How do you pick a size of bike to ride??

[Weasel]

OK, I'm confused as to how you go about finding what size of bike to get and to ride. I'm sort of short 5'2" and light 110lbs so I figure a smaller bike(ie XR200) would be about right. But I just found out the some pro-riders that ride 250 are smaller then me?? So how do I figure out which bike I can handle and ride. I would like to get a dual sport(ie XR400) but figure that would be to big. I want a bike that will climb hills, be good on mountain trails, and praire running, maybe some motorcross but not much. So what should I look for? Can I test ride bikes before I buy? What bike would work for a around town if I felt like riding it. I realize this alot of stuff but any help would be appricated as no one else seems to know anything. I have ridden before and quite a bit before I crashed and havn't riden since then cause of the lack of safety equipment. Thanks all.

[Brad]

Originally posted by Weasel:
<STRONG>OK, I'm confused as to how you go about finding what size of bike to get and to ride. I'm sort of short 5'2" and light 110lbs so I figure a smaller bike(ie XR200) would be about right. But I just found out the some pro-riders that ride 250 are smaller then me?? So how do I figure out which bike I can handle and ride. I would like to get a dual sport(ie XR400) but figure that would be to big. I want a bike that will climb hills, be good on mountain trails, and praire running, maybe some motorcross but not much. So what should I look for? Can I test ride bikes before I buy? What bike would work for a around town if I felt like riding it. I realize this alot of stuff but any help would be appricated as no one else seems to know anything. I have ridden before and quite a bit before I crashed and havn't riden since then cause of the lack of safety equipment. Thanks all.</STRONG>

ok you found out that(keyword here) PRO!! riders ride 250s
as for what you want to ride, go to a riding area and ask around if anyone will let you try thier bike out for a while. most dirtbikers are nice and will let you if you dont look like a hillbilly <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> but seriously, im taller than you(like 5'9") and i ride a kx250. it works for me but you want a dual sport so forget that, my advice would be like i said before,go out and ride other bikes,most if not all dealers,wont let you test ride bikes for insurance reasons. i wouldnt rule out a suzuki dr though, they are good on the trails,dont know about street.honda xrs are probly the best starter bikes(you said you rode a long time ago) and they can be made dual purpose too. now if you were going to be a strict dirt rider then i would say kdx200/220,yzf250. if you change your mind to just ride dirt then get back to me. hope i helped some <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[SeaBass44]

get ya a new cr250 and grab a handfull of throtle and see if it's right for you <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[Weasel]

Wow, Thanks Brad. Who makes the KDX200/220?? I know the other is Yamaha. So how big of a bike do you need for a dual sport? And what is needed to make a bike dual sport. I'm talking just around town, no highwyas if I didn't ride the dirt. Ok so I know the pro ride 250 but I have seen these bikes and there are huge, taller then four strokes, so how do these short guys touch the ground( you do have to be able to do this, right?) when they arn't moving. Like at a starting gate or just waitin around. Thanks for the help.

[Brad]

Originally posted by Weasel:
<STRONG>Wow, Thanks Brad. Who makes the KDX200/220?? I know the other is Yamaha. So how big of a bike do you need for a dual sport? And what is needed to make a bike dual sport. I'm talking just around town, no highwyas if I didn't ride the dirt. Ok so I know the pro ride 250 but I have seen these bikes and there are huge, taller then four strokes, so how do these short guys touch the ground( you do have to be able to do this, right?) when they arn't moving. Like at a starting gate or just waitin around. Thanks for the help.</STRONG>

well kawasaki makes the kdx.its two stroke so not street legal or dual sportable. id say go with 200 or 250 honda xr. the pros usually have the suspension set up so they can stand on thier tip toes.ricky carmichael is shorter than me and he rides a kx250 too. you can always adjust stuff to your height

[Brad]

but back to the dual sport thing(sorry got sidetracked)
anyway i think the requirements are
blinkers
brakelight/taillight
headlight
horn
battery operated electrical system
i would like i said before stick with a honda xr, baja designs makes dual sport kits or you can buy them with the kits already on.id say xr200/250/maybe even 400. ya never know what you might want to do with it in the future, if you go all dirt with a 400 it would rock, all street would be pretty good too.

[Weasel]

Cool thanks man. I find ya if I need more help. Thanks again.

[Kyron]

BUT... he's in Montana!!!
it might be a piece of cake to get anything street legal there??
I've seen alot of KDX200's with plates!
Even here in Ca it's "easy" to get any bike street legal ASLONG as it's not a red sticker bike....

I have a street legal 95 CR500, so anythings possable <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Monkeyboy]

Try to ride as many bikes as possible.

Just bought my wife 5'4" an XR 200.
She had never ridden before so I was afraid it might be a bit big for her.
Then after she started riding it I was
really happy I didn't start her on an XR 100.
Woulda been way too small for her just hours after riding it around.

I rode her bike and felt right at home on it but needed more power. I am 5'7" tall.
I am wanting to get an XR 400 but thought it might be too big for me.
So I rode an XR 650r and was amazed at how comfortable I was on it. Almost to much power for me and a little too big for the tight trail stuff.

XR 400 is gonna be perfect for me.

See if you can ride an xr 200 it may be a little cumbersome for you at first but I am sure you would get used to it.

[Keith Strong]

Originally posted by SeaBass44:
<STRONG>get ya a new cr250 and grab a handfull of throtle and see if it's right for you <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"></STRONG>
BHAHAHAHAHA...thats how I learned <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[Door Down]

Originally posted by Keith Strong:
<STRONG>Originally posted by SeaBass44:
get ya a new cr250 and grab a handfull of throtle and see if it's right for you <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"></STRONG>
BHAHAHAHAHA...thats how I learned <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

Yeah Keith but you never took the bike off the stand! <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">