Dirt bike advice

[SeaRun1]

One more thing…

You still need to budget for a helmet, goggles, gloves, some variety of protection (chest, elbow, knee) and most importantly boots.  Don’t scrimp on boots or helmets.  You kinda need your brain for most things in life and it will surprise you how many hits you take on your feet and shins.  Being aways from your truck also means a pack for tools and water.

SR1

[Sliverslinger]

As a beginner and depending on the kind of riding and all, you might just consider like a TW200 or XT225.

I like motorcycles for dual purpose and my TW200 is a hunting machine that will go most single track places. The only places it won’t go are places I wouldn’t have the skill to go with any other bike anyway.

[Karl Blanchard]

I gotta disagree on the tw200.  I see them recommended a ton but that big tire and low pegs do you no favors.  Narrow single tracks that fat tire loves to grab rocks and trail walls and the low peg height hits everything.  A regular dirtbike is gonna do everything better than a tw200 imo.  Just one man's    its worth what you paid for it

[Sliverslinger]

I gotta disagree on the tw200.  I see them recommended a ton but that big tire and low pegs do you no favors.  Narrow single tracks that fat tire loves to grab rocks and trail walls and the low peg height hits everything.  A regular dirtbike is gonna do everything better than a tw200 imo.  Just one man's    its worth what you paid for it

I totally agree for the most part. That’s why I lifted this one, put fork extensions, a 800 lb taller spring, a 70t sprocket, and taller tires. Now I don’t hit the pegs on anything and since I’m not a ripper, I can put it in 1st, air down the atv tubeless tire tire, and just crawl right up just about anything. The standard dirt bikes absolutely smoke anything I can do and they are better in every way as you said, but except for this -  Put 100-150 extra pounds on their back and it all changes. For hunting, I think it works pretty well. It’s a great starter bike otherwise, but not very fun on single track stock.

[Karl Blanchard]

You mean you don't like riding with a 100lb pack on

[Sandberm]

I gotta disagree on the tw200.  I see them recommended a ton but that big tire and low pegs do you no favors.  Narrow single tracks that fat tire loves to grab rocks and trail walls and the low peg height hits everything.  A regular dirtbike is gonna do everything better than a tw200 imo.  Just one man's    its worth what you paid for it

I totally agree for the most part. That’s why I lifted this one, put fork extensions, a 800 lb taller spring, a 70t sprocket, and taller tires. Now I don’t hit the pegs on anything and since I’m not a ripper, I can put it in 1st, air down the atv tubeless tire tire, and just crawl right up just about anything. The standard dirt bikes absolutely smoke anything I can do and they are better in every way as you said, but except for this -  Put 100-150 extra pounds on their back and it all changes. For hunting, I think it works pretty well. It’s a great starter bike otherwise, but not very fun on single track stock.

Holy cow. I'm not a fan of fat tire bikes but that one is kinda gnarly. You put a rear tire on the front? 70 TOOTH sprocket???

omg.

Most fun dirt bike i ever had was my 1984 Honda XR200. It cornered great, had better suspension then my 2008 TTR230 and was super reliable. i wish they would put kickstarters back on beginner bikes.

[Rat44]

Been many years since I have ridden but was very heavily involved in the sport.
A wife and 3 boys kept me busy keepin them all running at the same time .
I still believe a good 250 is hard to beat as a beginners bike that you will not soon tire of.
Started all my kids on a 110 then they got a 250 .
Too much bike will do you no favors ,had a IT 490 that was the hardest bike I have ever tried to master.
My XL 350 was the most fun one .
Sounds like a Dual purpose 250-350 would suit you well.

[OltHunter]

I got a KLX250 used a few years ago and is about all I need. I wanted a dual sport, a nonstreet legal doesn't do you much good in WA.

What I didn't realize is most bikes are geared toward 160# riders. Most will need front and rear spring upgrades and possibly some new valves. Makes a world of difference and is generally more safer to get it all tuned to your weight.

I also went to a 13 tooth front and a 47 rear. That also makes it crawl a lot better. I'm not an experienced rider at all. Mine was mainly to keep in the back of my truck in case some forest service roads or 2 tracks were not accessible in my truck.

[IslandHunter]

This advice has rang true for many people I have helped get into riding.

First point, if you aren't sure you will like the sport start out cheap and slow. Used gear works fine for a beginner. A helmet and boots are mandatory, both can be found cheap lightly used.

Second, do not get MX bike, even if you want to ride MX, start with s trail bike or an enduro. They are much easier to ride and typically more reliable.

Third get yourself a reliable bike, there is nothing worse than having mechanical issues or wrenching on something before you even get to enjoy it. To add to this point, newer doesn't mean more reliable. There are a ton of bikes from the 2000s - 2010s that seem like good deals but there is a reason they are so cheap. A quick google search will tell you what bikes are considered reliable.

As far as bike recommendations I am a big fan of the Honda XR series, they are cheap, reliable, and have plenty of performance
XR 200 widely known as a kids / wife bike but they are cheap, great to learn on, unbreakable, and can get you just about anywhere. CRF 230 is similar but with e-start!
XR 250 is a full sized dirt bike that used to be pretty competitive back in the day, they don't keep up with the modern 250s but they are fantastic bikes,
XR 400 is also a great bike, more power and bigger than the 250 but still manageable for a newer rider. I learned on a xr400 and am 6'2" 240 lbs

The Kawasaki KDX 200 and 220 are also great if you are interested in a 2 stroke. Super reliable, light weight. Prices have been going up but can still be found at a reasonable price.

TTR 230, WR250, are worth looking into too.

Good luck!

[Alchase]

Some great recommendations on bikes and gear, if over 25 I would suggest a good kidney belt as well. You will thank me! 

[Stein]

I have two hunting bikes, a newer KLX300 and a 1972 Kawasaki F7.  As mentioned above, street legal is important where we hunt and ride during the summer.  Bike prices have came down, dual sports give us everything we need, I tend to try to keep both wheels on the ground these days.

[EnglishSetter]

As a beginner and depending on the kind of riding and all, you might just consider like a TW200 or XT225.

I like motorcycles for dual purpose and my TW200 is a hunting machine that will go most single track places. The only places it won’t go are places I wouldn’t have the skill to go with any other bike anyway.

Another vote for a Tdub.  They aren't blasters, but are street legal, will do 60+ mph (stock gearing) and are exceptional on the trail.  The wide tires help in rap rap and rock strewn type terrain, but a bit sketchy in mud, rutted up single tracks and terrible in crusty snow (fine in fresh).  Good on the beach too.  There's people who have taken these through the jungle and to the North Pole. 

I'm a trail rider and quite novice myself.  Easy bike to ride and can put both feet on the ground when desired.  Street legal allows getting to the trail/between trails, designated FS roads, etc. 

They are not for the guy wants to to race to point B while putting his buddies in the dust.  But if FS roads at 25-30 mph, logging roads, spurs and a little off-piste is more your speed they are hard to beat and have a cult like following.