I know this is sort of misplaced, but I will ask anyway... I have had quads pretty much my entire life. At the age of 4 I got a yamaha moto 4 80cc, then I got a 220 kawasaki bayou, out grew that then got a 350 wolverine, then got my current quad a 2003 yamaha warrior 350 and a kodiak 400. I dont really have the money to upgrade to a "big bore" and I am getting tired of quads. Should I get a dirt bike? What kind? What size (Im 5'8" 150lbs)? I have had one before but when I was young (like 8) so Im really new to them and know nothing about them. I know this is an atv forum, so dont reply and tell me that, if you dont like that its in the wrong section Im sorry but please just ignore it. Any information would be helpful I apreciate it.

 

Well what do your firends have? I rode dirt bikes all my life and raced them. But when I would trail ride all my friends had quads and I would get stuck not being able to go through stuff they did. So I bought me a quad and raced it as well and I really enjoyed the trails. So really it is all up to you. Sometimes I wish I had a bike but ultimatly it would just be a novelty item, for me anyway. You will like it, faster and can jump bigger but on the trails you wont be able to take those sharp turns fast. Its all up to you but you will enjoy it either way. Heck being on any power sport machine makes life enjoyable!!

 

I think I would like one, but on the other hand my friends do have quads. but also I think after like 6 months on a dirt bike I could smoke them. the trails we ride on seem to be good for dirt bikes too. I mean there is some sand and mud but not much, plus I would keep the kodiak. What size do you think I would need? Would a 2 or 4 stroke be better? what brand is good (other then KTM)?

 

All Ive ever rode was suzuki. It felt more ergonomically correct as did the yamaha's that Ive sat on. Kawasaki and honda felt to stiff and blocky for me and the handle bars seemed really low. So I recomend either suzuki or yamaha. I think the 2 storkes will be cheaper but you better keep up the maint. for the top end. Ive never rode a 4 stroke dirt bike so i cant help you there. But I am 5-11 @ 180lbs and I LOVED my RM125. It was plenty fast and had lots of power. I had an RM250 but did not like the weight of a 250, the 125 I could toss around alot easier in the air and on the ground. So based off of that I would recomend a RM125 or a YZ125.

 

What maintenance is there?

 

Top ends (rings and piston). Not hard but time consuming. Other than that no more than your quad. Chain, filter, oil change. The usual. I changed my top end after every race and when trail riding it would let me know when it needed it by losing power. I think you will enjoy the bike! I wish I got one now. haha J/K

 

dirtbikes are awesome my first dirtbike was a 76 cr250m elsinore, dirtbikes have a little bit of a harder learning process vs atvs, there lighter and faster and a blast to ride specially once you get good and you start hitting jumps and banking turns throwing roost is awesome, im actually thinking of getting rid of the warrior and getting into dirtbikes again, i want to get a 87 honda cr250, the 4 stroke thumpers are obviously a little easier to ride and its not so tricky to be fast on tracks and trails with them, but i just love the good ole 2 strokes, the last dirtbike i had was a 87 husqvarna wr430 and good grief it was a monster i regret getting rid of it but parts were so hard to find and pricey, that bike was FAAAAAST not even joking its top speed was 110-120 which is just insane for a dirtbike.

 

Yeah I can see where 4 strokes are easier to ride. No power band to try to stay in. But man when you figure it out that thing will move for sure.

 

YZ125 KTM 125? If I trade my 2003 warrior 350, I sould be able to get A nice bike.

 

yea you can get some real nice dirtbikes for dirt cheap lol, i mean like 700-1500 would get a nice 125 or 250