First dirt bike, I don't know what to get. Please give me some good advice!
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    I'm looking for a new dirt bike. I am 16 years old and I'm around 5' 5. I really like the Kawasaki design and the way they perform. I would like some good info and inputs from people that actually ride other than my YouTube and good research.
  • Kiwi450xKiwi450x
    Posts: 3,637

    Mapleleafmx is our resident Kawasaki expert.  Kawasakis are as good as anything else these days.

    What kind of riding would you like to do?  What is your budget?

    ########################################

    If you can't fix it with vicegrips and/or a sledge hammer, it ain't worth fixing...
    image
  • hairscrambledhairscrambled
    Posts: 1,753

    Are you leaning towards a two stroke or four stroke? Like Kiwi said, a lot depends on whether you ride track or trails.


    A 250f might be a bit tall at 5'5", and I'm not sure a screaming little 2t is the best bike to start off with, but a KX100 is only 100 cc's and you're only 16, so it might work out as long as you're careful.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Hudson Valley NY
    2006 KX 100

    "If you don't have a dream, how can it come true?"
  • gearman
    Posts: 119

    Have you done any ridding?

    What kind of ridding do you want to do?

    Do you want to compete?

    Are you mechanically inclined?

    Are you on a tight budget? 

  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    I have done riding in the past. I had 4 wheelers and have ridden a dirt bike before. I am a beginner with dirt bikes but I do have quite a few skills under my belt. I do not want to compete and I would mostly do trail riding and also some track. I'm not really sure about the 2 stroke vs the 4 stroke, I need some help with that also. My budget is really anything reasonable for something that is reliable efficient and something that will last. Ill say $6-8,000 at most. Also I am pretty sure I have day on a 250f and it was only a tiny bit too big for me. I'm guessing that something 1 step down from that would be great for me. I hope that this information will help a little.
  • sean
    Posts: 3,730
    8k will get you anything just about,buy a used one and have some cash for gear and a 4 wheeler,I cant say what to buy I had a 4 wheeler gave to my brother bought a new 450 now wish I had 4 wheeler so who knows,
    ,,,,have Both
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    sounds good. im going to keep looking around and see what i can find. used and new. i forgot a bout gear haha. thats a whole new research project for me!
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    also. if i were to expand my desires and stay with kawasaki, but move into other companies, like honda and yamaha. what would be some good choices there. with the same price range and everything else.

  • Maple Leaf MXMaple Leaf MX
    Posts: 12,825
    Crf250r and yz250f
    Expect to die whenever but dream to live forever

    ..the good times on the old DR board will never be back! RIP!
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    What is the difference between the two bikes you just recommended, crf250r and yz250f compared to the kx250f?
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    Also, I need to know what kind of gear to buy. im not to worried about boots. i mostly need a helmet, gloves. jersey pants and jersey. and chest padding. nothing too expensive though

  • CRWOODS
    Posts: 456
    Boots are just as important
  • AngelaConstine
    Posts: 39
    I wear my work boots when I ride. And as for a helmet it's up to you I bought an HJC for $70 on denniskirk.com with a pair of goggles which are a neecesity if you ride with friends, but many people will argue that the helmet is the most important. Personally the most inportant peice of gear I have is my chest protector for trails. Tree limbs to the chest are brutal. I got a pair of gloves for $20 but you can find them cheaper. The jersey and pants are optional. Normally I ride in a thick pair of Levis and a long sleeve shirt. Shows you how limited my bedget is

  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    Thanks Angela. I thought about it for a while and i probably wont buy the jerseys. I dont NEED them now anyways. ill check out that website tonight and look around. ill also try to find a chest protector too. the boots are so expensive also.
  • turbowagonman
    Posts: 28
    Klx 140 would probally be the best
  • markyrocks
    Posts: 1,292
    Check eBay for boots. I got mine for around 80$. This is kinda odd to me. What 16 yr old has a 6-8000$ budget? U must of been saving ur milk $ for awhile.
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    Understandable it was mostly for the bike btw and I've been working, doing good in school saving and saving money from birthday and Christmas. My dad is going to help me with money also. And no I am not a spoiled 16 year old who gets everything handed to me. Not that that's what you thought I'm just throwing it out there. Also I was looking around and got a base of what everything should cost about so that maximum of money spending had dropped. Also what kind of boots did you get mark?
  • markyrocks
    Posts: 1,292
    They are Oneal hardwear boots. Pics coming shortly
  • markyrocks
    Posts: 1,292
    image

    image

    They were used one time but have removable washable booties so I was ok with that. But were for sure(and still are) in like new condition
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    Ok they look nice where did you say you got them?
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    Also what bike do you ride and how do you like it? Also the same for your other gear.
  • markyrocks
    Posts: 1,292
    EBay.com where I got them. I bought my helmet an goggles there too. There just cheap Chinese items. I have icon timax gloves,kinda over kill but I bought them for streetbike riding. I should buy chest protection, I'm definitely considering it. My bike is yz250f 2002. And it rocks.
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    Nice thanks! Ill look into some of that gear and get some for my self too. In your opinion what bike do you think would be good for me. Highest would be a 250. I like the kawasakis a lot but if they will bump up the price a lot ill be willing to go for a different bike. I'm not worried about too much power but like I said I would like to have a 250 but what's your opinion?
  • markyrocks
    Posts: 1,292
    Id say any 100cc 2stroke mx bike would do ya. If u were my kid I wouldn't let u on anything bigger than that neways. Not unless u been riding dbikes since u was 5. This depends on ur weight tho. If ur 120-140 ud prolly be good for awhile, if ur 150-200lbs then ur gona want to go bigger. Just ur height puts u in an awkward place. But such is life @16
  • Maple Leaf MXMaple Leaf MX
    Posts: 12,825
    U was 5 when u rided?
    Expect to die whenever but dream to live forever

