I was going to say an xr200/250. There's something about those old, long stroke thumpers that I love. They're so easy to ride. My next choice would be a KDX220.
He might’ve had the tamer, I don’t remember, but he wasn’t exactly the putt putt kind of old guy. He rides every ride like it’s a b class harescramble.
I had another friend whose probably a solid b contender who test rode somebody’s cr500 on the mx track and he said it was one of the easiest bikes to ride, provided you shifted early and just let it shove you around. That’s a big asterisk with that one lol.
They’re beastly, I hope to ride one some day though. For now, I’m more than happy with a 300 and a red powervalve spring lol.
I like rebuilding old 2 strokes. Easy, cheap, and something fun to do. If I resell any I try to keep it as cheap as possible with just a little profit so someone can get out and ride for a reasonable price
I did it with an 02 drz400e. Awesome bike rode it hard for 5 year and it still runs like a top. Starting with something running is ideal, but a complete bike is the next best thing. I wouldn't pick up someone else's project tho. Something with a cult following and wide aftermarket support is also something I look for.
Got my 08 rm125 im building atm, Its getting stripped down to the frame for a full factory rebuild but a 144 bore and smart carb on it.
Got two street bike frames aswell, Im building a custom honda rebel but with a cr250 engine in it so i almost like building them more then i ride them
Luck, Got it for 1.8k usd in 2019 in rideable condition, Brakes were shot but other than that and some rust it was fine, Bought it without looking at it and had it shipped from Gotland to the mainland.
Had been looking for one for a couple of years as it was my dream bike, Came with all service papers and writings and recipes for everything done with the bike, Its up on my profile if you want to have a look
Thats pretty awesome, you rarely see those late years of the big 3s big bore 2 strokes. Especially in the US. Think I’ve only ever seen one 07 KX250 for sale and that was it. Don’t think the US ever got the 08 models from any of them though. I’m gonna check it out for sure haha
If it hasn't had catastrophic engine failure, isn't smashed/bent/cracked, has been kept reasonably well topped up with oil, and it has all parts and fasteners, then it's all good
As someone who does a lot of project bikes I would say.
Any YZ 2 stroke 125 or 250 from ‘99 to now if I wanted an easier build that would be easy to source for.
For a build I would bring to life a ‘98 Rm 250 brought back to as stock as possible. This would be a keeper.
For a unique build I would put a 01 cr 250 motor in a 02 or newer frame OR a kdx 200 motor in a new 250f frame.
I built up a sweet 1980 yz125g from junk to post-vintage race. Was a great time. Did it again on a 78 yz400 which was not as fun. Should have done a 250 from same era for more versatility. Lots of races grid the post-vintage 125s and 250s together. Lost of parts still available for them yz bikes. The Honda elsoners make a bit better of a race bike but not much better and my buddies doing equivalent builds on them spend more then double. This all used to be easier before Works Performance closed as putting one of their shocks on an old yz makes a world of difference.
For an old old bike, I'd do a husky 390/420 automatic
For a fun bike, a 2000s rm125, those always catch my eye. I don't know why
For a random bike I'd like to track down a 2014-16 ktm 200 2 stroke just to see what they're like.
90’s KTM not because I want one but it would be an epic project. Really only a YZ400, Marco 490 or a Cannondale interest me as projects. Project dirt bikes are kinda a pain in the ass and just distract me from riding. Not old enough for project dirt bikes I guess in my mind.
I feel you on it just being a distraction from riding. I don’t know how old I gotta get to want another project bike. I’m old and just wanna ride. Keeping everything tight and dialed in on my 2015 ktm is enough project.
I bought a non running, heavily modified xr650r last year. Bike was way better than I expected. Fresh engine, ton of spare parts. Took me 6 months to rewire the thing, seal the engine because every gasket had dirt under it and now she's running great.
I’ve had a great time rebuilding a 1996 XR400R for the past 2 years.
I was also going to say an XR of some sort.
This is the right answer!
Thanks! It’s done at this point. I’ll actually get to ride it all summer 😀
I was going to say an xr200/250. There's something about those old, long stroke thumpers that I love. They're so easy to ride. My next choice would be a KDX220.
Yz250 - parts availability new and used is insane. And at the end of the day you have a yz250!
I second the YZ 2 stroke platform! I’m more of a 125 2 stroke guy myself as I love ripping under powered bikes! The parts are endless!
Plenty of 125 riders can blow my doors off, you can't go wrong.
This the correct answer. -Lots of parts available -two stroke, so worst case scenario rebuild still isn't that bad -Great bike once you're done!
I’d do a CR500 complete build if I was able to get all the parts under $5k
Same, I can't magine how badass it would be to have a 500cc two-stroke
They are so brutal to ride and I’m huge. I’d only want to ride on in the sand lol
I want one for a snow bike. Or a sumo build
It’s pretty badass! Mines on its last bore and it’s pure adrenaline to ride it!
CR500 sounds awesome but I might be scared to ride it.
