sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
It should come to no surprise to anyone here that I'm ready to try a different motorcycle. I LOVE my bike right now, but it's way too tall for me. I feel like it's taking me for a ride, rather than me controlling it. I crash more on this bike than any other, and I feel exhausted when I have to pick it up and try to kickstart it without falling over on the trail. It's been a blast, but I'm ready for something a little more laid back.
Now, before you tell me to get a lowering link, I've tried that on my old kdx, and I'll never use a lowering link again on any bike due to the messed up geometry (even after raising the forks in the triple clamps.)
Also, sometimes you don't know what'll suit your needs best 'till you try it for a while, or sometimes your needs change. While I've only had this bike for about 3 months, I've put at least 20 rides on it.
here are my criteria:
1) I MUST be able to touch the ground on it. I tried the whole ricky charmichael thing with one leg over the seat, but it doesn't work for me, especially at stoplights. I have an inseam of 29-30". I don't need to be able to flat-foot, but I do need to at least be able to touch both toes to the ground. For reference, my xt225 seat height was 32", and it was perfect. My CR125 is 37.3", way too tall.
2) It needs to be able to carry 2 people with a set of footpegs for the rear rider. I'd like to be able to take my wife up the canyon on it.
3) I want it to be more laid back than a motocross bike. It needs to be able to handle fire roads and af canyon singletrack. I'm thinking i want a 4-stroke again. I don't want to blast down the roads and jump of every rock, but I want to be able to putt around on it, and explore. I wouldn't mind it if I could tackle the moab trails like hell's revenge on it.
4) I don't need tons of power. My xt225 had plenty of power. I think a 200 would be fine. i'd rather have light weight than lots of power.
5) I don't plan on ever taking it on the freeway, so 55/60 mph is about the max that I need. a 6th gear would sure be nice, but not essential.
6) my budget is $2500 or less (once I sell or trade my current bike.) I don't mind older bikes as long as they're reliable and easy/cheap to service.
Which bikes should I be looking at?
Now, before you tell me to get a lowering link, I've tried that on my old kdx, and I'll never use a lowering link again on any bike due to the messed up geometry (even after raising the forks in the triple clamps.)
Also, sometimes you don't know what'll suit your needs best 'till you try it for a while, or sometimes your needs change. While I've only had this bike for about 3 months, I've put at least 20 rides on it.
here are my criteria:
1) I MUST be able to touch the ground on it. I tried the whole ricky charmichael thing with one leg over the seat, but it doesn't work for me, especially at stoplights. I have an inseam of 29-30". I don't need to be able to flat-foot, but I do need to at least be able to touch both toes to the ground. For reference, my xt225 seat height was 32", and it was perfect. My CR125 is 37.3", way too tall.
2) It needs to be able to carry 2 people with a set of footpegs for the rear rider. I'd like to be able to take my wife up the canyon on it.
3) I want it to be more laid back than a motocross bike. It needs to be able to handle fire roads and af canyon singletrack. I'm thinking i want a 4-stroke again. I don't want to blast down the roads and jump of every rock, but I want to be able to putt around on it, and explore. I wouldn't mind it if I could tackle the moab trails like hell's revenge on it.
4) I don't need tons of power. My xt225 had plenty of power. I think a 200 would be fine. i'd rather have light weight than lots of power.
5) I don't plan on ever taking it on the freeway, so 55/60 mph is about the max that I need. a 6th gear would sure be nice, but not essential.
6) my budget is $2500 or less (once I sell or trade my current bike.) I don't mind older bikes as long as they're reliable and easy/cheap to service.
Which bikes should I be looking at?
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If you haven't looked into these you should. They are the WR's older brother and honestly one of the most capable trail bikes I've ever been around. I know a few people that ride these and prefer them over new bikes. I'm very sure you could touch the ground on one, and you can find them for pretty cheap nowadays (if you can find one :-\), they're light, plenty powerful and they are bomb proof. 
