Recommend me a starter trail bike

[Wrinkly]

After my exploits on Sunday,I've decided that learning to trail ride,especially on the muddy stuff is only going to knacker both myself and my 650X/Country.
So I'm looking for a cheapish and more managable bike to learn on.

What would the collective recommend.

The X/Country isn't for sale by the way.

Steve

 

[timeandtide]

After my exploits on Sunday,I've decided that learning to trail ride,especially on the muddy stuff is only going to knacker both myself and my 650X/Country.
So I'm looking for a cheapish and more managable bike to learn on.

What would the collective recommend.

The X/Country isn't for sale by the way.

Steve

KTM 350 Freeride!

 

[Chris R]

xr250

Honda XR 250 nice a light with enough power for most things. Cheap, very reliable and imports have electric start.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

XR250, but k/start may be no good for you, being short legged

TTR250 electric and kick - fully legal and ideal for you

 

[Firesorter]

yamaha wr250 (lighter than XR and leccy start, less gay than TTR) cheap, plentiful, reliable, fix it yerself fun, ( I had one then went to 450 only for more grunt)

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

yamaha wr250 (lighter than XR and leccy start, less gay than TTR) cheap, plentiful, reliable, fix it yerself fun, ( I had one then went to 450 only for more grunt)

He wants a trail bike, not an enduro bike and knowing Steve.... a WR is way beyond his capabilities (in a nice way)

CRF230

TTR250

Beta Alp 200/400

XR250 with leccy start (import)

SL230

A DRZ400 would be too much for you, so don't go there

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Loving my new 13yo XR250, suits me fine and is better than my modest capabilities

If I need more whoosh, I take out the 650 XChallenge

 

[boxerfrogs]

Suzuki DR350 could be just right, especially one with a 'leccy starter.

 

[Timolgra]

TTR250 electric and kick - fully legal and ideal for you

THE perfect bike for his needs

 

[slimbo]

have a look at the ajp bikes they are never going to set the world on fire but for 4.5 k you can bag a brand new 250 injected with leccy start..(and road legal toboot)

its simply a honda derived engine made under licence and the bikes are manufactured in portugal.

two year warranty and a not bad build quality.

a very capable machine for the man whoo can feel the bottom of his pocket.

do a search as a new one may be the better route than buying an allegedly never raced minter from johnny gofast?

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Honda Baja 250 which is an import twin head lights electric start XR 250 really . Great bikes and easy on the trails. We use them on Camboenduro

 

[Wrinkly]

Forgive my ignorance,
Could someone please tell me the difference between,TRAIL and ENDURO.

Ta, Steve.

 

[Timolgra]

Forgive my ignorance,
Could someone please tell me the difference between,TRAIL and ENDURO.

Ta, Steve.

Enduro: think KTM, Husaberg ie. fast exciting/ painful high maintenance

Trail: think TTR, XR ie. will go anywhere, low maintenance, less painful.

etc

 

[Wrinkly]

Enduro: think KTM, Husaberg ie. fast exciting/ painful high maintenance

Trail: think TTR, XR ie. will go anywhere, low maintenance, less painful.

etc

Thank you.
Trail it is then looks like TTR or XR,although TTR looks as though it might be a bit tall, then again if it's only light I might manage

Joanne says I'm to old to be starting all that off road milarky,and that I should get an some sort of classic to tinker about with

I say life's to short

Steve

 

[Timolgra]

Thank you.
Trail it is then looks like TTR or XR,although TTR looks as though it might be a bit tall, then again if it's only light I might manage

Joanne says I'm to old to be starting all that off road milarky,and that I should get an some sort of classic to tinker about with

I say life's to short

Steve

Most XRs are kick start only, it doesn't sound like that's good for you.

TTR250s are electric and kick, very forgiving to ride, plenty fast enough and importantly, you can get a Kouba lowering link for them to lower the rear end, just remember to drop the forks as well (about an inch). The Serrow may well be worth considering.

There's other bikes that also fit the bill, your bill, but honestly can't think of anything more suitable and you needn't spent a fortune.

Respectfully, in you're shoes/slippers, don't consider anything bigger than a 250

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Respectfully, in you're shoes/slippers, don't consider anything bigger than a 250

Wot he says..........................if I can get on ok with an XR250, a 250 will be fine

 

[MarkShelley]

My little KLR250 is perfectly adequate for greenlaning. It is kick start, but it is easy to start and is a low seat height compared to most. You can get a good one for less than a grand. I paid £500 for mine.

 

[Fanum]

After my exploits on Sunday,I've decided that learning to trail ride,especially on the muddy stuff is only going to knacker both myself and my 650X/Country.
So I'm looking for a cheapish and more managable bike to learn on.

