Looking for a new dirt bike for a woman rider

[Didine]

I previously had a wrf 250 03 for few months, sold it because it was a bit too high for me (I was still touching the ground but not very stable when riding in rocks). I got a ktm 250 xcf-w which was great because it was a bit lighter and shorter and it has a bore lot to 300. I kept it few months, actually spent a lot fixing it and then got tired of spending money in the bike for the ride I was doing last fall, so I sold it few weeks ago and now I'm looking for a new one.
I was thinking of getting a Yamaha 250 yzf or yz 125
Any suggestions about what works well and an easy bike to ride for a woman.
I'm 5,7" height and about 128 lbs
Pretty fit and strong but definitely not a man so I need something light easy to ride. This would be mostly used for single track riding.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Farp]

You might wanna take a look at a Honda CRF230L (not the 250 which has a higher seat). The 230 is a small, lightweight (267 pounds) bike with a 31.9 inch seat height. It has an engine that pulls off the bottom like a trials bike and it is quite capable of negotiating seriously gnarly singe track. It's a very easy bike to ride. I had one for a few years but traded it in on a Beta 400RR because it wasn't fast enough for the local highways. You could do about 110kph on the flat with it and it would slow down on hills so it wasn't the hot set up on the Fraser Canyon hwy. But if all you want it for is single track it would be ideal for you.

John

 

[offworlder]

I second John's recommendation for the CRF230L, unless you need to feel a "hit" when you twist the throttle (which may be the case coming from yer previous bikes ), as the CRF is fairly gentle on the power delivery.

You may want to check out the Beta lineup, as they are incredible bikes, and have a slightly lower seat height.
Keep in mind that most bikes can be lowered without significantly affecting the bikes handling, provided its done properly.

 

[Didine]

Looking for a new dirt bike for a woman rider

Thanks
I have actually been told that too about the beta and Honda. I was afraid that they weren't really reliable. But maybe I try and see. I was used to ride on yam and Suzuki in France (quad and street bike) and I really like them, no problem . I'll take a look and maybe if I can try one I'll change my mind


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KTM-Bryon]

mostly used for single track riding.

The 230 would get you around just fine. But you should try the new KTM/Husky 2-strokes if you just wanna ride trails. I rode the KTM 300 xc-w and it felt super light. The new 250 and 300 get an engine counter-balancer that makes them smooth like a four stoke. You don't get that on the 150 but it is 18 pounds lighter than the 300.

http://www.ktm.com/ca-en/enduro/150-xc-w/

All the off road bikes have tall seat heights and will come set up for 150-170 pound riders so you should contact a suspension shop to get the springs replaced and maybe a lowering kit to drop it down an inch or two. That will probably cost an extra $600-1000 on top of the cost of the bike.

Bryon

 

[cactusreid]

Didine, You have not mentioned yet if you want or need this bike to be street legal and plate-able, or if this will be a strictly off road dirtbike for you? I noticed you are planning some back road type of trips, that you would definitely need a plated street legal bike. There are bikes that would do both for you, but it does reduce the choices. Or you could do a great dirtbike that is not street legal (beta x-trainer, ktm freeride, ktm 200 xc-w to mention a few good ones for the gals) and then get a small dual sport for your adventures. Almost any bike can be lowered to suite you. I ride with a gal who rocks on a lowered ktm 500 exc.

 

[Runwolf]

KTM as a lowering kit for all Enduro bike including exc's ...

 

[cactusreid]

Runwolf- short answer- No! But you can still lower an EXC with some internal spacers and possibly shorter springs and voila, your gal is 2 or 3 inches closer to mother earth! Take it from me, if you want your gal to enjoy riding, make damn sure she can touch pretty well flatfooted on her bike! I've made a lot of mistakes dealing with the fairer sex over the years, but setting up a bike so a gal is comfortable and confident, was not one of them!

 

[Shuswap]

Cactus is correct about helping your better half, or others, get good contact with the ground....if you want to avoid teary trail rides. Currently lowering the seat height on the wife's 2016 EXC-F 350. About 1.25" from seat shaving, now trying reduced preload at the rear and bar risers have allowed another 1" in the forks. There is an eccentric bushing available ($135) for the lower PDS shock mount that should permit an additional 1" more........bottom line, hope to lower the effective seat height by a little over 3" so she can enjoy her new bike. I know this compromises the effectiveness of the suspension, but her riding style doesn't max the system at any point.....and compromises can be made to work. These methods also worked quite well on her XT250 and KLX250.
Happy wife, happy life!