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708
Joined
1/9/2016
Location
SLC, UT
US
Edited Date/Time
10/3/2020 11:07pm
My first two dirt bikes were Pitster Pros. They seem to have a negative reputation, but I abused the heck out of them for years (I'm 6'2, 235 lbs.) and while there was some down time (I don't like wrenching, and finding a shops to service Chinese bikes is tough), I easily have 100 hours on the two.
That being said, after getting a '17 YZ250F, the Pitsters feel a bit lacking. They don't shift as smooth, the levers have always had way more play, ergonomics feel goofy, etc. It has me wondering about getting a Japanese pit bike—they should be a bit more refined, and more importantly getting them worked on should be much easier.
I'm not interested in a 110 because they're too small for me, but wondering about a new KLX140L or maybe a CRF150R. The latter is more than I want to spend, but I'd do it.
Anyone have experience with these models? Want something that rides a bit taller, and that I get get much stiffer suspension on.
That being said, after getting a '17 YZ250F, the Pitsters feel a bit lacking. They don't shift as smooth, the levers have always had way more play, ergonomics feel goofy, etc. It has me wondering about getting a Japanese pit bike—they should be a bit more refined, and more importantly getting them worked on should be much easier.
I'm not interested in a 110 because they're too small for me, but wondering about a new KLX140L or maybe a CRF150R. The latter is more than I want to spend, but I'd do it.
Anyone have experience with these models? Want something that rides a bit taller, and that I get get much stiffer suspension on.
Also, look at the CRF150F instead of the R model. The F is the trail bike like the KLX140.
KLX140.
Should have started a poll.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldACNsoI_-A
At 6' 2", it might be worth a look.
Just realized the 110s are a bit bigger than I thought. didn't realize they were 14/12, and also didn't realize the KLX140L was 19/16…was hoping it was 17/14 like the regular KLX140.
The Shop
https://www.dirtrider.com/2017-kawasaki-klx140g-review#page-14
I know you said you wanted something more nimble, but get the L model. The shock alone is worth it. You can respring it and it will work just fine. Even if you end up getting KX85 suspension, you’ll need the clevis from the L shock to put on the 85. The KX clevis is shorter than the L one. It’ll lower the rear and give it more of a choppered feel if you don’t swap them.
The best pitbike hands down is Service Honda's 250F motor in a CRF150 frame. Holy shitballs...
Pit Row
Can you speak to what requires more maintenance with the R?
The KLX140L is in the middle at 210lbs. Don't have great reasoning (just want it further from a full-size bike), but really wish it had 17/14.
I can't see how its fun. Heavy AND under-powered? Usually you pick one, not both.
Purely utilitarian pit bike I get but spinning laps? Get out of here.
Ride one. They are just fun. Whenever I let someone ride my 140, they always come back saying they can’t believe what fun it was. I recently let a local pro take a spin on my bike at a night practice, he came back grinning from ear to ear, and said “Forget my 450, this thing is way more fun!”.
If you really want the 17/14 wheel setup, the KX85 wheels are interchangeable with the 140L. You can buy an L, and then pick up a set of wheels for it. 85 wheels are usually pretty easy to come by. If you end up getting a small wheel 140, you can sometimes find an L shock on eBay, but the L swingarm is an inch longer than the non L swingarm. Just something to keep in mind too.
The 140 is rather slow but that’s part of what makes it so fun.
Could ride it slow, putt around pit bike style, then pin it and clear a 70-foot double. That's pretty good value.
And with regular oil changes and sans running the motor like I was some sort of oversized over-aged Justin Barcia, valve clearance was always in spec when checked.
KLX is a nice little bike too. But it's much smaller and more cramped for a full sized guy, just IMHO.
Unless you mean a KLX110, the 140L and 150R are actually very close in size. Seat height, wheel base, and ground clearance are all within an inch or so.
I have no plans of hitting 70 foot doubles…more launching a few natural terrain singles I have around the yard.
Am leaning the KLX140L because of price, but haven't quite gotten the idea of the 150R out of my head.
The Kawi would be fine. It's fine
The Honda is really a thing of beauty. Not so much for a racer kid, but for a ex-racer wanting to have fun with something even his girlfriend could learn to ride, that he can chase his dog around the yard with... yeah.
A 150R is a mini 250f. A Kawi 140 is a mini bike.
Hey, they're both good at what they do. Can't go too far wrong. For me, the one-fiddy is a better used value if it's within a few -- make that several -- hun of the one-fordy.
If, of course, it hastn't been wrung within an inch of its little life by a young Barcia wanna be.
PIck your poison and shop wisely. And have fun!
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