What Aspects of a Bike Do you Value Most...

SLO1667
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SLO1667
Edited Date/Time 2/4/2015 6:02am
If you had just two bike characteristics that you most value when purchasing a bike, what would they be - separate than price?

For me, it's lightweight and good turning. That said, both Red and Yellow fit the bill for me. Give me a bike that feels light and turns good, I'm a happy guy.

I know a lot of mags and riders value HP, but for me, that's much lower on my list.

Curious what some of you guys value most in a bike?
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me_da_racer
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me_da_racer 2/3/2015 7:33pm
2/3/2015 7:33pm
Both strokes.
MxKing809
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MxKing809 2/3/2015 7:34pm
2/3/2015 7:34pm Edited Date/Time 2/3/2015 7:37pm
I usually go for whatever bike is winning the most on tv, and whatever bike has energy drink graphics I like for it.



In all seriousness, I look for ergos being a bigger guy (loved my Kx450), and fit and finish/quality. (Honda/KTM)
Brad460
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Brad460 2/3/2015 7:44pm
2/3/2015 7:44pm Edited Date/Time 2/3/2015 7:44pm
Honda and Red

Face it...there isn't a new bike that would hold any of us back....It's funny when guys ask for feedback on which new bike to buy- like your really going to be any faster on a new KX versus a Husky or a RMZ or whatever..
mx836
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mx836 2/3/2015 7:45pm
2/3/2015 7:45pm
I've always been a Suzuki guy, but when purchasing a new 450 in '13 I couldn't pass up a KX450. I haven't ridden all the new 450s, but I think I made the right choice. Love the way a Suzuki turns, but I've lost some confidence in their stability. My shoulders have been through enough from swapping at high speed.

The Shop

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mx836
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mx836 2/3/2015 7:48pm
2/3/2015 7:48pm
Brad460 wrote:
Honda and Red Face it...there isn't a new bike that would hold any of us back....It's funny when guys ask for feedback on which new bike...
Honda and Red

Face it...there isn't a new bike that would hold any of us back....It's funny when guys ask for feedback on which new bike to buy- like your really going to be any faster on a new KX versus a Husky or a RMZ or whatever..
They are all good, but why not pick the one that suits you and your riding style the best? The one you can ride more aggressively. How do you figure that you won't be faster on one than the other? That's almost certain in my eyes, albeit a rather small difference.
SLO1667
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SLO1667 2/3/2015 7:56pm
2/3/2015 7:56pm
Brad460 wrote:
Honda and Red Face it...there isn't a new bike that would hold any of us back....It's funny when guys ask for feedback on which new bike...
Honda and Red

Face it...there isn't a new bike that would hold any of us back....It's funny when guys ask for feedback on which new bike to buy- like your really going to be any faster on a new KX versus a Husky or a RMZ or whatever..
mx836 wrote:
They are all good, but why not pick the one that suits you and your riding style the best? The one you can ride more aggressively...
They are all good, but why not pick the one that suits you and your riding style the best? The one you can ride more aggressively. How do you figure that you won't be faster on one than the other? That's almost certain in my eyes, albeit a rather small difference.
Agree, but in general, most of us are the same speed regardless of what color we choose, so the only thing left is which bike feels best and has you smiling on the way home.

As we already know, put any of the top 10 SX guys on any brand and they won't change positions.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 2/3/2015 7:57pm
2/3/2015 7:57pm
I have a light weight 2 stroke 250.....she's just that....light weight , turns awesome and is just fun as hell to ride. And then my other bike....big ol' 450 4 stroke that just simply hauls ass and is a thrill to ride. And for a big 4 stroke....she does a lot of things really , really good.

I love them both.....because they both put a big huge smile on my face when I'm riding them. The 2 stroke though....I just started again on those. 2 rides is all I've gotten in the 15yrs I didn't ride them....and I'm really , really looking forward to riding the living hell out of that thing this spring / summer!

