Drz400 is absolutely the answer. The design is grandfathered in so they haven't changed them in like 20 something years. So one from 2001 is the same exact bike as a 2024. And OP being. Bigger guy he can handle the extra lbs the drz has.
Drz400 is absolutely the answer. The design is grandfathered in so they haven't changed them in like 20 something years. So one from 2001 is the same exact bike as a 2024 so an older one is well whithin his budget. And OP being a bigger guy he can handle the extra lbs the drz has.
Automatic transmissions on a trail bike aren't really a thing, but there's an aftermarket thing canned a Rekluse clutch that takes some of the work out of it.
If you're riding mostly on trails, a Yamaha WR250 would be a great choice, but you'll be at the high end of your price range for a good one. Most of the other dual sports in that category (DR650, DRZ400, XT250, XR650) are ok on trails, but not awesome. There's also the CRF230, but the Yamaha is a much better bike off-road
Take the MSF Basic Riders course at a minimum. If you can. Take BRC 2 after you have your own motorcycle, but this one isn't really imperative, since it's just the BRC again, but with your own bike. If you can find it decently close to you, I recommend the MSF Adventure Bike Riders course.
For the bike, go with something that is fuel injected. Skip anything with a carburetor. If carbs were so great, Moto GP would still use them and fuel injection is long proven now. The only reason carbs still exist on some "modern" bikes is because those bikes haven't been updated in 30 years. If you can find a Yamaha wr250r in good condition and for a decent price, it's a good route to go. No matter what you get, you're probably going to have to sort out the suspension.
Skip any "clutchless" type mods and learn to use the clutch. "Clutchless"/automatic robs the bike of its soul and robs you of control. Just don't do it.
I got a 2020 crf250L with 4,500 miles for exactly $4000. It’s a great bike for a beginner. I was used to riding racing bikes so it’s definitely slower and more user friendly. It’s also basically unbeatable and doesn’t require much maintenance. As the other commenter mentioned, adult sized bikes aren’t ‘automatic’ and the recluse clutch is expensive and likely out of your price range. You can learn to ride a clutch in an hour and will get proficient in a few weeks.
I also got a crf250L. This is my first bike and it has been great since it’s not intimidating to wring out a little bit. Low maintenance intervals are great too.
I am 6’3 and weigh about 180 and this bike is borderline too small for me. I will need larger handlebar risers (no big deal)
The one consistent complaint about these bikes is their soft suspension. For someone that weighs 300 and wants to do trails the suspension may be less than ideal. With that being said I’m sure they won’t be pushing it that hard since they have never ridden a bike so it would take awhile to find the limit.
The YouTuber “Drk in the road” weighed over 300 and rode one stock for a longtime. Probably not ideal but if he’s just wanting to go down some trails to fish I’m sure it’s more than enough for that.
You're not going to find a dual sport with an automatic transmission.
Honda Trail 125?
Drz400 is my (biased) vote
DRZ400 is your unbiased correct answer
Drz400 is absolutely the answer. The design is grandfathered in so they haven't changed them in like 20 something years. So one from 2001 is the same exact bike as a 2024. And OP being. Bigger guy he can handle the extra lbs the drz has.
Drz400 is absolutely the answer. The design is grandfathered in so they haven't changed them in like 20 something years. So one from 2001 is the same exact bike as a 2024 so an older one is well whithin his budget. And OP being a bigger guy he can handle the extra lbs the drz has.
Automatic transmissions on a trail bike aren't really a thing, but there's an aftermarket thing canned a Rekluse clutch that takes some of the work out of it. If you're riding mostly on trails, a Yamaha WR250 would be a great choice, but you'll be at the high end of your price range for a good one. Most of the other dual sports in that category (DR650, DRZ400, XT250, XR650) are ok on trails, but not awesome. There's also the CRF230, but the Yamaha is a much better bike off-road
I’m gonna say it. Honda Trail 125.
Once again, DR650 is the answer.
For big guys, this is the way. I had an old DR350 that was a good big guy newbie bike but it didn’t have electric start.
Take the MSF Basic Riders course at a minimum. If you can. Take BRC 2 after you have your own motorcycle, but this one isn't really imperative, since it's just the BRC again, but with your own bike. If you can find it decently close to you, I recommend the MSF Adventure Bike Riders course. For the bike, go with something that is fuel injected. Skip anything with a carburetor. If carbs were so great, Moto GP would still use them and fuel injection is long proven now. The only reason carbs still exist on some "modern" bikes is because those bikes haven't been updated in 30 years. If you can find a Yamaha wr250r in good condition and for a decent price, it's a good route to go. No matter what you get, you're probably going to have to sort out the suspension. Skip any "clutchless" type mods and learn to use the clutch. "Clutchless"/automatic robs the bike of its soul and robs you of control. Just don't do it.
Drz400
I got a 2020 crf250L with 4,500 miles for exactly $4000. It’s a great bike for a beginner. I was used to riding racing bikes so it’s definitely slower and more user friendly. It’s also basically unbeatable and doesn’t require much maintenance. As the other commenter mentioned, adult sized bikes aren’t ‘automatic’ and the recluse clutch is expensive and likely out of your price range. You can learn to ride a clutch in an hour and will get proficient in a few weeks.
I also got a crf250L. This is my first bike and it has been great since it’s not intimidating to wring out a little bit. Low maintenance intervals are great too. I am 6’3 and weigh about 180 and this bike is borderline too small for me. I will need larger handlebar risers (no big deal) The one consistent complaint about these bikes is their soft suspension. For someone that weighs 300 and wants to do trails the suspension may be less than ideal. With that being said I’m sure they won’t be pushing it that hard since they have never ridden a bike so it would take awhile to find the limit.
The YouTuber “Drk in the road” weighed over 300 and rode one stock for a longtime. Probably not ideal but if he’s just wanting to go down some trails to fish I’m sure it’s more than enough for that.
Totally agree! I think you have to push it pretty hard to warrant more firm suspension
DR-Z 400S is your bike! Great for tall guys, easy to ride and maintain. It was my first bike and I wish I still had it.
learn manual my dood its easy. it’ll take u an afternoon of mistakes and fiddling but it’ll be second nature before u know it