Enduro vs MX?

[Mike95060]

What would you recomend for a guy who wants to get his first dirtbike and just wants to have fun? I am not ricky carmichal and dont want to be. Are most Moto Cross bikes too high strung for a beginner? Are they too focused to just have fun on? Is it sorta like compairing a 600ss to say an SV650? What would you reccomend for a fun dirtbike. 2 stroke 4 stroke? All ears here.

 

[RZ331]

Mike, two strokes are higher strung than a 4 stroke. If you are going to be mostly playing you'll prolly have a better time on a 4 stroke. Ive ridden 2 strokes for years and now I ride a 4 stroke just because its easier to ride. You can be agressive or not agressive on a 4 stroke and still have fun.

 

[Mike95060]

DrZ if you rode a 4 stroke for a whole would you want to grab a smoker after you got some seat time and started to progress? Who makes the best 4 stroke? OK yeah i know "best" is open to argument but what do you all think?

 

[JoeBar]

DrZ if you rode a 4 stroke for a whole would you want to grab a smoker after you got some seat time and started to progress? Who makes the best 4 stroke? OK yeah i know "best" is open to argument but what do you all think?

Best green stickered four strokes = KTM 450 EXC and this is not open to argument

 

[Tude]

Best green stickered four strokes = KTM 450 EXC and this is not open to argument

Um, well, I might see that a bit different than you, anything is open to argument The Gas Gas FE450 is a fuel injected four stroke with an awesome chassis and available with full Ohlins suspension, nice!

As far as the 4 stroke v 2 stroke? There are very very nice 2 stroke enduro bikes that come with strong, linear power, 6 speed trannies and 18" rear tires that are about 30-40lbs lighter than their 4 stroke counterparts, that's why Kevin and I switched from 4 to 2 strokes

A 2 stroke MX'er will need quite a bit of modifications to make it the trail bike that it could be. I personally don't like the ultra close gears and big hit of the MX bikes at all, but found going from my TTR125 to my Gas Gas 200 a total joy.

At the end of the day, one really just needs to ride a few bikes and make up their own mind.

Kali

 

[pelikan]

Best green stickered four strokes = KTM 450 EXC and this is not open to argument

..until the crf250x comes out that is

I finally rode a 2smoker and man those things have some power, plus they are light as sh*t. I can see why guys on those can whip 'em all over the place. For me though, a 4 stroke is still my cup of tea. Sometimes, esp at Hollister, I find myself cruising the higher trails just enjoying the view, not even sure what gear I'm in. Other times, usually on hill climbs, I'm trying to pick up my bike and wishing it was 50lbs lighter.

 

[jonala]

As Kali points there are even tempered 2 strokes as there are high strung 4 strokes. Everyone has their favorites. There are so many factors that you'll need to supply in your questions.

How much do you want to spend?
Do you want to use the bike in competion such as enduros?
Is height an issue?
Is a water cooled bike an issue.

I ride a XR250R, but some peoples standards, it's a beginners bike. I have found it to be very versatile. When you learn to start it, it is a blast to ride, and very reliable. The only place it comes up short is on long hill climbs. I've been using for enduros for the past 2.5 years.

 

[Tude]

I ride a XR250R, but some peoples standards, it's a beginners bike. I have found it to be very versatile. When you learn to start it, it is a blast to ride, and very reliable. The only place it comes up short is on long hill climbs. I've been using for enduros for the past 2.5 years.

Hi Jon!

The XR250 is by many people's standard a great bike Kevin rode Natalie's in the Bearfoot enduro and really enjoyed himself. Some people on here don't like to hear it, but he prefered the bike over the KTM250RFS

For me, weight is too much of an issue for me to ride a full-sized 4 stroke. The GG EC200 and the Kawasaki KDX200 have very close to 4 stroke power without the weight penality for a little person like me.

I still think you should take a spin on the Gasser one of these days!

 

[muddy]

GAS-GAS in the Bay Area

I don't think there are bad bikes, there are just bikes more adapted to certain than other. It just depends of the budget, the usage of the bike and the rider profile... Did I mention the budget ?

For a dirt-newbie, I would recommend something like a Xr 400, proven bike, a bit heavy for tight wood, but no need to be Arnold Schwarzeneger to handle it on standard trails (not like my old Husky 410). A 400 DrZ may also be a decent choice. I go with 400 cc because lower cc bike suits "light"riders better.

Hope it helps

 

[muddy]

Oups, forgot to ask : is there a Gas-Gas bike in the bay area? Is it not to tough to get parts ?

