6ft 3” 220lb beginner

Both are great choices for learning the basics. The YZ will be even better since it will teach you better clutch/throttle control.  The KLX is a bit heavier and won't really teach you as many good riding habits as a new rider. 

Some good discussion in this thread lol

https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/6-2-190lb-beginner,1309609?page=0

Welcome!  How did you become interested in motocross?   

Get them both, best of both worlds.

Depends on what kind of riding you want to do. Strictly moto? A 125 is a good place to start. Interested in riding on road, maybe some trails, maybe some moto too? The KLX isn't a great moto bike, but you'll learn the basics on it, its not imtimidating for a beginner, and if you prefer one discipline over another you'll know what bike is next for you.

You've never ridden and you're 6'3" and 220 lbs ?  KLX all day. Go learn the basics and have fun. If you decide you want to race you can always get a 125 or something else later. Go find some trails and have fun 🙂 

What's around you to ride at? Tons of trails? MX tracks? 

Either one is a very good bike to start out on in general. But depending on your wants and where you may want to ride there could be a clear cut winner. 

I loved riding a 125, but it's a bike that requires you to really wring the throttle at times. To me, a good mix of a starter bike but also a bike you need to push to really move out. 

Oh yessss... let's recommend one of the hardest bikes on the market to ride (yz125), to a noobie 🤣

250f

Never ridden before? Like ever? Man, go get a big wheel 140cc Chinese pit bike like an SSR and learn how to work a clutch. Ride it hard in the dirt and fall off of it a lot. Teach yourself how to brake slide, power slide, wheelie and stoppie. Then you’ll be ready for a 250F.

Edit: Whatever you do, don’t even think about riding on the street until you learn how to operate the motorcycle AND you complete the two-day Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. 

Plenty of children on YZ125's but a full size frame and suspension so he won't be limited as he progresses. 
Also one of the more affordable options, holds value reasonably well, a lot of parts availble, and damn near bullet proof.  

I'm not sure what a YZ125 did to hurt you, but I encourage you to get back on that horse and give it another try. If you're not smiling within 5 minutes then I'll cut off my mullet and mail it to you.

If you're in the Myrtle Beach area, I'll assume your local riding areas will be sand. If so, try to find some hard dirt to learn/practice on before taking on the sand - it makes it much easier when learning the basics. 

RMZ250

My 2 cents would be a Beta 200.

https://www.betamotor.com/en/news/xtrainer-my-2027-new-200-model-is-the…

Take it from a 6’4” 220lb’r

Whatever you get, make sure you can adjust or change the footpegs, seat and handlebar combo so you’ll fit on the bike. Also, get your suspension checked out/revalved for you. Your knees and spine will thank you!

220 you’re going to be pissed off trying to ride a 125. Abusing the clutch and ringing it’s a neck!!! 

YZ250 if you’re looking for a “newer” two stroke. 

That's not a terrible idea.  Bottom-mid motor with suspension that's already sprung heavy.

But the sand is much softer when you crash. 🤣🤣🤣

Getting the bars far enough in front of him and taller-firmer seat (not too tall..) and possibly lower pegs all dialed in…that’s all he really needs to do. 

A lot of us who are comfortable with 450 four strokes and 250 two strokes think 125s are great, fun entry level bikes, but YouTube is full of Fail Army  videos of first time riders looping out and whiskey throttling through backyard fences.

Ur a big fella. 125s are for kids (or grown men the size of children).

Get a 450. You’ll grow into it. 

I started riding Moto at age 27. I was a bigger guy when I started at 6ft 200 and everyone told me to get a 450. When I went down to a 250, my progress skyrocketed because i learned HOW to ride. I think the biggest thing I can say after some years now, (im 41) is my turns improved sooo much in carrying speed into the turn rather than trying to point and shoot. I was also less scared which I think mentally helped haha. Since then the 350's are awesome. 

Now that you are in, dont stress too much. Its one of those habits where you will own a number of bikes over the years haha. 

 

I’m 6’3 250 pounds and started on a 250 2 stroke a few years ago. I did have a ttr125 as a kid and a few street bikes since I was 16. If you don’t plan on racing mx I’d look for something like a klx300 or crf300f.

The cross country or mx 250fs are nimble, and can be ridden both slow and comfortably or fast enough to kill you.  They work great in all disciplines of riding.  For a man your size i would go that route.  Click up into second to avoid the on/off nature of 1st gear and take it slow.  In no time you will be ripping.  Later on down the line if you want to move up in displacement go for it.  Many people like myself have gone all the way up to the 450s and decided to drop back down because the smaller bore bikes can be ridden just as fast without all the negatives.

Lower pegs and a taller seat are good to try out. However, I’m 6’2” and have tried lower pegs and taller seat in different combinations and have always preferred stock. I never liked the lower pegs. Oddly enough I only liked the taller seat when standing (more grip area) but hated it while seated. Every bike and rider is different so to each their own. 

If you can find someone who has those things you try out without buying them first even better!

What bike is best for you depends entirely on what kind of riding you plan on doing and what your current skill level is. Have you ridden before, are you familiar with a clutch, and do you know how to shift? If you're comfortable on a motorcycle and intend on riding mx then a 250f is probably going to be your best bet. I'm 6'2" 185 and ride something akin to a YZ125 and I have to ride the bike really aggressively to get around the track decently. The 125s make their power high in the rpms and that is a more advanced style of riding. People say 125s are good to start on because they don't have much power, and that's true for a 14 year old kid who is still growing... not so much for a full grown man. The lack of power on a 125 will very quickly become a limitation for you so a 250f is a great place to start and it won't really ever be a limiting factor moving forward. 

As for trails, you're good going with any of the major brands trail 4-strokes from 250 on up. These bikes have significantly less power and are much easier to ride/learn on. They also require significantly less maintenance which is always a plus. 

If this is something you aren't sure you want to go all in on then look at some of the Chinese brands out there. They are much more affordable and may be a good way for you try it out before dropping $10k on a new 250f. 

Whatever you end up doing, always wear a helmet and boots that were designed for moto. I'd be dead 10 times and have dozens broken ankles if I didn't wear helmets and boots. The importance of safety gear on a dirt bike cannot be overstated. 

I second the tall seat, but have had less success with lowered pegs. Keep the feet planted where the good lord intended, stock. 

Bro, you're a big specimen. Fuck a 125. Take the 4 stroke and learn good technique. 

What are you planning on doing with the bike? Are you going to hit the track, riding trails, or putting around a property? That definitely matters in this situation. 

Either way, the only correct answer is a CR500.

Agree- get a 450, use a mild map (or an older 450)..Nice smooth power, easy to ride, minimal maintenance, no pre-mix…

125 worst bike possible for your size- only advantage to a 125 is easy to put on a stand..