best bike for my size?

kyleblanc
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kyleblanc
Edited Date/Time 4/9/2013 1:55pm
I am trying to start riding again. I had a 2000 Honda XR100R about 10 years ago (I'm 20) and really want to pick up a bike again. I can get my hands on a kx125x or a crf250f. I am 5'9" and 260lbs. (yeah im working on trying to loose weight). As far as I know I would be better of on a 250, is this correct? I haven't rode in a long time so you could say that my skills are basically nothing. any thoughts?
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Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 3/5/2013 1:53pm
3/5/2013 1:53pm
Between those two bikes and considering your weight i would recomend the crf250. It has a little more power but also its easier to ride. The kx125 is fast to but it would require an agressive riding style and needs to be reved to make its power, with your weight it would have a hard time staying in the high RPMs. FOUR STROKE ADVANTAGES, easier to ride, low end power, for some models and years more after market parts available. DISADVANTAGES, heavy, hard to start, more expensive to, buy, rebuild, more likely to break, harder to work on. TWO STROKE ADVANTAGES, light, easy to start, cheap to buy rebuild, easy to rebulid,(in my opinion) more fun to ride, snappy power, sharp cornering. DISADVANTAGES, needs rebuilds, harder to go fast, some bikes dont have as many aftermarket parts available. If you like the idea of the two stroke i would recomend a 250 not a 125. Just know all of these bikes will be much faster than a xr100, SO BE CAREFUL! A 250 2 stroke might seem like alot at first but if you take your time to get use to it before you start pushing, it will be a good fit for you.
Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 3/8/2013 7:47pm
3/8/2013 7:47pm
I just got a new magazine today, in it they said 125cc can work well for riders up to 160lbs. A 250cc four stroke can carry a burden of around 185lbs, but prefers lighter loads . If you weigh over 185lbs and especially over 200lbs you should be thinking 250 two stroke or a 450
victor16
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victor16 3/9/2013 5:07am
3/9/2013 5:07am
Zesiger 112 wrote:
I just got a new magazine today, in it they said 125cc can work well for riders up to 160lbs. A 250cc four stroke can carry...
I just got a new magazine today, in it they said 125cc can work well for riders up to 160lbs. A 250cc four stroke can carry a burden of around 185lbs, but prefers lighter loads . If you weigh over 185lbs and especially over 200lbs you should be thinking 250 two stroke or a 450
250 2 stroke still is not enough... you need a 450. when you get lighter (close to 200) and faster, then check out the 250 2 stroke. they are awesome machines but been at 260 lbs, you need a 450 to move you around faster and easier than the 2 stroke.
kyleblanc
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kyleblanc 3/11/2013 7:33am
3/11/2013 7:33am
thanks you guys for the input. its probably not important but most of my weight is form muscle due to being in weight lifting and other physical sports, so its not just fat haha. so I should be able to handle a 450? and I really only have access to a 250 4 stroke at the time. is it even worth riding it if the 250 can't handle my weight?

