Help - Moto x bike

[spdpug98]

As I (we) now have a baby on the way I am thinking of selling the race car and maybe buying a Moto X bike, to both keep me fit and it seems a lot cheaper to race than cars. I don't expect to race it any day soon but would like to in the future, so I just intend to use it at the local tracks to build up my confidence / speed etc.

Is there anyone on the PH massive who do Moto x if so can you help me out, what is a good bike to have for a complete beginner - 2 stroke /4 stroke - I was thinking about a 250cc, also is there a bike out there for vertically challenged people like me.

TIA

[julianb]

Hi chap,

Good way of keeping fit!!!

If I was buying second hand I'd stick with Honda, and probably from a dealer rather than privately. Crossers get a right caning from day one!

250 two strokes are great, but try a 125 as well, if you like riding with the throttle pinned all the time!!! I never got on with the fourstrokes, but it was early days for them when I was racing...

[spdpug98]

julianb said:

Hi chap,

Good way of keeping fit!!!

If I was buying second hand I'd stick with Honda, and probably from a dealer rather than privately. Crossers get a right caning from day one!

250 two strokes are great, but try a 125 as well, if you like riding with the throttle pinned all the time!!! I never got on with the fourstrokes, but it was early days for them when I was racing...

Thanks for the reply, I was starting to think no one else did it!! I went to look at a new Suzuki today but the seat height was massive!! I have spoken to a local mx school who will let me have a sit on their's to see if I can touch the floor!!!

[F.M]

I think the 125 range would be ideal still super fast but not as big and brutal...You won`t really need to feel the need to upgrade unless you like broken legs..

[Black5]

4 strokes are good for lazy people (like me) as you don't need 8000rpm to get out of a rut etc.

2 strokes can be lots of fun and full on a lot of the time.

If you intend to use it on the road I personally would go for a 400 4 stroke. This is the way I went as I often do up to 30 miles on road before taking the bike on the dirt. I didn't fancy revving the nuts off a 250 or a 2 stroke for that long.

If you are going straight off road then a 250 or 2 stroke is probably better (lighter, revvier, more fun . . .).

Thinking about seat height, have you thought about the Honda CRF 230?

These guys use 'em - www.trailbiketours.co.uk/Bike%20Hire.html

[spdpug98]

I have been down to the local KTM showroom today, after doing loads of research on the 'addic-ta-net' I found that KTM have a seat height of 925 wheras all the others are over 950 so it looks like a KTM 250 2 stroke.

I am going to buy a mx bike as I don't really want to be riding it on the road, so will have to get a new trailer aswell.

Thanks

[fergus]

I would strongly recommend a day at a MX school, if only to allow you to sample a 4stroke and a 2 stroke. They have very different riding styles. Whatever you get, remember that a powerful bike can be very tiring. I had a CRF450 and it was mental. Even at 6'6" and almost 19stone, it took a lot of controling. Chopped it in for a KTM EXC450 which is more of an endro bike, and things were a lot easier.

I'd recommend an Ady Smith day (all KTM bikes - both 2 and 4 strokes) to see how you get on with each. Try looking on Muddystuff.co.uk for 2nd hand bikes before you instantly lose £1500 on a new bike as soon as you've bought it. Get an aircooled bike, and one with seperate oil for engine and gearbox and you'll be laughing. You'll need to run the bike on the best oil you can afford, and change it regularly to keep it sweet. Carb settings also have a massive effect on how the bike will perform. good luck.

[billy h]

hi, i would definitely suggest riding a different bikes before you take the plunge. you can also get lowering kits for certain bikes, but mostly four strokes. i would definitely suggest a 125 if youre just starting out as theyre as quick but a bit lower and lighter!

[spdpug98]

billy h said:

hi, i would definitely suggest riding a different bikes before you take the plunge. you can also get lowering kits for certain bikes, but mostly four strokes. i would definitely suggest a 125 if youre just starting out as theyre as quick but a bit lower and lighter!

Thats what I thought, but then found the KTM 125 / 200 / 250 are all the same size, I thought the 200/ 250 would be better as I wouldn't have to scream the ***'s of it to keep it going, I am going to look at one in South Wales on Saturday.........I probably won't end up doing a MX day first as once I've decided I want one......thats it.....I have to have one.

May have a bike for sale in a couple of months!!!!

[julianb]

Don't be fooled that because they're all the same size, they'll be much the same to ride.

I well remember the first time I rode a CR500 two stroke after racing a 125 for a while.

Christ alive. It was like a torqued up missile. I don't think I ever used anything but 2nd & 3rd for an entire lap!

Someone's already mentioned that the bigger bikes are more tiring - ditto to that!

A good training day is worth it's weight in gold, you'll pick up loads from the instructor, and all the other riders.

I always fancied a go at Supermoto, all that lurid sliding about, has got to be good for bike handling skills...anyone ever tried it?

[fergus]

Try the Yamaha supermoto school up in the carpark at Rockingham. A good day out on well maintained WR400/450s. Top laugh.

[Black5]

I did the off road experience day here:

www.ktmadventuretours.co.uk/

Not exactly cheap but excellent fun. Learnt an awful lot about how to ride off road.

[spdpug98]

Well I bought one I have got a KTM 200SX, will be picking it up next week..................off road here we come

[spdpug98]

A quick question to those of you who have had MX bikes before, where did you get them insured I have done the usual 'google' search but have not found anyone

[fergus]

Get a copy of TBM (trail bike magazine) and look in the back. It's a small glossy A5 size mag, similar to the supermoto equivalent. Loads of locks is normally the best way. As they aren't road legal, normal insurers may not want to cover them. Try them as a named item on your household policy?

[F.M]

You could fit a speedo and road register it for a daytime MOT..ride from your house to the green lanes legally...as long as your back B 4 dark.

[spdpug98]

Well I went and picked up the bike on Saturday, just can't wait to get out and ride it need to get a bike trailer as no where to ride where I live.....without upsetting the neighbours!!!

Will post a couple of pics when I get my camera back

[julianb]

Yep, quite agree, don't go blasting around near anyone's house. You'll do the whole motocross scene no favours whatsoever! Don't know about the insurance issue - they are competition machines and therefore exempt from insurance & road tax. See if you can get it added to the house insurance perhaps? - Garage contents and all that. Buy some BIG locks... :-)

[fergus]

julianb said:

....they are competition machines and therefore exempt from insurance & road tax...

...only if you are riding on a private track. If you are intending to go green laning (legally) you need tax/ins/mot. Please don't ride on moors, etc or places where you don't have permission, as a lot of people have put a lot of time and effort into protecting the rights of legitimate trail riders (e.g. TRF).

[Davel]

Son raced a Yamaha 125 last year and this year he bought a Yamaha 250 for the moto-x.

He's really pleased with the Yamaha bikes although he got shunted yesterday and came off.

Now sporting concussion and a nice lump near his elbow!

But the bike's fine!