Motocross bikes. Give me some info

[obscene]

I have been looking into this for a while now as there's quite a few tracks locally and £25 for the day is much cheaper than a track day plus it gives me something to do over the winter or when the weather is bad.

The real question is, how are 250's? I remember riding a YZ250 years ago at Golding Barn and remember it felt quite gutless but that was probably also due to my inexperience and lack of riding at the time and being a couple stone heavier.

I think I'm looking at a 4 stroke as I've never owned a 2 stroke and not sure how much maintenance and care is required with them (I'm okay with spannering but not the best) and also looking at Suzuki as they seem to be a bit cheaper and you get more bike for the money. I'm open to anything and I'm sure KTM is the cream of the crop (looking at the Sx-f's) and I'm not scared of going down that route as I own an SMCR which has been 100% reliable (knock on wood!) but have heard Honda CRF's can have problems? I just don't want to buy a 250 and feel let down. Also how heavy is the maintenance? I see lots of adverts on ebay of people who change oil and air filter every ride, overkill or not?

Thanks

[obscene]

Won't need to be road legal as I only plan on taking it to tracks to have a blast if I'm perfectly honest. While it would be nice to take it out if it snows, it would be rare for that to happen so defeats the point.

Budget would be anywhere from 2-4k at the mo. If I get a 250 as an introduction I'd like to go cheap and as mentioned, Suzuki seems to offer more bang for buck with lots of 250's on ebay from 2-3 grand. Also part of me says just go the full hog and get a 450 so I don't have to bother with selling it to upgrade from a 250. I'm pretty sure 100kg and 60bhp is insane and it's probably better to learn and get fast on a 250 before stepping up.

[obscene]

PorkInsider said:

If, as an inexperienced rider, you found a 2-stroke 250 to be gutless, I would suggest you might want something like a Maico 700.

It was a 4 stroke job (may have got the model number incorrect). Haha, I think a CR500 from what I've heard is more than enough. Still a life goal to ride a sumo versioned one.

[obscene]

By the sounds of it I want either a 2/4 stroke 250. I've got no problem paying for the servicing every 50 hours or so even if it's more on a 4 stroke if it means it's a bit more reliable. That said, I'm yet to scratch the two stroke itch before they get banned or something ridiculous. How much are four stroke 250's putting out, 40bhp for 100kg? I'm sure it's still fairly rapid.

[obscene]

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

[obscene]

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 bd 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.

[obscene]

Decided to jump in at the deep end as there was an offer I just couldn't refuse at the local dealer. Barely used 2016 KTM 450SX-F with around 10 hours on it. Taking it down the local track next Sunday once my gear has arrived. Go big or go home, right?

[obscene]

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 bd 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

[obscene]

Carl-H said:

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

I went to a track in Slough which is about 20 minutes from me http://www.smxp.co.uk/ They try to stay open all year, seem like a good bunch down there.

As for the tips, I was being told the errors of my ways! Need to set the suspension up but can't remember if this was from the first session or I was getting tired. Weather was great however. I have a lot of learning to do regarding technique though

CR250 looks fantastic too!

foxsasha said:

450SX

In at the deep end then

I predict youd be faster and be able to ride for longer on a 250 2T but too late now eh. At least youll get fitter faster. Or die. One of the other

Ive had:

YZ465
CR500
CR500
KTM 500 EXCF
KTM 250 EXCF
KTM 250 EXC
KTM 300 EXC

And more.

You can always tell the off road newbies, they rock up on the biggest baddest bike money can buy because 'I ride litre road bikes, 500, pah, Ill own it' And yes, my first born again off roader was a KTM 500 Soon sold it for a more manageable machine.

Probably would be faster but oh well, go big or go home right? Currently training for a half iron man, so the plan is to get very fit. How were the CR500's? I would absolutely love to try a supermoto'd version, definitely on my bucket list.

[obscene]

Was going to attempt this Sunday just gone but didn't get a chance. Will update when I get out on it. Next track will Arncot just north of Oxford, looks to be a decent track.