best beginner dirt bike?

Q. i am 14 6 foot and weigh 200 pounds and i am wondering what kind of dirt bike i should get, i do mostly trail riding but i also do a lot of hard packed dirt roads and trails, i have ridden dirtbikes before but i have always been a atv man. i want something that wont come on to strong but will also go good when i give it to it, and i would rather a 4- stroke also. please any information on dirtbikes would be great thank you.

Answer
Well your a pretty big kid plus your still growing so you shouldn't get anything less than a 400.
My best recommendation would be a 450 trail bike. You could also get a yzf426. But don't get anything under a 400 cause it wont be able to pull someone around your size with ease plus you'll grow out of it rather quickly.

Beginner Commuter Bike?

crash_usnr

With the price of gas as bad as it is and not likely to get better in the long run, I'm considering learning to ride and using a bike as my primary commuting vehicle, at least in good weather (I live in the Denver area). My commute is about 25 miles, one way, and generally takes about 30-40 minutes, mostly on highways, part of it rated at 75 mph. I've never ridden a bike as an adult but did ride a dirt bike a couple of times as a kid, and (don't laugh) had a moped in high school. I'm 44 years old and a pretty big guy, 6'1" and 240 lb, 31" inseam. I doubt I'm going to be intimidated by a fairly big bike, so am thinking about a cruiser in the 500cc-750cc range as a first bike. I'm wondering what kind of features I should be looking for and which brands/models I should be looking at. Also want something that won't require a lot of maintenance - the whole idea is to stay inexpensive. Don't really want a sport bike, either - I don't want to ride bent over. Thanks for your suggestions...

Answer
Any one of the four major Japanese bike manufacturers has something to offer in that size range, and there really aren't any unreliable choices from them. So the most important feature to look for is going to be the way you, personally, fit on the bike. Take a look at this link (warning, lots of pictures, so it will take a while to download on dial-up) to see a man about your height sitting on a wide variety of bikes and reporting how they fit him:

http://www.beginnerandbeyond.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=380&sid=8a2c8730aaa7b6093658e89b070e152b

Personally, in the range you wanted, the Honda VLX seems to fit me best. I'm also pretty tall.

Features to look for:

Forward controls. These put your feet out in front of your knees. You will have to decide if you like them or not - I personally prefer having my feet under me.

Shaft or belt drive. Needs less maintenance than a chain.

Wheels. Wire wheels need periodic maintenance. Cast aluminum ones don't.

If your main objection to sport bikes is the riding posture, you may wish to take a look at a Ninja 250. This one has a much more upright riding position and has plenty of get up and go if your main goal is fuel economy. Plus, I'm about your size and have found the Ninja 250 to be somewhat more comfortable than most of the cruisers in the size range you are looking at. Same with the Ninja 500.

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what dirtbike brand and model would be good for me as a beginner?

best beginner kids dirt bike image

SKILLET!

I am 5'10 and weigh about 125 lbs., I have rode ATV's all my life and want to start riding dirt bikes. What would you recommend? I just want to trail ride and not race or anything right now. Also, what could I expect to pay? I definitely want to buy brand new, so give me an average price I would expect to pay. Try to keep the bike somewhat inexpensive. Please only answer if you have experience. Thanks!

Answer
You see you have two conflicting concepts here.. brand new and inexpensive. Those just don't connect for the most part. Then again, maybe you're a bit rich, but I'd think you would pay anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 for a brand new Jap bike (Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha). Really I'm still thinking you should buy slightly used off craigslist.... but hey, back to what you asked. Now I don't know what size ATV's you ride or even how old you are, but since you atleast have some experience, I'd recommend a 200-250cc four stroke to a small adult. However if you are a kid (13ish-16ish) I'd say more like a 150cc. Now running on my lack of information and truth of spirit (what.. I needed an "and") I'd recommend probably the least popular answer, a new Chinese motorcycle. Now before you do the standard "dismiss those junky pieces of shit" routine, some companies know what they're doing. Look into Zongshen, Lifan, and Qlink. Specifically Qlink as they are an interesting case. They take Chinese motorcycles and put them through American Quality Control (inspections) and then test every single bike. The Qlink XP200 is a dual sport, which I guess really isn't what you're looking for (I think) but it would allow you to ride in the dark, is the cheapest that I can find prices for online at $2,599 with a free 2-year warranty and you can find parts on their website. That engine is the same as a Suzuki dr200se motor(made on the same assembly line even), so you can also find parts for that engine and use those.

Hope I helped.

How do I convince my parents to let me get a motorcycle?

Blake

Background:
I am 19 and I have had my license since the day I turned 16, I have shown responsibility by having 5 different extremely nice cars and trucks, all of which would normally draw a lot of police attention (custom paint, tinted windows, and fast / bright colored cars). I bought every single car myself and paid in cash.
I never even got pulled over, and I have never been in an accident.
I am a full time engineering student and work 20 hours a week at a bank, I am a "good kid" and don't use any drugs or alcohol.
As you can see i am very responsible.

Question: How do I convince my parents to let me get a motorcycle?
I have been trying to convince them since 6 months after I turned 16. They say they trust me, but don't trust other drivers to not hit me or pull out in front of me. I live at home and they say that I cant have a bike until after I move out, not for my safety, but because my mom does not want to sit at home and worry about me making it home.
I have tried for a 250-350cc dual sport (dirt bike type) bike, as well as a small sport bike (Kawasaki Ninja 250). Neither of these are fast by any means (My car I am driving now has a top speed of over 160mph).

