Arwen

So I went riding dirt bikes in the national forest up by Priest Lake last summer, and had an absolute blast! I'm looking to pick up a bike of my own for this season, but have no clue what I'm looking at. I was talking to a sales person at a Yamaha shop when I was up there, and he was talking about the different models - how one was good for trail riding, one for this, one for that - do I remember which ones he was talking about? No, not at all. I would like to stick with a 2-cycle & am crazy about learning how to do the jumps/stunts. K, maybe I'm just crazy I've heard that a 125 will be too small, and a 250 should be about right. Last summer, I rode an old, old old beginner's 500 that was extremely forgiving, and a Husky 450 that wasn't so forgiving, but I managed OK. Opinions on KTM?

Please, dirt bike gurus, share your knowledge & opinions.

Bungeeguy

KTM's are nice but a little overpriced. The CRF 250's are a great bike and you can get an older honda for a good deal off craigslist. If price is not an option, the newer the better on any of the big 4

whitedevil

but I think she said she wanted to stick with the 2 smokers. Don't fall into the belief that a 125 is too small, this is a big misconception. The 125 2 smoker is a wicked machine.

Hoard

I've never been a big fan of the 2 strokes though...
Lot of extra work.

Arwen

? Please explain....

And I'm looking at a year 2000 + and trying to keep price under $2K.

stubby

Yes please explain

KTM is a great bike, but then again I'm biased as I own one, and my 2 smoker hasn't required any work thus far. When I first got it I changed fluids and spark plug, and cleaned the air filter, chain - basic maintenance you have to do to any bike.

whitedevil

oh, he must mean you have to mix the gas LMAO! Honestly, 2 smokers are by far easier and cheaper to maintain! So no clue what he is talking about. now HUSH! LMAO

Hoard

Yah, I'm lazy. Mixing gas sucks.
haha.

2wheelsdown

Just get a 4 wheeler. You can pack more beer on it. LOL

Exitwounds

Don't they race the 2 stroke 125's? They look faster than hell on tv.

The only bike I rode recently was an 07 CRF450, it was just stupid powerful. You spend a 1/3 of your time spinning the back tire, and it just demolishes everything you ride over.

katnip

I use to own a YZ125 2 stroke and I loved it, never got tired of it and it was just right for me. It was fast but not faster than I needed to go. I don't think they make them anymore so you would have to look at older used if you decide to go that route but don't rule out the good ole 4 stroke either cause I hear they can gear um to ride like a 2 stroke but don't take my word for it cause I never rode 4 strokes except for WD's once.

Mikey

Saw this ad on Craigslist and almost went for it but changed my mind instead. This would be a super cheap alternative to give you an idea if you want to do more dirt riding.
http://boise.craigslist.org/bar/1539873146.html

IDAHOBALLER

Of the Jap bikes the 06 and newer YZ125 is the shiznit. BY FAR the best suspension and chassis of all the 125's period, and have an awesome and tough engine! Of the KTM's the 08 and newer bikes have the best handling frames and the best forks that KTM has had thus far (on the sx and xc models). I would say that the KTM has the slightly more potent engine but the Yamaha is better everywhere else. The yamaha will be the better bang for the buck, but both brands make a killer 1/8th liter 2 smoke mx bike!

Personally I would stay away from the red, yellow, and green 125's. There are very good reasons why Yamaha and KTM OWN the 2 stroke market!

Waldo

When your ready to ride both a 125 and 250 2-smoker, give me a call and I'll let you try mine

whitedevil

Yea? But IdahoBaller said to stay away from Red, I mean isn't Yamaha the only way to go? LMFAO!

Waldo

Button, Button who has that button.

For most of us little people, any current bike will be fine. It is all what you are used to work on. I like 2-smokes.

Arwen

Sweet - thank you!

It will probably be a few weeks yet before I pick one up - thanks for all the input everybody

stubby

You should never give thanks, unless you know what you will have to do before/after riding said bikes.

Waldo

I only require basic maintenance

Oh wait I mean the bikes. really I ment the Bikes

Arwen

Ah, Stubby. Always a breath of fresh sarcasm

Arwen

Well, I'm pretty good at pumping up the tires and cleaning & lubing the chain.... on the bikes, I mean, really....

IDAHOBALLER

Im not bashing the other brands out there, I am just saying that of the current 125cc bikes the Yamaha and KTM 2 strokes are just better all around bikes. The gen 3 honda 2 stroke chassis is really nice but the honda engine is down on steam quite a bit when compared to the blue and orange bikes. The suzuki 125 and kawasaki 125 chassis and engines are not quite on par with the others, but they are still good bikes. Now days all bikes are pretty good, just some are slightly better in some areas.

I feel that the yamaha and the honda have the best chassis/suspension. I feel that the yamaha and the KTM have the best engines. I think the yamaha, KTM, and Honda have the best fit and finish and overall build quality. To me nothing special stands out about the rm and kx.

But with that said, they have some handling differences. The Yamaha and Kawi have the best stability, the KTM, Honda and Suzuki are better at tight cornering. Personally I feel that the Yamaha and Honda chassis are the best mix of turning ability and high speed stability. The KTMs turn really well, but are a bit nervous at higher speeds, and tend to deflect off of rocks and stuff.

125cc 2 strokes are the most fun bikes I think a person can ride, there is nothing like screaming one of them little things around the track. They are surprisingly fast as long as you keep the engine on the boil. I would really love to get a new KTM 150sx (144cc's) to use for mx track riding only. It is crazy how light the 125s feel, kinda like a big mountain bike with a rocket strapped to it...

Waldo

Sure, Sure the bikes

whitedevil

Now that, that was impressive! Very nice, I actually have a tear in my eye.....ok, it's because you wrote so much, but it's still beautiful! LOL

IDAHOBALLER

I just knew it would make you tear up WD... My writin skillz is are da bestest!