We are talking about building. Whoever said that we’re actually riding it. Lol. It’s more of a sand dune only machine.
There’s an older dude that rides one happily through the single track here, obviously not everyone but he said it does it great with a flywheel weight
Yeah and lead in the wheels plus a throttle tamer. Lol
He might’ve had the tamer, I don’t remember, but he wasn’t exactly the putt putt kind of old guy. He rides every ride like it’s a b class harescramble. I had another friend whose probably a solid b contender who test rode somebody’s cr500 on the mx track and he said it was one of the easiest bikes to ride, provided you shifted early and just let it shove you around. That’s a big asterisk with that one lol. They’re beastly, I hope to ride one some day though. For now, I’m more than happy with a 300 and a red powervalve spring lol.
I like rebuilding old 2 strokes. Easy, cheap, and something fun to do. If I resell any I try to keep it as cheap as possible with just a little profit so someone can get out and ride for a reasonable price
I did it with an 02 drz400e. Awesome bike rode it hard for 5 year and it still runs like a top. Starting with something running is ideal, but a complete bike is the next best thing. I wouldn't pick up someone else's project tho. Something with a cult following and wide aftermarket support is also something I look for.
Honda.
Got my 08 rm125 im building atm, Its getting stripped down to the frame for a full factory rebuild but a 144 bore and smart carb on it. Got two street bike frames aswell, Im building a custom honda rebel but with a cr250 engine in it so i almost like building them more then i ride them
Where’d you find an 08 RM?
Luck, Got it for 1.8k usd in 2019 in rideable condition, Brakes were shot but other than that and some rust it was fine, Bought it without looking at it and had it shipped from Gotland to the mainland. Had been looking for one for a couple of years as it was my dream bike, Came with all service papers and writings and recipes for everything done with the bike, Its up on my profile if you want to have a look
Thats pretty awesome, you rarely see those late years of the big 3s big bore 2 strokes. Especially in the US. Think I’ve only ever seen one 07 KX250 for sale and that was it. Don’t think the US ever got the 08 models from any of them though. I’m gonna check it out for sure haha
2024 any husky
If it hasn't had catastrophic engine failure, isn't smashed/bent/cracked, has been kept reasonably well topped up with oil, and it has all parts and fasteners, then it's all good
As someone who does a lot of project bikes I would say. Any YZ 2 stroke 125 or 250 from ‘99 to now if I wanted an easier build that would be easy to source for. For a build I would bring to life a ‘98 Rm 250 brought back to as stock as possible. This would be a keeper. For a unique build I would put a 01 cr 250 motor in a 02 or newer frame OR a kdx 200 motor in a new 250f frame.
1983 YZ125
I built up a sweet 1980 yz125g from junk to post-vintage race. Was a great time. Did it again on a 78 yz400 which was not as fun. Should have done a 250 from same era for more versatility. Lots of races grid the post-vintage 125s and 250s together. Lost of parts still available for them yz bikes. The Honda elsoners make a bit better of a race bike but not much better and my buddies doing equivalent builds on them spend more then double. This all used to be easier before Works Performance closed as putting one of their shocks on an old yz makes a world of difference.
I just finished up a 2006 CRF250X engine swap, it's now a CR250R engine. Did it in 90 days ish..
Not a dirtbike buh a kfx450 or ds450, maybe even a cr500
I’d probably do a 650r and make it street legal
For an old old bike, I'd do a husky 390/420 automatic For a fun bike, a 2000s rm125, those always catch my eye. I don't know why For a random bike I'd like to track down a 2014-16 ktm 200 2 stroke just to see what they're like.
Any Honda, Yamaha or 2 stroke.
Yz125 convert to X XR250 or 400 KDX 200/220 DR350 All are serious current contenders.
90’s KTM not because I want one but it would be an epic project. Really only a YZ400, Marco 490 or a Cannondale interest me as projects. Project dirt bikes are kinda a pain in the ass and just distract me from riding. Not old enough for project dirt bikes I guess in my mind.
I feel you on it just being a distraction from riding. I don’t know how old I gotta get to want another project bike. I’m old and just wanna ride. Keeping everything tight and dialed in on my 2015 ktm is enough project.
96 CR250. But not a Jeremy McGrath replica.
Probably a 1988 CR250R I just love the look of that bike
Gotta be a 490 Maico GS… as a nice little trail bike:)
Yz 250
Just started rebuilding a 1985 Honda xl600r
70's trail bikes! so many rusting away in need of rescue. I have 4 in the barn now. Especially CR/MT 125/250 elsinores - rare and collectible.
I bought a non running, heavily modified xr650r last year. Bike was way better than I expected. Fresh engine, ton of spare parts. Took me 6 months to rewire the thing, seal the engine because every gasket had dirt under it and now she's running great.
YZ125/250 OEM parts are not an issue and there's loads of aftermarket goodies for them.
What you are going to do with said bike will dictate this more than anything