Best dirtbike for a 220lb guy?

[SWriverstone]

There's no way I can afford a 3rd bike now...but maybe sometime in the next 6-8 months?

In the meantime, I'm clueless about "real" (e.g. non-street-legal) dirtbikes, and I'm wondering—how big of an engine would I need to have fun riding aggressively in the dirt (or at least trying to, LOL) if I weigh 220lbs?

125? 250? 400?

Just curious.
Thanks,
Scott

[Johnny Monsoon]

Let your terrain determine what engine size you'll need.

For where I ride, anything more than 250cc (4 stroke) is wasted.  My 125cc bikes are wonderful in this stuff with plenty of power and they're small enough to duck under things and deal with really tight trails.

However, if I were out in the desert, I'd want a really powerful bike with tons of suspension travel, etc.  

And I'll suggest again, as usual, that you look at where you'll be riding it, and not fall victim to the brochures or some wild ideas of riding in locations that you'll likely never visit.

Now, all that aside, I always hear folks say they seem to have the most fun on 200ish cc bikes (2 or 4 stroke).  

[black hills]

As posted above, it depends on what you are going to do with it. In tight stuff, smaller and lighter is the best. Out in the open you can use more power. I ride mostly in the woods and my KTM300exc works perfectly. I have tried 450 4-strokes and they just tire me out too fast. As posted above the fun factor is very high on smaller bikes, specially if there is some friendly competition. One of the best times I have had was riding on a motocross track with a couple friends, we were all on 100cc 4-strokes. It was a blast!! One mistake and it took you 2 laps to catch up.

Oh, yea, I'm 6'2" and 220lbs.

[speedjunkie]

As stated, terrain is a good determining factor.  Also remember that true dirt bikes have alot of power.  My WR250F is real close to the same hp as my 640E.  That's a BIG difference in displacement for the same power output.  When I bought the 250F, I weighted in at 220.  The bike feels like it will pull your arms right out of their sockets!  It is an absolute BLAST to ride as well.  Unless you are an experienced hardcore dirt rider, I'd definitely recommend a 250cc.  A 450 would be a blast in a straight line, but too much work for me in the tight stuff.  Good luck!


Mike

[Johnny Monsoon]

I rode a CRF230 Honda; that was a nice bike.  Initially I didn't feel a ton of difference between my 125 and the 230, but it was quite apparent when I got back on the 125.  I don't think, that for any real trail riding, I'd want more than the 230.  All of the big 4 seem to have 'sister' bikes in each category, so finding one of any in each displacement should be really easy, then go for the best deal.  They're all awfully reliable from what I've seen.

I will say this though, I'll always opt for the electric start over a kicker-only bike.  After wrestling around out there in the woods all day, and getting stuck here and there on weird uneven terrain, it sure is nice to have the magic button.  Unless you're really hardcore I don't see much justification to shave every single pound.

[T.RexRacing]

I'm biased but here ya go.......................

[Conspiracy of One]

I am 6' 250lbs and until recently was riding an 86 CR250.  Now, I am on a 05 KX125 and it has more than enough power for me.  I haven't trail ridden it much, but can tell you it hauls my fat ass around the mx track very well.  You need to ride a few and then get what you feel comfortable with.

[BigBadBlue]

I am your size and my Yamaha WR426F hauls me around just fine, did not cost a fortune and it has +12 inches of suspension travel. It is essentially a MX bike with a kickstand and it only cost me 3.2k in mint condition (original tires w/nubs), good for many years of very fast scary riding.  My oldest son had a really nice Yamaha YZ250F that I really liked a lot but the 426 has a real mean HP hit that is intoxicating.

[robrm250]

I am 6'3 and I ride/race KTM 300xc in harescrambles,enduro's,trail riding agressively with some fast buddies.I used to run RM 250's,not enough power in hilly stuff for my 200lbs.I tried crf450r in 04 just a little cramped for me and alot of power but I am a 2 stroker.Ktm makes a good size bike for tall people and easy to get taller seats,higher triple clamps,lower pegs plus kick ass power.

[hig4s]

There's no way I can afford a 3rd bike now...but maybe sometime in the next 6-8 months?

