I ride a Kawasaki KDX200 when I'm not out blasting around on my 400ex. I am faster on the ex, but I think that is because I wrecked the kdx and broke my hand a couple years ago. I'm a little gun shy to really get nasty with it on the bike. I took both my ex and the kdx to a dice run this past weekend. I let my buddy ride the kdx and he piled it up hard. About $250 worth of damage. Oh well. Time to fix it up.

I used to ride an xr250 back in the early 90's and it ran good but it was definately under powered compared to my kdx. I enjoyed riding it when it was wet and slippery. It would crawl over any terrain but just did not have much get up and go when you wanted it. The suspension was also a little on the weak side. What ever you ride just enjoy yourself and be safe.

 

you want the XR400 with your size, I am 150lbs and the 250 is plenty for me as all I need to do is rev it out to stay with any of my friends who ride CR250's ect. but get the 400 as its still light and nimble

 

I ride a 400ex and never really wanted a dirtbike till now. I always liked the yz426 but now that the CRF450 is coming out,, I want a dirtbike. I almost wish I wouldn't of waiting to bought anything and not of bought the 400ex and would of ordered the CRF. I have always been a four stroke fan but wanted one that was equal to the 2 stroke mx bikes.

 

the best dirt bikes for the woods would be the ktms or the yz426f.....seen em both in action and they are awsome....i've ridden the xr250 and liked it alot, but if your serious about it get the ktm or the 426

 

The best bikes for the woods are the 426 and KTM!? Fellas just because a bike is a 4stroke doesn't mean its a woodsbike.The 426 makes a worse woods bike than the 2stroke 250, the bike weighs so damn much momentum controlls your riding.I ride a 1996 RM250, the best fork ever in MX.If power don't mean a thing, get the XR250, if your concerned about power and have your heart set on a 4stroke check out the KTM EXC400 or the WR250F.Good luck.

 

<< The best bikes for the woods are the 426 and KTM!? Fellas just because a bike is a 4stroke doesn't mean its a woodsbike.The 426 makes a worse woods bike than the 2stroke 250, the bike weighs so damn much momentum controlls your riding.I ride a 1996 RM250, the best fork ever in MX.If power don't mean a thing, get the XR250, if your concerned about power and have your heart set on a 4stroke check out the KTM EXC400 or the WR250F.Good luck. >>



I'm not sure I agree with that. The 426 is a great woods bike. your right...a bit heavy, but much easier to ride in the trails than a 250 smoker. You do not have to work the clutch as much.
I currently ride a drz400...great in the woods..and faster than any quad I've ridden too.(including my banshee).
The drz250 is nice start for a woods bike. Though it has a tall seat height. I do agree with the ktm400 or wr250f...both those bikes will work great in the woods...though I feel they are not in the same league. The wr is much better in a motocross situation.

None of the bikes listed above feel heavy when ridden. My drz is somewhere around 270lbs. The only time you feel that weight is on big jumps, picking it up and off camber kick starting on large hills(what a bear)...though the drz series of bikes have that magic button....so when everyone else is kicking their stalled bike...your riding.. and while you are riding...it feels as light as any modern 2 stroke.

The xr250 is a good starting point too...it will feel underpowered once you get some saddle time on it. (as will the drz250). It all depends on what your looking for. If you want a casual trail bike, any of the above will work....just not the 2 stroke. They like to be revved.I'm not saying they can't be ridden slow...but....Much less trouble on the 4 banger. I can put around in first just above idle with the 400 all day long....or rip it wide open with no troubles at all. Gone are the days of waiting for 4 stroke power to kick in..... Over the next few years...you will see the 2 stroke die hards start going the thumper way.
OH yeah...on another note...I was a die hard 2 stroker for years.Ridden many bikes from the 125 class all the way through the 250 expert. I'm finding the 4 strokes just as much fun. And plenty powerful.

Have fun with your choices.