Dirt Bike Advice

[Yorkie]

My 9 year old wants to start riding dirt bikes and I will need to pick one up for myself so we can have some father son time together. I have ridden street bikes all my life but have only done a little trail riding on an XR200 many years ago. Any advice on what would be a good first dirt bike for a 200lb 6" novice? We live in SoCal so will be hitting places like Santa Clarita. budget is around $2K. Thanks

[A930Rocket]

Edit: I rode a TTR250 for s few years. Kind of a heavy bike without a lot of get up and go. Next time, I'd get a two stroke.

[LakeCleElum]

Thinking you want something street legal to hit forest service roads between trails....Also you want electric start.........Look for late '90's Honda, Kaw, yam, Suz and a size between 250 and 650......

Example: Honda XR650L was the same from '93 thru today........So, buy an older, low miles model for $1,700 (or so) and it's the same as a new one with same miles.......

[911SauCy]

xr200 is too small, so is the crf230....suspension sucks, brakes suck, make for bad riding.

im same size as you and started on an xr200 with the thought of not needing an overkill bike, but the bike was so undersized it made it more difficult to ride.

CFR250X is the bike for you

if you want something overweight that guzzles fuel, and is as fast as a new CRF250X, go with any of the 90s bikes mentioned above (sorry CleEum my buddies and i had all said models at one point in time and theyre cheap/reliable but night and day from the newer stuff '05 to late)

[ckelly78z]

My son and I (both 5'11 and 185 lbs) ride late 80s Honda XR200s. They are big enough, quick enough, and light enough to be really comfortable on the trails. I just recently picked up a 2002 Kawasaki KLR 250 that has alot more comfort and speed, and is street legal.

At 50 years old, I'm not jumping creeks or throwing roostertails when I ride, so hi-tech suspension and brakes aren't a concern, but electric start would be awfully nice.

[jwasbury]

I just picked up a Yamaha ttr125 to use as a play/trail bike on my 13 acres in the country. I'm 5'8" 150lbs so while its small, it moves me around just fine. Bigger or faster machines would be wasted on me and my little woods trails.

The guy I bought it from had used it for the same thing you're doing: playing with his kids (who were riding little XR50s)

[javadog]

I wouldn't buy anything smaller than a 225 or 250. They'll get you around but they won't be a lot of fun if you pick up your pace.

You'll want something faster, in short order.

JR

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by javadog

I wouldn't buy anything smaller than a 225 or 250. They'll get you around but they won't be a lot of fun if you pick up your pace.

You'll want something faster, in short order.

JR

my sentiments exactly

[scottmandue]

Haven't been on a dirt bike for decades... started on a Honda 175 then went to a XL500.

I would echo the 250 advice... just IMHO the 650 would be WAY overkill... my 500 was overkill... sure too much torque is fun but with it come too much weight... in the dirt especially weight is the enemy.

As you can see I was a Honda guy but back in the day I loved riding my friends Yamaha's when we went out to the desert.

We used to have a spot out in Mohave we rode.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

CFR250X is the bike for you

if you want something overweight that guzzles fuel, and is as fast as a new CRF250X, go with any of the 90s bikes mentioned above (sorry CleEum my buddies and i had all said models at one point in time and theyre cheap/reliable but night and day from the newer stuff '05 to late)

Agreed 100% 911Saucy - I was looking at his size and budget.....If he doubles it, it's hard to beat the newer KTM's....I have a 625. I know a few that have the CRF250X. Great little bike, but think that will be more money also?

[javadog]

I'd probably buy a nice, used Yamaha WR450, if I were in his shoes.

JR

[Oracle]

Originally Posted by Yorkie

My 9 year old wants to start riding dirt bikes and I will need to pick one up for myself so we can have some father son time together. I have ridden street bikes all my life but have only done a little trail riding on an XR200 many years ago. Any advice on what would be a good first dirt bike for a 200lb 6" novice? We live in SoCal so will be hitting places like Santa Clarita. budget is around $2K. Thanks

I wish my son wanted to do that.. I bought him a 50cc and used it once or twice, he didn't like it much... lately he doesn't even want to get on the bicycle..
The good news is that a soccer ball is waaaay cheaper

[Yorkie]

Originally Posted by Oracle

I wish my son wanted to do that.. I bought him a 50cc and used it once or twice, he didn't like it much... lately he doesn't even want to get on the bicycle..
The good news is that a soccer ball is waaaay cheaper

I am trying to pull him away from video games and get his ass outside. He already plays on various sports teams but I want something we can do together and hopefully he might get into it. I did the same thing with his two older siblings but they did not take to it which was a shame. Thanks for all the advice guys.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Yorkie

I am trying to pull him away from video games and get his ass outside. He already plays on various sports teams but I want something we can do together and hopefully he might get into it. I did the same thing with his two older siblings but they did not take to it which was a shame. Thanks for all the advice guys.

I would never encourage anyone to buy a boat... my family owned boats and it really is true "a hole in the water you throw money into."

Having said that... I will now contradict myself.

Do you think your son would be at all interested in boating?

Part of the reason my family got into boats was because my dad wanted something to do with us boys growing up.

And you being located in Long Beach are close to a lot of boating opportunities... matter of fact unlike buying a dirt bike you can rent a boat for then day/a few hours.

Sorry for the hijack, if you son has his heart set on a dirt bike go for it... however you could ask him if he would be interested in going sailing for half a day just to judge if he (or you) have any interest.

I know, dirt bike Vs sailboat = apples and oranges.

[ckelly78z]

I admit, i'm a redneck and prefer dirtbikes over boats. (i've had half a dozen of each), and it is true about the old adage of boat ownership......... B.ust O.out A.nother T.housand. Dirtbikes don't seem to cost much in the grand scheme of things and especially compared to boats. If you have a place to ride, you can ride anytime, but not run the boat unless perfect weather.

[jorian]

At 6' and 200LBS I would get at least a 250 2 stroke or a 450 4 stroke. You will outgrow anything else within a few rides. I have a KTM 300 and it all the bike I'll ever need.

Here's an example of a lot of bike for not much $.

2000 KTM 300 MXC GreatCondition - Must Sell

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

I admit, i'm a redneck and prefer dirtbikes over boats. (i've had half a dozen of each), and it is true about the old adage of boat ownership......... B.ust O.out A.nother T.housand. Dirtbikes don't seem to cost much in the grand scheme of things and especially compared to boats. If you have a place to ride, you can ride anytime, but not run the boat unless perfect weather.

That is the thing... he lives in Long Beach... a few miles (or blocks) from ocean/bays where you can sail but in the heart of the city, probably an hour drive to anywhere you can ride a dirt bike.

And here is SoCal we have a 9 month long boating season

[rattlsnak]

Define your mission...

When my son was learning to ride I got myself a CRF230 to ride with him and loved it. It's a great bike for your mission. You won't be going balls out and you need something nimble to ride slower with him. As you both get better down the road, then you can both move up to something more powerful. And besides CRF250X's are going for @ 2,800 - 3,200 ish. I have a 250X now and it is a beast. It's basically the race bike with a wider ratio gearbox. Way too much bike to ride with your son at this point.

[scottmandue]

Wa... wa... wait a minute... did someone say electric start!?!






Roger DeCoster is shedding a tear.

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by javadog

I'd probably buy a nice, used Yamaha WR450, if I were in his shoes.

JR

This would be my choice too..