New bike help

[RedSpecialized]

I have been out of dirt bikes for way to long and need to get back into them. After posting on here once before, and getting some great feed back, I've decided to stay away from the new 4 stroke monsters as they seem to reqiure more mant. And more $ to maintain. This leaves me with getting a used 2stoke, which fits into the budget better anyways.

So here's my question. I'm looking at a cr500 or kx500. It will be my one all around bike. I now 01 is the last yr. For the cr500 and I link 05 or 06 for kx500. So does anyone have any experience with these bikes? I want a good all around bike. Won't go to the track much, mostly mountains and sand. I used to have an older 495 ktm and my friend had a cr500 and I was jealous and always wanted one. I rode his little, but not much, he definatley smoked my bike in every way. His was the yr. Before they detuned them, 87 I belive.

So will this be a good bike? I've called local honda parts store and they still availble. Any yrs or things I should be aware of and stay clear from? Any help/advice on this would be great! I hope to be riding soon!

[accadacca]

More maintenance on the 4 strokes? :ne_nau: Here comes the flame wars... :facepalm1:
Just get a bike and ride. 2 stroke or 4 it doesn't matter. I personally wouldn't want to ride a 500 2 smoker in the mountains. It can be done, but they don't have the torque. Its all wheel spin.

If I could choose any bike right now for my type of riding it would be the new KTM 350 EXC. Hot sauce!! :naughty:


Handling of a 250
Performance of a 450

Standard Colors: http://www.ktm.com/enduro/350-exc-f-eu/highlights.html

50310


Six Days Edition - "For Extreme Missions" :naughty: : http://www.ktm.com/enduro/350-exc-f-six-days/highlights.html

50311

[fourtycal]

That six days bike is incredible! :slobber:

I love the 450, maintenance isn't much different than the two stroke, I change oil every ten or so hours either way, the four stroke takes a filter too but they are cheap. I think the difference is when you have a rebuild, a two stroke is easy and cheap, four stroke is slightly harder and requires more parts.

I would love a 500 at the dunes but I think Acca is right about it being a lot in the mountains. For me the 250 two stroke has as much as I can handle and I picked up an 06 for under two grand:2thumbs: Your welcome to give it a try if you want to see if it's enough bike for your liking. I may be easily talked into a quick trip to five mile this weekend :haha:

[RedSpecialized]

That KTM does look sweet and i'm sure it is a FANTASTIC bike, unfortunately I think it is a little over my price range. When you get yours you can let me drool all over it!!

So you think 4 strokes are about the same maintainance as the 2 strokes? I know back in the day, my brother had a xr500 and that thing was a beast, it had tons of low end torque and all you needed to do was put gas in it and you could go anywhere. never had to do anything to it. It was big and heavy and the brakes and suspension stunk. Wasn't all that fast either. I had a YZ 250 before the KTM 495. It was an old yellow one, yeah that old. I can't remember the year. but that thing was costantly fouling plugs and had almost zero torque. the only power it had was wide open, but it was lighter!! So I always thought 4 strokes were the way to go. Then from some things i've read about the newer MX style 4strokes is that they require value adjustments every 40 hrs and it's not an if you are going to need to replace the valves its a when you replace the valves it gets pricey. But of course since I read all that on the internet, it has to be true.......RIGHT????:ne_nau:.

So it sounds like the 4 strokes are really not as much maintenance I was thinking, Maybe I need need to do some re-thinking on them and look more into those. I'm trying not to spend over 2k on a bike and it looks like with 2strokes that shouldn't be to hard to do. I don't know about the 4's, I'll have to check them out and see.

As for the 500 it has always intriged me and I have always wanted one. Every time I rode one I just could stop smiling.....you could wheelie that thing whenever your wanted and in what ever gear it was in:mrgreen:. Mabye that's not a good thing :crazycobasa:. It would climb anything and smoke anyone in a drag. Maybe the power is to much in every day riding and it would be a fight to ride it anywhere but the dunes....???:ne_nau: I did read that you can get a weighted flywheel that helps with low end torque and wheel spin..but who knows.

