were pretty tall as i remember.

[xswilly]

hey TC i'm also 6' and like a good size bike
i have a 75 yamaha dt400
its a 2 stroke, but it is a big bore and hauls me around pretty well

yamaha made alot of good on/off road bikes, but they don't seem to do it anymore, the only ones who make an off/on road anymore of any big size is suzuki

[trbig]

Just my 2 cents, but if you want a dirt bike, don't get an enduro. They are just OK on the roads, and just OK in the dirt. You have a street bike. A street legal bike on the dirt just causes problems with turn signals and other street legal stuff breaking if ridden with much gusto. If you play on them, you will go down occasionally. It would be nice to just pick it back up, fire it up and take off again without picking up pieces of lense and stuff. Enduros are good if you can only have one bike, but....

My opinion is for you to buy an old YZ 250. I have an '81 that's the last of the air cooled models. I never wanted to have to worry about blowing a coolant line or radiator, and they are easier to rebuild in my opinion. If you find one that seems fairly wore out in the motor, a new piston/rings, bore, and hone will only set you back @ $160. Replace the needle bearing on the wrist pin for another $8. You can find those old bikes pretty easily around here and other places I have been for $800 or much less. (I paid $250 for mine) They last a long time, all the parts are still available, and even me at 250 pounds... if you don't lean forward over the handlebars in the first 3 gears when you get on it, you'll wonder how you ended up on your back looking up at the sky! As it sits with no weight on it, the seat height is 37 inches.. that is all adjustable though.

Tod

[wildbill]

T.C. I think you might be in good shape if you could find something along the lines of a Honda XR250 or bigger. A dirt bike has to fit the rider, if its to short it can strain your knees in other words cramp you up. If you were searching for a street and trail I would say go with either a DRZ 400 or a DRZ 650 witch are both made by Suzuki. Myself I ride a Yamaha TTR 230. Pick something that fits you. Might have to throw your leg over some to find out witch one you feel most comfortable on.
Good luck.

[Stralya]

ELSINORE

[GNEPIG]

I would hold out for a good deal on one of these. The KLR 650 has been around for a long time and are proven to be a good go anywhere bike. They are tall, light-ish and plenty powerful. You can ride it to the woods, ride it to work or to Canada.
If offroad is going to be your main forte, then remove the turn signals, lower the gearing and shoe on a set of bigger nobbies = you will have fun!
I'm hearing great things about the brand new ones, the 6' 6" guy that I know here, has an 07 and he loves it.
Doesn't Gary Granger have one of these also?

[mro]

TC.nevel

TC takes the leap...
http://www.planetvids.com/html/World...Bike-Jump.html


mro

[ccogswel]

I would also say the KLR 650 would be a good choice. Plenty of power and stlye. Also keep in mind. If you get a 2 Stroke you have to mix oil with the gas which can be a pain to keep up with and sometimes very loud exhaust. But I'd say get a 4 Stroke. All it needs is just gas. Either way T.C. what ever size you get thay can catch you off guard. I have a old KDX 450. It's a 2 Stroke. And street legal. But I know for a fact It will put a wooppin on the 1100 up to about 85 when the old eleven pulls away. Anyway T.C. good luck!

[mrutah12]

klr 650

I agree with ginpeg i work for kawasaki dealer in utah for several years as far as a dual propuse bike i give the klr 2 thumbs up they are a good reliable bike ease of handling good on the street then if you fill a little froggy just take the first dirt road and go have fun well thats my opion