Motorcross Bike

Author
Discussion

Walter Sobchak

5,723 posts

225 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
CR250, a 4 stroke MX bike is just wrong!!.

hman

7,487 posts

195 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
Well I mean really the first choice is a Maico 700, anything else will leave you wanting for more power.

80HP in a dirt bike

johnnyr6

281 posts

196 months

Wednesday 13th August 2014
quotequote all
moanthebairns said:
not to worry I'm very thick skinned.

I'd love that, I was looking online and there seems a lot of local tracks, I had a shot on a taster day, kids track then adults and fking loved it. Seriously you couldn't get me off the thing. I'm young enough to get back right up after a fall and would rather do it now than later.

whilst its a pipe dream just now in a month or so it wouldn't be with my payout. if its only a few grand to get going then I can see me going down that route.

only fear is going to view bikes and maybe getting landed with a lemon
I, like Playsatan have been riding road bikes for years. At the beginning of this year he talked me into getting an enduro for some fun off road. I wanted a bike that i could ride to tracks etc if needed (as long as they are close) and through time get some road wheels for my local b roads.

I chose a crf 450 and so far i've fallen off more times than i care to remember. I've busted my ribs and as i speak i'm nursing a broken wrist from an off. I'm usually in pain the day after a ride but no worse than getting back into excercise. But... it is good fun and i'm already planning my next ride.

As for bikes i reckon an enduro is a good start. Bikes like the crf's and ktm exc's etc. need regular maintenance (oil/filter change every 10 hours or so).They are great, but another option i did consider, was something like the ccm404ds or drz400 as they are more than capable of the sort of runs i do. They also need a lot less looking after so one of them may be a good start, especially if you want to do some road riding with it.

For kit, especially when starting, stick with cheaper but decent stuff as it will be knackered looking in 5 mins. e.g. my lid is a wulfsport enduro, cost £50 and is great.

No matter what you get you'll love it.

And as playsatan says give us a shout when your sorted and you can tag along with us.

Johnny.

moanthebairns

17,942 posts

199 months

Wednesday 13th August 2014
quotequote all
johnnyr6 said:
moanthebairns said:
not to worry I'm very thick skinned.

I'd love that, I was looking online and there seems a lot of local tracks, I had a shot on a taster day, kids track then adults and fking loved it. Seriously you couldn't get me off the thing. I'm young enough to get back right up after a fall and would rather do it now than later.

whilst its a pipe dream just now in a month or so it wouldn't be with my payout. if its only a few grand to get going then I can see me going down that route.

only fear is going to view bikes and maybe getting landed with a lemon
I, like Playsatan have been riding road bikes for years. At the beginning of this year he talked me into getting an enduro for some fun off road. I wanted a bike that i could ride to tracks etc if needed (as long as they are close) and through time get some road wheels for my local b roads.

I chose a crf 450 and so far i've fallen off more times than i care to remember. I've busted my ribs and as i speak i'm nursing a broken wrist from an off. I'm usually in pain the day after a ride but no worse than getting back into excercise. But... it is good fun and i'm already planning my next ride.

As for bikes i reckon an enduro is a good start. Bikes like the crf's and ktm exc's etc. need regular maintenance (oil/filter change every 10 hours or so).They are great, but another option i did consider, was something like the ccm404ds or drz400 as they are more than capable of the sort of runs i do. They also need a lot less looking after so one of them may be a good start, especially if you want to do some road riding with it.

For kit, especially when starting, stick with cheaper but decent stuff as it will be knackered looking in 5 mins. e.g. my lid is a wulfsport enduro, cost £50 and is great.

No matter what you get you'll love it.

And as playsatan says give us a shout when your sorted and you can tag along with us.

Johnny.
will do

Coco H

4,237 posts

238 months

Wednesday 13th August 2014
quotequote all
This thread has confused me. I have no idea what type of bike I own now. It's a 1970s off road Kawasaki (2 stroke of course) that my mechanic is still sorting out for me. He has some dreadful chinese job that rides well over the fields but is only a bit of fun and we also have some baby yamahas pw50 and pw80.
We ride across the fields / down our track and once we have a trailer will take the bikes to grass tracks again.