So Fourty, I would love to try out your 250 sometime.....were you serious about this weekend at 5 mile? I maybe able to swing that some time saturday, let me know and I can see. I haven't been out there for years.

[Mtnseeker1]

I really don't have the experience to give out advice with the one exception. Last Feb. I was in the same shoes as you and I went all out crazy and decided on a big ol XR650R.
It only took one day riding with the boys from Bogley out at Logandale and the next day or two I had a YZF450X in the driveway.
Kind of wish maybe I had started with a 250 but it is what it is and I'm learning all the time.
Hope this helps. And remember AGATT(all the gear all the time). Safety is as important as having fun.

[accadacca]

There are plenty of 2 and 4 stroke bikes in your range. Since its been a few years and you are referencing Yamaha when they were still yellow. :lol8: It does sound like you need to ride a few different models to get a feel before you pruchase.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=231&cat=236&category=142

[Mtnseeker1]

2 smokes= ear plugs, mixing and you really need to keep em wound up.
They are cheaper to rebuild.

Thumpers= Drill holes in your helmit at the ears to let the sweet sound of thumper music in.
They do cost more to rebuild. They pull like a tractor.

:lol8::lol8::lol8: Just some pros and cons from my point of view.:crazy::crazy::crazy:

[accadacca]

They pull like a tractor.
:afro:

[nelsonccc]

2 Stroke! Everything that needs to be done on a 2 stroke is super easy. I pulled the entire engine apart and re-did my tranny in a weekend. I've re-built the top and bottom ends a few times. Easy. Checking the valve clearance on my DR650 4 stroke, major pain in the ass. 2 stroke's are cheaper and easier to maintain. I have both and do all the work on mine and Jarrods. Big difference. I would never recommend to anyone to buy a 2 stroke 500 that has not been riding. Death sentence. A 2 stroke 250 will have more than enough power for almost every situation. I ride mine hard with all the Bogley guys and only in the straights do I feel a slight lack of top end power. You'll find that a 500 is going to be heavy and just too much bike unless you're dune riding every weekend.

[Mtnseeker1]

Man I wish I had some of this advise a year ago. You know before I went nutts and jumped into a 650 4T.
Could have saved me some real heart ache not to mention funds.

[Mtnseeker1]

Yeh I forgot about the pia for adjusting valves. Hell the ten minutes it takes me to pull the tank just to find out they are still fine sucks.:lol8:

Truth be told I have a harder time with the two throttle lines than I ever had with the Valves. Hmmm must be a HONDA thing.

However I still have to run out and pull my Yami tank and check my lash settings on this YZ. Thank god the previous owner left me with a book.

There's an old saying in the skiing know how.
Short ski's suck.
And long ski's truck.
But waxing them and edging them takes a little longer.

[Mtnseeker1]

RED I think the bottom line is get the best deal you can ( and right now is the best time to buy ) on a bike that suites you best and like others have said just ride.
If it's a 2t or 4t if it's something that you are serious about then just do it and lets get together and ride it into the ground:bandit::bandit::bandit:

[Garbanzo]

2 stroke: Lighter, shorter gearing, more power per cc, peaky power, and can be less maintenance than a 4 stroke (depending on the extras you have for Enduro IE: street legal kit, racks, fuel cell, etc.)
4 stroke: Heavier, wide or short gearing (IE- WR450 vs YZ450), less power per cc, linear power with more low end lug. A 4 stroke is at least 2-3 times more money to rebuild. At least for the top end. I can's speak for the tranny or bottom end.

The only bike I have heard to stay away from is the Honda during certain years up until a few years ago. It was a valve issue. I'm sure you will get more than one comment on this, so that should help.

I wish there was an easy answer, but if you like 4 strokes, I'd get a 450. If you like 2 strokes, get a 250.
Again, Keep in mind the wide ratio trans will only be on the 4 strokes. Yamaha WR450, Suzuki DR400(a bit more tame and easier to ride) or RMX450z, Kawasaki KLX450 or Honda CR450X.

KTM makes any combination you can possibly imagine, but as you've acknowledged, they are not cheap.

If you guys decide to ride one day, put an invite up. You're welcome to ride my WR450 and I'm sure I have an older YZ250 you could sample.

