getting into dirt | GTAMotorcycle.com

getting into dirt

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draze

Member
So, I have huge problems with getting a road bike, biggest ones being insurance and parents. I decided to get myself a dirt bike and have already got a lot of questions, but am not sure where to find answers.

1. Insurance. Is it significantly cheaper then a street bike? I was going to get a dirt bike, not dual sport. I'm 21, male, just got my m2, have full G, clean record.

2. Why are the prices so different for dirt bikes, they all look the same? Apart from an engine size.

3. How much CC's is needed for trail riding? Is dual sport a need?

4. I will need to get a trailer, possibly for two bikes. How much are those and where do you get them?

I think that should get me started. Thanks for your input.
 
1. You should call State Farm and find out a ballpark figure for youself,I pay $117. a year for a 2010 KTM 300

2. You have air cooled 4stroke engine eg. Honda CRF 230 which is a entry level trail bike with ok suspension and brakes,and liquid cooled 4stroke MX bike with full race suspension and brakes(better parts and modern engine) Also you have 2stroke bikes which some companies stopped building around 2007 so some of those might be cheaper.You also have purpose built brand new 2stroke bikes like KTM,GasGas,Yamaha,Husky.....all ride different and you need to know what you want to do with the bike.What I did is that I went to trailtours at Ganaraska forest for the day and tryed different bikes,they will also teach you how to ride a dirt bike.

3.Depends on what kind of power you want and are comfortable with,a 250f is more easy to ride and has a more smoother powerband than a 2stroke 250.I would start on a 250 4stroke or a 125,200,250 2stoke,that way it will be ok for a few years until youre ready for another bike.

4.You can pick up a new trailer from $800-$1200 dollars or get a used one for around $300 and up.

Good luck and feel free to ask more questions,hopefully others will chime in and give you more suggestions becouse this is just my opinion others might have different views on this.It all depends if you like 2or4stroke.
 
What do you intend to do with the bike? If you just want to go out and hit the trails, you won't need something as serious as a full on motocross race bike.
Canuck gave pretty much all the info I would have.

I really suggest not going to a 450 for a first bike. I have been racing a couple years and grew up riding a bit of everything, I still am riding a 250f. Tried a few 450s and you just can't use all that power, it's more of a hinderance (worrying about too much throttle) and the extra weight isn't worth the extra power that you can't tap in to. Have a friend that got herself in to riding with some bad advice and bought a 450 as a first bike. One ride on my 250 and she decided to change up for the smaller bike and is enjoying it a lot more.

Maintenance is pretty dirt simple, but is something all dirt bike require often. Oil changes (I do mine about every 3 hours) and air filter cleanings every weekend. Vavle checks on 4strokes at required hours, top-end rebuilds on 2 strokes (very simple) every so many hours too.

The prices in bikes varies so much because of the technology. Sure, they look similar and simple, but they are just as advanced as the current street bikes, just in different ways (no Traction control or ABS as that could actually be an issue off-road). Even a few years between similar models is a huge change. I went from an 04 to a 2010 version of the same bike and the difference was noticeable immediately.

Don't forget gear, good helmet (you WILL use it for it's intended purpose... I have helmet cam footage for examples if you want lol) and good boots to save your ankles.

Bring a good attitude and enjoy learning, have fun! Starting off in the dirt is the best way to learn for the street. You will have an imense advantage over anyone else starting on a street bike.
 
Is the insurance different on the motocross bike and off-road use only dual-sport? I would assume dual-sport is as much as the road bike?
 
No, I dont think so. If you dont have the dual-sport blue plated for road use, the insurance should be comparable. That being said, why buy a dual-sport bike if you're going to be offroad only?
 
draze said:
So, I have huge problems with getting a road bike, biggest ones being insurance and parents. I decided to get myself a dirt bike and have already got a lot of questions, but am not sure where to find answers.

1. Insurance. Is it significantly cheaper then a street bike? I was going to get a dirt bike, not dual sport. I'm 21, male, just got my m2, have full G, clean record.

2. Why are the prices so different for dirt bikes, they all look the same? Apart from an engine size.

3. How much CC's is needed for trail riding? Is dual sport a need?

4. I will need to get a trailer, possibly for two bikes. How much are those and where do you get them?

I think that should get me started. Thanks for your input.
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be prepared for some injuries.....I have never seen so many guys wearing casts on the sidelines like I did at a motocross track I rode on. Insurance will obviously not cover lost wages like street bike insurance does if you bail on the street.
Top end maintenance can get expensive on a four stroke.
 
murf said:
be prepared for some injuries.....I have never seen so many guys wearing casts on the sidelines like I did at a motocross track I rode on. Insurance will obviously not cover lost wages like street bike insurance does if you bail on the street.
Top end maintenance can get expensive on a four stroke.
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+1 on the injuries once you start getting competitive (or just play stupid). I'm always coming in to work Monday morning limping, with new bruises or a new hole in the body. Knees are always a bit sore during my MX season, but it can put on some upper body muscle.