In fact....that Rm250 is gonna need to be re-built twice this summer with as much riding as I'm gonna lay on her!
Sir Roostsalot 2/3/2015 8:04pm
2/3/2015 8:04pm
First suspension
Second build quality/reliability
A well set up stock bike with good suspension is suitable for 99% of the human race
There is nothing worse than a clapped out P.O.S. 6 mos. after buying it.
wfo4ever
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wfo4ever 2/3/2015 8:24pm
2/3/2015 8:24pm
That it runs and is a 2 stroke.
JayDub
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JayDub 2/3/2015 8:32pm
2/3/2015 8:32pm
Reliability, I'm a weekend warrior and most bikes are better than my ability anyway
Crush
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Crush 2/3/2015 8:39pm
2/3/2015 8:39pm
If a bike turns/handles well, for me that's the best. Even being a big bastard, I'd rather have to wring something out if I want to go faster, than struggle to get something to turn...
JeepnMike
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JeepnMike 2/3/2015 9:01pm
2/3/2015 9:01pm
I haven't raced since 1994, but your question really isn't specific to current times. For me, it was who I could get the best support from locally (amateur level). Second to that, the quality and fit of the bike was the most important to me. So at that time it was green or red (mostly green for me). I could adjust just about any bike to make it comfortable, but if I knew I was riding something that I felt was built like crap, it would mess with my mind about if it would perform as well as it 'felt' in terms of quality. I don't mind throwing Suzuki under the bus here from 1980's up to their breakout 1989 bikes that started to turn that around a bit.
GeorgiePorgie 2/3/2015 9:08pm
2/3/2015 9:08pm Edited Date/Time 2/3/2015 9:09pm
All the bikes are awesome these days so I go for the lowest price out the door. And I'll call 50 shops within 800 miles to do it. But I get overly excited when a yamaha is the cheapest OTD. Their suspension is just phenomenal.

1. Cost
2. Suspension
3. Reliability
4. Cost
Grizz
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Grizz 2/3/2015 9:08pm
2/3/2015 9:08pm
JeepnMike wrote:
I haven't raced since 1994, but your question really isn't specific to current times. For me, it was who I could get the best support from...
I haven't raced since 1994, but your question really isn't specific to current times. For me, it was who I could get the best support from locally (amateur level). Second to that, the quality and fit of the bike was the most important to me. So at that time it was green or red (mostly green for me). I could adjust just about any bike to make it comfortable, but if I knew I was riding something that I felt was built like crap, it would mess with my mind about if it would perform as well as it 'felt' in terms of quality. I don't mind throwing Suzuki under the bus here from 1980's up to their breakout 1989 bikes that started to turn that around a bit.
I go with support. Anything I don't like on the bike can usually be fixed or I can just get used to it.
bvm111
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bvm111 2/3/2015 9:11pm
2/3/2015 9:11pm
awesomeness bro
SLO1667
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SLO1667 2/3/2015 9:12pm
2/3/2015 9:12pm Edited Date/Time 2/3/2015 9:13pm
GeorgiePorgie wrote:
All the bikes are awesome these days so I go for the lowest price out the door. And I'll call 50 shops within 800 miles to...
All the bikes are awesome these days so I go for the lowest price out the door. And I'll call 50 shops within 800 miles to do it. But I get overly excited when a yamaha is the cheapest OTD. Their suspension is just phenomenal.

1. Cost
2. Suspension
3. Reliability
4. Cost
cool
jhansen510
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jhansen510 2/3/2015 9:38pm
2/3/2015 9:38pm
Brad460 wrote:
Honda and Red Face it...there isn't a new bike that would hold any of us back....It's funny when guys ask for feedback on which new bike...
Honda and Red

Face it...there isn't a new bike that would hold any of us back....It's funny when guys ask for feedback on which new bike to buy- like your really going to be any faster on a new KX versus a Husky or a RMZ or whatever..
mx836 wrote:
They are all good, but why not pick the one that suits you and your riding style the best? The one you can ride more aggressively...
They are all good, but why not pick the one that suits you and your riding style the best? The one you can ride more aggressively. How do you figure that you won't be faster on one than the other? That's almost certain in my eyes, albeit a rather small difference.
SLO1667 wrote:
Agree, but in general, most of us are the same speed regardless of what color we choose, so the only thing left is which bike feels...
Agree, but in general, most of us are the same speed regardless of what color we choose, so the only thing left is which bike feels best and has you smiling on the way home.

As we already know, put any of the top 10 SX guys on any brand and they won't change positions.
I could not disagree more. Comfortable = Speed!
jeffro503
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jeffro503 2/3/2015 9:41pm
2/3/2015 9:41pm
mx836 wrote:
They are all good, but why not pick the one that suits you and your riding style the best? The one you can ride more aggressively...
They are all good, but why not pick the one that suits you and your riding style the best? The one you can ride more aggressively. How do you figure that you won't be faster on one than the other? That's almost certain in my eyes, albeit a rather small difference.
SLO1667 wrote:
Agree, but in general, most of us are the same speed regardless of what color we choose, so the only thing left is which bike feels...
Agree, but in general, most of us are the same speed regardless of what color we choose, so the only thing left is which bike feels best and has you smiling on the way home.

As we already know, put any of the top 10 SX guys on any brand and they won't change positions.
jhansen510 wrote:
I could not disagree more. Comfortable = Speed!
This ^^^ Not one color will fit all.