What would the collective recommend.
Steve

I'm wondering if your approach isn't arse about faced?

{clause 1} If you just want to buy another bike by the way, totally disregard this and go do it.
{clause 2} Likewise, I don't think I've ever met you so I don't know if you are 35Lbs soaking wet, doddery or really REALLY short legs, so if any of those are true, also please disregard this.

I think though (seeing as you asked ) you're looking at it the wrong way around.....you already have the right bike to learn on, you're just learning on the wrong stuff

Instead of going all the way down to an underpowered 250 (see my clause#2 though) that you will probably become utterly bored with in 3 months, why not downgrade the trails you're riding and get some confidence......even getting a new pair of wheels to keep as spare with some proper off road tyres will be a lot cheaper than getting another bike, and will help you get the confidence it seems you need (see my clause#1 though)

Trails can range from the extreme to just a rutted road, and with a bit of knowledgeable help from the guys here, I'm sure you'd find some 'beginner's trails' to go play on.

Within a couple of riding hours, especially if you can go out with Johnny or Timpo or Timothy or Gaylord or someone, you'll probably find yourself very happy on the Xcountry

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I'm wondering if your approach isn't arse about faced?

{clause 1} If you just want to buy another bike by the way, totally disregard this and go do it.
{clause 2} Likewise, I don't think I've ever met you so I don't know if you are 35Lbs soaking wet, doddery or really REALLY short legs, so if any of those are true, also please disregard this.

I think though (seeing as you asked ) you're looking at it the wrong way around.....you already have the right bike to learn on, you're just learning on the wrong stuff

Instead of going all the way down to an underpowered 250 (see my clause#2 though) that you will probably become utterly bored with in 3 months, why not downgrade the trails you're riding and get some confidence......even getting a new pair of wheels to keep as spare with some proper off road tyres will be a lot cheaper than getting another bike, and will help you get the confidence it seems you need (see my clause#1 though)

Trails can range from the extreme to just a rutted road, and with a bit of knowledgeable help from the guys here, I'm sure you'd find some 'beginner's trails' to go play on.

Within a couple of riding hours, especially if you can go out with Johnny or Timpo or Timothy or Gaylord or someone, you'll probably find yourself very happy on the Xcountry

Very true Bill

Steve is about 5'7 or 8 and slight build - he could handle the XCountry fine on trails I took him on last year and it was slimy too

I reckon he needs better tyres eg TKC's

I believe he went out with the TRF on some trickier lanes, at a bit of a faster pace, than I would have gone for a beginner

He's welcome to try my XR on a trail, to see it suits him better

Problem with the 650 is that you have to be committed sometimes and 'gun it' when it gets tricky, getting the back end a bit 'squirrelly' or lifting the front wheel on the power over an obstacle or jumping a ditch/rock

This is fine if
a) You're a confident rider
b) You're experienced
c) You're on decent knobbly tyres

Discount any of these three above and 53hp and 150kg fuelled will bite you back

 

[Wrinkly]

Very true Bill

Steve is about 5'7 or 8 and slight build - he could handle the XCountry fine on trails I took him on last year and it was slimy too

I reckon he needs better tyres eg TKC's

I believe he went out with the TRF on some trickier lanes, at a bit of a faster pace, than I would have gone for a beginner

He's welcome to try my XR on a trail, to see it suits him better

Problem with the 650 is that you have to be committed sometimes and 'gun it' when it gets tricky, getting the back end a bit 'squirrelly' or lifting the front wheel on the power over an obstacle or jumping a ditch/rock

This is fine if
a) You're a confident rider
b) You're experienced
c) You're on decent knobbly tyres

Discount any of these three above and 53hp and 150kg fuelled will bite you back

Well actually I'm a good 5'9" and 14st 10lb,despite my health problems of a couple of years ago (heart bypass) I'm pretty fit and physically fairly strong.
Never come across a stiff top on a jar of pickled onions that's beat me yet

I really like my X/Country, as a second bike it suits my needs.
I think John is possibly right in so much as we were on some very tricky lanes for a heavy bike on tourance tyres with an inexperienced rider on board and yes to me the pace did feel fairly quick.

Maybe I do just need to get some TKC's on my bike and stick to some easier lanes until I gain some experience.

John I would be most grateful to take you up on your offer of a go on your 250 before committing to buying another bike.

I'm of skiing for a week on Saturday,thankfully I'm a much better skiier than an offroader,when I return I'll get some TKC's fitted to mine and give you a pm to see if we can arrange something.

Many Thanks John,and thanks to everyone for their recommendations and advice
Steve.