Top end maintenance on a 4 stroke... If you look after the bike, it's not an issue. Check the valves, constant oil and filter changes and it's good. I have seen a Yamaha with 150 hrs on the original top end before he decided to freshen it up.
 
i dont think its first starting out that injurys are the problem, i think its half a year after starting, where you start to actually get some air, and move with a bit of speed, but still lack the skill to get out of anything.

I remember when i started i was so slow that if i did crash it was more of a tip over then a crash, and thus didnt hurt much, but once I got moving i started breaking bones, i only started 4 years ago, maybe it was 5, i dunno, im still by no means fast, but can actually do a few jumps, and have broken my wrist, thumb, and gone over the bars a few times, 2 separated shoulders, and a basketball sized welt in the middle of the back.

Buy the best safety gear you can afford, like the others said
 
I started with my CRF 230 Honda and I love it. So durable and reliable (Hondas are known for that) -- I'd advise against any 2 strokes because of the oil/gas combo every time you fill the tank. Such a drag for beginner riders! Get something you don't mind lifting up every time you drop it, some of these cross breed bikes with blinkers, etc. can get pretty heavy out there in the woods and premium brands like KTM or Husky aren't worth the investment if you're learning. Stick with Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki etc. so you can beat the crap out of it -- trust me you will! And your skill level will skyrocket quicker than the roadies as a result :)

GP Bikes is great for gear, etc. when you're ready. Depending on your height and confidence the cc's don't really matter. Just go with a bike that suits you. I'm currently looking at upgrading to a KTM 250 and they keep saying it's too big a bike for me. Just don't get a used bike, you can't trust what they've been through and the cost tends to not be a big diff anyway.

Good luck! You're going to love it! Ganaraska Forest is where I ride, highly recommend!!!
 
Oh -- and don't worry about falling or getting hurt. The gear is pretty decent these days, the most you'll get is a couple of bruises. Much better than having a cab hit you downtown! Honda 250 CRF 4-stroke. -- do it! :)
 
There's no reason to stick to a 4 stroke (other than they have more beginner oriented bikes) and used is never a bad idea, if you know what to look for. I'm going to be selling two shortly that I've owned since new but unfortunatly there not somthing you want to learn on. The ganaraska is by far the best trail riding around and well worth the year pass.
 
I dont get why people think mixing a couple of oz. of oil in your fuel is reason enough to stay away from a 2stroke lol.Actually a 2 stroke KDX 200 is a very good starter bike.I dont know why some people are afraid of power,I started on a RM125 when I was 14.Just dont twist that throttle as much until youre comfortable.
 
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Any off road bike is maintenance intensive. If mixing oil and gas is too much hassle you have likely picked the wrong sport. Even if you ride a stone axe old style 4 stroke you will still need to wash the bike, clean and re-oil air filters, change engine oil, lube and adjust chain, check tire pressures, and lubricate misc moving parts. And that is just the bare minimum.

If you are just starting out I would stay away from MX bikes. Pick a mild mannered woods bike. Several have already been mentioned, but I think a used KDX is a good choice.
 
If you stick to track days your don't need insurance. There are tracks all over Ontario that charge around 30 a day to ride. I'd recommend a crf250r. Fun bikes and a hell of a lot safer for a new rider than the 450, although iv never had as much fun on a track as on a 450.
 
BrianZ said:
Any off road bike is maintenance intensive. If mixing oil and gas is too much hassle you have likely picked the wrong sport. Even if you ride a stone axe old style 4 stroke you will still need to wash the bike, clean and re-oil air filters, change engine oil, lube and adjust chain, check tire pressures, and lubricate misc moving parts. And that is just the bare minimum.