In the meantime, I'm clueless about "real" (e.g. non-street-legal) dirtbikes, and I'm wondering—how big of an engine would I need to have fun riding aggressively in the dirt (or at least trying to, LOL) if I weigh 220lbs?

125? 250? 400?

Just curious.
Thanks,
Scott

Race type bikes,, MX or Enduro a 250 would have all you need unless you are a very experienced rider..

At 195lbs, I could go as fast as I ever wanted to go on my 125 2-stroke MX.   If you are going to be in a lot of loose sand or hilly conditions the extra torque of a 250 4-stroke makes a big difference even though it has only a little more horsepower than a 125 2-stroke.

If you are not experienced I would suggest a bike like the KTM XC, or the Yamaha WR..

 The WR450F engine is a slightly detuned YZ450F engine, but with very little mods can be brought up the the YZ power.. If you are thinking you want a good powerful bike but not sure you are ready it might be the way to go.. The early WR450s have a grey wire to the ignition that reduces power (I believe changing timing to meed EPA green sticker standards) and once you feel you are ready, it is just a matter of disconnecting it to get the power back. And WR has a throttle that only turns 3/4 the distanc of the MX throttle, so once you are comfortable with the extra power you can change the throttle and get the power to come on even faster.

[SWriverstone]

So how about bike height? I'm 6'0" tall. Do I want a bike that lets me flat-foot the ground on both sides at once with my knees bent? Or one that I can only toe-touch the ground? (Or is that impossible due to the suspension on these bikes?)

Perhaps a better question would be, is the height for a given engine size the same? Or when you see all those bikes lined up in the shop—bottom to top, "do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti-do", does each one have a different engine size? (Or is there overlap?)

Scott

[T.RexRacing]

Ah shit Scott just wait a few weeks 'til I'm done with the CRF and you can ride it.Before you say anything remember the throttle goes both ways.Since I'm a bit bigger (fatter) than you are the suspension will be a bit stiff but nothing you can't handle.They're not nearly as terrifying as everyone thinks they are.However they are faster than you think they are and have great brakes thank God.Oh not a believer?you may have a mid air conversion.

[Johnny Monsoon]

So how about bike height? I'm 6'0" tall. Do I want a bike that lets me flat-foot the ground on both sides at once with my knees bent? Or one that I can only toe-touch the ground? (Or is that impossible due to the suspension on these bikes?)

Perhaps a better question would be, is the height for a given engine size the same? Or when you see all those bikes lined up in the shop—bottom to top, "do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti-do", does each one have a different engine size? (Or is there overlap?)

Scott

Nope, engine size and height are somewhat related.  My kiddo's KLX110 is a kid-sized bike.  My TTR-125's are about a step and a half up from that, and inbetween his bike and a 'real' dirtbike.  My friend got back into learning on my TT-R and he's 6'4" and 220+lb.  Now, as he grew more comfortable, he wanted a taller bike, and I can see that.  I think the TT-R is as small as I'd want to go (works well for the wife and I who are similar in inseam).  Taller would have been too tall for her, and frankly, when you step up in height, the general rule is that you go up in $$.  Since I wanted her to have one too, and knowing that having two of the same means a lot of extra parts (shhhhh) I figured that was the way to go.  I haven't really regretted that decision, but there are times I'd like something just a little taller.  It seems like Honda makes all the 'in-between' sizes.  

For the street, Honda is usually my last stop.  They just don't excite me much.  Offroad I like their offerings, but they do come at the typical Honda premium.  Team Green is pretty well respected offroad, so I have no problem buying a cheaper bike from them.  Ditto with Yammi.

I prefer 4 strokes offroad.  I hate the way 2 strokers disturb everything.  If I were only at a race track, the 2smokers would be fine, but I hate to tear around making that much noise for no good reason.  I also like the longevity and lower maintenance with the 4 strokers.  They are tough to kick start when they're new though.  I have noticed that all my bikes are getting LOTS easier to start as they break in though.

There is overlap on engine size, but more often than not you'll see that a similar size but alternate displacement will be at the hands of 2stroke vs 4 stroke.  Consider 4 strokes will be much more linear, where 2 strokers are peaky.  On tight trails the peaky engines are tough to use sometimes, but if you've got a lot of open ground it becomes a non-issue.