    ..the good times on the old DR board will never be back! RIP!
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    I'm around 160-170. And I agree with what you said but I grew up with motor vehicles just not dirtbikes. I know control and speed. I think I could handle something a little more powerful than the 100cc
  • sean
    Posts: 3,730
    boots are definitely a big factor,big bikes kick back sometimes,plus your ankles dont grow back,,marky I like them boots I have all black fox gear, everything is fox but my goggles I have everything but a neck brace
  • sean
    Posts: 3,730
    Get a 125_150 then these guys are not going to mislead you.most of them know there stuff bud,if you go to big it will be a overkill and you will not be able to enjoy it. you're young you're still growing to small will be frowned upon,buy something to grow into and not out of
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    Ok I'm ok with a 150 and I'm not denying your advice or anything I'm just saying. But what bike do you recommend?
  • CORNDOG
    Posts: 4
    I would recommend buying a bike that has a dealer nearby. You will find the convenience of an oem parts source and mechanic valuable for those repairs that might be past your mechanical ability. With that said, you really can't go wrong with any of the 5 major brands. I would go with a 2 stroke if you are buying used (125cc), or either 2 or 4 stroke (250f) if you are buying new. 2 strokes are cheaper to maintain (oil changes and top ends) and aftermarket parts tend to be less expensive. There is less of a gamble buying a used 2 stroke vs 4 stroke as the 2 stroke motor is a more simple design and therefore easier to work on, although the 4 stroke will hold it's value better. The 4 stroke is typically easier to ride and you won't have to deal with premix. for your first bike, save your money and buy a used 125....there fun to ride and are easy to work on. Hope this helps.     
  • markyrocks
    Posts: 1,292
    I'm just saying we've had these discussions before about people's heights and the size bikes they should get. @170lbs power wise 125cc2t prolly right. Height wise ur too short for it. I'm 5'9" and I can only get the balls of both feet down. Something that is ALWAYS over looked is power to weight ratio between a 100cc 2t and a 125cc 2t. When u factor in the bikes power to weight ratios they essentially make the same power.
  • sean
    Posts: 3,730
    If you buy used you will save a bunch of money,plus if you resell you should get close to what you paid for it,used from shop. thoroughly inspect everything if buying off cregslist or someone the shop will check it from tire to tire for $100 _$150. how many guys will tell you to buy Hondas, same is Yamaha Kawasaki Suzuki buy what you like,if you have 8k you could buy a used dirt bike and 4 wheeler and your gear
  • sean
    Posts: 3,730
    Corndog just broke it down for you,good post
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    Thanks for the advice. After all the help ill probably buy used and a bike around 125cc and ill move up over time.ill also get some other gear used if possible. Ill look around but does the klx 140l come with a manual start I'm not a fan of the Estart
  • markyrocks
    Posts: 1,292
    Well when u go riding bring a step stool with u so u can get on an off the bike. O and tie a rope to it so when u use it to kick start the bike u don't have to get off to pick it up. Just drag it behind u down the trail.
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    Haha sure
  • markyrocks
    Posts: 1,292
    Like I said this been discussed like crazy. If u think ur tall enough. Measure ur leg from your heel to ur crotch. A 80-105cc 2stroke gona have around 34" seat height. A 125-250cc 2t gona have seat height around 38". Its one thing to throw a leg over a full sized bike have one foot on the peg the other flat on the ground. The real pita is when u have to start the thing. At ur height don't even think about getting a 4stroke full sized bike.
  • CRWOODS
    Posts: 456
    2013 YZ125 seat height 39.3"
    2013 250sxf seat height 39.06"


  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    I wasn't going to get a 250 I'm going to get something that I will fit on ill have to go to a store and sit on them and see what fits best
  • gearman
    Posts: 119

    Get the Honda CRF 230.

  • markyrocks
    Posts: 1,292
    Just for the purpose of clarity the reason I voted against 4stroke full sized mx bike is (besides op being to short neways) there harder to start, which is even harder when ur under sized. That (and I could be wrong) but the kick start lever is almost twice as long as a similar 2stroke kick start lever. Dude knee would have to come up to his chest to get foot on it at top of the stroke.
  • CRWOODS
    Posts: 456
    Ktms have a magic button
  • Maple Leaf MXMaple Leaf MX
    Posts: 12,825
    Does it do tricks?
    Expect to die whenever but dream to live forever

    ..the good times on the old DR board will never be back! RIP!
  • CRWOODS
    Posts: 456
    Yeah
  • Maple Leaf MXMaple Leaf MX
    Posts: 12,825
    Sweet
    Expect to die whenever but dream to live forever

    ..the good times on the old DR board will never be back! RIP!
  • KawasakiDB
    Posts: 18
    Mark I agree with you completely I'm not disregarding what you advised me of.
  • Number81
    Posts: 19
    Get a kx 125 and bump up later to a klx 250
  • gearman
    Posts: 119

    Get a japanese bike with low hours (preferably Honda) 250 F or 250 2 stroke 2005 or newer. At 220 lbs you will hate a 125 2 stroke. As for transporting it get one of these:

    http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle-carrier.htm

  • markyrocks
    Posts: 1,292
    This dude 160-170 lbs.. 15yrs old at that with limited experience gearman setting him up for a death trap.
  • sean
    Posts: 3,730
    I think 80 big wheels,or 125
  • gearman
    Posts: 119
    Opps! where did I get 220 lbs? Must have been the cheap beer.
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