This qualifies as what? I am only asking as I believe the eldest child is pretty quick and wants to do more and I have no idea which route to go. He's on the PW80 and I don't know what next. Keeping the bikes maintained is not the issue, we do need a trailer but need a fortified lock up to keep the thing in if it's not going walkies like the last one.

moanthebairns

17,942 posts

199 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all

Fleegle

16,690 posts

177 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
moanthebairns said:
have you got access to van/trailer?

moanthebairns

17,942 posts

199 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
Fleegle said:
moanthebairns said:
have you got access to van/trailer?
Will be getting a trailer in the next few days or weeks.

he actually has one for sale.

ylovebuffalo

216 posts

163 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
OP - I did a half day course at this place years ago

http://www.motocrosstryout.co.uk/about.html

Great day out. You'll get no where near the bikes limits and think you are doing 20ft jumps when they are actually 1 ft but it was a great laugh. I cant rememeber if i was on a 125 or 250 but it felt pretty quick. You ache all over the next day.....would definately be a good place for you to start

s3fella

10,524 posts

188 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
imho, a 4 stroke is easier to learn on, yes a bit heavier, and whilst no powerband, anthing 2t except a 125 or below doesn't really have on either. But main difference is the engine braking. Off road, you need ot use the rear brake far more than on road and track, and having some proper engine braking makes it easier to learn on, and indeed easier period in that regard going forward.
But, at a price, more expensive upkeep and maintenenace, potetntial for horrid bills if you blow the motor, and regular (very regular) oil changes are a must, (most only hold about a litre or so of oil.

For a grand though, I would get a 2 stroke, and I would get a 250. Why, well, anyone who can rag a 2t 250 is a riding god! And there aint many of them about, whereas anyone (and most do) rag a 125 to death. So you have better chance of getting a nice 250 st for cheap money than not.

if it were me, though, id get another grand or so together and buy a nice "known" 250 4t with known history and hopefully a recent piston and or valves.
OR, just get a KDX 220 2 stroke for £1600 and ride it on road, off road etc as required.

One thing is for sure, off road is the shizzle!

Playsatan

567 posts

228 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
moanthebairns said:
Fleegle said:
moanthebairns said:
have you got access to van/trailer?
Will be getting a trailer in the next few days or weeks.

he actually has one for sale.
As bike is not road registered you'll be restricted to trailering it to official MX tracks or mixing it up with the local kids on any waste ground you can find. If MX is what you want then go for it but I'd recommend spending more on a road registered enduro bike as you have far more options on how you use it.



mike150

493 posts

201 months

Friday 12th September 2014
quotequote all
I raced quads and bikes in MX events for 8 years having just recently stopped due to old age (40) and crap weather (im fussy and spent way more time cleaning the bike than riding it)

Get a well maintained 125 2 stroke and see how you go. It may be daunting at the start but stick with it and it will come. Its a great sport thats cheap and will keep you fit. Get good boots and pads, not just the helmet!

A 125 is enough bike for anyone but my choice was a 150sx KTM or various 250f's. 450's are too heavy and too powerful so are not as much fun and are not much faster on a track due to this. Way to much for a beginner anyway as is a 250 2 stroke.

BeerMonster1

77 posts

142 months

Friday 12th September 2014
quotequote all
Hello everyone!! This will be one of my first posts on BB.

However, the "Field" in off-road is something that I know quite a bit about. Whilst only being 22 i have ridden MX bikes, Enduro bikes, Trail Bikes since I was in Nappies (dad raced when i was growing up).

For someone that does mostly road miles I would recommend starting with something like a CRF250X (similar set up to mx but a lot easier to take on the road). The power delivery will be smooth and maintainece relatively low. On the other hand I do agree with the regular oil changes (2-3 rides) and air filter will need cleaning and re-oiling after every occasion. If MX is something that you would prefer then a good "Well Known" (possibly a raced but well looked after) 125 (2Stroke)/250F (4stroke) will be perfect!! These machines are kinda like the 600's in the road world (lots of revs and lots of fun) whereas a 250 (2stroke)/450F (4 stroke) are like the 1000's. Beyond that will be CR500 2 stroke, this would be the equivalent of a turboed BUSA I would say. Stupid power and hard to keep the front wheel down.

Personally I would go for a 250 2 stroke (possibly CR- Honda or YZ- Yamaha) as I have raced for a long time and would want something I could thrash around and not have to worry about a 4Stroke "letting go" as this can cost 1-2K depending on rebuild (cams,piston,bottom end).

