Trail Bikes

[hevysrf]

I'm looking at smaller trail bikes, 100 to 250 cc. I'm thinking 150 max for my 13 year old son and a 250 for me,( 50 years old, and I haven't ridden since the late 70's). I would like some feedback on reliabilty and performance of new, or, 2 to 3 year old bikes.
No one gives the hp figures on these bikes, so they are hard to compare,and many used ones say "New Top End". I would prefer simple fun bikes with reasonable performance and good reliablity for sunday afternoon fun, not maintainance intensive racers.
What discounts off list can I expect if I buy new? List prices look crazy. Honda crf250 is $6600 and their 230 is 3600, $3k for 20 cc. I'm way behind the learning curve, so any info would be appreciated. Thanks MartyD

[10.5' Tunnel]

The "new top end" ones are most likely 2 strokes. If your getting something newer, I would only look at 4 strokes. THere by far more dependable and less finicky. The hondas always seem to command a bigger buck, so if your looking for a better deal you should also look at yamahas. Very comparable bikes. If all you want is a trail bike, you could probably get away with a crf230 instead of the crf250 which is more of a motocross bike. There also cheaper. I would just go out and find some clean used bikes. Your both probably gonna drop the bikes, and it would suck to do that right off the showroom floor

[Redneck]

You are supposed to do a top end on 4 strokes every 50 hours or so. 2 strokes recomend something like 20 hours, but 50 is usualy fine. If you get playbikes, like the CRF230, you can go further on a top end. But, when the time comes, 4 strokes cost 4 times as much to do a top end on. You are changing valves, springs, retainers, getting the seats machined or replaced, as well as changing the piston and rings. 2 strokes are a lot cheaper to do, and easier if you do it yourself. I like the power delivery of a smoker, but 4 strokes are great bikes as well. Find something that fits you and your price range and enjoy. Do adjust the valves on the 4 stroke every 5-10 hours or that top end can become a total rebuild.

[HiLift]

My son and I both ride older Honda XR's, his a modded 100 and mine an old 350. Great bikes with linear power curves and adequate suspensions if you just doing trails. Parts are relatively cheap and plentiful. Think more of tractors rather than race bikes when checking these out.
I love mine and I'll never get rid of it although I can see me adding an XR650R to the stable!

[RIVERRUMMER 70]

My son and I both ride older Honda XR's, his a modded 100 and mine an old 350. Great bikes with linear power curves and adequate suspensions if you just doing trails. Parts are relatively cheap and plentiful. Think more of tractors rather than race bikes when checking these out.
I love mine and I'll never get rid of it although I can see me adding an XR650R to the stable!

THE BEST BIKE EVR MADE, BEAT MY XR600 TO DEATH OVER AND OVER,
FROM EVERY MUD HOLE AND CORNFIELD TO W.F.O ON THE ICE IT NEVER QUIT, AND I TRIED TO KILL IT MANY TIMES, YOU CANT GO WRONG !
XR 650 IS A BIG BOY BIKE BE CAREFULL IT IS A TORQUE MONSTER THAT WILL BITE YOU HARD!!!! BIG DIFF FROM A 350 XR!!!!
BUT DONT LET THAT STOP YOU FROM GETTIN ONE!:D

[HiLift]

I'm not afraid of a 650 anything!:)
I've been riding for close to forty years, have ridden motoX in my younger days and still vintage roadrace when I can keep the old gal running. I still have nine bikes in my stable (Kwacker triples too!) with my main ride a 1979 Honda CBX. I'm currently shopping for a 1999 copper Hayabusa in MINT shape.

[oldskier]

If you have been out of it since the '70's, the long travel, high seat heights will initally be a problem for you. The modern four stroke racers are just as peaky and unforgiving as the old two strokes. They are purpose built race bikes with (for a CRF450) 50+ HP. I'd go for a used XR until you get your skills back. If you were used to an old 2 stroke, the will feel heavy. They are bulletproof and have a ton of torque. Don't try to rev 'em, short shift and go.

[tripledude2]

I'm not afraid of a 650 anything!:)
I've been riding for close to forty years, have ridden motoX in my younger days and still vintage roadrace when I can keep the old gal running. I still have nine bikes in my stable (Kwacker triples too!) with my main ride a 1979 Honda CBX. I'm currently shopping for a 1999 copper Hayabusa in MINT shape.
Us old farts must think alike...I've got a 72 H2 now and sold my CBX driver six years ago. Nice color pick on your Hayabusa quest. My current fleet is seven with some going on ebay real quick.

[tripledude2]

If you have been out of it since the '70's, the long travel, high seat heights will initally be a problem for you. The modern four stroke racers are just as peaky and unforgiving as the old two strokes. They are purpose built race bikes with (for a CRF450) 50+ HP. I'd go for a used XR until you get your skills back. If you were used to an old 2 stroke, the will feel heavy. They are bulletproof and have a ton of torque. Don't try to rev 'em, short shift and go.
I agree about those seat heights for someone who hasn't done dirt in awhile. It doesn't help the "fall down factor" when you can't touch the ground.;) I've often thought of an on/off double purpose bike. Or maybe a nice Bultaco Pursang.;)

[Jason Huber]

HODAKA ROAD TOAD: THE KING OF TRAILBIKES!! :D

[Redneck]

HODAKA ROAD TOAD: THE KING OF TRAILBIKES!! :D
I always liked the Super Rat and Combat Wombat. Fun little 2 strokes.

[Hack02]

If you havn't ridden since the late 70's you'll be amazed at the suspension and handling of todays modern bikes. A XR250 would make a great get back into the sport trailbike for an adult, as long as your not too heavy. Personally, I ride a Honda CRF450R for both track and trail.

[DooDad]

The CRF230 is a solid bike. My wife rides one and it will do almost any trail my CRF450X will do...just slower with less suspension. If speed is not your goal, a person can have a lot of fun on the 230. The difference between the CRF250X and CRF230F trail bikes are a lot more than 20cc, Water cooling, disc brakes on both ends, fully adj suspensions and about 15-20hp. There really is no comparison other than 2 wheels.

I have an 11 year old daughter and she will soon be riding the 230. There is a lowering link that lowers the rear suspension almost 2". She learned to ride on a CRF80 . Even entered an amateur motocross race with it. Won one race and a second in another. She hasn't looked back since.

[Dutch]

honda crf all the way. i have a 450, i think the 250 would be much
better except for on the biggest of hills. i ride the really tight stuff,
a smaller bike wouldnt take as much effort to throw around.
http://i15.tinypic.com/4ig4lyg.jpg

[Dutch]

i think an adult with any type of agressive nature would
get bored on the 230 very fast. i only started riding dirt
bikes about ten years ago, and my first bike was a
honda xr200. i sold it in about two weeks, i think i could
run faster up a hill than that thing went.