Need input: cheapo dirt bike

Photog · 11-02-2003, 05:01 PM

I'm looking for a cheap dirt bike for
a) a newbie rider (friends, daughter) to learn the basics of riding and
b) for me to work on some off-road skills so that I'm not practicing trials/enduro skills on a freakin' GS

I just spent most of my money on the GS and toys for it, but want to work on dirt skills w/o dumping the mighty GS more often than I need to.

Here are the parameters:
1. cheap. Sub-$650.
2. light....well, lighter than, say, an '02 GS.
3. streetable with some mods (rudimentary electrical system) or street legal
4. somewhat competent (i.e., brakes and shocks that don't predate Indian)
5. lacking competence, it must be funky/cool enough that I will put up with it
6. still can get parts for it and good supply of aftermarket stuff
7. and if any of y'all have something like this...if it's in NC, that's a big plus. (I've got a freeride MTB for partial trade if interested)
8. ~30" seat height (or can be dropped to that height)

Contenders: any old mid-80's Honda XR/XL, older big-bore CR's and YZ's, street legal trials bikes, etc. Can be 2 or 4 stroke.

The bike will be run in the woods when not being used as the pre-MSF bike.

Any input on year, brand, model would be appreciated.

Claim Jumper · 11-03-2003, 07:58 AM

70's to 80's Yamaha IT 175 or 200. Two stroke, monoshock, lights, six speed. Cheap.

clang · 11-03-2003, 08:52 AM

I picked up a '82 Yamaha XT250 this past summer for $400. Got dents, dings and looks rough, but runs good. Street legal. There are probably any number of late 70s early 80s bikes out there that will work for you. If you have any desire to do a little wrenching, you can get a great deal usually.

nachtflug · 11-03-2003, 12:43 PM

older big bore cr's and yz's?

dude I wouldn't belittle those bikes. a 94 CR 250 was a dream bike in 89, and the bikes in 89 weren't bad.

in other words make sure you know what a learner bike is before you send someone out to "learn" on it.

and stay away from the cr500's and kx 500's for now ok?

Rad · 11-03-2003, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Said Photog:
I'm looking for a cheap dirt bike for Here are the parameters:
1. cheap. Sub-$650.

You can find them for the price ya want but be prepard to deal with an older bike in need of work.

Just do a www.cycletrader.com search and only put in price and you will see what I mean

Can be a lot of fun if you like projects.

Photog · 11-05-2003, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Said clang:
I picked up a '82 Yamaha XT250 this past summer for $400.

Some of the XT's are looking pretty good...seems like the right combo for price/features.

Last dirt bike I rode was a CR480 back when it was the hot deal...if that gives you any idea of my age.

Anyway, the search continues. I think this is going to be one of those weekend quests where you keep an eye on on those rural roads for old bikes leaned against sheds...

vege · 11-05-2003, 06:54 PM

I have used a Honda XL 100 circa 1974, to teach several people how to ride over the years, great little bike, low seat height, ok brakes, mellow power, ok to ride while standing up.

I read the Boonie book, by Carl Shipman , i think, many years ago, in it he suggested putting the bike on a box, tied down, so the wheels are just off the ground, this make sit easy for the learner to get the feel of the throttle, clutch, gear shifting, before actually riding. It works well.]

To improve your dirt skills i would recommend slow riding techniques, especially, circles and figures of 8, tighten them up and goto the point of stopping. good for balance , throttle control, hand and foot brake control also. However the best practice is riding. Put some karoos or tkc's on your adventure bike and ride.ride, ride.

IMHO, the hardest thing a learner has to come to terms with is stopping without crashing, start off with the bike not running and push it ,then tell the rider to stop, repeat lots, then get the motor running, use neutral, and repeat, many riders will when told to stop, will give the throttle a big twist!!!

The downside of XL/XT's especially 250 and up is the weight, old trials bike s can be used in urban areas with little complaint from the neighbours, which makes it easier to practice.:):

motu · 11-05-2003, 08:27 PM

I keep a couple of old trail bikes around (SL125 and a TF100),my girls learnt on them,the boys soon.Go to buy a small kids bike these days and all you can find is things like KX80s,no good for learning! Old farm bikes are good - low,crash bars everywhere,sometimes a big rack on the back to carry your favorite sheep,so ugly no kid would steal one.

