Do any of you have any knowledge about dirt bikes?

[Steve-French]

I'm looking into getting an enduro/Dual sport bike. I'm not looking for something that's going to rip my asshole off, I just want something I can drive to work and veer off and hit the trails if I want to. There are a lot of woods where I live, and a ton of trails to ride on.

I was looking at this Chinese Honda CRF250 knock off. It can be delivered to your door for $1400 brand new. Everything I read online about them leads me to believe they're a solid bike. A friend of mine who races said to spend the extra cash on a brand name bike, but I was sensing a lot of fan boy bias. Another friend that races said that as long as I take care of it and keep up with the proper fluid changes it should be okay.

Anyhow this is the bike. I don't really want to spend anymore than this as I don't want to take out a loan for it.

https://www.killermotorsports.com/rps-hawk-250cc-dirt-bike.html

 

[ralphc1]

It appears there might be some assembly required and I don't know why they won't say it's street legal. Could there be emissions requirements it doesn't meet? I can't imagine anything mechanical other than noise.

The price makes it worth a risk if you can license it.

 

[weed]

 

[Kalmah]

Avoid the Chinese bikes unless you plan on running it into the ground because they don't hold their value, at all.

Whereas you'll pay double that for a Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha but you can ride the shit out of them for 10 years and get back what you paid for it. Better for replacement parts too considering just how many have been made.

I actually bought one of those Chinese bikes years ago, four stroke 250 like you're looking at for 2500 dollars, more motocross style and my main complaint was just how heavy the frame was. The bike felt like it weighed twice as much as the legit Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha bikes because of the frame.

 

[Chesten_Hesten]

Unless this is a whim youll change your mind about in a month, id say get yourself a used Suzuki DR650.

A good used one can be had quite reasonably. They're easy to ride, can tolerate many many miles, have just enough power to keep you from getting run over on the street, and are offroad capable. Check avrider.com for ride reviews. Its a bike you can grow into easily and keep using for a long long time.

Its a great utility bike.




Way better than any China-bike.


This is coming from a Honda owner.

 

[ralphc1]

Found this;

Limited Time Sale !
BUY RPS Ricky Power Sports DIRT-BIKE-250CC HAWK ONLINE !
*May not be street legal in all states*
*Item does not have fmvss, NHTSA label*
*Please check with your local DMV to confirm street Legality*

 

[ObsoleteSoul]

No taotao, or other junk. You will pay more in maintanence and repairs in the long run.

 

[ralphc1]

Unless this is a whim youll change your mind about in a month, id say get yourself a used Suzuki DR650.

A good used one can be had quite reasonably. They're easy to ride, can tolerate many many miles, have just enough power to keep you from getting run over on the street, and are offroad capable.


Way better than any China-bike.


This is coming from a Honda owner.

4 times the price might not fit in the budget.

 

[Chesten_Hesten]

4 times the price might not fit in the budget.

$2000 for used will be much less n the long run than $1400 for something that breaks 10 times in a year, and is miserably slow enough to get you killed on the street doh.

 

[Steve-French]

Found this;

It's street legal here. There might be a state or two that have weird laws about enduros.

 

[Steve-French]

Unless this is a whim youll change your mind about in a month, id say get yourself a used Suzuki DR650.

A good used one can be had quite reasonably. They're easy to ride, can tolerate many many miles, have just enough power to keep you from getting run over on the street, and are offroad capable. Check avrider.com for ride reviews. Its a bike you can grow into easily and keep using for a long long time.

Its a great utility bike.




Way better than any China-bike.


This is coming from a Honda owner.

A buddy of mine suggested the same bike. I don't plan on riding too hard and due to the weather I could only ride it for maybe 6 months out of the year due to all of the snow we get in Michigan. I'll see what I can squirl away for money this winter and see what my budget is come spring. I kind of want to stay in the $1000-$1500 range though.

 

[Steve-French]

It appears there might be some assembly required and I don't know why they won't say it's street legal. Could there be emissions requirements it doesn't meet? I can't imagine anything mechanical other than noise.

The price makes it worth a risk if you can license it.

I'm fine with the assembly. I have the tools for it and am mechanically inclined enough to put it together. I'm not a guru, but I was a wheel vehicle mechanic when I was in the Army. The only thing I would need to buy is a torque wrench.

 

[ObsoleteSoul]

A buddy of mine suggested the same bike. I don't plan on riding to hard and due to the weather I could only ride it for maybe 6 months out of the year due to all of the snow Michigan get in Michigan. I'll see what I can squirl away for money this winter and see what my budget is come spring.

Try, if you can, to buy now. Always shop off-season. Always cheaper.

 

[Chesten_Hesten]

A buddy of mine suggested the same bike. I don't plan on riding to hard and due to the weather I could only ride it for maybe 6 months out of the year due to all of the snow Michigan get in Michigan. I'll see what I can squirl away for money this winter and see what my budget is come spring.

Ok,

Few points i feel worth noting.

Many many times the cheaper smaller bike costs more when after discovering how dog slow and completely inadequate they are, yu have to buy something good enough for the job.

Those DR650s are dogs too, (under 30hp) with a totally electric powerbnd. They have a low seat height, better for most than the honda xr650l. The come with an oil cooler a stronger subframe, (for hauling luggage and accoutrements) and a cush rear hub, (easier on chain and motor).

Drain gas from carb when letting it sit and its good to go.

https://nmi.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1996-suzuki-dr650/6415677313.html

With a 650 you wont have to run the piss out of it to get around.

 

[Steve-French]

Ok,

Few points i feel worth noting.

Many many times the cheaper smaller bike costs more when after discovering how dog slow and completely inadequate they are, yu have to buy something good enough for the job.

Those DR650s are dogs too, (under 30hp) with a totally electric powerbnd. They have a low seat height, better for most than the honda xr650l. The come with an oil cooler a stronger subframe, (for hauling luggage and accoutrements) and a cush rear hub, (easier on chain and motor).

Drain gas from carb when letting it sit and its good to go.

https://nmi.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1996-suzuki-dr650/6415677313.html

With a 650 you wont have to run the piss out of it to get around.

Damn dude Nice find. Thanks.

 

[ralphc1]

$2000 for used will be much less n the long run than $1400 for something that breaks 10 times in a year, and is miserably slow enough to get you killed on the street doh.

Where will you find one used for $2000? The cheapest that is offered on Cycle Trader is a 2004 with 18,000 miles for $2795 for a 14 year old cycle. Even a 2006 had a $4000 asking price. There aren't that many available for sale so it's unlikely to find one going cheap.

 

[ralphc1]

 

[Steve-French]

Where will you find one used for $2000? The cheapest that is offered on Cycle Trader is a 2004 with 18,000 miles for $2795 for a 14 year old cycle. Even a 2006 had a $4000 asking price. There aren't that many available for sale so it's unlikely to find one going cheap.

https://nmi.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1996-suzuki-dr650/6415677313.html

$2000 isn't really in my budget right now though. It's a 96 with 12,000 miles.

 

[Gangsters_Paradise]

DR650 or DR350 or DR-Z400sm

if you get a China bike you'll get nothing but problems they are built like crap I don't think those china bikes get EPA approved either

 

[mb23100]

Don't get such a small bike if you plan on driving in traffic. Sometimes you need power to get out of trouble