So I'm adding to my list of toys... [Archive] - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

TIE1ON

05-01-2003, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by Dog House
Hi Tie, I would recommend you do what you wimmen folk do best! SHOP around :laughing: :flipoff2: :ducking for cover:

Have you looked at the Yamaha TTRS yet? Maybe a DRZ 250?

Jimmy :beer:

I've stopped by a couple of bike shops in the last couple of weeks but its so hard to trust these guys and the advice they're giving ya know?! They see a young chick walk in who is brand new to this particular sport and they feed me whatever I want to hear so that's why I'm asking you guys. I know you'll give it to me straight! ;)

Don't you think a 250 will be too big for me? I want something I that I can handle somewhat easily and as light as possible. Why Yamaha? Must be what you ride :flipoff2:

Hawaii500_1999

05-01-2003, 12:01 PM

the yamaha ttr 250 electric start is a good bike.

for the record i ride a cr.

why do you want an aluminum frame if you are beginning.

xr 200 isn't a bad bike nor is it great. the electric start requirement slims down the pickin's.

if you have a little agresiveness in you and you have good reflexes and are in good shape i would tell you to get

a kdx200 (kawasaki) go check them out. sit on them. they aren't to hard to lower if you want it lower. they are pretty tame two smokers in stock form and i could start one with my hand. as your skills improve there are as many after market parts and support for kdx 200's as there are for toyotas.

mild to wild you can do a lot with a new kdx200

as for those new honda xr lines. i have looked at them at the dealership and i just was not impressed. they are all prettied up with alloy and plastic but the motors look like the old tec. i have a hard time believing that they are down sized crf450's you can tell by looking at the head. it's not the uni cam head the 450 has. just doesn't seem to be the same level of high tec 4 stroke that the crf 450 is.

just my 0.02

TIE1ON

05-01-2003, 12:50 PM

Well, the aluminum frame is lighter and my only concern would be bending the frame right?! I'm not gonna get too crazy as far as jumping it and stuff since this is my first bike. Maybe later if I get bored with the easier stuff...what type of frame would you suggest?

I was thinking more along the lines of a 150 for my size but it sounds like a 250 would be more suited for me? I want something I can ride for a few years and be comfortable building my skill, not being intimidated.

As far as the specs of the motor, I'm not as concerned with previous make comparisons as I am with something that I can hill climb with and something reliable. I plan on doing some long rides and breaking down in the middle of nowhere would really put a damper on my day. The only thing I can really see myself altering within the first 2 years of owning it would be the suspension.

This KDX200 you're talking about has my attention. I think I'll stop by Kawasaki on my way home today, see what they have to say.

Thanks! :)

TJ99

05-01-2003, 01:03 PM

I started on an XR400 and it was great. You have to remember with a 4 stroke you will need a bigger bike to make up for less power per cc

Hawaii500_1999

05-01-2003, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by TIE1ON
Well, the aluminum frame is lighter and my only concern would be bending the frame right?! I'm not gonna get too crazy as far as jumping it and stuff since this is my first bike. Maybe later if I get bored with the easier stuff...what type of frame would you suggest?

Thanks! :)

not necessarily. the new aluminum frames are a lot larger than the steel or chromemoly frames. i have read in some cases that the alum. frame was only a few ounces lighter the the steel or chromo.

if you ride a cr, kx, yz, and rm 250 i bet that it would be hard to tell witch one is lighter. where the bikes weight is placed makes a huge difference. like take the kdx 200 you are going to look at. it weighs than a cr but may feel lighter. i cr500 i used to have was about 50 lbs. lighter than my old xr250 but the old xr250 felt lighter. ergonomics of a bike and it's weight distribution can make the world of difference. go and sit on them . i even have had the salesman hold the bike while i pretend i'm rideing it. going from standing to sitting way up on the tank. everyone has there own riding style and i always want to move all around on my scooter. it looks like your taking your time though and checking it all out first instead of impulse buying off of some magazine articale that you just read.