Later:2thumbs: Oh yeah, I LOVE my Wr450, but I have spent a lot of cash to get there! :facepalm1:

[Mtnseeker1]

Personally I think if your trying to stay under the 2k thing I would push the YZ250 two stroke and it sounds like you have a chance to try one out(40cal) at 5 mile.

I love your WR450 also. Any chance of trading trannies :)

[fourtycal]

So Fourty, I would love to try out your 250 sometime.....were you serious about this weekend at 5 mile? I maybe able to swing that some time saturday, let me know and I can see. I haven't been out there for years.

Sure thing, I am ready whenever. I should be ready to leave Midvale at around 10:00am. You are welcome to ride with me from here or meet out there. Just give me a ring. 801-560-1418. :2thumbs:

[Mtnseeker1]

Right on fourtycal- you the man.

[fourtycal]

Right on fourtycal- you the man.

Hey I need a warm up for Sundays Cherry Creek ride anyway, plus I have not ridden since Knolls way back last weekend :nod:

[Mtnseeker1]

Hey that's great but your the man getting Redspecialized hooked up with the 250. I really think it will help him with his answer.
He's probably capable with something bigger but I think because it's been awhile he will like the 250.

Glad to see you being so calm while waiting for the 2012 WR. I'd be in the funny farm by now. Oh where am I now:lol8:

Is cherry creek a race? That's about the only time I here of it.

[fourtycal]

Is cherry creek a race? That's about the only time I here of it.

There are a couple of races a year out there north of the sand dunes. I have been to the races but for me Cherry creek is just a hundred miles of awesome diverse singletrack. You can make it mountains, desert and sand dunes in the same ride.

As far as the two stroke goes, after riding with Nelson and a few other friends on 250 smokers I am convinced they can get the job done. About the time I get the hang of it I will have a new 450 :haha:

[Mtnseeker1]

:lol8:

[accadacca]

Did you make it out to fivemile fourty? Snow?

[fourtycal]

Did you make it out to fivemile fourty? Snow?

A skiff of snow on the north facing slopes but none other than that, Just tacky enough but not muddy. It was excellent really and I think we have a couple of Bogley members stoked about buying dirtbikes :cool2:

[accadacca]

Sweet! I was going to try and come out, but I didn't want to push my luck. Saving points for the St. George trip in 2 weeks.

[Garbanzo]

I think we have a couple of Bogley members stoked about buying dirtbikes :cool2:

That's great!! It's exciting to know the group may grow.:nod:

[RedSpecialized]

Fourty's the man!! He let me and redfox take a spin on two of his 250's 2~srtokes. it was a blast!! hopefully soon ill be able to get one. Now I just need to rideone of the new 4t's so I can comepare.

The people on here sure have been super nice and helpful. I hope to be ridding with you soon!
THANKS!!

[nelsonccc]

Yep, Keith is a stud and one of the nicest guys around!

[Garbanzo]

Yep, Keith is a stud and one of the nicest guys around!

I second that!

[REDFOX]

First of all, a big thanks to Keith for letting me try out his motorcyles this past Saturday. I would be interested in hearing anyones input regarding a 2007 honda crf250r. Keith already told me that it would be under powered. I was leaning more toward a 2 stroke based on the cheaper maintainance, however it seems that the 4 strokes are more readily available to buy. I have ridden the 450's and they most definitely have plenty of power. I have not ridden the 250's. I have a friend in Texas that wants to sell me his 2007 crf250r that he simply doesn't ride.

[nelsonccc]

First of all, a big thanks to Keith for letting me try out his motorcyles this past Saturday. I would be interested in hearing anyones input regarding a 2007 honda crf250r. Keith already told me that it would be under powered. I was leaning more toward a 2 stroke based on the cheaper maintainance, however it seems that the 4 strokes are more readily available to buy. I have ridden the 450's and they most definitely have plenty of power. I have not ridden the 250's. I have a friend in Texas that wants to sell me his 2007 crf250r that he simply doesn't ride.