Very true. I spent more time maintaining then riding. All of whT you listed happens after each ride.
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efarquharson said:
I started with my CRF 230 Honda and I love it. So durable and reliable (Hondas are known for that) -- I'd advise against any 2 strokes because of the oil/gas combo every time you fill the tank. Such a drag for beginner riders! Get something you don't mind lifting up every time you drop it, some of these cross breed bikes with blinkers, etc. can get pretty heavy out there in the woods and premium brands like KTM or Husky aren't worth the investment if you're learning. Stick with Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki etc. so you can beat the crap out of it -- trust me you will! And your skill level will skyrocket quicker than the roadies as a result :)

GP Bikes is great for gear, etc. when you're ready. Depending on your height and confidence the cc's don't really matter. Just go with a bike that suits you. I'm currently looking at upgrading to a KTM 250 and they keep saying it's too big a bike for me. Just don't get a used bike, you can't trust what they've been through and the cost tends to not be a big diff anyway.

Good luck! You're going to love it! Ganaraska Forest is where I ride, highly recommend!!!
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It's not hard to throw in a bit of pre-mix. Not difficult to measure out a ratio if you passed grade 4 math...

My last bike before this brand new one I have now was a 2 year old used ex race bike... And that thing (an 04 YZ250F) had less problems (I recall none other than a flat tire here and there) than my new one has in the past 6 months of ridden it (2 blown fork seals, blown rear shock and seems to be a bit more delicate in the crashes).
Would I buy used again if I was starting out? Sure would. Just be sure you inspect it really good and take someone with you that knows their stuff. You can also get a vibe off the seller of how it was looked after. Things like what his property looks like when you pull up to the house, the way he keeps his garage organized, what the vehicles he has are like can all be indications of how he looks after his stuff... People that keep their vehicles in good shape, tools perfectly organized, work space clean, tend to also be anal about their toys.

Nothing wrong with going to a KTM now, they are just as popular as the jap brands at the track, and have some nicer things (hydraulic clutch, new models have jap style rear shock linkage, their 450 has e-start that adds almost no weight) and the prices are very similar.
Don't be afraid of the bikes that have been raced. Typically, they are maintained more as they are used for competition and will constantly have someone maintaining them. My bike is washed and gone over after every weekend to make sure it's ready to go for next weekend. Even little things have to be fixed properly. You're also likely to get some trick parts with the deal (suspension is the top mod for an off road bike, before anything that adds power)

I already suggested not starting on a 450, it's way overkill for almost anyone and can actually make some riders slower. I race my 250F against the 450s and the only time they have the advantage is the longer straights, but when it comes to corners I enter faster, turn harder and if you're in the right gear you can make it to the next corner first, and it's easier to fly in the air.

I second the KDX vote actually, designed for the trails and can handle the tracks for a novice pretty good.

As per brand reliability... Yamaha led the 4 stroke motocross wave. The Hondas were known for valve issues earlier on, but in the last few years, the reliability amongst the brands has been pretty much similar.
In the early 2000s, one of the 2 strokes had a bottom end issue, I think it may have been Suzuki but I'm not too sure.

I started on a 1987 Honda CR125 with a blown out rear shock. No "real" bike experience before that, but I figured it out... Wish I had worn proper boots as my ankles STILL give me problems from that.
 
Ok ok, if you don't mind figuring out the premix for the fuel then get a 2-stroke! At the end of the day, I just see it as a preference thing. I dislike the sound and a lot of them rely on the kick-start. But yeah - advanced riders must love them for the power and longevity of their life span. They are built well! I'm just one of them who doesn't like tinkering with the maintenance, but that shouldn't be a prerequisite for the love of the sport - I do my oil changes, air filters etc. and prefer to leave it at that. But I do respect those who enjoy the art of motorbike maintenance, and I'm sure it leads to a better ride overall.

And as for the used bikes, I agree. Take someone with you and do your research, I'm sure you can find a good deal out there. Just don't tell me I need to find a new sport or I'll have to take you for the ride of your life on the single track. ;)
 
Thanks for all the replies guys!

You all talk like pro's and loose me quite often, I've reread most of the posts more than 4 times and still can't keep up.

How do I know which is a motocross bike and a trail bike?

I was not thinking of any extreme jumps and probably will not for long time. By getting into dirt, I meant trail riding. I am not considering a 450, thinking it's too much power and more expensive than 250. I was thinking of buying a used bike (2000$ max) and a used trailer.

Bikes are a big mystery to me for now, so I try to be like a sponge and soak in all the information, so throw anything you think might be useful for me.

Cheers.
 
Yamaha yz/yzfKawasaki kx/kxfSuzuki rm/rmzHonda cr/crfktm sx/sxfall of these in 125/250 two stroke or 250/450 4 stroke (f and z) are motocross bikes. I ride a 250 2 stroke motocross bike in the trails but I've been riding a long time and have no problem with the power or terrain. To start out you want somthing a little milder to learn on that's not going to scare the bejesus out of you.
 
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