as far as what type of frame i would get. that is something that isn't as important to me. i once feared the alum. frames cause i have a tendancey to bash my frames up. but i just got my first alum frame and i haven't ruined it yet.
to tell you the truth it didn't matter to me. i just really liked how the cr250 felt to me. i guess you could say that it fit me. i'm always too cramped on the kawis and the suzukis had radiator shroud sthat came way out the sides and the yamaha salemand pissed me off.

have fun shopping
mike

TIE1ON

05-01-2003, 02:53 PM

Thanks Hawaiiduder!! I appreciate your comments :) And I just assumed the aluminum frame would be better but see, I was totally wrong!! :laughing: I think what I'll do it a side by side comparison of each bike I want by each manufacturer, go in and look at them, sit on them and see what kind of deals I can work with the sales guys. Mmmmmmmm, negotiating :evil:

I've also noticed that the Kawasakis are more expensive than the Hondas? Anyone know why, is it worth paying the extra $$$? Also, would it be worth paying extra money for a protection plan? I usually don't but since I have zero experience with dirt bikes maybe it would be worth it?!

Hawaii500_1999

05-01-2003, 04:03 PM

i've never bought a protection planm. though my honda came with some sort of warenty. but i mean what's it wortyh? my second ride i buried it in a river and water got everywhere. i guess it's possible for something to go wrong but hect i've never heard of any.

when you decide what you really want let me know i've delt with some shops that have given me pretty good deals.

clawson in fresno has made it worth my drive.

big valley honda in reno does some good deals as well.

haward honda is where i got my cr i have now but the old boy that sold it to me is gone and there was some arogent punk there when i went last time that didn't know shit for shingles about the bikes he was supposed to be selling.

also almost any salesman, "if you ask for it", will give you a dicount or cost on anything you buy right there with the bike. i always ask for it. it's a chunk to spend in one shot but saves you $ inthe end. i went in and got a skid plate, bark busters, spark arrestor, radiator braces and new riding pants, and some oil all at cost. never hurts to ask.

NVR FNSH

05-01-2003, 04:36 PM

Take a look at these websites for info from other women riders.

www.dirtrider.net - go to the womens forum I ride with folks from this site and the gals ride ttr125s, GG200s, KTM200s, KTM250RFS, KDX200s, DR250s. Lot's of good advice and several of them are local to you.

www.girlrider.net

www.bayarearidersforum.com

My wife rides a '92 XR250R - she 5'11"/135#

Good luck,
Brian

Dog House

05-01-2003, 08:20 PM

Tie; when I decided I was going to buy a certain model I found it as cheap as I could on the net. That turned out to be like 700 dollars cheaper than my local dealer had it priced.

I did as much of the paper work as I could with the distance I was from the cheapest dealer I found. That turned out to be Poway cycles. I then took the paper work I had been faxed. Walked into the local dealer and offered them a chance to get the sale. They met it, albeit begrudgingly. Then like Hawaiidude suggested work'em for extras!:D

Hope this helps and keep us posted on your search.

Jimmy :usa: :beer:

Brad

05-02-2003, 12:03 AM

Definitly get the extras if you can, atleast get a helmet out of them. They will try and give you some cheapy crap helmet but just say " I'm spending a big chunk o' change here, you could atleast give me a good(comfortable is key) helmet) ;)

TIE1ON

05-02-2003, 01:42 PM

Thanks for all the comments, links and advice you guys!

Well, after some serious shopping last night and today I think I found my new baby. The Yamaha TT-225R *sigh*. I LOVE this bike! Perfect height for me, electric start, 4 stroke, and affordable!! Financing is taken care of and now I have to decide which dealer I want to buy it from. Anyone out there have any reasons why I SHOULDN'T buy this bike, where is the best place to get deals on gear and any suggestions on who I should buy from in N. CA.! Also, my bro will be buying a brand new bike at the same time! Thanks!

