2 Stroke 300cc as a novice bike?

[factoryX]

Well let me put it this way I own a KDX200 and I used to own an xr250r(just sold it yesterday). The KDX is a all around better bike with better suspension(yelp), more power, less weight, and better parts availability. All the XR is good for is a spare bike for friends to ride. If you really want to make it better here is a site:
http://www.lt-racing.com/html/xr250r_s.html

All of which is doable with the kdx as well, and would be easier to do if anything.  And as for XR's being reliable, just wait for something to break, it gets expensive.

[ford832]

My XR was a bulletproof mountain goat.It's only downfall was the front forks.If you happened to cross a rut they'd follow it like it was locked there and would deflect something fierce.That was fixed with an SRC fork brace.It was the most improvement I've ever gotten from any part I've put on any bike in my life.Highly recommended for any XR owner.The difference is unbelievable.
I still think the 300 would be an excellent choice for what you're looking for-good for occasional users and good for you.

[maicoman009]

My XR was a bulletproof mountain goat.It's only downfall was the front forks.If you happened to cross a rut they'd follow it like it was locked there and would deflect something fierce.That was fixed with an SRC fork brace.It was the most improvement I've ever gotten from any part I've put on any bike in my life.Highly recommended for any XR owner.The difference is unbelievable.
I still think the 300 would be an excellent choice for what you're looking for-good for occasional users and good for you.

I do agree with you ford about a 300 would be an excellent choice for the occasional rider & for him.The 300's have alot of options such a mapping switch on the GasGas 300's & one on the KTM-300's plus the KTM-300's also have the 3 powervalve springs to alter the power to your personal preference.I would personally go with a GasGas-300 enduro or the Ktm-300xc-w as it's much better for trail riding than the xc model.   

[MXLord327]

My take is how "novice" the rider is.  If they have ridden at all before, you can't beat the KDX200 - one of the best bikes ever made, even though I'm not a Kawi fan.  If you are talking about an absolute beginner though, you have to consider seat height - not being able to plant both feet in any situation can scare the shit out of a total newbie.  One of the best all-time adult beginner bikes was the early '80's Yamaha MX175.  Light, workable suspension, and enough power to pull a 250 pounder around until they were confident enough to move up.  Plus it was reliable as a rock, and easy enough for a complete moron to rebuild in an afternoon.  I am rebuilding a fair equivalent, a Suzuki TS185 for my wife and 16 year old daughter to learn on only because it is street-legal.  I do have to admit that the early '80's Honda XR's would be almost as good, but then I'd have to shoot myself.......

[Bioflex]

My XR was a bulletproof mountain goat.It's only downfall was the front forks.If you happened to cross a rut they'd follow it like it was locked there and would deflect something fierce.That was fixed with an SRC fork brace.It was the most improvement I've ever gotten from any part I've put on any bike in my life.Highly recommended for any XR owner.The difference is unbelievable.
I still think the 300 would be an excellent choice for what you're looking for-good for occasional users and good for you.

any idea where to pick up one of those braces?

[ford832]

I did a quick search and SRC no longer appears to be operating.Scott Summers specialized in XR stuff for obvious reasons but I believe his dad,Wade,ran the business.You could ck ebay I suppose or post a query here http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjustxr.com%2F&rct=j&q=justxr.com&ei=cUEYTu3TGKOKsgLymfTBBw&usg=AFQjCNETuf3dJRo7Hcxn_pKExX6hHmRUPg&sig2=sxpGIPRI_TRVsGnQKaXRRQ&cad=rja
rswracing builds them for a very reasonable price but I'm not sure if they do XR's or just CRF's.It would be worth asking them.They are under $100 US I think.My SRC was $200 but landed here with exchange and shipping cost me just over $400 15 yrs ago and was worth every penny.

[Larry63r]

I would go looking for an older KTM 200EXC. I have ridden my friends '01' several times and I love it. It has a light and a kickstand. It is the perfect putt-putt.
It is his wifes bike and he takes it everywhere with him. I even raced it at a MX race once when my bike broke between motos. It wasn't the best MX bike but it was far from the worst bike I ever raced a motocross on.

[citabjockey]

This is almost the same bike as a MX175. And yes I would agree, a great bike for an adult size beginner.

dx175-MX-Track.mpg

My take is how "novice" the rider is.  If they have ridden at all before, you can't beat the KDX200 - one of the best bikes ever made, even though I'm not a Kawi fan.  If you are talking about an absolute beginner though, you have to consider seat height - not being able to plant both feet in any situation can scare the shit out of a total newbie.  One of the best all-time adult beginner bikes was the early '80's Yamaha MX175.  Light, workable suspension, and enough power to pull a 250 pounder around until they were confident enough to move up.  Plus it was reliable as a rock, and easy enough for a complete moron to rebuild in an afternoon.  I am rebuilding a fair equivalent, a Suzuki TS185 for my wife and 16 year old daughter to learn on only because it is street-legal.  I do have to admit that the early '80's Honda XR's would be almost as good, but then I'd have to shoot myself.......

[maicoman009]

I did a quick search and SRC no longer appears to be operating.Scott Summers specialized in XR stuff for obvious reasons but I believe his dad,Wade,ran the business.You could ck ebay I suppose or post a query here http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjustxr.com%2F&rct=j&q=justxr.com&ei=cUEYTu3TGKOKsgLymfTBBw&usg=AFQjCNETuf3dJRo7Hcxn_pKExX6hHmRUPg&sig2=sxpGIPRI_TRVsGnQKaXRRQ&cad=rja
rswracing builds them for a very reasonable price but I'm not sure if they do XR's or just CRF's.It would be worth asking them.They are under $100 US I think.My SRC was $200 but landed here with exchange and shipping cost me just over $400 15 yrs ago and was worth every penny.

Ford with due respect why would you of all people sway a man or anybody for that matter to buy a stinkin' 4-joke? Remember this is a "Two Stroke Motocross" site & I think all of us want to see a revival of the beloved smokers.....

[Bioflex]

Cause the original poster already owns an xr250!

[SachsGS]

I've dealt with a lot of XR250s and while they have their charms the bike is a 4T - the cam chain will stretch,the valve guides/seals will wear and that plain bearing camshaft will eventually wear out the head.I'd tend towards a KDX 200 as they are as docile as the XR but easier to start and much lighter feeling.

P.S. Any 300 is pushing 50 HP at the rear wheel - way too much for a beginner.