Dirt Bike FAQ

The valves are only an issue on the crf250r. A lot of the subtle difference are just that. SUBTLE. But MotorcycleUSA has some great reviews on youtube. Also magazines and websites like TransworldMX and Dirt Rider have great reviews. Pick a color. (Stay Japanese)

KTM is known around here as Kan't Take Much

I like, in order:

KTM has the best suspension, lightest weight, most options and the most power. It is the most expensive and parts can be hard to get. The suspension is great but fussy to adjust.

The Yamaha is great for both racing and trail riding. YZF is better for racing and the WR for trails.

The Suzuki and Kawasaki are about the same and are good for both and they have very tough motors.

The Honda has great suspension and is easy to ride fast but the motors wont last the longest.

BTW, Cycle News sucks and I wouldn't put much trust in what they say. They mostly do street bikes anyway.

I would recommend the CRF250X. It is a bit larger than the 230, much more powerful, and it is a bike that a beginner can ride comfortably and grow into. A WR250F is also a good choice, as is a KTM 250-F-XCW or KTM 400XCW. The Kawasaki KLX300R is also a good choice. You might be happy with the TTR230 or CRF230 for a short time, but I think your skills will grow out of them too fast. Another good choice is the Honda XR400. They don't make them any more, but they are extremely reliable and a used one will not drop much in value over the next few years.

For reliability get a four stroke. The brand doesn't make much difference. All of the major motorcycle companies make excellent bikes. I would consider what dealers are near you and which of them has a good reputation in their service department.

First of all theres probably a good reason you havent heard of it
its because these china bikes come with so many different names so many different designs that well .. you can never track down a manifacture or dealership to get parts for them when they break
just an example of how many diff names they slap on them to keep you from finding a real manufacturer
here we have the (speed) 110

http://www.guiamotera.com/minimotos/fotos/dirt_bike_110_eco/dirt_bike_110_eco-1.jpg

and here is the eagle? .. not sure what it says

http://www.motorxtremes.com/images/newprod_pics/110dirt_bike.png

and then the nameless

http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50229413/Alloy_Dirt_Bike.jpg

and the ..defiant? ..

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/202492920/Dirt_Bike_HC_119C_dirt_bike.html

see a pattern?..

its a 110 .. and im sure ur thinking hey a honda cr125 is a big bike this is only a few ccs smaller
no….
this bike is considerd a pit bike suitable for 5 yearolds to break before they move up to a real bike

it just depends what its worth to you… if you know how to work on them .. and feel like a pain in the neck
go for it
if you want to wait for a good deal or spend a few extra dollars on a used name brand bike .. well that would be a better idea
check out ebay/ craigslist the local classifieds/news paper

yes its a copy of honda but .. the machine work, cast work, grade of metal ect ect is all a little different .. soooo …. if they cant make a product they canstand behind enough to put a straight brand name make and model .. then im not going to trust it

get a name brand jap bike, suzuki kawasaki yamaha honda ktm anything with one of these names on it .. will be a pretty dependable bike

Hey man, i know how you fell. i had the same problem and i couldnt decide what bike to get. i wuld DEFINITALEY get a yamaha yz-85. that is the best bike in the 85 classs. they are the fastest, they have the best suspension , and i race mine in motocross for 5 years and it lasted forever it is a great bike and i highly reccommend it. the ktms ar fast but the suspension isnt as good and they are a little expensive

To race or to play ride ??

I'd say anything with a Rear Wheel size of 16 inches or 14 inches (so your leg is easy to et over the bike !!)

for just play riding. The Honda XR 100 is a easy beginner bike. or the Yamaha TTR line, like the ttr 125.
go for smooth power and easy maintanance
Your probably not going to be happy with the 80's and 85's.

For racing you can get a KX 100 or a KTM 1o5, etc

Good Luck on your hunt

www.TCCRA.org
for Texas dirt bike Cross Country and the largest Girls program in the country, also links to the race pictures under PBJ photo

You should go to a bike dealership and try sitting on some of them. people are recommending 80's and 100's but i think they may be too small for you, not enough power. you should look into getting a 125, hondas are great bikes, ktm also makes a great bike. also keep in mind that you can lower the suspensions on some of them to fit your height, just ask the salesperson about it and they should be able to help you with it. is this the first time you will be dirtbiking?? you will LOVE IT!! i just started riding in dirt recently and it is so much fun! way better than riding on the road. good luck, be safe and have fun!

It depends a lot on your height. I would stick with a 4 stroke off road bike (not motocross). Check out the following bikes at your dealer and see which you prefer. Yamaha TT-R 125L or TT-R 230, Honda CRF150F or CRF230F, Suzuki DR-Z125L or DR-Z250. Kawasaki doesn't offer an off road bike that wouold be good for you and all of the KTM's are race bikes which is not a good first choice.