Hawaii500_1999

05-02-2003, 02:31 PM

you can try clawson. i've bought two of my bikes and soem of my friends too. they sell yamaha. 559-435-5000

or try scott at berkeley yamaha he is usually the best in the bay area. 510-525-5525

also redwood city yamaha just opened back up. the guy there named kenny said hell will beat any price you get.(i think they are desperate)

i'd shop around and end with redwood city. it's good to give him a nice low price to try and beat.

oh yeah the rw city # is 650-298-9700

Hawaii500_1999

05-02-2003, 02:35 PM

by the way i've riden one of those, (it was a street legal one) and it handle suprisingley well. the weight is all nice and low. the power was extremley smooth but not enough for me.

i bet you'll love it.

the motor just looking it over didn't look like it was to bad to work on. but i bet you won't need to pull any big maintenece on it.

Dog House

05-02-2003, 03:29 PM

Congratulations Tie, that's a great looking bike! I'll bet you have an absolute blast on it.

So now we to plan a PBB riding day or weekend!

That would be way too cool.

:beer:

Jimmy :usa:

TIE1ON

05-02-2003, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by hawaii500_1999
by the way i've riden one of those, (it was a street legal one) and it handle suprisingley well. the weight is all nice and low. the power was extremley smooth but not enough for me.

i bet you'll love it.

the motor just looking it over didn't look like it was to bad to work on. but i bet you won't need to pull any big maintenece on it.

I'll definitely check on Redwood City and Clawson both!! Thanks! :)

I love the fact that the bike is low profile. I think its really suitable for a female rider, just feels better for some reason. The power, yeah, that was a huge issue for me which was the main reason why I didn't go for a 2 stroke. Although I will do some riding with my boyfriend and some guy friends, I'll mainly be riding with girlfriends, more enjoying the scenery and gettin crazy in between :laughing:

As far as maintenance, not a huge issue if I have to pull it apart but I have to admit, if I have to do anything more than tune up in the first 3 years I own it I'm gonna be pretty pissed!! If Yamaha's are likely to go out then I don't want this bike!!!

Dog House - I plan on taking that thing out every weekend I'm not wheelin. Hollister, Carnegie, Stoneyford, Icehouse area and up in Ukiah. I can ride it year round and pretty much anywhere :) Woooooo hoooooooooo, now if it would stop raining :(

05-02-2003, 04:14 PM

I buy my bikes from Berkley Yamaha/Honda. I was just down there the other day and they were out of a few bikes, but they usually have the whole line up there for you to sit and look at (for hours in my case). Scott hooked me up on my R1, no BS. Not a promo for Berkely Yama, I just had a good experience.

Why don't you try riding Shelly's bike before you buy one? Oops, maybe I should not offer without asking:eek: ? But I am sure you can talk her into it.

JW

HeyBeerMan

05-02-2003, 04:17 PM

Don't get the protection plan. Nomatter what they say. It's just another way to make more money off of a sale.

It seems like you found it. But don't worry about the frame. Go with what feels comfterble to you.

TIE1ON

05-02-2003, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by JW
I buy my bikes from Berkley Yamaha/Honda. I was just down there the other day and they were out of a few bikes, but they usually have the whole line up there for you to sit and look at (for hours in my case). Scott hooked me up on my R1, no BS. Not a promo for Berkely Yama, I just had a good experience.

Why don't you try riding Shelly's bike before you buy one? Oops, maybe I should not offer without asking:eek: ? But I am sure you can talk her into it.

JW

I was looking for your e-mail address earlier so I could get your opinion. To no avail... :( Anyway, I was telling Shell on Wed. night that I was looking to buy one. I don't want to ride her baby cuz you know I'm going to eat sh!t several times before I'm even close to comfortable. I look at it like this, nothing is really ever comfortable the first time you do it so you just have to pull up your bootstraps, jump on, and go for it. Enough practice and determination and I can make pretty much anything fun :) Out of all the bikes I looked at and researched, this one feels the best, has all the options I want, its affordable AND Yamaha happens to have a really good finance program going right now. But by all means, if you know of something you think would fit me better than I'd like to hear it!! :D

05-02-2003, 04:30 PM

Tie-

lost my emial... listen to you! My number too? You need to come over so we can take the bikes out or at least talk. I REALLY REALLY NEED A WOMAN TO TAKE WITH ME AND SHELLY! You know she would be stoked. Don't forget that I have a trailer that I never use (since I got the MX van). Just don't plan to eat shit too much, I want you to be around for a while. I can tell you that a broken leg will put you back at LEAST 4 months:( . I will be ready to ride in the fall when the dirt is nice again!