11-02-2003, 05:01 PM	#1
Photog ^OP Charismatic Megafauna Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Cackalacky Oddometer: 46,091	Need input: cheapo dirt bike I'm looking for a cheap dirt bike for a) a newbie rider (friends, daughter) to learn the basics of riding and b) for me to work on some off-road skills so that I'm not practicing trials/enduro skills on a freakin' GS I just spent most of my money on the GS and toys for it, but want to work on dirt skills w/o dumping the mighty GS more often than I need to. Here are the parameters: 1. cheap. Sub-$650. 2. light....well, lighter than, say, an '02 GS. 3. streetable with some mods (rudimentary electrical system) or street legal 4. somewhat competent (i.e., brakes and shocks that don't predate Indian) 5. lacking competence, it must be funky/cool enough that I will put up with it 6. still can get parts for it and good supply of aftermarket stuff 7. and if any of y'all have something like this...if it's in NC, that's a big plus. (I've got a freeride MTB for partial trade if interested) 8. ~30" seat height (or can be dropped to that height) Contenders: any old mid-80's Honda XR/XL, older big-bore CR's and YZ's, street legal trials bikes, etc. Can be 2 or 4 stroke. The bike will be run in the woods when not being used as the pre-MSF bike. Any input on year, brand, model would be appreciated. __________________ Only an XR1200 owner knows why Cthulhu hangs its head out a car window. Like I like. Yep.

11-03-2003, 08:52 AM	#3
clang Not lost, Exploring! Joined: Sep 2003 Location: The verge of understanding Oddometer: 2,697	Beater dirt bike I picked up a '82 Yamaha XT250 this past summer for $400. Got dents, dings and looks rough, but runs good. Street legal. There are probably any number of late 70s early 80s bikes out there that will work for you. If you have any desire to do a little wrenching, you can get a great deal usually. __________________ Sometimes it takes a whole tank full of fuel before you can think straight. Ride for the soul! '06 R12GS '02 Buell Blast '92 R100GS '73 R75 /5 '99 WR400F

11-05-2003, 06:54 PM	#7
vege Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2003 Location: new zealand Oddometer: 921	I have used a Honda XL 100 circa 1974, to teach several people how to ride over the years, great little bike, low seat height, ok brakes, mellow power, ok to ride while standing up. I read the Boonie book, by Carl Shipman , i think, many years ago, in it he suggested putting the bike on a box, tied down, so the wheels are just off the ground, this make sit easy for the learner to get the feel of the throttle, clutch, gear shifting, before actually riding. It works well.] To improve your dirt skills i would recommend slow riding techniques, especially, circles and figures of 8, tighten them up and goto the point of stopping. good for balance , throttle control, hand and foot brake control also. However the best practice is riding. Put some karoos or tkc's on your adventure bike and ride.ride, ride. IMHO, the hardest thing a learner has to come to terms with is stopping without crashing, start off with the bike not running and push it ,then tell the rider to stop, repeat lots, then get the motor running, use neutral, and repeat, many riders will when told to stop, will give the throttle a big twist!!! The downside of XL/XT's especially 250 and up is the weight, old trials bike s can be used in urban areas with little complaint from the neighbours, which makes it easier to practice.:): __________________ no trailer faggots.

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11-03-2003, 07:58 AM	#2
Claim Jumper will work for knobbies Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Boise, Idaho Oddometer: 519	70's to 80's Yamaha IT 175 or 200. Two stroke, monoshock, lights, six speed. Cheap.

11-03-2003, 12:43 PM	#4
nachtflug infidel Joined: Jan 2002 Location: New York Oddometer: 43,011	older big bore cr's and yz's? dude I wouldn't belittle those bikes. a 94 CR 250 was a dream bike in 89, and the bikes in 89 weren't bad. in other words make sure you know what a learner bike is before you send someone out to "learn" on it. and stay away from the cr500's and kx 500's for now ok?

11-05-2003, 08:27 PM	#8
motu Loose Pre Unit Joined: Dec 2001 Location: New Zealand Oddometer: 3,977	I keep a couple of old trail bikes around (SL125 and a TF100),my girls learnt on them,the boys soon.Go to buy a small kids bike these days and all you can find is things like KX80s,no good for learning! Old farm bikes are good - low,crash bars everywhere,sometimes a big rack on the back to carry your favorite sheep,so ugly no kid would steal one.