- Aug 2, 2000
- 13,510
- 19
Nah, in my heart I'll always be XRP, but DAMN! I did not realize how I was using the wrong tool for the job for so many years! To summarize, Vic and I get along great. Who's Vic, you ask? Well, lemme tell ya a little story . . .
Okay, as most of you know, I went and bought a 525 EXC a couple weeks ago. I did not get a chance to ride it until just this weekend (March 12 and 13). What's with this "Vic", you ask. Well, any good bike has to have a name, as the XR was known as Earth Pig, I got the suggestion from Jamir that I should name this bike "Kenny Blankenship" after one of the hosts of "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge". I told him it would be "Vic Romano", since that sounded more Austrian.
Anyway . . .
Friday, I took Vic up to the Seven-Mile Off Road park outside Spokane, WA, for a shakedown run. First off, hit some trails. After 15 minutes, we stop (my stepdad and me -- he's also shaking down a new purchase, replacing his '99 YZ400F with an '02 WR426F), and discuss the situation. He remarks that I am MUCH faster through the woods than I ever was on the XR. I said, through my giant grin, that yes, I felt faster. So then we go hit the sand whoops. Vic eats them up like George Kennedy and Leslie Nielsen popping pistachios on the "Police Squad!" TV show. Then, off to the hills.
It is amazing to get on a bike and be able to shift UP to 3rd (sometimes 4th!) while going up a steep hill rather than having to shift down to first! Again, I was amazed and amused, and kicking my own ass for not making this change sooner!
Anyhow, we also noticed that the WR426 is a much better trail bike than the YZ-F (Imagine that!), and I only have a few issues with Vic. First, adjusting the fuel screw is a butt itch, I definitely need a Zip-Ty (or some other brand) fuel screw that I can adjust with my fat fingers. Second, Vic is geared too high. I'll try a 13 on the front before I go changing the rear. Third, The Earth Pig would turn if you just thought about it, Vic takes a bit more effort, but I'm a big guy so I think I can handle it. Last, but probably not least, even though the seat feels soft, my butt sez different!
I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. :)
Okay, as most of you know, I went and bought a 525 EXC a couple weeks ago. I did not get a chance to ride it until just this weekend (March 12 and 13). What's with this "Vic", you ask. Well, any good bike has to have a name, as the XR was known as Earth Pig, I got the suggestion from Jamir that I should name this bike "Kenny Blankenship" after one of the hosts of "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge". I told him it would be "Vic Romano", since that sounded more Austrian.
Anyway . . .
Friday, I took Vic up to the Seven-Mile Off Road park outside Spokane, WA, for a shakedown run. First off, hit some trails. After 15 minutes, we stop (my stepdad and me -- he's also shaking down a new purchase, replacing his '99 YZ400F with an '02 WR426F), and discuss the situation. He remarks that I am MUCH faster through the woods than I ever was on the XR. I said, through my giant grin, that yes, I felt faster. So then we go hit the sand whoops. Vic eats them up like George Kennedy and Leslie Nielsen popping pistachios on the "Police Squad!" TV show. Then, off to the hills.
It is amazing to get on a bike and be able to shift UP to 3rd (sometimes 4th!) while going up a steep hill rather than having to shift down to first! Again, I was amazed and amused, and kicking my own ass for not making this change sooner!
Anyhow, we also noticed that the WR426 is a much better trail bike than the YZ-F (Imagine that!), and I only have a few issues with Vic. First, adjusting the fuel screw is a butt itch, I definitely need a Zip-Ty (or some other brand) fuel screw that I can adjust with my fat fingers. Second, Vic is geared too high. I'll try a 13 on the front before I go changing the rear. Third, The Earth Pig would turn if you just thought about it, Vic takes a bit more effort, but I'm a big guy so I think I can handle it. Last, but probably not least, even though the seat feels soft, my butt sez different!
I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. :)