TIE1ON

05-02-2003, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by JW
Tie-

lost my emial... listen to you! My number too? You need to come over so we can take the bikes out or at least talk. I REALLY REALLY NEED A WOMAN TO TAKE WITH ME AND SHELLY! You know she would be stoked. Don't forget that I have a trailer that I never use (since I got the MX van). Just don't plan to eat shit too much, I want you to be around for a while. I can tell you that a broken leg will put you back at LEAST 4 months:( . I will be ready to ride in the fall when the dirt is nice again!

Whoa!! Don't give me too much heat!! I was going to call tonight on my way up to Santa Rosa :flipoff2: How could I go out and buy a bike without getting your and Shell's advice?! Wouldn't happen!!! She said she loves riding with you but you guys like to go out and tear it up and we can't ride as hardcore as you guys can!! You know this!! Anyway, as soon as I get my bike, which will be before Memorial, I'm ready to go out and ride, anywhere!! I have to see if I can get that bike in my Runner with the Topper off. If not then Ben will have to cart my bike around too! Hahahahaha I'll whip him if he complains!! :laughing: Anyway, I know he's selling his truck and looking at a Tahoe right now and we'll need a trailer so let me know how much you want for it. I can't even remember what it looks like. Derrrrrrrr, anyway, maybe I'll come out one night next week, take a look at your bikes before I make my final decision. :D

PS - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! :bounce: I heard your trip was awesome!!!

NVR FNSH

05-02-2003, 08:14 PM

Tie,
Before you buy the TTR225 talk to Kali at girlrider.net (she's also on www.ktmtalk.com and bayarearidersforum) her first bike was a TTR225 and she sold it after a couple of rides to get a TTR125L - tell her I referred you. I don't know what changes, if any have been made to the 225 since she owned one but she said it was too heavy for her when she was tired. She's graduated from the TTR125 to a KTM200 EXC and now rides a GasGas200.

My WR400 isn't "that" heavy on paper and I'm a big guy, 6'4"/255#, but after 50 miles picking it up takes some effort. As a beginner you will be picking the bike up quite a bit.

You won't keep your first bike for 3 years. You'll outgrow it quickly if you ride often or you'll lose interest and sell it. Buy something you'll be comfortable with while learning and plan on upgrading as you improve.

Brian

Brad

05-02-2003, 10:17 PM

ANY bike is heavy after a long day of riding ;)

BTW Tie, you said you and your brother were gonna get bikes at the same time, I bet that would get you a little lower price in the end

Rip DeLips

05-05-2003, 08:25 AM

Damn Shell, I thought you decided to go with a quad??? :confused:

As far as hauling it with your Runner, you can get a single bike tray that fits a reciever hitch.

And don't count out dual-sports. I think Dog House suggested the DRZ-250. Pretty nice little bike. It's nice to be able to ride to the trail and back with dicking around with trailers. Jumping curbs and riding wheelies on the way back from the grocery store ain't bad either. :D

EDIT: If your 4Runner is ever out of commission, a dual-sport make for great fun/reliable/cheap backup transportation.

LAME

05-05-2003, 11:54 AM

Cool :D You are gonna love riding bikes:D

TIE1ON

05-05-2003, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by Rip DeLips
Damn Shell, I thought you decided to go with a quad??? :confused:

As far as hauling it with your Runner, you can get a single bike tray that fits a reciever hitch.

And don't count out dual-sports. I think Dog House suggested the DRZ-250. Pretty nice little bike. It's nice to be able to ride to the trail and back with dicking around with trailers. Jumping curbs and riding wheelies on the way back from the grocery store ain't bad either. :D

EDIT: If your 4Runner is ever out of commission, a dual-sport make for great fun/reliable/cheap backup transportation.

