Buying tech tip: Yet again, decide how you'll use a bike first, such as for motocross, off-roading, sport, recreational, and so on since they're tuned for specific use. If this is your first bike, you may want an automatic clutch, so you don't have to deal with throttle/clutch coordination. Handling and suspension characteristics will differ for a bike designed for flat-tracks versus whoops, making even the bike's weight a factor. And the Honda folks reminded us that seat height is important, too. A lower seat height is gonna make life much more pleasant for riders with, uh, shorter inseams.
Type: Off road
MSRP: $3,599
Engine: 223cc single-cylinder air-cooled four-stroke
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Bore x stroke: 65.5 mm x 66.2 mm
Transmission: Six-speed
Suspension: 37mm leading-axle Showa fork in front and Pro-Link Showa single shock with spring preload adjustability at the rear. There's a box-section aluminum swing arm.
Brakes: In front is a single 240mm disc, while the rear features a drum
Tires: A 80/100-21 in front, a 100/100-18 in back
Wheelbase: 54.1 inches
Ground clearance: 11.7 inches
Seat height: 34.1 inches
Fuel capacity: 2.2 gallons, and 0.4-gallon reserve
Dry Weight: 238 pounds
What else? This new-for-'05 bike has 9.5 inches of travel in the front suspension, 9 inches at the rear, and also has electric start. A one-year membership in the Honda Rider's Club of America is included.
Get one: www.powersports.honda.com
Type: Motocross
MSRP: $5,999
Engine: 249cc liquid-cooled two-stroke with KIPS
Compression ratio: 10.5:1 (low speed), 9.1:1 (high speed)
Bore x stroke: 66.4 mm x 72 mm
Transmission: Five-speed
Suspension: In front is a 48mm twin-chamber inverted cartridge-type telescope fork, and at the rear is a new Uni-Trak swing arm and single shock. Both ends have 16-way compression.
Brakes: Hydraulic discs
Tires: In front: 80/100x21; in back: 110/90x19
Wheelbase: 58.3 inches
Ground clearance: 13.4 inches
Seat height: 38 inches
Fuel capacity: 2.2 gallons
Dry Weight: 213.8 pounds
What else? Wondering what KIPS is? That's Kawasaki Integrated Power Valve System, which used to be the main and sub valves operating at the same time, but now with independent units, power is more smooth, and traction is said to improve too. Also, wheel travel is 11.8 inches up front and 12.2 inches at the other end.
Get one: www.kawasaki.com
Type: Off road
MSRP: $7,298
Engine: 447.92cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled four-stroke
Compression ratio: 11:1
Bore x stroke: 89 mm x 72 mm
Transmission: Six-speed
Suspension: WP-USD 48mm for the front suspension, and WP-PDS shock absorber for the rear
Brakes: Discs, size 260mm in front, 220 in back
Tires: Front is 90/90-21, rear is 140/80-18
Wheelbase: 58.31 inches
Ground clearance: 14.96 inches
Seat height: 36.42 inches
Wheels: 1.60x21 and 2.15x18 Excel, front and rear
Fuel capacity: 2.11 gallons
Dry Weight: 250.3 pounds
What else? This is a good choice if racing is your game. It comes with an electric starter, and suspension travel is 11.81 inches at the front and 13.19 at the rear
Get one: www.ktmusa.com
Type: Motocross
MSRP: $6,499
Engine: 449cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve four-stroke
Compression ratio: 12:1
Bore x stroke: 95.5 mm x 62.8 mm
Transmission: Four-speed
Suspension: The front is telescopic, cartridge type with 22 compression and 20 rebound settings for 12.2 inches of travel. The back is an RM250-type linkage, spring preload fully adjustable sort, with 16 compression and 19 rebound positions and 12.2 inches of travel as well
Brakes: Single hydraulic disc
Tires: The front is a 90/100-21 51M, and the rear is 120/90-10 57M
Wheelbase: 58.5 inches
Ground clearance: 13.8 inches
Seat height: 39.2 inches
Fuel capacity: 1.8 gallons
Dry Weight: 220 pounds
What else? This motocross bike has specially designed Bridgestone tires for hard-core traction and acceleration, and an aluminum twin-spar frame for rigidity and to keep an eye on weight.
Get one: www.suzuki.com
Type: Motocross
MSRP: $6,399
Engine: 449cc liquid-cooled, five-valve, DOHC four-stroke
Compression ratio: 12.3:1
Bore x stroke: 95 mm x 63.4 mm
Transmission: Four-speed
Suspension: 48mm Kayaba inverted telescope fork with adjustable compression and rebound that nets you 11.8 inches of travel at the front end, while the rear sports a Kayaba single shock with adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping and separate high/low-speed compression adjuster for 12.4 inches of travel.
Brakes: In front, 250mm floating disc, and out back is a 245mm disc
Tires: 80/100-21 in front, 110/90-19 at the rear
Wheelbase: 58.5 inches
Ground clearance: 14.6 inches
Seat height: 39.2 inches
Fuel capacity: 1.8 gallons
Dry Weight: 220 pounds
What else? The newly designed rear sprocket and chain guide is said to reduce wear and chain wobble, and the primary drive ratio has switched from 1.82 to 2.65. And the bike has 21-inch front and 19-inch rear Excel rims.
Get one: www.yamaha-motor.com