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who's riding these 230's
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:40 pm
by jt1872001
im wondering the average age and gender of 230 riders. and what they think of the bike ,where do you ride?
so far i got some good info on the hop up kit
oh and it is my girlfriends bike ,riding at occotillo, track and glamis so far. does ok in the sand for a knobby
Re: who's riding these 230's
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:58 pm
by nedirtbikr
jt1872001 wrote:im wondering the average age and gender of 230 riders.
Got into the sport at 38, my son at 12. I got the 230, he got a 150. I'm now on a 450 and he's on a KTM 200. 230's are great bikes. If only they had an aluminum frame and beefier suspension...man would that be great. Loved ours!
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:58 pm
by heybuddy1901
i got mine 4 years ago when i was 14
ive ridden it in sand, mud, hard pack, soft pack
and everything in between stock and modified.
doesnt do too well on the MX course but i still like to flog her a bit on the practice track once in awhile.

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:00 pm
by Beast Rider
I'm a 56yr.old female rider, I also ride Ocotillo and other deserts. I ride with agressive men and teenage boys, 250R, 450X, yz250f yz450f and two kawasaki something or other. I love the 230 in the soft washes and I am able to keep up with the boys but when we get to the technical stuff the turning is soooooo bad and the weight of the bike is a challenge for me. The electric start and the fact that I can reach the ground are lifesavers ..I have mostly stock, new protaper bars and a new front tire did make a big difference. Maintainence on the bike is so easy and no worries about crashing and destroying the radiator. It's not real peppy going up steep sand hills but I eventually make it, goes downhill really well. Some of my problems are probably more skill related than power. Have fun with your bike.
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:46 am
by krisrtch
32 years old got mine in DEC. have done a front fork change out. and waiting on new rear shock from Works.
Ride mine on a track since there is now were to really ride here in FL. Most tracks down here are sand so I put dunlap 773's taking her out tonight to see how she does with new forks and tires
Hey Nedirtbikr BBR does make a aluminum frame for the 230 but heck might as well buy a 250 or 450 for the price the want for it.
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:41 am
by nedirtbikr
krisrtch wrote:Hey Nedirtbikr BBR does make a aluminum frame for the 230 but heck might as well buy a 250 or 450 for the price the want for it.
This is true! Too bad Honda can't offer it out the door. I'm no engineer, and I don't doubt there's a lot more to it than just molding aluminum in the same shape, but you'd think Honda (and all of their resources) could go aluminum on everything. I realize aluminum is used for weight issues and they tend to concentrate on the bigger bikes when it comes to that. The 230 is a "play" bike meant for generally easy riding, but that bike could really rock if you were able to take away the extra 500 lbs of steel.
I love the bikes I have, but that 230 is an excellent machine. Like Beast wrote...e-start, no radiators, decent gas tank. Change to an aluminum frame, better suspension, and a tad more power (not much) and you have a perfect single track harescramble/enduro bike.
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:49 pm
by ejosephson
I'm 48 and love the 230. I have owned tons of off road bikes over the years and this is one of the best. I like the single track stuff in the deep woods. The 230 is perfect. I can flat foot the bike while sitting on the seat, it will handle the tight stuff as good or better than the 250s/450s. If you hit a rock you wont put the shifter through the side case like the paper thin CRF250/450 cases. No radiator to shear off if you have a mishap far away from home. You can adjust the valves or replace the spark plug on the trail, try that with the 250/450. Mine is tricked out for adult use, CR85 front end, SS brake hose, works suspension rear shock, Honda power up kit, SideWinder 428 chain/sprockets, Trail Tech computer, Maxxis tires. The 230 is Honda's only real trail bike left. When tricked out it's the best set up in my opinion.
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:40 pm
by CRF230PILOT
ejospehson can I see a pic of your bike? That sounds really nice!
To answer the topic:
I got my 230 at age 30 this year, 190lbs.
Awesome trail bike! Even better adult or big kid learner bike!
Even better low tech maintenance bike then my "new soon to be bike" 250X with all the valve adjusting watching worries.
Pic? Pic? Bike sounds good to go!
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:49 pm
by IvanCRF
i got the 230 when i was 15. liked it a lot, but needed more power so at 17 i got the 450x.
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:27 am
by Socrates
35 years of age. Rode 2 strokes in my teenage years. Bought the 230 this past summer to get back on one and get my feet wet again. Love it.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:50 am
by robbills
I'm 32 and ride a 450X. I got my wife the 230F to ride with me. I think I ride the 230 more than my 450. It's just a fun, stress-free bike.
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:42 pm
by ejosephson
CRF230Pilot,
I don't have any pictures of this bike but I will get some posted when I have the chance.
Just as an FYI, I have a good buddy who was a Honda trials factory team rider in the late 70's and early 80's. He is retired, he rides 80 to 125 miles every day 360 days a year, he has about 20 bikes, every brand including exotic stuff like Gas Gas. When it comes to hard core riding in the tight stuff he choses the 230! He has a short inseam so he put CRF150 wheels and footpegs on it, very interesting. He is 65 yrs old and is an animal! This guy can ride and he does most of it on the 230. It's a solid bike.
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:02 pm
by KRCRFs
Here's my wife on her 04 230F. She's 53 and been riding for 6 years now.

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 4:38 pm
by BanditX
I hadn't ridden since I was 18. I am 42 now and got the 230 when I was 40. I rode an old KDX200 for a bout 3 months untill the rotor/stator come apart, so I decided to buy that. Awsome trail bike...had to open her up and jet it because stock, it has NO power. I was impressed on the quality and versatility, but I grew out of it as my skills improved. I went to a CR125...fun, but power band a little wierd on tight trails, so husband bought me a 250R...perfect for trails, track, VERY versatile, my son rides my 230, but he likes to jump and it hits hard, compared to my 250. He likes the fact it has 6 gears and goes pretty darn fast on the straits. I just outgrew the 230 pretty quick. Most folks need MORE as skills improve. It is very heavy, and I am vertically challenged. It weighs more than the 250..still a great bike tho.
Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:09 pm
by Hondaguy
I am 44 and got my 230 in october 06. I had road bikes all these years and decided to trade them for some dirt riding. I ride on my 10 acres with my kids and made some jumps out in the back of the property. My 14 yr old daughter rides a crf 100 and my 11 yr old son rides a yamaha 80. The 230 is a great bike, especially when your like me and havnt rode in the dirt before........Don