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Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 3/11/2013 4:35pm
3/11/2013 4:35pm
Muscle wise you should be able to handle a 450, but the thing about a 450 isnt the weight its the power. I have a 125 and people who weigh more than you didnt dare open the throttle when they rode it. I think a 250f will move you around just fine while you learn or relearn the techniques of riding, once you get them down then you can decide if it feels like you can use a bigger bike or if you are happy with the 250f. Answer to your last question, its always worth riding no matter what size it is. what i comes down to is what you want to do with your money. risk it or wait for something else to come around?
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Tredub911
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Tredub911 3/11/2013 7:57pm
3/11/2013 7:57pm
kyleblanc wrote:
I am trying to start riding again. I had a 2000 Honda XR100R about 10 years ago (I'm 20) and really want to pick up a...
I am trying to start riding again. I had a 2000 Honda XR100R about 10 years ago (I'm 20) and really want to pick up a bike again. I can get my hands on a kx125x or a crf250f. I am 5'9" and 260lbs. (yeah im working on trying to loose weight). As far as I know I would be better of on a 250, is this correct? I haven't rode in a long time so you could say that my skills are basically nothing. any thoughts?
If you can afford a crf450, then I would get that because as you grow, then you would be better off with a better bike that you are not going to easily get bored of. On the other hand, If you can't afford a crf 450 like me, then I would go for the crf 250. That is what I have and it is great! There is so much power compared to a 125. I also am 5'10'' and weigh 145 lbs, so we are pretty much the same. I would go for the 250 or 450.
kyleblanc
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kyleblanc 3/12/2013 6:13am
3/12/2013 6:13am
kyleblanc wrote:
I am trying to start riding again. I had a 2000 Honda XR100R about 10 years ago (I'm 20) and really want to pick up a...
I am trying to start riding again. I had a 2000 Honda XR100R about 10 years ago (I'm 20) and really want to pick up a bike again. I can get my hands on a kx125x or a crf250f. I am 5'9" and 260lbs. (yeah im working on trying to loose weight). As far as I know I would be better of on a 250, is this correct? I haven't rode in a long time so you could say that my skills are basically nothing. any thoughts?
Tredub911 wrote:
If you can afford a crf450, then I would get that because as you grow, then you would be better off with a better bike that...
If you can afford a crf450, then I would get that because as you grow, then you would be better off with a better bike that you are not going to easily get bored of. On the other hand, If you can't afford a crf 450 like me, then I would go for the crf 250. That is what I have and it is great! There is so much power compared to a 125. I also am 5'10'' and weigh 145 lbs, so we are pretty much the same. I would go for the 250 or 450.
I'm not sure if you mistyped or read my original post wrong but according to this we are not the same, I am 100 lbs more than you. but thanks, you're right if i could afford a 450 I would haha, but I think I am going to be with the 250
kyleblanc
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kyleblanc 3/12/2013 6:16am
3/12/2013 6:16am
Thanks to everyone who posted here, this helped a bunch. For now I am going to be riding the kx125x until I have the money for the crf250r. ($2,000 for an 05 with yoshimura exhaust, brand new spare plastics, brand new set of extra tires, ton of spare stock parts sounds like a super sweet deal ha) and then who knows maybe ill jump on a 450 someday haha
Bguy85
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Bguy85 3/20/2013 9:02am
3/20/2013 9:02am
I'm a heavy rider as well 6'0 260 and i'm riding a YZ250 2 stroke and its more than enough.. No way i can handle all its got..
markit
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markit 3/24/2013 10:51am
3/24/2013 10:51am
Unless your ridding @B and up level a 125/144 or 250F will be fine. There is no way you need to start out on a 450 LOL absalutly not and would likely make you regret riding.
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kyleblanc
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kyleblanc 3/25/2013 6:23am
3/25/2013 6:23am
markit wrote:
Unless your ridding @B and up level a 125/144 or 250F will be fine. There is no way you need to start out on a 450...
Unless your ridding @B and up level a 125/144 or 250F will be fine. There is no way you need to start out on a 450 LOL absalutly not and would likely make you regret riding.
ha yeah I'm going to be on a 125 for a little while, and I probably won't be racing for a bit until I can build up some of my skills.
JCollins762
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JCollins762 4/9/2013 1:55pm
4/9/2013 1:55pm Edited Date/Time 4/9/2013 1:55pm
Hop on a 250f man, I'm 170lb and I have to ride a 125 for all it has to get over most things out of a corner.
Tyler_Eversole 7/31/2017 1:32pm
7/31/2017 1:32pm
I'm 210 and my kx125 is really fun, i don't race, more trail/ field, but it's bored and piped. Thing rips, that'll be a perfect one to get you back into it i think!
Rockinar
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Rockinar 8/1/2017 1:36pm
8/1/2017 1:36pm
Tyler_Eversole wrote:
I'm 210 and my kx125 is really fun, i don't race, more trail/ field, but it's bored and piped. Thing rips, that'll be a perfect one...
I'm 210 and my kx125 is really fun, i don't race, more trail/ field, but it's bored and piped. Thing rips, that'll be a perfect one to get you back into it i think!
You replied to a 3.5 year old post.
TJMX947
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TJMX947 8/3/2017 8:54am
8/3/2017 8:54am Edited Date/Time 8/3/2017 8:57am
I'm 5'11 - 260lbs. Don't get caught up with the "how much should I weigh to be on this bike." I've had a lot of different bikes and my weight has really fluctuated over the years.

