Hi Guys,
I have always wanted a 4 stroke dirt bike for trail riding. I imagine a dirt bike can be ridden much faster and is more maneuverable.

I have been watching that show "dirt rider adventure" and they have a lot of fun. I didn't realize how well a bike could get through the rough stuff.

My questions:

1. How well does a dirt bike handle a little water and a little mud?

2. I don't want to drop the bike on me by having the back end slip out. Does this happen a lot?

3. Some of the places I go have small logs that you have to go over and ditches with 6 inches of water/mud to go through to get to the other side. Would a bike be able to get through without being a skilled rider?

4. What's easier on the trail for an atv?

5. What's easier on the trail for a dirt bike?

If a dirt bike would be rather easy to do what I described above then I will consider getting one. At my age I want it to be easy.

Thanks for all your help.

 

I raced dirtbikes in mx/xc riding for 10yrs, and loved it. But I have to say w/o a doubt that I think quads are WAY easier to ride in the woods. The number one reason is BALANCE. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] All your attention can be focused on riding the quad and not trying not to fall over, and maintain momentum.... It is true that bikes can certainly go alot faster than quads through narrow places, but quads are no slow pokes either w/ the right rider on board. Both are great fun, but if you want a less stressfull enjoyable ride I say go with the quad.

 

If you are talking riding........then a quad is much better. For racing I think a dirtbike is easier, they have tons of suspension and go over bumps easily. After racing a quad my arms feel like they are going to fall off(with good suspension upgrades too)..........

 

Myself and 2 of my riding buddies all started out riding bikes in the trails and have since switched over to quads, and have not looked back!

 

A mellow tuned 4-stroke such as a Honda XR250R or a good trail 2-stroke like a KDX200/220 is extremely easy and fun to ride in conditions you mentioned. These bikes have very mellow engines so not much worry about excessive wheel spin. The wheel base is short so that wheelying over logs and small water obstacles is very easy or just chug right over/or thru. You don't have to be very concerned about trying any kind of tough up hill on a bike because its very easy to turn around anywhere by laying it over and dragging it around and hopping back on.
Sand, loose rocks, deeper mud are easier on a properly set up quad for a beginner. But no problem either on a bike after a little confidence building. I think everyone should try out both and deceide for yourself which is most fun for you. I personally will keep both.

 

Thanks for the response guys. I was thinking about a 4 stroke Honda 230 f.

From what you guys are saying it sounds like the bike could make it through the obstacles that I mentioned. I wasn't sure if bike could get through 6" to 12" inches of mud. I was thinking that one skinny bike tire couldn't sling a lot of mud to push the bike forward in mud. It sounds like it would be no problem with some skills.

 

I started off on a Mini trail 50 and progressed from there and will agree with everything oldturtle has typed. The only area the quad has over the bike is carrying capacities and in very slick conditions you don't have to worry about loosing your balance and or falling over so to answer question number 2 and 3 if you have no experience you might have a problem until learned.

I have owned both the kdx 200/220 series and right at this time period own a KDX200 because its a more mid to top end orientated vs. the 220's low end to mid range. I would say the 220 is a torque monster vs. the 200 has the ability to scream, rev-out but both are great trail bikes if you want a two stroke.

 

I have also owned in the past an XR200 for the son.

I sure won't try to talk you out of this bike but the 230 is evolved from the XR200, it does not have much power and the rear suspension is very weak and will bottom quite easy if you are over 150 pounds. The front end is better when firmed up with air pressure.

The XR 250 is $1200 dollars more but its worth it because of the better motor and upgraded suspension.

 

My extended family now owns both XR200 and XR250. I sure would not recommend the XR230 unless some medical condition prevented you from kick starting the 250 since the 230 has electric start. Once you get the starting drill figured out, kick starting these XR's is a piece of cake, even my XR650R.
The 1996 and newer XR250R's are fantastic trail bikes with much more potential for future fun than the 230. My guess is that with the 230 you could soon get bored with the soft power and want more. This probably won't happen with the 250.