TRAIL MOTORCYCLE??????

[SCORPION]

I want to buy a trail motorcycle and I want to know what I should buy? Brand, power CC's/size, and best price. I want to use it in the woods and trails in Missouri.

[EVAN III]

### ### I would say if you weigh under 175 lbs and just want a bike to play around on the trails with, go with the Honda XR 250 if your a bigger guy go with the XR 400. Anything bigger might be a little heavy to throw around on the tight trails. Yamaha has similar sizes and are also good bikes. The Yamaha's are set up a little differently, more for motorcross type riding. If you want to go for performance Honda has a new bike out that will blow away any four stroke out there. The CR-F 450 (Honda) is said to be the leader. From what I understand there is a waiting list for this bike. If you want something in a smaller size they are also planning (so I've heard) to build a CR-F 250. What ever you chose I would stick with a four stroke, They require a lot less maintaince then two stroke motors.

(Edited by EVAN III at 2:41 am on Jan. 22, 2002)

[foulshot]

I would would say the four stroke is the way to go for the trails. ###It would have better bottom end power, and you don't have to worry about fouling plugs, mixing gas and all the other maintenance that goes with a 2 stroke.
Personally I prefer http://www.ktmusa.com. ###I have a 2-stroke, but it is more for motocross. ###They have the 400 MXC that come in 4 stroke great for trail riding. ###Whatever you do, I would take a test ride before you buy, that way you know if the bike fits you right. ###Let us know what you get and give us a report.

[MNTNMAN]

I AGREE, KTM HAS THE BEST TRAIL BIKES OUT RIGHT NOW. SPENDY BUT WORTH IT. IF YOU CAN GAT AHOLD OF ONE. I CANT GET AHOLD OF A 520 ON THE WEST COAST TO SAVE MY LIFE.

DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE?
IF NOT, DONT GO WITH THE BIG BIKES. THEY WILL ONLY GIVE YOU BAD MEMORIES. I WOULD SAY BUY A USED 4 STROKE KTM OR HONDA, THEN GET THE BIG BOY. THE KTM 400 IS PROBABLY THE BEST 400 ON THE MARKET, IN MY OPINION. BEATS ALL OTHER 400'S, HONDA, SUZUKI, AND YZ426.

[Hogskin]

If you decide on a 2 stroke, you can put a flywheel weight on it to make it a lot more "woods-friendly". ###You can also easily change the gearing. ###I used to ride YZ250's and easily adapted mine to a good trail bike. ###Yeah, the gas/oil mixing is a small hassle, but I liked the suspension and the weight of the 2 strokes. ###Generally cheaper, too.

Regards,
Paul

[h2obobh2o]

For strictly trail riding I would say any four stroke would be good,KTM's are awesome, but the Honda's are good too. I have a Suzuki RMX, the "trail" version of the RM 250, it is a two stroke machine, and when I use it for trail riding, it loads up like a S.O.B, I need to carry four or five extra spark plugs on a 20 mile trail ride. It's not bad if you get on the throttle and ride like a maniac, but I'm not as young as I used to be, and it hurts like hell when I get thrown from the bike!! I am getting ready to sell it, and buy a Polaris 4 wheeler!!

[jackrabbit]

I've been getting interested in looking for a used Suzuki DR (they go up in size to the DR600 I think). ###Anybody had any experience with these Enduro type street legal bikes?

[EVAN III]

### Jackrabbit,
I normally frown on suzuki, but I have to say the DR is a hell of a bike. A friend that I ride with every now and then has one. It seems like a well made bike. He has never had any problems that I know of. He has the 400 by the way. I'm not sure but I think the 400 is the biggest Suzuki made. Now don't qoute me on that, I've been wrong before. Oh ya the 400 has plenty of power, unless you weigh over 250 lbs then you might want to look into something in the 600/650 class, or just get some suspension, pipe, jet kit, and a smaller sprocket installed on a 400. That should increase the weight cap. enough for just about any size rider.

### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###Evan III

[jackrabbit]

I only weigh 150, and I have short legs (28" inseam, crotch to floor). ###There is currently a 1990 DR 250 in the local paper for $1000. ###The newer bikes cost more of course. ###In the 60's I used to ride a 2 stroke Bultaco Matador, and it had all the power I needed for trail riding. ###In the 70's, my wife and I had 2 stroke 125 cc Rickmans with the Zundapp engine. ###I geared them down and they rode like trials bikes in the rough stuff, with their 250 size nickel coated frames. ###But even though the little 125 Zundapp put out a lot of hp on the high end, it was almost impossible to lift the front end at speed when I needed to clear an obstacle, like I could with my Bultaco. ###In about a year, I could probably spring the $$ for about a $2000 DR 400, used. ###I really like the enduro bikes for hunting, I see a lot more game scouting on them than I do in my 4wd 73 Bronco, they just move so much faster and easier in the rough stuff, I get to see the game before they head over the nearest ridge, then I at least know I'm in a good general area. ###One more thing, most of the secondary forest roads in California only allow street legal motorcycles or quads.

