My 95 kdx 200 is hands down the best offroad bike I´ve owned. So well rounded and easy to handle. I hope you picked that 97 up. I´ve dumped it off of countless canyon hill climbs and it still runs like a champ. Also, its not just for beginners... you can definitely grow with it. It has enough balls for any advanced trail rider (though it´s no 4 stroke 450)