I decided a quad was going to be too limiting and damn was the one I wanted EXPENSIVE!!! Looked at the dual sports too and wasn't interested. The places I'll ride at will either be on private property, an OHV park or I'll be there camping anyway so I won't need to ride on paved roads. Also, I think I would need to get a motorcycle license as well and I really don't want to deal with that. And I have my Saturn if my Runner is ever out of commission.

I'm just calling around right now to nail down the cheapest price. So far its 3100 out the door + $200 in accessories but I think I can do better. The dude in Berkeley isn't there today and surprisingly a lot of these shops are closed on Mondays :confused: Oh well, should have my new baby by this weekend :bounce: I am obsessed with my new toy right now :laughing:

Thanks Lamers!! ;)

Rip DeLips

05-05-2003, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by TIE1ON

Oh well, should have my new baby by this weekend :bounce: I am obsessed with my new toy right now :laughing:

I hear ya! So what bike did you decide on anyway?

TIE1ON

05-05-2003, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by Rip DeLips

I hear ya! So what bike did you decide on anyway?

Yamaha TT-225R. Squatty little bitch w/ balls :evil:

Rip DeLips

05-05-2003, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by TIE1ON

Yamaha TT-225R. Squatty little bitch w/ balls :evil:

Interesting choice of words there Shell. :D

NVR FNSH

05-06-2003, 12:30 PM

Tie,
I just sent you a PM with an email from Kali @ Girlrider.net

Brian

MellowYellow

05-06-2003, 02:03 PM

Ok, I can't believe nobody has said this yet...
BUY USED!

this add is on http://www.cycletrader.com

2001 YAMAHA 2001 TTR-225, female owned, barely ridden! Electric start and pro-tapers. Great condition. $2,200/ B.O.…
(707) 542-9210 Santa Rosa, CA

No this isn't my add but in 5 minutes of searching I found this ad.

That said, I think an XR200 would be a better fit for a new rider. They aren't that hard to start and bikes don't get much more bullet-proof.

05-08-2003, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by MellowYellow
Ok, I can't believe nobody has said this yet...
BUY USED!

this add is on http://www.cycletrader.com

2001 YAMAHA 2001 TTR-225, female owned, barely ridden! Electric start and pro-tapers. Great condition. $2,200/ B.O.…
(707) 542-9210 Santa Rosa, CA

No this isn't my add but in 5 minutes of searching I found this ad.

That said, I think an XR200 would be a better fit for a new rider. They aren't that hard to start and bikes don't get much more bullet-proof.

I think it is all about the great financing.

Well Tie, did you bring your baby home?

JW

TIE1ON

05-09-2003, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by JW

I think it is all about the great financing.

Well Tie, did you bring your baby home?

JW

Uh, yeah, the financing is excellent ;) Not only that, I don't want to chance it on someone else's junk and why buy used from a dealer when I can buy brand new?!

Picking her up tomorrow from the Yamaha guy up in Petaluma. Final offer was $2900, 25% off of all gear. Not bad! I'm so excited. I'm going up to Ukiah right after to test her out!! I'm so nervous and excited at the same time!! Whenever you & Shelly can get away for the weekend let's do it!! Stoneyford, Hollister, you know all the great places to ride so...I was looking into Bassi but I'm not sure if they're letting ANY motorized vehicles in there at all. I'd love to see the falls again and it would be a good first trail for me to ride on up there. :D

Rip DeLips

05-09-2003, 10:10 AM

Kick ass Shell. Post up some pics when ya get a chance. And get good on that sucker so you can keep up with us in Colorado. :D

TIE1ON

05-09-2003, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by Rip DeLips
Kick ass Shell. Post up some pics when ya get a chance. And get good on that sucker so you can keep up with us in Colorado. :D

I'll take some pics - definitely!! Thanks for remindinng me to throw in my camera. Now if only you could call me at 6 tonight to make sure I grab it :flipoff2:

I hope I don't come into work broken on Monday :evil: