Just getting back in to it, What bike do I get?

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July 26, 2009 at 12:46 pm #96883

Chris
Member

I’m just getting back into riding after a couple of decades, things have changed alot since I was riding around on my ’85 Suzuki RM125 and ’82 Honda XR250 at 17 when I was 40kg lighter. The XR250 was my favorite ride back then because of the lowdown grunt it had.

I’ve got a few mates that go riding and they have Yamaha WR250’s, however one says he’s going to upgrade to a WR450 very soon.

I live in Perth and the rides will genrally be though the forrests, maybe with a touch of sand dunes every now and then, and I may even get into some enduro’s when I get some confidence up again.

I’m a heavy guy at 115kg and 6’3″ tall, from what I’ve been reading I’m leaning towards a KTM 400 EXC, or maybe a Yamaha WR450.

July 26, 2009 at 1:01 pm #145305

Dean
Member

Good onya Dozza for the intro,welcome mate,starting up the WA ChapterB)

Ollie

July 26, 2009 at 1:19 pm #145309

Bruce Curtis
Member

G’day Dozza, glad to virtually meet you… on the bike choice, depends have you done much riding in the interim?

if not and you like grunt and weighing around the same I used to….
DRZ400
Gas Gas FSE450
Gas Gas Pampera

If you’ve kept your hand in every now and then
KLX450
WRF450
Kato525///not the 530 a bit too rocketlike
CRF450X
Husky 510 (or whatever the sticker says it is this year)
Gas Gas 515

Bruce C.

July 26, 2009 at 1:20 pm #145306

Chris
Member

Thanks Ollie, I’m sure I’m gonna love getting back into it.

Another question to throw out to the group, is there any difference between the KTM 400EXC and the 450EXC. In the past it looked like the stroke was the main difference with the engines, but looking at the KTM website there’s only a 0.6mm difference in the stroke length.

Also theres a promo on the 450 but none on the 400.

July 26, 2009 at 1:30 pm #145312

Dean
Member

From all reports it is virtually the same bike,just a bit tamed. If you get a chance have a ride on any of the bikes you are considering prior to purchase. The older RFS type Kato’s are real good trail bikes. I was impressed with Bulls 525 last weekend but the 07 Onwards Yammy 450 are very nice as well, what is your local dealer like? and like Mr Blue said have a try of the Gasgas 450/515 sweet handlingB) fuel injected torque monsters.

Ollie

July 26, 2009 at 1:57 pm #145313

Chris
Member

Just looked up the Gas Gas dealers way out west, there’s only one, and it’s a not a dedicateted bike shop, it’s a tyre shop, so I think i’ll steer clear of them. As for the rest of the bikes they’re all here.

July 26, 2009 at 2:08 pm #145314

Anonymous

I reckon the KTM 400 would be a great steed to start on. Motorbikes are expensive so you need to make sure that whatever you buy a) makes you happy and b) best serves your needs both now and in the future.

The 400 is just a toned down 450. I personally don’t really see the point in them as they weigh the same as the 450. You have obvioulsy ridden bikes before and I don’t think it will take long for you to get back into it.

Any of the modern 450’s are great bikes and would be my choice as an all rounder. If you find yourself put off by the power then I’d go for a 250 or look at something like the Husky 300’s 2t or 4t.

Welcome to the site, it’s nice to have a someone from WA on the forum

July 26, 2009 at 11:17 pm #145315

Bruce Curtis
Member

Umm Moto you do realise the Husky 300 will smoke a 450 don’t you? so if the 450 is too much power the last bike I’d recommend is a 250/300 2t, or am I interpretting your comments wrong?

Although I do detect a bit of closet smoking in your recent dialogue, so are you gunna come out of the closet soon or what?
BC

July 26, 2009 at 11:26 pm #145333

Chris
Member

Wr 250 if your under about 90kgs (just firm up the suspenders) over 90kgs WR450 Keep it stock to start with then de-restrict it when you get use to it That’s my plan for the 450 one day.

Cheers
Chris.