So how do I convince my mom that I wont get hit by a car?
I have already suggested: extra reflectors, neon green / reflective riding gear, extra bright lights, buying a bright colored bike, only being allowed to ride when its light out, call/text her when I leave and get places.

I am lost, please help as this is a passion of mine.
Thank You
I cant just "go get one", because I will be kicked out of the house, and cant afford to live on my own because I am going to school.
In my state its required to take a beginning motorcycle safety test in order to get your endorsement, and I would be wearing protective gear, and only be riding a 250cc bike.
David- It probably does not help that my dad used to ride street bikes and got cut off by a car and ended up in the hospital when he was about my age. I am trying to work on my mom because she is "the boss" lol

Answer
I teach motorcycle safety and I get asked this question, and other ones very similar to it, all the time. The answer is... there's no answer to it.

The thing about motorcycles is that they're dangerous. Are the worth the danger, well, to me they are. The most unfortunate thing about safety, when it comes to motorcycles, is that you're parents are correct. The overwhelming amount of two vehicle accidents are caused by the car, not the motorcycles. As safe as you try to be, as good as you get at riding, no matter what you wear or put on your bike, cars will still miss you. You don't win in an accident with a car.

Now, having said all that, I still love riding, enough that I help people learn. But I can't defend motorcycles as being safe.

Unfortunately, your parents have the facts on their side, and if they aren't the type that are willing to allow you to have a motorcycle, I doubt you'll be able to get them to concede. The only thing I can suggest is (depending on the state and the cost) try and take an MSF Beginner Course. If you do this, try and get one of your parents to take it with you. If they do it alongside you, that may change their mind. However, I doubt they'll do this, but it's about the best idea I can offer.

If this doesn't work, then you may just have to wait till you move out and can afford a place of your own. That's what I had to do. GL.

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What should i get for my first motorcycle?

best beginner kids dirt bike image

Kyle

Right now ive been doing a little homework on looking around on bikes. I have rode before but im just working on getting my license then ill be getting a bike. But I'm 5'9 160lbs im also looking at what size bike to get, im very interested in the Kawasaki Ninja zx6r 636 and that's what ive been looking at. Are there any suggestions or help I could get?

Answer
Hope you have a lot of money. A sports bike with a beginners motorcycle license will be expensive for insurance. You would be better off getting a different class of bike for a year then after you establish yourself with the insurance company you will get a better rate. Also if you were my kid you would not be getting a Ninja as your first bike. My kids started off on dirt bikes then my old Honda Nighthawk to get driving experience before getting on high performance bikes with a lot of faring to crack if you drop it. Your choice though it is your money, skin and bike.

How hard is it to learn how to drive a sport bike?

zach r

I owned and rode dirtbikes regularly from the age of 10 to 17 (I am 20 now and feel responsible enough to get one). I am a strong kid and about 5'11.

I am thinking about a 600cc bike...Is this a good first bike?
Thanks in advance.

Answer
It isn't that hard to learn. It is HARDER to learn on too much bike, hence a good first bike is not a good bike to keep for the long haul. EX: I started out as a beginner going out on track days on a Yamaha R1 and had a horrible time. I was coping instead of riding and never really got going. Then I switched to a SV650 and rode the snot out of it and had a blast.

Modern 600's are not a good 1st bike. HP and riding position are SUPER aggressive and not conducive to learning well. Older ones like Honda f3 are ok. Better yet go for the SV650, GS500, FZR, etc etc. Get something that isn't your dream bike and learn on it, be prepared to perhaps plop it over and not have it be a huge deal. These other bikes we are mentining are NOT slow! new 600's are rippers these days!

THEN after your first season, spring for the 600 if you are feeling initial competency. It is different then dirt. You are going to get a kick out of countersteering!

Good luck!

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How hard is it to learn how to drive a sport bike?

best beginner kids dirt bike image

zach r

I owned and rode dirtbikes regularly from the age of 10 to 17 (I am 20 now and feel responsible enough to get one). I am a strong kid and about 5'11.

I am thinking about a 600cc bike...Is this a good first bike?
Thanks in advance.

Answer
It isn't that hard to learn. It is HARDER to learn on too much bike, hence a good first bike is not a good bike to keep for the long haul. EX: I started out as a beginner going out on track days on a Yamaha R1 and had a horrible time. I was coping instead of riding and never really got going. Then I switched to a SV650 and rode the snot out of it and had a blast.

Modern 600's are not a good 1st bike. HP and riding position are SUPER aggressive and not conducive to learning well. Older ones like Honda f3 are ok. Better yet go for the SV650, GS500, FZR, etc etc. Get something that isn't your dream bike and learn on it, be prepared to perhaps plop it over and not have it be a huge deal. These other bikes we are mentining are NOT slow! new 600's are rippers these days!

THEN after your first season, spring for the 600 if you are feeling initial competency. It is different then dirt. You are going to get a kick out of countersteering!

Good luck!

Which size dirt bike is best for our kids?

FenWick

I know there are a TON of different models and years, but we're looking for something that will fit an 11yo girl and 9yo boy. Neither has any experience riding yet. Preferably 1998 or newer.
Any ideas, experiences, advice?

Answer
The best thing you can do is take them to a dealership or two and let them sit on a few bikes. But a lot does depend upon how big your kids are size wise. They may be best suited to starting small with something like a crf80. That is a basic 4 stroke with a seat height of 28.9 inches. If they are big kids for their age then something like the crf150f which has a seat height of 32.4 inches. Other similar bikes to the crf150f are the ttr125 and the klx 125. THey are all basic 4 stroke trail bikes suitable for beginners. These are not race bikes and not suitable for mx.

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