Motocross bikes. Give me some info
Discussion
obscene said:
Would it be unwise to just get a 450 and learn with it? I can see 50/60bp and 100kg being savage and having not MX'd it's going to be a complete difference compared to the track. There's a few reasonably priced KTM450 SX-F's locally which are tempting me, fuel injected and electric start is a big selling point... as well as the massive jumps in the post above 
I wouldn't but I'm sure it's the same as "shall I get an R1/S1000RR as my first bike?" 450's can be heavy old beasts to pick up and from my experience (may be different with newer bikes) seem to have taller seats.
Do you have a dealer locally you can go and perch on a few bikes to see? Or is it even worth doing an offroad school thingy to get a try at a few bikes to see what you like best?
450 ultimate weight is not the biggest difference vs a 250 4 stroke, in some cases they are only 2 KG heavier. But they are much more tricky to ride and turn as the reciprocating mass on the taller longer stroke motor makes them feel chalk and cheese. Much more stable when really nailing it, but more gyro effect and more effort to turn etc.
I love my 450 and as a big chap have always had them, but I'm definitely quicker on the 250 and faster stil on the 350 4t's which for me seems to be the perfect combo.
Having said all that, a 450 MX bike is a wonderful scary beast at times, but you can tickle along on them using 25% of their capability, which in truth is what most riders do. So 2nd had, they tend to be better buys, less stressed etc.
I love my 450 and as a big chap have always had them, but I'm definitely quicker on the 250 and faster stil on the 350 4t's which for me seems to be the perfect combo.
Having said all that, a 450 MX bike is a wonderful scary beast at times, but you can tickle along on them using 25% of their capability, which in truth is what most riders do. So 2nd had, they tend to be better buys, less stressed etc.
First off, in m opinion mx is the greatest sport on the planet. I absolutely love it. I sold my 7R and now have a KXF450 and an absolutely mint CR250 (which may be for sale)
Bike wise, I love my 250 2 stroke. It's great fun and has more than enough power. But by the end of a 20 minute session I'm ready to come in. In contrast on my 450 I feel like I can ride it forever and I'm not half as tired. Until the next morning lol
A 250f would be my recommendation. A 450 is a lot of bike if your new to mx. I'd rode on the road years and had a 125 first off and none of your road experience counts for anything off road. Except maybe throttle control.
Only trouble with 250fs are that they tend to be a ticking time bomb when you buy used. They get ridden pretty hard by most so your best bet is trying to find a low hours one or one with a lot of recent engine work. But most will be sold with a recent rebuild but it doesn't mean anything without any proof. The old parts aren't really proof either as I could probably get hold of any piston you want off a used bike by tomorrow night lol.
I've just spent over 2k on my cr. It's got to be one of the best examples going and I know I shouldn't sell it as it will only go up in value but I'm not fit enough to ride it properly and am about to buy a house so having 2 mx bikes is a bit silly lol. I bought the cr as I didn't want to go 4 stroke because of the problems. With a flywheel weight on it it's fairly manageable if you don't hold it wide open everywhere. A 125 was enough power for me but too difficult to get to and I was having to work it being a bit heavier than I should be (about 16 stone). The cr will pull from tickover if you want it to but to get the best out of it it likes a pop of the clutch as you get on the power.
There are a lot of tracks that ride all year, anything sand will rise well in wet weather. But riding sand is bloody difficult.
Overall I don't know of another hobby that is so rewarding. You car ride for 10 years and still be improving every time you go out. I love it
Bike wise, I love my 250 2 stroke. It's great fun and has more than enough power. But by the end of a 20 minute session I'm ready to come in. In contrast on my 450 I feel like I can ride it forever and I'm not half as tired. Until the next morning lol
A 250f would be my recommendation. A 450 is a lot of bike if your new to mx. I'd rode on the road years and had a 125 first off and none of your road experience counts for anything off road. Except maybe throttle control.
Only trouble with 250fs are that they tend to be a ticking time bomb when you buy used. They get ridden pretty hard by most so your best bet is trying to find a low hours one or one with a lot of recent engine work. But most will be sold with a recent rebuild but it doesn't mean anything without any proof. The old parts aren't really proof either as I could probably get hold of any piston you want off a used bike by tomorrow night lol.
I've just spent over 2k on my cr. It's got to be one of the best examples going and I know I shouldn't sell it as it will only go up in value but I'm not fit enough to ride it properly and am about to buy a house so having 2 mx bikes is a bit silly lol. I bought the cr as I didn't want to go 4 stroke because of the problems. With a flywheel weight on it it's fairly manageable if you don't hold it wide open everywhere. A 125 was enough power for me but too difficult to get to and I was having to work it being a bit heavier than I should be (about 16 stone). The cr will pull from tickover if you want it to but to get the best out of it it likes a pop of the clutch as you get on the power.
There are a lot of tracks that ride all year, anything sand will rise well in wet weather. But riding sand is bloody difficult.
