Los Angeles Guy here trying to buy first bike!

G

Gene

Hey guys, I've never ridden a dirt bike before but I've been wanting to get into it. Hopefully some of you guys can give me pointers because none of my friends ride so I'll be learning as I go. I currently ride a Honda Shadow Cruiser but I've been itching to go off-road.
I'm leaning towards a dual sport since I'm not a serious rider yet. I want to play around on fire roads and get comfortable on a cheap temporary bike that I can trash. I'll probably end up getting a dedicated dirt bike in the future. I was looking at a dual sport 1988 Kawasaki KDX200. Is this a good start?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/3007171982.html
 
Nighthawk016

Nighthawk016

Looks good, usually the biggest challenge with older bikes is getting parts for them if something goes wrong. Make sure you can get all the important stuff. Other than that its just inspecting the bike before you buy it, and the other guys can fill you in on what to inspect.

Btw welcome to the forums :thumb:
 
James

James

Staff member
Hey Gene, welcome to DBA. :cheers:

Lot of good people on here, plus a lot of them are over in your general area.

So I'm guessing that you're looking to ride trails/desert?
 
G

Gene

James:
Hey Gene, welcome to DBA. :cheers:

Lot of good people on here, plus a lot of them are over in your general area.

So I'm guessing that you're looking to ride trails/desert?
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Awesome! Yeah, I'm looking at whatever beginners start at. Haha, I know as much about dirt bikes as donkeys knows about astrology. Hopefully that'll change soon though..
 
James

James

Staff member
BTW what made you decide to get into riding?

Gene:
Awesome! Yeah, I'm looking at whatever beginners start at. Haha, I know as much about dirt bikes as donkeys knows about astrology. Hopefully that'll change soon though..
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Well you're in the right place. :lol:

We have a "What Bike Should I Get" section here, I'd suggest creating a thread in there to try and find a bike for you (not everyone reads these New Member threads)
https://www.dirtbikeaddicts.com/section/what-bike-should-i-get.84/

Gear (clothing, boots, helmets, etc) questions go in here.
https://www.dirtbikeaddicts.com/section/general-dirt-bike.4/
 
Naturaledge

Naturaledge

Welcome Gene. Put your boots up and stay a spell. That KDX 200 is a great bike. Not sure if it is the bike you want for fire roads. I am still looking for a nice one for these northern woods. :thumb:
 
SRAD97750

SRAD97750

Moderator
Staff member
Great bike. I cant separate my brother from it. His is an 86 KDX200.
Hillclimbs, fireroads, singletrack, light jumping, long distance (100+ desert miles per tank). GET ONE. But not for 1000. We got ours for 500, and I saw one last week for 500. Look around, something great will pop up. -BIG DAN

10007.jpg
 
G

Gene

Awesome! Thanks for all your help guys! I'll probably do a little more research to see what else I can find and hopefully I'll be picking up a bike this weekend!
 
G

Gene

James:
BTW what made you decide to get into riding?


Well you're in the right place. :lol:

We have a "What Bike Should I Get" section here, I'd suggest creating a thread in there to try and find a bike for you (not everyone reads these New Member threads)
https://www.dirtbikeaddicts.com/section/what-bike-should-i-get.84/

Gear (clothing, boots, helmets, etc) questions go in here.
https://www.dirtbikeaddicts.com/section/general-dirt-bike.4/
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Awesome! I'm looking though the threads now! I've always wanted to ride but never really had a chance to. Since I recently got a road bike, it made me want to get a dirt bike even more. So here I am looking though dirt bikes. haha
 
Sun

Sun

Welcome! A 200 is the perfect starting bike. I had a XR200 for the first couple of years and rode the crap out of it! I beat that bike up and it just kept running and running. A good size to get comfortable on the dirt with. Also a size you will likely outgrow if you really get into the sport. I take it KDX200 is plated? I know the XR200 isnt. Good luck and enjoy!:cheers:

It's the best sport in the world!
 
G

Gene

Sun:
Welcome! A 200 is the perfect starting bike. I had a XR200 for the first couple of years and rode the crap out of it! I beat that bike up and it just kept running and running. A good size to get comfortable on the dirt with. Also a size you will likely outgrow if you really get into the sport. I take it KDX200 is plated? I know the XR200 isnt. Good luck and enjoy!:cheers:

It's the best sport in the world!
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Awesome! that's exactly what I want to do to my starter bike!
By the way I noticed your from Agoura Hills. I used to live in woodland hills. Know of any good nearby beginner runs?
 
Weathergeek

Weathergeek

Welcome Gene. Either go to the dez (which is now getting hot), such as California City or Gorman (Hungry Valley) to putt around. Gorman is an hour and Cal City is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Plenty of riding but you gotta go North or Northeast for the most part. There are also some nice fireroads north of Gorman also as well as some more difficult riding also. Good luck and hope to see you up this way.
 
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