Motorcycle-Journal Forums - View Single Post

SteveA · 01-14-2005, 10:09 AM

I used to do casual motocross in the 70's (125). Since I don't know your physical condition, I need to start at the beginning.
This first thing you may need to do is to buy a membership at the local gym! If you have been off bikes for 20 years, no matter what shape you are in now, you will need serious conditioning, or you'll be one hurtin' pup. In the 70's, if I didn't ride for more than 3 days, and went out on the 4th day, I couldn't move the next morning. I had a heavy manual labor job, so I was already strong, but not "bike strong". The bike works muscles you never even knew you have. Also, focus on aerobic-type exercises to help the lung endurance. Even the pros work out every day in their private gyms, even while they're on the road. Anyway, that's the 1st recommendation.

I was never one to buy a used racer, since I had no idea what kind of care it had, if it had been rebuilt, etc. Sometimes, it is just as expensive to buy a used bike & have to pump $$ into it, as it is to buy a new bike. The newer bikes are also up on the tech, so the majority of riders won't really approach some of the bugaboos that a pro can detect. A lot will depend on your weight, how you ride, where you ride, etc. The companies design them as a sort of one-shoe-fits-most scenario. I would ride the bike, starting out slowly & working up to the max speeds you are comfortable doing. Then, see if any mods are in order. Bear in mind, when you make a mod, you can also change another character trait of the bike at the same time. Translation: more $$. It can be a money pit. I like the 2 stroke bikes, but the 4 strokers look promising & are bound to get better. Soon, the 2 strokers may not be able to compete on a lot of tracks. That's something you may want to consider. More races will be open to you.
I hope my 2 cents' prespective. I happen to be a dyed-in-the-wool Suzuki fan when it comes to dirt. They have never failed me, despite being bashed beyond recognition.
Regards

01-14-2005, 10:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
SteveA Where Am I ? Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 30	I used to do casual motocross in the 70's (125). Since I don't know your physical condition, I need to start at the beginning. This first thing you may need to do is to buy a membership at the local gym! If you have been off bikes for 20 years, no matter what shape you are in now, you will need serious conditioning, or you'll be one hurtin' pup. In the 70's, if I didn't ride for more than 3 days, and went out on the 4th day, I couldn't move the next morning. I had a heavy manual labor job, so I was already strong, but not "bike strong". The bike works muscles you never even knew you have. Also, focus on aerobic-type exercises to help the lung endurance. Even the pros work out every day in their private gyms, even while they're on the road. Anyway, that's the 1st recommendation. I was never one to buy a used racer, since I had no idea what kind of care it had, if it had been rebuilt, etc. Sometimes, it is just as expensive to buy a used bike & have to pump $$ into it, as it is to buy a new bike. The newer bikes are also up on the tech, so the majority of riders won't really approach some of the bugaboos that a pro can detect. A lot will depend on your weight, how you ride, where you ride, etc. The companies design them as a sort of one-shoe-fits-most scenario. I would ride the bike, starting out slowly & working up to the max speeds you are comfortable doing. Then, see if any mods are in order. Bear in mind, when you make a mod, you can also change another character trait of the bike at the same time. Translation: more $$. It can be a money pit. I like the 2 stroke bikes, but the 4 strokers look promising & are bound to get better. Soon, the 2 strokers may not be able to compete on a lot of tracks. That's something you may want to consider. More races will be open to you. I hope my 2 cents' prespective. I happen to be a dyed-in-the-wool Suzuki fan when it comes to dirt. They have never failed me, despite being bashed beyond recognition. Regards