Best dirtbike for a 220lb guy?

[black hills]

I would have to disagree with 2 strokes making more noise. My KTM300 is far quieter than the CRF450's I ride with. As far as engine life 3 of the 4 guys I ride with have CRF450's, they have all had to replace valves at least once a year. Plus hot starting them is a PIA. I'll stick to my 2 stroke, it can roll down a hill and still start on the second kick. Maintenance is easy, rings every year and a piston every other. Couple hundred bucks and a few hours in the garage and it's good as new. For those of you that haven't ridden a new 2 stroke, I think you would be surprised.

[Johnny Monsoon]

I would have to disagree with 2 strokes making more noise. My KTM300 is far quieter than the CRF450's I ride with. As far as engine life 3 of the 4 guys I ride with have CRF450's, they have all had to replace valves at least once a year. Plus hot starting them is a PIA. I'll stick to my 2 stroke, it can roll down a hill and still start on the second kick. Maintenance is easy, rings every year and a piston every other. Couple hundred bucks and a few hours in the garage and it's good as new. For those of you that haven't ridden a new 2 stroke, I think you would be surprised.

I'll admit that a heavily modded 4 stroke can be noisy as hell too, but mine aren't.  Get out to my track and listen to all the darned 2 strokers with the cannon exhaust and you'll quickly appreciate the difference.  

And I'm not sure SW wants a racebred bike.  He didn't say either way, but I kind of got the feeling that he wants something just to play around on without being really serious.  I approach offroading like any other motorcycling and say start smaller and work up.  With that in mind, I'd suggest a 4 stroker trail bike.  It'll make things very clear about which way you want to go; and those bikes are not only quiet, but also pretty darned reliable and don't need to be rebuilt every season; in fact, you'd go a good long while before needing to yank the engine apart for anything.

One weird thing about my TT-Rs (and maybe not common to other dirtbikes; dunno...) is that the manual isn't really so much of a typical owner's manual but very nearly a shop manual with instrucitons and tolerances for just about rebuilding the whole bike.  It is a good way to get familiar with mechanical things very quickly.

[SWriverstone]

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.

Yes! I'd love to try the CRF!   (I just have to get over my bruised ribs from getting hammered while snowboarding last week...)

As for noise...I guess it's part of riding...but I'd love something that would give me the agility of a whitetail deer...and about the same noise level! LOL (I'd be annoyed at advertising my presence in the woods to anyone within 5 miles...)

You're right Johnny, I'm definitely not planning to hit the SuperCross track anytime soon. But crashing across streams and over downed logs sounds fun!  

Scott

PS - "The throttle goes both ways." HUH??? What's that mean Mike?

[black hills]

I'll admit that a heavily modded 4 stroke can be noisy as hell too, but mine aren't.  Get out to my track and listen to all the darned 2 strokers with the cannon exhaust and you'll quickly appreciate the difference.  

And I'm not sure SW wants a racebred bike.  He didn't say either way, but I kind of got the feeling that he wants something just to play around on without being really serious.  I approach offroading like any other motorcycling and say start smaller and work up.  With that in mind, I'd suggest a 4 stroker trail bike.  It'll make things very clear about which way you want to go; and those bikes are not only quiet, but also pretty darned reliable and don't need to be rebuilt every season; in fact, you'd go a good long while before needing to yank the engine apart for anything.

One weird thing about my TT-Rs (and maybe not common to other dirtbikes; dunno...) is that the manual isn't really so much of a typical owner's manual but very nearly a shop manual with instrucitons and tolerances for just about rebuilding the whole bike.  It is a good way to get familiar with mechanical things very quickly.

OK, I see your point, you can't really compare a motocross bike and a TTR. they are completely different animals. TTR's are great bikes for casual trail riding and general screwing around, and yes they are quieter than a 2 stroke MX bike. As usual I was just basing my opinion on experience. In an Enduro I can hear 4 strokes long before 2 strokes. the sound carries a lot farther. Of course, not too many TTR's on the Enduro course? The TTR would be a great bike for someone just getting into dirt riding. As mentioned above they are very reliable and will serve you well for many years with just simple maintenance. As for the manual, yes they are a lot different than a street bike manual. Check out the ones that come with a KTM sometime, lot's of info in them.. One word of warning, dirt riding can be very addicting... with that comes the urge to spend a lot of $$$$. Pretty soon you need revalved susp., steering damper, gearing changes, tires, HD tubes, Enduro computer, tall seat foam, plus all the riding gear, etc, etc, etc. .... Then you take it out and throw it down a rocky hill?? There must be something wrong with us???