 

[JoeBar]

Oups, forgot to ask : is there a Gas-Gas bike in the bay area? Is it not to tough to get parts ?

If you can afford to wait for overpriced parts to ship from Spain on sail boats, then you'll be ok... j/k
The list of dealerships is online on the Gas Gas Web site.

 

[Tude]

If you can afford to wait for overpriced parts to ship from Spain on sail boats, then you'll be ok... j/k
The list of dealerships is online on the Gas Gas Web site.

Pierre and all you people that try to use parts/prices against GG make me laugh!!

As a former KTM owner I can assure you that parts for Gas Gas motorcycles are typically 75% or less of what KTM parts are, even those parts that work on both bikes! My Gas Gas uses the exact same radiators as a KTM does, the only difference is they are about $50 CHEAPER from Gas Gas.

All Platics on a GG are from a KX except the rad shrouds. For a list of crossover parts are at GasGasRider.org.

One of the reasons I love having a Gas Gas is the support I get regarding technical issues and parts. I have never had to wait for a part in my life and they have all been more than reasonable price wise. I order everything via Smackover Motorsports in AR www.smackovermotorsports.com or if I need something the next day I sometimes call Motowest in So Cal. Les at LT-Racing sells awesome aftermarket stuff and is a suspension guru, he is at www.lt-racing.com.

I can tell you one thing for sure, there are very few people who own a GG and switch to another brand We now own 3, any of you are welcome to take a test ride Here is our herd.

 

[JoeBar]

I can tell you one thing for sure, there are very few people who own a GG

I totally agree with that part of your post!

 

[Mike95060]

Thanks for all the input guys. I have been keeping an eye out for a used dirt bike for a while now and want to be able to spot a good deal if it pops up. I dont really know that much about dirt bikes in general. Any good sites that explain the differences between an MX and enduro? 2 stroke vs 4? and what about stickers and spark arrestors adnall that stuff?

 

[RZ331]

I would only buy a GasGas if I wanted a bike with a ski jump for seat/tank junction. I think the seat has like a 1% grade going up the tank My DRz has a flatter seat/tank junction

For me if I were to buy a new dirtbike today it would be the KTM450EXC. It the best all around package for me.

 

[JoeBar]

For me if I were to buy a new dirtbike today it would be the KTM450EXC. It the best all around package for me.

Thanks Dude!
I will even let you ride it when we go to Foresthill!

 

[951dude]

MX bike- light, higher gearing, stiff suspension. can be 2 or 4 stroke nowadays. Usually a more narrow powerband and gear ratio designed for track racing.

Enduro- comes with lighting, usually lower gearing in 1st gear for technical trails, and higher top gears. May have electric start. Larger tank and seat. A bit more mellow.

I think most every bike will have a spark arrestor, since its required to ride in all the parks. As far as green sticker, it gets a little tricky for post 1997 bikes. Also remember to look for a bike that already has a quiet muffler/exhaust because of the new sound laws.

 

[JoeBar]

Mike,
I agree with what 951dude just said. I would add that Enduro bikes usually have a heavier flywheel that makes them less rev happy than MX but easier to ride in slow technical sections without stalling...

As for the Green/Red sticker info, take a look at this thread

 

[Tude]

I would only buy a GasGas if I wanted a bike with a ski jump for seat/tank junction. I think the seat has like a 1% grade going up the tank My DRz has a flatter seat/tank junction

Where on earth do you come up with these amazing insights? How many have you actually seen and/or ridden one?

In any case, even if your statement was true (which it isn't), most trail riders that don't just ride around in circles at Hollister add an oversized tank to their bikes as standard, making your point practically mute.

 

[RZ331]

Where on earth do you come up with these amazing insights? How many have you actually seen and/or ridden one?

In any case, even if your statement was true (which it isn't in my uninformed opinion), most trail riders that don't just ride around in circles at Hollister add an oversized tank to their bikes as standard, making your point practically mute.

Actually my info came from and not limited to the picture you linked in a previous post of the GasGas 450 fuel injected, blah,blah, whatever else you rambled on about it. The seat/tank junction is one of the tallest if not THE tallest of all modern fourstrokes. You really should ACTUALLY check out the bike your posting if you want to be fully informed. Therefore your statements ARE MUTE:lmao

And where does it put your seat after you install a B I G G E R tank?


Im just bustin your chops, you seem to know alot about motorcycles and I am sure you believe what you think is the best(GasGas) even if it isn't