(Edited by jackrabbit at 2:02 pm on Feb. 3, 2002)

[EVAN III]

### ### I would say JUMP ON that DR 250 for $1000 if you can. A 250 should be perfect for trail riding. As for the enduro, you are right on, a lot of the roads in california are street legal only, so I can see how an enduro works out great. If you want a little more power I say wait tell you can get the 400. Anyway good luck.

[Bill in SD]

Have you guys ever heard of the fat tire bike or "goof bikes"? ###I think they are made by Suzuki and have big tires like a quad, only they are two wheelers.

A buddy wants to give me his. ###It does not work, the kick starter is broken along with some other stuff. ###It is about an '86.

Bill

[jackrabbit]

I have a 1973 fat tire Suzuki with a 90 cc engine. ###It's low powered, but a lot of fun. ###The steering is really weird on hard pavement though as the fat sidewalls grab the asphalt and try to jerk the wheel to the side in your turns, so you have to keep a firm and steady grip on the bars. ###No real suspension in it to soak up any bumps at any speed, and obviously there is not enough power to lift the front end over anything. ###I was still able to order running gear parts for it from a Suzuki dealer in SoCal who still had the parts book. ###As for mirrors, tail lights, etc., I just drilled and tapped the old brackets from 8 mm to 10 mm to mount modern accessories -- but still had to find bulbs with the proper voltage for the electrical system. ###I can still get batteries from Kragen auto (Exide). ###But I had both a Honda Trail 90 and a Bultaco 250 in my younger days, and there is no comparison, even for scouting. ###I picked mine up in good physical condition for $100 from a buddy who had it garaged for 20 years. ###All I had to do to get it running was remove and clean the carburetor (the jets always get clogged up if it sits for a while with fuel in the carb), and get a new battery and charger. ###If you can't find a replacement kick starter, maybe you can get the broken one welded up. ###If you can start it by squirting starter fluid through the carb or spark plug hole, you can get it to run.

[Tominator]

I had a Kaw kdx 200 when I was in the Navy and it hauled me around for 4 years without a problem. Great for getting to those out of the way trout streams.
Tominator

[prohunter]

A FatCat made by Honda is the only way to go hunting/trail riding. The only problem is they don't make them anymore. If you just want to Buzzzz around alot then go with something else.

[Bill in SD]

Jackrabbit, it is a Yamaha bigwheel 200.
Bill

[jackrabbit]

That sounds like it is big enough to have a lot of fun. ###Maybe you should call some dealers to check on parts availability.

(Edited by jackrabbit at 7:36 pm on Feb. 7, 2002)

[jayber]

XT350-400 or KDX200. ###The KDX has a little more flywheel and is great for trails.

[Shep]

Heres another vote for the Suzuki DR.I recently bought a '95 350 and im in love with it,plenty of power,easy to handle,decent center of gravity,and of course quieter than a 2 stroke,even with the Supertrap on it.I paid $1,800.00 for it,seemed like a decent deal,and i looked/rode all kinds of bikes,both bigger and smaller in size.Good luck to you.

[Native Instinct]

I live in California so being street legal has big advantages in terms of the number of places to ride. ###Many unpaved, remote, forest service roads prohibit off-road riding. ###If you live close to the trail riding you can also leave from your house instead of loading up the bike and driving to the trail head. ###My rides have taken me to very remote places where I find myself lifting my bike over fallen trees or starting on steep or difficult terrain. ###A light bike with electric start is the way to go. ###I have a Yamaha TTR 250 with a Baja Kit added (makes it minimum street legal) and Yamaha XT 225 street legal out of the box and a great trail bike. ###I just got the 225 on Yamahas current 3.9% promo - $49 a month. ###Enduro sales have increased over the past year as people find fewer places to legally ride XR's, YZ's, DR's etc.

[MNTNMAN]

Why would the XR or the DR's not be street legal. Both have the option for street legal kits. I must be missing something here.

[Native Instinct]

Your not missing anything - your right they can be street legal. ###I like the XR but it does not have electric start. ###I don't know enough about DR's to have included them in my comment.

[prohunter]

Native Instinct,
### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### I am too looking for a Dual Purpose bike. I am currently looking at the Yamaha's. What made you go with the XT 225 over the TW 200. I would like your opinion. I am kind of leaning towards the 200. Thanks.

[Native Instinct]

Prohunter,

I really did not focus on the TW. ###Personal taste reasons only though - not too hot on the look of fat tires. ###For all I know though it may be a better bike for your needs. ###You may want to compare the resale value / demand of each on the used market to see which hold its value better. ###Either way you will have a lot of fun!