My buddy has a great wr250. The four stroke 250's have power....but....he quickly falls behind on any kind of straight away or long steady climbs. However, his bike is light, flickable, and just as competent in the gnarly stuff. Personally I think it would be a great starter bike. You will outgrow it but not for several years.

[RedSpecialized]

Shawn & I test rode a 2001 cr 500 tonight. Anyone know what a fair price for a bike like that should be? It was in good shape for an 11 year old bike. the only thing that worried me a little is out wouldn't idle. Is that normal for 2 strokes?

We got to test ride it in a field behind there home in the dark. So couldn't really ride it that well, but from what I could tell it had quite a bit of low end torque. I think the fmf gnarly pipe probably helped.

Here at some pics. Shawn really liked the graphics.

[nelsonccc]

Mine idles. It's just a jetting issue. Lots of 2 stroke owners will make it so it doesnt idle since they tend to idle high when hot. Simple to adjust, it's a matter of adjusting the air screw and idle screw at operating temperature. You may find that once it idles it bogs somewhere else, if this happens then you may have to actually re-jet it (easy to do and only $20). I'm glad someone likes those graphics.......

How was everything else? Any fork leaks? how did the chain and sprockets look? Cables? Brakes? Hoses? Will it need to be re-sprung for suspension? Compression? Will it need a new top end anytime soon? Any clutch slippage? Clean shifting or was it clunky? things to think about.

I can't imagine any 2 stroke that's as old as this one going for more than $1500.

[accadacca]

Yeah, I was going to say $1000.

[fourtycal]

As cold as it is outside I am not surprised it will not idle. I had to bump up the Idle jet one size in my 250 to get idle in this weather. Simple carb cleaning and adjustment will probably do it.

About the price, the 500's have a following, especially 99-01, just before Honda quit building them. I bet the guy gets a couple grand if he holds out. You should probably start low, I guess 1500 but if he has watched the classifieds he will know what he can get out of it.

Good luck:2thumbs:

[RedSpecialized]

Thanks forall the advice. The guy had it listed for 2,300. I told him I'd give him 1,500 and he said the lowest he'd go was 2,000. After reading your comments on here, I told him no thanks. I'm just worried on a bike that old how much work need to be done. It already needed clutch and brake levers, Grips, chain & sprockets carb work most likely, fork seal (had rebuild kit he would throw in). So that one maybe a no go.

I did find a 96, kx500 that looks like its in Great shape!! He'll throw in a paddle and rim. Has bush busters on the bars. Fmf gnarly pipe. I'll be looking at it this sat. The guy wants 1,800 but I probably could get it for 1,500. Said he's owned it for 10 yrs and hasn't ridden it much the last 6yrs. Anyones thoughts would be helpful.

[Mtnseeker1]

Hey Red, There is a CR 500 about 89 that has been in storage for the last 22 yrs. Looks like brand new in the KSL photos. I think he's asking 2000 but asking and getting are two different things. I think they had more power but less suspension. From what little I can see I think it may only have a few hrs. on it.:ne_nau:
This is in the St. George area but I think he will drop off to SLC or something like that. Might just get it for 1200. People think there shtuff is gold down here until they get a dose of reality.
But they don't rust without salted roads LMAO.
I think he did mention it was way to much bike for him, In his add. The area zippy is 84770 if it helps at all in the KSL adds?
If you want I can run over and give it the once over and report back if interested? You know with ?'s and a camera. But bear in mind I am not moto mech.

[RedSpecialized]

Mtn thanks for being willing to help a brother out. An 89 is getting pretty old. I may be interested depending on the price. I know the first few yrs. Had drum brakes on the rear. I think 89 was the first it was dics. If you don't mind can you look it over and let me know what you think and how much he will take for it. Id feel bad to put stratches on such a cean bike, but some one has to do it.

[Mtnseeker1]

Sorry, It must have sold.

[Mtnseeker1]

My bad. I did find it after all. This is on KSL zip 84770 used dirt bikes parts.
He has it listed in the dirt bike parts is why I had a hard time relocating it.

[RedSpecialized]

I can get it 2005 crf 450 r for 2,100. it had stainless steel valves put in and a high compression piston and the hutchinson clutch. is that a good deal or should I stay away