Motorcross Bike

[ross-co]

I have an 06 KTM 250 EXC 2T and love it to bits, i have had it a few years now and its only used for fun ripping about fields etc ( i still haven't bothered to read register it although it is ready). In the years i have had it it gets clean air filters, and gearbox oil changes, haven't split the engine at all, still starts first kick, even after sitting for 7 months i unscrewed the carb bowl, tightened it up again fuel tap on and she kicked second kick.

The 2T exc's i think a cracking bikes to learn with not mega heavy and the power delivery can be tweaked on the power valve springs, ok it doesn't have the rip of the brother in laws 300 sx but its got plenty of tractable power and when i pull my finger out i can use it on the road to.

[Yazza54]

You can sharpen the exc up with an SX head, i had a few ktm bits I let go for peanuts when I changed my mind on the engine for the mito project. Head with interchangeable domes etc. Different cdi too AFAIK with a lower rev limit on the EXC.

If you've not had it apart it will most likely be a bit worn on the piston & bore regardless of still running reliably. I'd have a look if I were you. The one I had was just used similarly to you and the lad was shocked when we opened it up before buying and some of the nikasil had worn away around the exhaust ports!

[johnnyr6]

Don't know what your budget is but if your after a cheap bike to start with what about this??

http://m.gumtree.com/p/honda-motorbikes/honda-xr-4...

Apparently not the most powerful 400 but very dependable and road usable.

Or...
http://m.gumtree.com/p/suzuki-motorbikes/drz-400s-...

Johnny.

[dtmpower]

What I think when anyone suggests MX bikes these days:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c01LtuHkEGw

[BeerMonster1]

moanthebairns said:

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.

That was a motocross school that you attended. Looking at the pictures there are a variety of bikes there, however most of them appear to be 4 strokes. The slightly bigger ones look to be 250F and 450F, whilst the other look to be slightly more enduro based CRF150X etc.

Do you still want to be able to ride it on the road or just track and enduro based?

[hman]

johnnyr6 said:

Don't know what your budget is but if your after a cheap bike to start with what about this??

http://m.gumtree.com/p/honda-motorbikes/honda-xr-4...

Apparently not the most powerful 400 but very dependable and road usable.

Or...
http://m.gumtree.com/p/suzuki-motorbikes/drz-400s-...

Johnny.

both of those are st, slow heavy and very boring.


You need a bike with electric start for enduro/laning and also a kick start for when the battery eventually dies - neither of those bikes have both.

Seriously their technology is in the mid 80's and bikes have moved waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay on from then.

They are cheap because they are not desirable.

WRF250F
KTM250EXCF
BETA 250RR (up to 2010 its a KTM rfs engine in a beta frame- possibly the sweetest bike for the money)

The three top bikes for starting on.

[hman]

Kawasicki said:

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.

caning it down a fire trail or a tarmac road doesnt count - or are you david knight?

[moanthebairns]

BeerMonster1 said:

moanthebairns said:

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.

That was a motocross school that you attended. Looking at the pictures there are a variety of bikes there, however most of them appear to be 4 strokes. The slightly bigger ones look to be 250F and 450F, whilst the other look to be slightly more enduro based CRF150X etc.

Do you still want to be able to ride it on the road or just track and enduro based?

Just bought a trailer so it would only be in tracks if you will.

No inclination to ride it on the road, I have road bikes for that.

[BeerMonster1]

moanthebairns said:

BeerMonster1 said:

moanthebairns said:

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.

That was a motocross school that you attended. Looking at the pictures there are a variety of bikes there, however most of them appear to be 4 strokes. The slightly bigger ones look to be 250F and 450F, whilst the other look to be slightly more enduro based CRF150X etc.

Do you still want to be able to ride it on the road or just track and enduro based?

Just bought a trailer so it would only be in tracks if you will.

No inclination to ride it on the road, I have road bikes for that.