[photomd]

My advice is just go ride 'em if you have a chance. Especially starting out, lighter will be better. On a tight little track I frequent, the 125's and 250 four strokes are fastest. Since no one's appeared with a factory offer, I ride cheap. My ole 250 two stroke was $1800 and is lots of fun. For tight stuff I put on a larger rear sprocket, but then it will wheelie over pretty easily...and yes, I have personal experience with this.  

Maintenance wise, I like a two stroke. I'm changing out my first piston in 3 years of ownership and parts are $130. It's very easy to do. I've also been through all the bearings in the suspension as well as a front fork rebuild, but that's just part of running a dirt bike. I wouldn't worry to much about what engine to get right now, especially if you borrow some bikes to get some idea what might turn you on. Much like street bikes, buy what you're comfortable on and makes you go   & when you think about it. Experience and where you wanna ride will dictate what will work best for you.  

As for height...fergit 'bout it. I have a 29 inch inseam and I can't kick mine without leaning it against something. You get used to the height. I like having a "racing" height as opposed to a "play bike" height. When you get into deep ruts, big whoops or blow over the end of a large table top (don't ask   ), you'll appreciate the extra suspension.

Most all, get out there and have a blast.  

[T.RexRacing]

"The throttle goes both ways." HUH??? What's that mean Mike?

It means when the trees start doing that starwars hyperdrive thing look let off the loud switch.    I believe you'll figure that out quickly or discover religion.

[Johnny Monsoon]

One word of warning, dirt riding can be very addicting... with that comes the urge to spend a lot of $$$$. Pretty soon you need revalved susp., steering damper, gearing changes, tires, HD tubes, Enduro computer, tall seat foam, plus all the riding gear, etc, etc, etc. .... Then you take it out and throw it down a rocky hill?? There must be something wrong with us???

So, very, true.  I'd love a bike just ever so slightly bigger or more powerful, and I admit that sometimes I do feel a little twinge of envy when I'm in the big open part of the park and I see all those big bikes tearing it up.  But then I get into the trails and I can't stop smiling.  The agility of that little bike is amazing; it's just riding a mountain bike that doesn't make you tired.

I love that my wife is comfortable on it to; truth be told that's the entire reason I got those bikes.  I wanted to make it a family thing; and so far it has worked.  It is also an amazing thing to be able to grab someone who's never ridden and show them the ropes on the 'spare' bike.

Gear can get expensive, if you have to get the latest and greatest, if not, you can get it REALLY cheap.  Just look for the closeout stuff; it can be had for pennies on the dime; especially in the winter just before the new stuff comes out.  Invest in a chest protector and boots.  Those might be the two biggest things after a helmet and goggles.  I have been saved twice now from getting chest punctures at branches sticking up and taking me straight off my little bike.  I can't stress how important these are if you're riding in any sort of woods.

[black hills]

Gear can get expensive, if you have to get the latest and greatest, if not, you can get it REALLY cheap.  Just look for the closeout stuff; it can be had for pennies on the dime; especially in the winter just before the new stuff comes out.  Invest in a chest protector and boots.  Those might be the two biggest things after a helmet and goggles.  I have been saved twice now from getting chest punctures at branches sticking up and taking me straight off my little bike.  I can't stress how important these are if you're riding in any sort of woods.

Very good points. I'm not much for fashion, who's going to be looking at an overweight 40 year old anyway?? A friend of mine is a Yamaha dealer, whenever I need somthing I let him know and some sort of blemished, out of date, or discontinued piece of gear arrives in a month or so. It is always far cheaper than the latest/greatest gear on the showroom floor. Anyone who has done any woods riding knows it's only going to look good for one ride anyway. Chest protector is very important as are knee/shin gaurds. You learn your lesson quicky when you fall in the rocks.