What Trail Bike?

[steveh]

i went from a

ktm 450 exc to a 200, deffo quicker on the 200.

 

[Tarmac Teaser]

Don't you like the guy A fecking 300cc two stroke for a novice offroader Sorry mate thats not good advice

Sorry mate but the throttle goes both ways, I was a novice when I got my 300.

Great fun

 

[Flipfly]

As mentioned the gas gas 200 is also worth a look, may come up in the same condition but at a cheaper price (they are cheaper to start with), it's all a bit hazy now, but i rode one a few years back that had some power valve or exhaust modification (american i think?), and this gave the bike masses amount of bottom end torque...almost on par with my Te 410 husqvarna that i had at the time.

Good choice anyhow!!

I think they all have a powervalve, but there is a gadget that improves them significantly. My bros 300 gasser was far easier to ride than the KTM.

The KTM just goes spastic when it hits the powerband, not good when you get caught going uphill

Only problem with the Gasser is that the finish isn't as good as the KTM IMHO that's why they were cheaper. KTM will hold it's value well if you buy right. I bought a 300 for £2200 and sold it for £2600 a year later. It had 800 miles on it when I bought it and was only 18 months old

Keep you eye out for the right deal and don't rush into it.

Funniest thing I've every seen was my bro test riding it from the shop. Set off in front of the shop owner, tickled it up the road, turned around and then soooooooooooooooooo nearly flipped it coming back up the road He said it was controlled but there was no way

 

[Pipster]

Sorry mate but the throttle goes both ways,

Its when it goes the wrong way when you get out of shape you'll defo be a lot quicker on a smaller bike ...

 

[Taff]

I had an identical question a couple of years ago.

Have a look in THIS THREAD - there's loads of good advice and suggestions in it.

 

[LiquidLAN]

XR400

I got a XR250 Baja just under a year ago and have have no end of fun with it, I think it cost my under £1500, I've had plenty of chance to fettle with it, totally turned the preformance around and had great fun in the process

I've always found it a little lacking, it's done pretty much everything I've asked of it, but I just couldnt get it to wheelie (dont ask my why this is important to me ) but it never got me into any trouble and its been a great cheap starting point - plus its a bullet proof engine that doesnt need maintenance every 10 hours

I've just bought a WR450F and its great, not as much of a handful as I was expecting, but I'm glad I had the 250 1st. To be honest I've riden the WR250F previously and it would have been more than enough for everything I wanted to do, but this WR450F was just immaculate and couldnt be passed up.

The only down side I see with the WRs is the amount of maintenance they need, but then they are race engines... you pays your money and takes a choice - I'm happy with both of mine so far

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Buy something with an electric start and no radiators untill you learn how to not fall of

If you fancy a bike put it down on its side then try picking it up. Do this five or six times then imagine it covered in 30lbs of shitty mud. How easy is it to pick up now?

 

[Tarmac Teaser]

Buy something with an electric start and no radiators untill you learn how to not fall of

If you fancy a bike put it down on its side then try picking it up. Do this five or six times then imagine it covered in 30lbs of shitty mud. How easy is it to pick up now?

Well said that man.

Problem is I can't think of many newish ones that don't have a radiator so it looks like it would need to be an older model.

Plus imagine it stuck in a bog with 12 inches of gloop and then try and get it out by yourself when your knackered.

2 stroke for lightness and simplicity.
4 stroke for longevity and better fuel consumption

 

[AdamA]

Well said that man.

Problem is I can't think of many newish ones that don't have a radiator so it looks like it would need to be an older model.

CR230F.
Perfect bike for a newbie, especially shorter ones.