180 lbs - 250F: 2005 YZ250F - Raced a 250F effectively in 250C & 450C. Fastest I ever was.
190 lbs - 450F: 2007 YZ450F - Was slow as dirt getting off a 250F, spent the year wishing I hadn't bought a 450.
190lbs - 250F: 2008 KX250F - Revived the fun factor - started to love riding again.
220 lbs - 250F: 2009 KX250F - Could ride it faster than a 450, had to seat bounce some jumps but was still a lot of fun to ride. Got funny looks being a bigger guy but that all subsided when I blew past people.
240 lbs - 250F: 2011 YZ250F - Things started to get tougher here, definitely wanted more power.
260 lbs - 250T: 2008 YZ250 - Fast and powerful, fun to ride but was still a handful in slick conditions. Had to be in shape to ride it to its potential.
260 lbs - 450: Had to eventually get a 450. The newer EFI 450s are light years better than the mid 2000s 450s. I had a 2009 CRF450R bought used then later a 2014 CRF450R. These bikes are ligher feeling and more agile in my opinion as well as more mild mannered in the motor department.

Also food for thought - I rode a KTM 150 SX on a trail @ 260lbs and it was a blast. Just get a bike, ride, and have fun. The biggest advice I can give another bigger guy is to make sure you get your suspension sprung/revalved for your weight. This will make a tremendous difference in how the bike handles, your safety, your confidence, as well as the fun you will have given the terrain. Good luck!!!
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Harry Backmon 8/4/2017 8:24am
8/4/2017 8:24am
I'm sure Kyle appreciates all your advice. He has not posted at Vital in over 3 years, but I'm sure he appreciates it.

Much ty
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Sterrett_Ford 4/24/2018 12:59pm
4/24/2018 12:59pm
I'm just here to piss off Harry
ninobabyj
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ninobabyj 5/6/2020 7:25pm
5/6/2020 7:25pm
Well its nice that people post years later as im in the same boat in 2020
5' 10'' and 250 lbs
Havent ridden since i was a kid (15 years ago) and theres not much info online for us heavier guys
Ive had people tell me do not get a 450 you will hurt yourself bad
Then i see people say you need a 450 to move you around the track
Im pretty much between a TC 125/250 and an FC 250/350
Or maybe a beater 125 like a 2004 KX 125
I just want to have some fun and build some skills not getting into racing on a track anytime soon
I see conflicting advice everywhere and have no ideas what to do before i spend 9k on a bike if I go new

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Headhoncho
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Headhoncho 5/9/2020 11:43am
5/9/2020 11:43am
Obviously I'm late. But I'm 6'3" 330. I used to play football and I've just been looking for new adventures. I rode fourwheelers all my life and I want to get a dirtbike. At my weight should I jump straight to a 450? I just want to ride a little for adrenaline. Not looking to race or jump.
Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 5/9/2020 1:08pm
5/9/2020 1:08pm
Headhoncho wrote:
Obviously I'm late. But I'm 6'3" 330. I used to play football and I've just been looking for new adventures. I rode fourwheelers all my life...
Obviously I'm late. But I'm 6'3" 330. I used to play football and I've just been looking for new adventures. I rode fourwheelers all my life and I want to get a dirtbike. At my weight should I jump straight to a 450? I just want to ride a little for adrenaline. Not looking to race or jump.
As a first bike a 450 is a real handful, no matter how big you are. I've raced 450s for years and I'm only 160 pounds, but they are seriously fast for a beginner. Im now on a 250 2 stroke which is not quite as fast as the 450, but the power comes in like a light switch! A 250f is still plenty powerful enough for your weight, just get the suspension sorted and it will be a nice easy bike to play about on. If you get faster and want to start taking it more seriously then a 450 would be ideal to get you out the gate and up the start with everyone else, and make life easier when I comes to deep sand and big jumps
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Headhoncho
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Headhoncho 5/18/2020 7:36am
5/18/2020 7:36am
I appreciate that! I've always had crazy fast 4wheelers like warriors and banshees, so I wasn't sure. Any insight on big man springs? I found a Yz250.

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