In that case then I would recommend a full blown MX bike as no need for the road use. What might be useful is a track day which is run by a manufacturer (i.e KTM, Husky) to get an idea as to weather you prefer 2 stroke or 4. For ease of use 4 stroke is the way to go as mentioned previously. In terms on the manufacturer this can vary depending on what you want to spend and the service intervals etc. Although ridden hard a fully rebuilt 250f race bike is the best way to go. Mainly due to the fact the racers require the bikes to perform each and every time. Perhaps look towards a bike that has had a lot of money spent on it but not too "tuned up" as they tend to be a bit hit and miss.

Alternatively, you could look around for a nearly new bike in terms of wear (look for original tires,pads,chain sprockets). They are around but need an extra look to ensure they are as they say.

You looking for any brand in particular??

[moanthebairns]

budget is £500 for gear, £1500 for bike... is that laughable?

[BeerMonster1]

moanthebairns said:

budget is £500 for gear, £1500 for bike... is that laughable?

Not at all!!! For new you could buy an entire Wulfsport kit for around £300

http://www.ghostbikes.com/categorylist/ghostbikes....

For the Bike, £1500 isn't a bad budget at all. Its the same as anything, buy the best you can afford. Something like this from a dealer:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-YZF-250-Motocross...

What brand you looking towards or like the look of??

Edited by BeerMonster1 on Tuesday 16th September 15:10

[hman]

Fox boots £100
Any not arai brand lid for £100 -£150
Armour £100- £500
Kit (pants and jersey) £100 -£200
Gloves £20-40
Goggles £20-50
Knee armour £50-500

Doable on a £500 budget

The bike however - once you pay £1500 for any sort of dirt bike factor in another £1000 for general maintenance and rebuilds for 6 months.

First thing to do is get brand spanking tyres, and replace all the filters

Then go through the linkages and bearings and repack/replace as necessary - then determine the next rebuild time on the engine and suspension.

[MajorProblem]

You'll be bored to death of a 125 in about a day. I'd go for a nice CR250.

[BeerMonster1]

hman said:

Fox boots £100
Any not arai brand lid for £100 -£150
Armour £100- £500
Kit (pants and jersey) £100 -£200
Gloves £20-40
Goggles £20-50
Knee armour £50-500

Doable on a £500 budget

The bike however - once you pay £1500 for any sort of dirt bike factor in another £1000 for general maintenance and rebuilds for 6 months.

First thing to do is get brand spanking tyres, and replace all the filters

Then go through the linkages and bearings and repack/replace as necessary - then determine the next rebuild time on the engine and suspension.

This ^^^^^^^^

If you can find a bike with a time meter showing this will help. It may be beneficial to have all clearances checked before buying (if dealer) or after if private. Possible stretch to a new piston (possibly high compression). Then it will just be keeping an eye out on wear (clutch plates, spring, filters etc).

[topsprayer]

250 2 stroke for a first bike is mental and would mean that MTB would either get put of quick or not learn anything. Get a 250/4 and learn to ride then see what happens.

[grahamr88]

Amazon have still got the Bell MX helmets at a crazy cheap price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bell-A685FM5BLSR1-M-Motocr...
I've got one and I'm really pleased with it, and three of my mates have also got them now because they're such a bargain!

MajorProblem said:

You'll be bored to death of a 125 in about a day. I'd go for a nice CR250.

I can't tell if you're being serious or not...a 125 2t (or 250F) will be plenty to scare you stless on an MX track for a long time. Until you're at full throttle most of the time, then you don't need the bigger bike, and you're better off with the smaller, lighter, slightly less mental smaller one.

A mate of mine has just sold his CRF450 because he found he was quicker and had more fun on my CRF250.

[MajorProblem]

Used to ride 125MX when I was still at school I.e under 16 and about 10 stone wet through. You'll find yourself thrashing them everywhere and making hard work for yourself.

Get a 250 it will be fine as long as you know how the throttle works.

[moanthebairns]

This is a fecking mind field..........

I really want to get into it but I actually find it a bit daunting.

Not the riding the bike, that part is great, its the starting all over again, not knowing what model to go for or the first thing to look for.

[hman]

there are a few places that will rent you a bike..

[hman]

http://www.motoxpro.com/mx-bike-hire/