Dual Sport Bike for a beginner

[Skinny-J]

I have a buddy looking to get into dirt biking. He is an avid mountain biker and in great shape and has a little experience with riding ATV's but nothing in the way of motorcycles. He is taking the MSF course this weekend and should have his license by next week. He is not really interested in riding on the street or dual-sporting but understands being licensed and tagged opens up many more opportunities such as DS and Enduro events.

Like all of us, he doesn't want to spend a fortune on a dirt bike, especially since he doesn't really know if it's gonna be his thing. I have suggested he budget around $3K to 4K to get something decent to start out on. We have also had the 2T vs. 4T talk and he is leaning towards a 4T. And as mentioned, he wants something taggable.

I have been trying to suggest good bikes for him to consider. So far my list looks like:
1. KTM 350 EXC-F
2. KTM 350 XCW-F
3. Husky TE 310
4. Husky TXC 310 (that has already been plated)
5. WR 250 F (that has already been plated)
6. Beta 350 RR (good luck finding one)

So I am asking for your help. Any suggestions on other bikes that might be a good candidate are welcome. Also, if you know of someone with something to sell that could fit the bill, please pass it along.

Thanks,
SJ

[Boom Boom]

Husky and Yamaha are the only 2 on your list that will fit his budget.
I say Suzuki 400, plenty around, ride it and move on to more dirt or more street and newer once he has a feel for what he likes.
Minimal loss in investment if any at all.

[Bucho]

Should have brought him out to Grandville's... He could have had a nice sampling of bikes to ride.

Let him ride your 450 and your YZ250. He can see which one he wants more. Then get him a tagged smoker.

BoomBoom's idea isnt terrible either just to get something cheap and see if he really wants it. But yes, a DRZ feels very different from a "proper" dirtbike. Especially if he is used to a mountain bike.

[Wingfixer]

I can't believe there isn't a DRz400 I your "list"! It's like I don't even know you anymore! And, like I told you at Granville's, he's welcome to take my dizzer for an extended rest ride if he wants.

[Wingfixer]

Should have brought him out to Grandville's... He could have had a nice sampling of bikes to ride.
Let him ride your 450 and your YZ250. He can see which one he wants more. Then get him a tagged smoker.

Shit dude, he said he's a friend, not somebody he wants dead.

[J&J]

Should have brought him out to Grandville's... He could have had a nice sampling of bikes to ride.
Let him ride your 450 and your YZ250. He can see which one he wants more. Then get him a tagged smoker.

Shit dude, he said he's a friend, not somebody he wants dead.

[gots_a_sol]

ECEA forum usually has decent deals on plated bikes.

08 250 xcf-w for 3k http://www.ecea.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=29490

[anotherguy]

Only the WR250 is a beginners bike. The rest will quickly overwhelm an inexperienced rider.

[Marylander]

Only the WR250 is a beginners bike. The rest will quickly overwhelm an inexperienced rider.

True enough although one of these, http://www.g2ergo.com/store/g2-dirt-tamer/, can make the bike a lot easier to ride. I had some problems going from my klx300 to my kx250 (kept trying to embed the cross brace on the handlebars into my face) and the tamer throttle helped me out a bunch in adjusting to the bike. I wasn't a beginner but a lifelong mellow 4 stroke rider...

[anotherguy]

In '74 I went from a Rickman/Zundapp 125 to a Montesa 250. It tried to kill me repeatedly so I stepped up to a '78 YZ400 which was believe it or not tamer than the Montesa. It allowed me to concentrate on riding the bike instead of just trying to stay alive. Honestly I loved the Montesa and wish I still had one but it was a snappy torque monster of a bike with rather sharp handling for the times.

I just think it's better to learn to deal with adverse conditions when all of your concentration isn't devoted to managing fear. And bicyclists will likely try to corner off the power making it even more difficult.

But now I'm hopelessly hooked on big power. Sad.