I've been hanging out at Dirtrider.net for quite a while. They have a section called 'what bike to buy'. In it they have a list of questions that prospective buyers answer in their initial post so that the more knowledgeable folks can steer them in the right direction. Here's the list:

Try to include the following info in your first post
1) your physical size (both height and weight are important)
2) How physical / aggressive are you ?
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ?????
4) Do you have any riding experience?
5) Do you think you will race ?
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work?
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)?
Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry?
9) How much ($) do you plan to spend on a bike?
10) Do you live in California?
11) Your age?
12) anything else that you think would help form an opinion

It's very helpful for that forum. Might be a good idea for this one.

that not a bad list