Posts
93
Joined
3/12/2017
Location
Fairfax, VA
US
Hello all!
I'm new here to the Vital MX forums. I'm hoping to get some help deciding which bike would be good for me.
Brief background about my experience. I was riding in the mid 90s. I had a Honda XR70 first, and then a KTM 65. I had one when they first came out in the mid 90s. I got out of motocross after a while, but I would now like to get back into it.
Currently, I am 29. I'd like to get a motocross bike, but I'm not sure what to get. For now, I am looking at used bikes to make sure I still enjoy it before dumping a lot of money into a new one. I've looked at a couple used 125s and 2-stroke 250s. I've never made it to either class when I used to ride. I'm from the 90s, two strokes are what I know and what I'd prefer unless someone can convince me otherwise. I know there isn't much of a difference between a 125 and 250 in terms of dimensions, but there is a difference in weight and engine size. Considering I'm about six foot and weigh about 190 pounds, what would be the best bet for me? In terms of weight, I think I'm right between a 125 and 250, but I'm not sure if a 250 would be too much bike to start with considering it's been a very long time since I last rode.
I know there are other bikes out there other than motocross bikes. I want to stick with a bike tuned for motocross in case I want to get back into racing.
Sorry for the long post. Thank you everyone in advance for your help!!
I'm new here to the Vital MX forums. I'm hoping to get some help deciding which bike would be good for me.
Brief background about my experience. I was riding in the mid 90s. I had a Honda XR70 first, and then a KTM 65. I had one when they first came out in the mid 90s. I got out of motocross after a while, but I would now like to get back into it.
Currently, I am 29. I'd like to get a motocross bike, but I'm not sure what to get. For now, I am looking at used bikes to make sure I still enjoy it before dumping a lot of money into a new one. I've looked at a couple used 125s and 2-stroke 250s. I've never made it to either class when I used to ride. I'm from the 90s, two strokes are what I know and what I'd prefer unless someone can convince me otherwise. I know there isn't much of a difference between a 125 and 250 in terms of dimensions, but there is a difference in weight and engine size. Considering I'm about six foot and weigh about 190 pounds, what would be the best bet for me? In terms of weight, I think I'm right between a 125 and 250, but I'm not sure if a 250 would be too much bike to start with considering it's been a very long time since I last rode.
I know there are other bikes out there other than motocross bikes. I want to stick with a bike tuned for motocross in case I want to get back into racing.
Sorry for the long post. Thank you everyone in advance for your help!!
The Shop
I had a 2001 yz 250 before that and it wasn't really fun for me because it was so fast.
Option 1:
https://www.cycletrader.com/dealers/John-Burr-Cycles-Inc-2873796/listin…
Option 2:
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/mcy/6022521276.html (This one is a 2000...seems kind of old.)
Option 3:
https://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/6036590041.html
Option 4:
http://www.edwardsmotorsports.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDe… (This is actually a 2006 YZ250F. There's got to be a catch with the price.)
Option 5:
http://phillycycle.com/Motorcycles-Honda-CR125R-2001-Philadelphia-PA-0c…
(This is a 2001 CR 125. Given no one mentioned CRs, I'm assuming there must be a reason.)
I think maybe it is all up to you in the end , but you could start on a 125 , spend some time on it and see if it's what you're looking for....if not , sell it ( you won't lose really any money ) and then get a 250. Better to start out on something slower and more predictable , until you get used to being out there.
Last note : If you truly love the riding , you have plenty of time to try many bikes over the years....just have fun with it. You don't have to stick with one bike forever. Test the waters my friend.
Best investment you can make when getting back in the sport. Relatively cheap to buy and if you don't like it you sell it for the same price you bought it. Essentially not wasting any money at all.
Plus they're an absolute blast to ride. Honestly you don't need a 4 stroke unless you plan to compete at the highest level of the sport and at 29 that ship has sailed. Ride and/or race for fun. Have a blast meeting new people and enjoy those moments. After all life is all about experiences. Shoot the shit with your new riding buddies at the track and who gives a shit if you end up first or last. Battle with your friends and have fun bragging to them that you beat them or get picked on because you got lapped. Either way you put it you'll have fun and that's all that really counts in the grand scheme of things.
Have fun!
Im 31 and just re-entered the MX world. Had a bevy of 125's and 250F's. All Honda... I am 5'11" and about 175lbs. I went cold turkey, no bike or riding at all for 4 years. Too many concussions, mostly from Ice Hockey. I was in my early / mid twenties and wasn't willing to "back it down" for safety.
I race / rode for about 13 years, mid pack novice rider were my fastest days. I contemplated going back to a 125, just because of the ease of riding and fun. I had the chance to ride a 125 again before I bought and was just kind of left wanting a little more. There is upside and downside to the 125s. If you can ride a 125, you can ride anything, they are light and fun to dig into turns and blast.
That being said, for someone about my size, they require a lot of work and the versatility is limited to a certain extent. In the end I went for a used KTM 250 T. The bike is certainly more power than I need, but I also dont have to work so hard for it. Top ends will be few and far between, unlike the 125. Both are simple and inexpensive, tho. With the 250, it has more power than I need all the time, I just dont have to ride it as hard to have fun and go fast. I feel like its much less work, the power is a little more exhausting, but I dont have to ring it out and batter clutches to go fast.
I guess its very much dependent on skill level and intent of riding. If you feel OK with the power and extra weight of the 250T, I think its a better go in the long run. You size and weight are pretty much what they have in mind when the make 250Ts.
Make sure to Google the shift stopper issue and ask about it to the owner. You might need to make sure, although it seems like they all would have come apart by now.
I have an 06 and I am smaller than you are. But they rip. If you run out of steam on that, you'd be seriously rolling, so I'd go with a 125 for sure.
I guess another question I have is about the difference between 125s and 250s. Obviously power and speed, but I'm kind of getting the impression 250s are actually easier to ride?
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