Each person is different and you need to choose which bike fits " You " the best.

Better to be on a comfortable slow bike......then a fast uncomfortable bike.

Pit Row

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yz414
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yz414 2/3/2015 9:43pm
2/3/2015 9:43pm
Sir Roostsalot wrote:
First suspension Second build quality/reliability A well set up stock bike with good suspension is suitable for 99% of the human race There is nothing worse...
First suspension
Second build quality/reliability
A well set up stock bike with good suspension is suitable for 99% of the human race
There is nothing worse than a clapped out P.O.S. 6 mos. after buying it.
X2
would you by any chance ride a yamaha?
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 2/3/2015 10:23pm
2/3/2015 10:23pm
Ergonomics
Handling

I need both of these to suit me for me to really enjoy the bike. Engine/suspension is usually easy to get working well.

Manufacturer/ dealer support is a deal breaker though. Don't stand behind your product? Fine, I'll never buy another one no matter how good it works for me on the track.
JW381
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JW381 2/3/2015 10:35pm
2/3/2015 10:35pm
Having had a YZ 250 (super strong motor but didn't turn worth a pickle) and a CR250 (weaker motor but great handling and ergos), the handling and ergos are by far the most important things to me. Its confidence inspiring, and just ups the fun factor. I love riding my CR.
DBerg
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DBerg 2/3/2015 10:48pm
2/3/2015 10:48pm
Haven't spent enough time on all to really say what I value most. I get used to a bike and then hop on another and then certain qualities just shine and seem like the best thing that's ever been thought of. Then I get used to that, hop on my old bike and fall in love with those characteristics all over again. I guess if I had to choose though my top 2 are:
1. Reliability - nothing evokes pure hatred like fixing broken crap constantly. I do that at work already. Of course things break from time to time, but it's got to be reasonable.
2. High speed stability - I've ridden yamaha most of my life so I'm used to battling corners but 4th gear head shake? Ain't nobody got time for that!
fulltime wrench 2/3/2015 10:51pm
2/3/2015 10:51pm
I don't rev the bike, so I prefer a nice low to mid powerband that can pull through a high gear.

Straight line stability through rough sections and whoops are important to me. I can deal with the bike being a little lazy in corners as long as its not trying to toss me off down a rough straightaway.

Ergonomics. I rode a KTM once, gave it back to the owner after one lap. It felt like the pegs were mounted level with the base gasket with the seat just a couple inches higher.
plowboy
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plowboy 2/4/2015 2:02am
2/4/2015 2:02am
I'm just never satisfied. After I get the suspension set up then I gotta tweak the power/gearing then the brakes. By then the ergos don't feel right. Always chasing that perfect fit....when you no longer even think about anything but riding. Nirvana
aaryn #234 2/4/2015 2:21am
2/4/2015 2:21am
Useable power and handling.

If I could pull the engine out of my old mans 2013 KTM 350 SXF and slide it into the frame of my 2014 RM-Z 250 I have the perfect bike!

Not that the RM-Z engine is bad, just at 100kg the extra power of the Kato 350 would be nice, 450 is to much.
Gallardo
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Gallardo 2/4/2015 3:19am
2/4/2015 3:19am
What ever features makes the KX450 what it is.... That's what I love
Moens_Andy 2/4/2015 3:30am
2/4/2015 3:30am
plain and simple for me the way the bike looks. i don't f*ing care what engine is in it when it looks cool i'm happy

Ive ridden multiple brands in the past and no bike out there made me go faster some bike's where easier to handle but did not necessarily made me much faster than other bikes.

I'm 5.6 and weigh in about 158 pound and for me the bike that i enjoyed the most was a 350 so i can't wait for the FE 350 to come out and will suit the bad boy up with some Troy lee designs kit and some other cool stuff
wwoberg
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wwoberg 2/4/2015 3:35am
2/4/2015 3:35am
Always been a Suzuki guy, but have had green and red also.

As soon as I sit on a Yamaha or KTM it just don't feel right. Feel like I am on "top" instead of on the bike.

Starting and vibration (or lack thereof). I can't stand trying out a friends bike and it vibrate to hell from poor maintenance.
reded
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reded 2/4/2015 3:53am
2/4/2015 3:53am Edited Date/Time 2/4/2015 5:29am
I have to be able to trust a bike mechanically and in its handling. I hate a bike that constantly surprises me (insert '97 CR here) by doing something stupid when I least expect it or has abnormal mechanical issues that leave me wondering when it will break again.
overthebars39 2/4/2015 5:20am
2/4/2015 5:20am
Cheap and reliable

So i won't buy something new or something i can't work on myself (i don't trust 'professionals')

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