MX is a dangerous sport no doubt!! But even all the broken bones, brusised bodies (and ego's). It will still leave you wanting more. Expect a high start up cost (bike,gear,oils,filters,spares,tyres,van or trailer). When set up, the world is your Oyster as they say. MTB if you want good quality gear, you will look at spending over £1K (Helmet - Arai £500, Boots - Alpinestars Tech 10's £500, Troy Lee designs gear and gloves £200, Knee Braces Fox POD/Asterisk £500). Now there is no need to spend this amount as pointed out previously, It isn't needed. Each to their own and all that.

As mentioned above was start up costs, now running costs are a complete different kettle of fish. You will roughly spend £100-£200 a day-weekend if you don't fall off and break something on the bike (but you roadies/track demons will think that's cheap, right??). To start you have to get to a track (variable on location- diesel/petrol for vehicle carrying the bike/towing the trailer). Race/ride costs usually £20-£40 as pointed out and then there's the fuel for machine and rider £??? (depends how much you ride and eat). Consumables on the bike (pads,oil,filters,tyres,levers,chain sprockets,plastics etc), this can fluctuate.

Overall, I would fully suggest trying it out first (start of with low cost bike and gear). If you like it and want to continue then you can always upgrade smile!!! Fitness and riding/racing technique is something that is continually worked on. A good racing school is something I would highly recommend!!! This helped me progress from Novice - Expert.When I was racing I often opted to race 2 classes on the same day (peak fitness) entering the 125 in one class and then jumping on a big OLE 450 for the big boys class. This is something on its own as anyone knows just 3 races at 20 mins a day is enough let alone 6!!!

Any questions please ask!!! smile BeerMonster1

crusty

752 posts

221 months

Friday 12th September 2014
quotequote all
Loads of good advice given. I have been riding enduros for about 20 years now and have had both 2 and 4 stroke bikes - current bike is Husaberg 300 2-stroke

As a first bike a £1000 - £1500 2 stroke 250 will be peaky and have very little torque at the bottom end, and will be a hard bike to ride for a beginner.

As others have said a 250 4 stroke is perfect, and at your price point I would buy an electric start WR250F

Kawasicki

13,091 posts

236 months

Friday 12th September 2014
quotequote all
I have a ktm 525 exc enduro bike, which I have to cane everywhere. You'll need more than 500cc if you want to go fast.

CAPP0

19,595 posts

204 months

Friday 12th September 2014
quotequote all
moanthebairns said:
Fleegle said:
moanthebairns said:
have you got access to van/trailer?
Will be getting a trailer in the next few days or weeks.

he actually has one for sale.
Playsatan said:
mixing it up with the local kids on any waste ground you can find.
Which, at least down here in this soon-to-be-foreign-to-Moan country, will fairly rapidly get you the wrong sort of attention from the BiB, and for which repeat offences will find your garage emptier than the wallet with which you paid for the bike.

Also, depending on what sort of rider you are and experience levels, etc, a proper MX bike (which is what this is) is going to be hard work to get the best out of, by which I mean, if you're riding it anywhere near what it's capable of, you'll be shagged out in double-quick time. I would almost say this sort of thing is akin to a dry (er) jet ski - great fun for a little while but you'll be very restricted in what you can do and where you can use it, and you'll probably soon wish you had something a bit more useable all-round, and you'll sell it again to get that.

moanthebairns

17,942 posts

199 months

Friday 12th September 2014
quotequote all
ok that's out then.

I really have no fking idea about these things.

BeerMonster1

77 posts

142 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
moanthebairns said:
ok that's out then.

I really have no fking idea about these things.
MTB, what would the bike be primarily used for? Then we have to establish weather you would want to ride it on the road? Once these two questions are answered I may be able to recommend something smile.

moanthebairns

17,942 posts

199 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
BeerMonster1 said:
moanthebairns said:
ok that's out then.

I really have no fking idea about these things.
MTB, what would the bike be primarily used for? Then we have to establish weather you would want to ride it on the road? Once these two questions are answered I may be able to recommend something smile.
http://www.funinthemud.co.uk/2009site/

what are these? I had a shot on one of these and while I wasn't wringing its neck it was easy to ride.

telecat

8,528 posts

242 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Coco Kawasaki did and still do a multitude of Trail, Enduro and MX bikes. They only ever did ONE Trials Bike If it looks like thi Picture of a KT-250 that's it.



Otherwise if it has the Model Graphics then 2T Trail was KE, MX bikes are KX prefixed and the Enduro's are well various. KLX KMX are the most popular but there have been others. Post a pic and somebody will know what it is.