July 27, 2009 at 1:29 am #145335

scott bocking
Member

Hey Dozza

Welcome aboard mate!

I was in the exact same position as you last December when I got back into it after a 20 year break. Last bike at 18, next one at 38. I went with a WR250F. I weigh 90 kg and the riding I do would be described as tight rather than open and fast. If I was riding more open terrain I definatlely would be regretting buying the 250 right now.

Weight is also a factor so I was 10 kg heavier I think it would start to rob the 250 of a bit of life.

Find a good second hand 450 that has good support in your area and do it.

STM

July 27, 2009 at 1:38 am #145334

Anonymous

Mr Blue wrote:

Quote:

Umm Moto you do realise the Husky 300 will smoke a 450 don’t you? so if the 450 is too much power the last bike I’d recommend is a 250/300 2t, or am I interpretting your comments wrong?

Although I do detect a bit of closet smoking in your recent dialogue, so are you gunna come out of the closet soon or what?
BC

Yeah you are right. I was more referring to the 4t but added a rogue 2t in there which you rightly point out contradicts what I said.

TB’s Step dad in Orange had one and it was anything but slow!

And although I get what you’re saying that the 300 2t’s are quick I don’t agree that it will smoke a 450 in a straight line. In the bush with a capable rider….sure:)

July 27, 2009 at 1:58 am #145373

Bruce Curtis
Member

Gas Gas 300 won’t smoke a 450, and the new KTM300s are probably not quite as quick as a CRF450F in a drag, but believe me the TM300 and Husky WR300 rocket ships ain’t for the faint hearted, they are quicker than mine by a fair margin and I hold a well tuned CRF450F to 90-95 on the tar with a good rider, yet both of those 300s smoke me in straight line.

read here what Barry A said in a test review about the YZWR alone

http://www.bikepoint.com.au/reviews/2004/motocross/yamaha/yz250wr/yamaha-yz250wrn-14138

BC

July 27, 2009 at 2:00 am #145374

Matt Baker
Member

Moto wrote:

Quote:

Mr Blue wrote:

Quote:

Umm Moto you do realise the Husky 300 will smoke a 450 don’t you? so if the 450 is too much power the last bike I’d recommend is a 250/300 2t, or am I interpretting your comments wrong?

Although I do detect a bit of closet smoking in your recent dialogue, so are you gunna come out of the closet soon or what?
BC

Yeah you are right. I was more referring to the 4t but added a rogue 2t in there which you rightly point out contradicts what I said.

TB’s Step dad in Orange had one and it was anything but slow!

And although I get what you’re saying that the 300 2t’s are quick I don’t agree that it will smoke a 450 in a straight line. In the bush with a capable rider….sure:)

the 450 beat a 300 even with a gumby rider like you on it!

July 27, 2009 at 3:57 am #145307

drew
Member

Welcome along! first WA member?

>>>my personal 2c value ( and what do you get for 2c anyway:laugh: )

i’d go for the KTM 400/ 450 over the 525. the 400/450 have roller rockers/ valve levers the 525 dose not. 625/640 have rollers also.

but go into the bike shops and explain your situation and you’re not going to buy a bike unless you can have at least a 1/2 hr test ride.

means you may get a 2-5 yr/o bike for the test. but if they won’t come at that they don’t really want you to buy from them.

in the end it’s Your money and You have to ride it.

but by the sounds of it any of the 400-450’s on offer would suit, possibly something like a Honda CRM 250 2T self oiler could be something to consider?

but may finally come down to how the bike feels for you while riding it. e.g. seat height, h/bar position. basically why i would choose a 640 over an XR 650, apart from valve gear.

keep us updated;)

drew.

July 27, 2009 at 11:41 am #145394

Paul Bayly
Member

New or used? If used, find a decent WR426. Wheelstand heaven, bigger tank/longer range compared to most other bikes, will love the open/sandy WA turf, relatively cheap and long-lived compared to the newer stuff. Tough as nails, and heaps of fun. Only real downside is no electric leg, but there are no hills in WA so you won’t need a starter, and real men’s bikes only come with kickstarters anyhoo .
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