Overall I don't know of another hobby that is so rewarding. You car ride for 10 years and still be improving every time you go out. I love it
I'm in a similar frame of mind at the moment, I've got the Duc which has sat in the garage for 2 years or so now collecting dust, half tempted to commute on bike and have some green lane fun with a couple of people I know.
My commute is only 4 miles or so, and it's a pain with the car as it never gets warm and I average around 18mpg and want to keep miles off it, so I am tempted by the enduro.
Thinking 250/4 as I don't want the hassle of 2 stroke, as much as I love 2 stroke if I am riding it to work everyday, I just can't be arsed with 2 stroke.
looking at possibly KTM 250F circa 04
My commute is only 4 miles or so, and it's a pain with the car as it never gets warm and I average around 18mpg and want to keep miles off it, so I am tempted by the enduro.
Thinking 250/4 as I don't want the hassle of 2 stroke, as much as I love 2 stroke if I am riding it to work everyday, I just can't be arsed with 2 stroke.
looking at possibly KTM 250F circa 04
Some absolutely goldmine bits of information in here cheers guys!
There's a KTM dealer localish to me who do a ton of offroad stuff and occasionally kick out the odd model from last year brand new over a grand cheaper. I'm guessing something like the KTM 350SX-F is a nice middle ground. As for the 450's being under stressed sounds like a bonus, though I think with any machine I'd be looking at low hours and recent receipts. I'm quite happy to work and rev the b
d out a smaller bike but also like the sound of a 450 being like a lazy thou. Wishing I could rock up and have someone let me borrow a bike for 10 minutes. I don't think KTM have any off road events coming up anytime soon to try new bikes.
There's a KTM dealer localish to me who do a ton of offroad stuff and occasionally kick out the odd model from last year brand new over a grand cheaper. I'm guessing something like the KTM 350SX-F is a nice middle ground. As for the 450's being under stressed sounds like a bonus, though I think with any machine I'd be looking at low hours and recent receipts. I'm quite happy to work and rev the b
d out a smaller bike but also like the sound of a 450 being like a lazy thou. Wishing I could rock up and have someone let me borrow a bike for 10 minutes. I don't think KTM have any off road events coming up anytime soon to try new bikes. Although a 450 would probably be okay for you in about 12 months (you'll never 'need' a 450 but at least after a bit of practice it won't kill you) I'd still say go for the 250f for now. The 350s are really good bikes. They Rev to the moon but make almost as much power as a 450 if your willing/able to get those revs right up. I'd say one could be a good idea but I know how fast a 250f was the first time I rode mx lol. Felt like the fastest thing I've ever rode. A few people have bought a bigger bike first and it's put them off mx as they are just too brutal.
Most adults I know choose to ride a 250f even though they could handle a 450 no problem. It's like a 600 for the track and you will usually have more fun on the smaller bike. The main reason I went for the 450 is because of my size. If your over 6 foot the best bike you can buy is a kxf. Since getting mine it's the first time I actually feel like I fit on a bike and I'm 6'2"
Most adults I know choose to ride a 250f even though they could handle a 450 no problem. It's like a 600 for the track and you will usually have more fun on the smaller bike. The main reason I went for the 450 is because of my size. If your over 6 foot the best bike you can buy is a kxf. Since getting mine it's the first time I actually feel like I fit on a bike and I'm 6'2"
obscene said:
Go big or go home, right? 
Hahah! Love it.I had a lovely KTMEXC250F Racing I got off a mate who is big into enduros - lot of trick bits on it including a Rekluse clutch.
Some utter f
king scum stole it though. The big downside of dirtbike ownership - they attract feckless council thieves like flies.
This is why I love PH. Took it to the local track and had a riot but the riders there were saying what a crap track it was due to the woodchips down and not a lot of grip (I agree with them!) so need to try a much better track out with lots of dirt. Bike is absolutely fantastic though. Just need to get stuck in over the winter. Can't beat smashing the throttle and getting the rear kicking out
As for electric start, what a revelation. I had an XR650R before which I supermoto'd and that thing was a right b
d to start. I'd hate to use that as a motocross bike. Weighed a ton and no electric start. Action pic:
Edited by obscene on Wednesday 28th September 20:37
Haha glad you had fun! Where was that your riding? You did well to find a dry track it looks perfect there. You should be standing at that point though. Sit just as you turn in to a corner and stand back up just as your straightening out and stay standing all the time. Much easier said than done though I'm the worst for sitting lol
Woodchip is normally pretty good. If it's deep you have to treat it like sand which is mainly to keep the power on pretty much all the time to keep the front light otherwise it'll sink and your off haha. Most tracks that stay open in the winter are sand or woodchip tbf
Woodchip is normally pretty good. If it's deep you have to treat it like sand which is mainly to keep the power on pretty much all the time to keep the front light otherwise it'll sink and your off haha. Most tracks that stay open in the winter are sand or woodchip tbf
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