What is a good dirt bike that is cheap?

What dirt bike would be a good upgrade bike?

• I currently have a drz 125 and it's way too small. I can fit on any 250/450 dirt bike. I am 13 years old. I mostly do trail riding. Trail riding 250 bikes seem to way too much. I live in Northern New Jersey and ride very rocky and mountainous terrain with several water crossings. What would be a good dirt bike to upgrade to. I don't like two strokes that much.

• Answer:

  I agree, this is a difficult question to answer without more info from you such as your height and weight. Since you stated you want to ride trails on the east coast I do have some suggestions for you. 1. Two Stroke. Four strokes are fantastic bikes but with them comes both initial expense and a little more maintenance expense and know-how. a good KTM 250XCF or a Yamaha WR250F or even a Honda CRF250X are all fantastic four stroke trail bikes and don't weigh a ton like an older Honda XR250R or DRZ250 would, plus the KTM and CRF have better brakes, more power and more modern ergonomics. However... don't rule out a good Two Stroke like a KTM 200EXC or a Kawasaki KDX200 or KDX220. These 2 strokes are very light weight (especially the KTM) VERY easy to maintain and work on, offer good suspension (the KTM being more modern with USD forks and great brakes). Both bikes have large capacity gas tanks for trail riding, and motors that are both user friendly for tight trails, but will still run with a modern 250F motocross bike in the woods. The KTM 200 would be more competitive, while the KDX220 would be more user friendly coming off of a bike like a DRZ125. The best part about either of these bikes is that they have been made for years and you can find good used KTM 200's and KDX200/220's in good shape for under 2K all day long. Don't let anyone tell you 2 strokes are outdated or not as fast, (they are actually faster and lighter) but make your decision after weighing initial cost, maintenance (are you capable of calculation valve shim clearances and working on a modern four stroke, changing the oil and filter on a regular basis, and jetting a modern FCR carb with an acc pump etc..) Do you have a good bike shop you trust in your area? Are there any regulations for registering bikes off road like California's Green/Red sticker program that determines what kind of bike you can ride where? etc... Weigh out all of these options and don't just get a bike that your friends think is cool. Four Strokes can be great (I ride a KX250F) but 2 strokes can often times be a better and more economical choice, especially for riding trails in the mountains like you described.