Small dirt bike 70- 80 cc or E-bike

[Mr.Ktm]

I’d do something with some full size wheels like a crf230 or ttr230. It will make the ride much smoother and less likely to get a flat. They are smaller bikes that will not overpower you but you’ll be able to roll over a lot.

 

[ColoradoBackpackHunter]

I’ve been skeptical of e-bikes for this purpose only based on the fact or question of maintenance/battery longevity. I ride a 1993 Honda XR250 for the sole purpose of hunting and I can still finds parts with little problem and if I’m running multiple trips shuttling gear or packing meat out I can top off with gas in 2 minutes and continue on.

I considered the e-bike thing recently but I don’t want to have to be math’n in my head hoping I can make it from A to B multiple times if need be.

 

[180ls1]

I’ve been skeptical of e-bikes for this purpose only based on the fact or question of maintenance/battery longevity. I ride a 1993 Honda XR250 for the sole purpose of hunting and I can still finds parts with little problem and if I’m running multiple trips shuttling gear or packing meat out I can top off with gas in 2 minutes and continue on.

I considered the e-bike thing recently but I don’t want to have to be math’n in my head hoping I can make it from A to B multiple times if need be.

Funny, I switched to an e-bike because the dirt bike sat so much I found the gas breaking down was more of a maintenance issue.

 

[ColoradoBackpackHunter]

Funny, I switched to an e-bike because the dirt bike sat so much I found the gas breaking down was more of a maintenance issue.

I forced myself into a routine of non-ethanol gas with stabilizers and then draining the tank and carb after the season is over. My lawn equipment also thanked me for that change. I suppose there isn’t a simple button on the subject.

I was thinking about parts for specific bikes like batteries and whether or not in 5-10 years that they will be available anymore as the battery degrades.

 

[rclouse79]

I have both. I started with the e-bike and like it for a lot of things. The e-bike is easier to load and unload, it is quieter to ride and is cheaper to buy. This elk season I locked it up at the base of one drainage and hiked and camped up another. When I came out where the bike was the next day, I was very happy to not have to walk the couple of miles back to the rig. I also prefer the ebike if there are a lot of back creek crossings or obstacles. I know skilled dirt bike riders can do some crazy things, but I have accepted my limits. It is pretty easy to carry an ebike around stuff.
The dirt bike gets way better range on a single tank, and can easily be refilled for longer trips. I got a Honda CRF 250f. There is a company called cycleracks that makes an awesome rear rack for it that ties into the frame and has a high weight limit. Others have packed elk quarters out on the rack. The dirt bike is also way faster on moderately good trails.
If I were only going to buy one, I would lean motorcycle.

 

[IdahoBeav]

Yamaha TW200, thank me later

Are you sure he'll be thanking you? That is a heavy slow bike with ancient technology. There are a lot of way better options IMO.

 

[IdahoBeav]

To be fair you just described an XR as well


That oughta ruffle a few feathers

I do think that for cruising up old skid roads like the OP stated he was wanting to do. A guy could pretty much use damn near anything.

Well, a wheeler or small sxs would be best for skid roads, but with bikes it's a safe assumption that he'll get into single track sooner or later. At some point ya gotta get up on the pegs and do some riding.

 

[IAm_Not_Lost]

E-bike with a small single wheel trailer behind it for gear or animal.

Lot of good budget options that would serve your purpose well.

 

[rideold]

To be fair you just described an XR as well

Here's to old technology! I have an 86 XR200. It will go far more places than I can ride it.

 

[Bama67]

For a smaller bike, definitely do a KLX140. Get an older "G" model, now called the "RF" I believe. Full size wheels are where its at.
Only 215lbs, good disc brakes and quite a bit better suspension for a full size man than the other bikes.
Honda XR150 is a heavy pig.


Between myself, my wife and my kids I have a TTR110, TTR125LE, XT250, KLX250S, and a GPX 250 (basically a Honda 250 with excellent suspension and frame.

Of these, I like putting around on the KLX140G the best. All it needs for me is heavier springs front and rear and a seat concepts seat, and I would be happy making it my hunting rig.

 

[robtattoo]

Yamaha TW200, thank me later

This is the way.....

 

[BLJ]

That 4 wheeler tire is a gnarly looking unit.

 

[robtattoo]

well that looks nimble

She ain't quick, with the offroad gearing & ATV tire, but she'll pull a 2 story house UP a 3 story house!
Definitely more rock crawler than motocross bike, but she'll get you there.

 

[IdahoBeav]

She ain't quick, with the offroad gearing & ATV tire, but she'll pull a 2 story house UP a 3 story house!
Definitely more rock crawler than motocross bike, but she'll get you there.

On two wheels, that usually just means you're spinning your tire or flipping the bike over backward. On the mountain, there often isn't an option crawl up technical terrain. You have to get some momentum, stand up on the pegs, and give it throttle. If you slow down and try to crawl, you're in trouble.

 

[robtattoo]

Thankfully, I have the experience to be able to do both, and determine when each particular approach is needed.
The TeeDub is still capable of the 2nd-gear-balls-out-hillclimb. Maybe not as capable as a CR250 but these days, if that's what it takes to get there, I'm walking anyway!

 

[BLJ]

I spoke up in your favor and you spout off about teedubya's and track bikes.

not helping


how fast is a Tdub in 2nd wicked?

Probably as fast as a 4 banger taco with 35’s.

 

[Wrench]

I HATED my tw200. I kept my xt225 and tripped the tw. If you have ever been remotely fast on a dirt bike you will probably hate the tw. The seat is too low, the bars are too low the whole thing is wider than a polaris indy wedge. There's never been a bike that pushes a corner more and the brakes suck.....and if you ever hit a square edged anything you will send that front wheel to the handlebars almost instantly.

They are cool to look at but abysmal to ride.

 

[7mm-08]

A proper front tire...


View attachment 933449

I'm that old, slow hunter that rides a KLX 140. Please don't be offended with the question, but what in the world is the application for that tire? Spring bear hunting in the Sawtooths above snowline? I've just never seen a motorcycle tire with studs.

 

[robtattoo]

I spoke up in your favor and you spout off about teedubya's and track bikes.

not helping


how fast is a Tdub in 2nd wicked?

In the snot & rocks, 12 maybe 14mph. Enough to be interesting.

Before I lowered the gearing & fitted the trailer wheel I got myself in a bit of a pickle in Wyoming. I ended up climbing a trail (1st gear, throttle pegged) that I really had no business going up, but it was steep enough that stopping & turning round was impossible. You know the type.... getting down the same trail was guaranteed broken bones (I used to ride technical trials & I would've 3'd it on my Gas Gas!) so I ended up bushwhacking the bike 2 miles back to the road, over deadfall. That kinda put a full stop right after where my 'common sense' limit ends

 

[Wrench]

I havent seen a hill a guy couldnt go down. Though some can be sketchy, and cookin your brakes on one gets sporty

I imagine things look a bit different on the tw though. I know I've dropped into things while on my 150 that werent nothin on a 250/300. But on that lil bike it turns into a situation.

The rake angle sux on a tw. Add a touch to the front brake and it actually gets even worse.