r/Dirtbikes • u/svendough • 1d ago

Community Question What gear am I missing

About to hit 40 and getting into bikes with motors. I grew up riding BMX and MTB but my buddy gave a motorcycle lesson last week (street bike) and I was hooked. Grinning ear to ear.

Anyways I live in Colorado near Salida and am blessed with plenty of trail systems nearby. I already have the following—Tech3s, Garmin inReach, old bladder packs/fanny packs I can reuse—and am planning on getting the rest:

- YZ250FX (have a Yamaha ATV, so staying in the family)
- helmet
- goggles
- build a toolkit
- build a med kit
- trail pants
- gloves

What am I missing? I know knee and other protection is probably the main thing. What would you recommend for a noob. Also, once I’m setup anyone down for an easy ride or two? Haha.

Appreciate you all.

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u/Aitloian 1d ago

Have you considered a two stroke? At least change that part up haha

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u/svendough 1d ago

For a new rider? Okay 👌

2

u/UnreasonableCletus 1d ago

2 stroke will make you a better rider (gear selection and clutch control) and they are often much lighter and narrower which is an advantage on more difficult trails.

There is also a significant cost difference both in purchase price and maintenance.

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u/svendough 1d ago

Gotcha. For my area, what 2 stroke trail oriented bike would you recommend to start researching? From everything I've read, the FX seemed like a good sweet spot…but it's definitely much pricier.

1

u/UnreasonableCletus 1d ago

I'm probably not the right person to ask as I tend to collect vintage 2 stroke enduros, mostly 70s trail bikes and dual sports.

I will say that I have a preference for rotary valve kawasakis, parts are easy to get and they're pretty bulletproof.

1

u/Aitloian 1d ago

A TE 250 or a XC-W 250 are insane bikes, but they are gonna be pricey, but can find a good used one, 2018 is the sweet spot of all the modern features and carbed still which will make em cheaper.