Returning to Motocross - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

DCR · 01-12-2005, 12:16 PM

I have not owned a bike for 20 years. My last bike was an '82 RM 250. I am thinking of purchasing a used '82-'85 RM 250, because the articles on the newer bikes I have read gripe about head shake and suspension that aren't right from the factory. So what bike does everyone here thing I should buy.

DCR · 01-12-2005, 07:17 PM

I failed to mention that my budget is such that I am probably limited to an '82-'98.

DCR · 01-13-2005, 08:32 PM

Isn't there anybody out there that has been around some of these older bikes that can help me.

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

DCR · 01-17-2005, 11:30 AM

I am not to concerned about my conditioning because I am going to start out really slow mostly just trails. I use to race in the intermediate class, but I have no intentions of ever racing again. I do weights 5 days a week and cardio nearly every day I am also an avid water skier.

I not to worried about a used bike being a money pit as I always do my own work even splitting cases. Alot just depends on the condition of the bike. I looking into an '83 that is completely original and has been ridden so little the top end has never been apart. It even still has the original chain sprockets and tires. Now all I have to do is talk the guy who has into selling it to me.

01-12-2005, 12:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
DCR Newbie Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 7	Returning to Motocross I have not owned a bike for 20 years. My last bike was an '82 RM 250. I am thinking of purchasing a used '82-'85 RM 250, because the articles on the newer bikes I have read gripe about head shake and suspension that aren't right from the factory. So what bike does everyone here thing I should buy.

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01-12-2005, 07:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
DCR Newbie Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 7	I failed to mention that my budget is such that I am probably limited to an '82-'98.

01-13-2005, 08:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
DCR Newbie Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 7	Isn't there anybody out there that has been around some of these older bikes that can help me.

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

01-17-2005, 11:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
DCR Newbie Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 7	I am not to concerned about my conditioning because I am going to start out really slow mostly just trails. I use to race in the intermediate class, but I have no intentions of ever racing again. I do weights 5 days a week and cardio nearly every day I am also an avid water skier. I not to worried about a used bike being a money pit as I always do my own work even splitting cases. Alot just depends on the condition of the bike. I looking into an '83 that is completely original and has been ridden so little the top end has never been apart. It even still has the original chain sprockets and tires. Now all I have to do is talk the guy who has into selling it to me.

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