[hig4s]

Nope, engine size and height are somewhat related.

Sorry but that is only correct with trail type bikes.. Virtually all race machines 125cc and over are VERY tall and you do not touch both feet at the same time.. But then anyone trying to put their feet down on ANY dirt bike except when they come to a complete stop, does not know the proper way to ride dirt.

I'm 5'9".. and my old Husqvanra 125 had a seat height of 39".. I never had a problem.

[BigBadBlue]

So how about bike height? I'm 6'0" tall. Do I want a bike that lets me flat-foot the ground on both sides at once with my knees bent? Or one that I can only toe-touch the ground? (Or is that impossible due to the suspension on these bikes?)

Perhaps a better question would be, is the height for a given engine size the same? Or when you see all those bikes lined up in the shop—bottom to top, "do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti-do", does each one have a different engine size? (Or is there overlap?)

Scott

Pretty much ~ seat height = suspension travel = rate of speed over bumps. I went from an old 1984 Honda XL200R to a 2001 Yamaha WR426 and it took me a couple months to get used to it (slow learner, tall bike), but just last week I rode a friends Honda CRF230 and BOY, I now realized the WR sure has spoiled me! There is no way I could even imagine crashing through the creek bed at Carnegie with the CRF at anywhere near the speed the WR can. The suspension on my WR is no where near "state-of-the-art", but is is light years ahead of the play-bike level of the 230. You can just blast through the creek bed and it will easily absorb bumps, rocks and ledges that would destroy my old XL (kill me too). If you want to go fast you want suspension travel, therefore you need a tall bike. You can always shave the seat to help a little.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Sorry but that is only correct with trail type bikes.. Virtually all race machines 125cc and over are VERY tall and you do not touch both feet at the same time.. But then anyone trying to put their feet down on ANY dirt bike except when they come to a complete stop, does not know the proper way to ride dirt.

I'm 5'9".. and my old Husqvanra 125 had a seat height of 39".. I never had a problem.

The smaller bikes will have smaller engines as a rule (the 2strokers make this somewhat blurry, of course).  My 125 isn't anywhere nearly as tall as a bigger 450, but that's due to the intended use of the bike, not the engine size.  My bike is a trail bike, where the really tall ones are motocross bikes.  So, intention defines what dimensions a bike is, but those intentions largely influence engine size.  So, the height of the bike depends largely on what the bike's intended use is, and what age group you're looking at this bike for.  

[Bogie]

I also like the longevity and lower maintenance with the 4 strokers.

We should be careful with statements like these. Historically I would agree with you but the new race oriented 4 strokers need rebuilt almost as much as the 2 strokes and cost WAY more to rebuild.

Later, Carl

[Albie]

We should be careful with statements like these. Historically I would agree with you but the new race oriented 4 strokers need rebuilt almost as much as the 2 strokes and cost WAY more to rebuild.

Later, Carl

Not to mention 2 strokes like the KDX have long maintenance intervals and also cost less, and are easier to maintain then a lot of 4 strokes.

[Albie]

I prefer 4 strokes offroad.  I hate the way 2 strokers disturb everything.  If I were only at a race track, the 2smokers would be fine, but I hate to tear around making that much noise for no good reason.

LOL, I can tell you right now that my DRZ with a Yosh can and silencer intalled on it and my CRF with the STOCK can on it are both louder then my KX with the FMF uncorked pipe. Engine configuration has nothing to do with loud.

[Albie]

So how about bike height? I'm 6'0" tall. Do I want a bike that lets me flat-foot the ground on both sides at once with my knees bent? Or one that I can only toe-touch the ground? (Or is that impossible due to the suspension on these bikes?)

Perhaps a better question would be, is the height for a given engine size the same? Or when you see all those bikes lined up in the shop—bottom to top, "do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti-do", does each one have a different engine size? (Or is there overlap?)

Scott

I can't touch flat footed on any of my dirt bikes and I don't care. Keep in mind, dirt bikes are for the most part light. Not being able to touch flat footed doesn't leave you feeling like you're gonna drop the thing. Even if you did, so what, it's a dirt bike.    You could set the suspension up so that you can touch flat footed, but my guess would be that it would be hard to control a bike that soft.