1) your physical size (both height and weight are important) 5'11", 210lbs
2) How physical / aggressive are you ? dunno yet, in the middle I guess
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ????? local trails, desert roads...
4) Do you have any riding experience? over 10 years of full suspension mountain bikes
5) Do you think you will race ? no
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work? yes
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)? YZ125 or 250
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry? There are dealers for all major brands within a few miles of me.
9) How much do you plan to spend on a bike? about $1000 for my first bike.
10) Do you live in California? no
11) anything else that you think would help form an opinion:
I've wanted a bike for a long time now and I've been doing lots of research lately and I'll be ready to finally buy one in about a month. I only want to spend $1000 just in case I find that this isn't my cup of tea. I've been looking at 2 stroke 125's because coming from the sports car world I'm looking for light, quick and agile in a bike.I do understand the care needed in a 2 stroke over a 4 stroke and I'm fine with that.
i guess my main question thus far is this: I don't need/want the newest bike out there at this point but I don't want something ancient either. I have a guy locally who has a 1986 YZ125. I reluctantly went to see it as I didn't think I wanted something that old. when I got there we pulled out the bike and cold the bike started right up. the engine sounded extremely solid and revved very smoothly. checking the bike over the suspension was really smooth and "tight" and there seemed to be no play in the wheel bearings or swingarm bearings. I was very shocked at just how nice this thing was for such an old bike. we talked for almost 2 hours as he went over how tedious he was about keeping it running perfect(original owner BTW). he said he wanted $1000, that includes all new plastics(still in bags) and I think some other misc. gear.
My only problem is this, as mechanically sound as the bike seems:
1. it just looks a lil dated, seat, fenders, tank, etc.
2. it has rear drum brakes, not that it matters but I feel odd about buying into "old" technology.
3. it has standard forks as opposed to the "inverted" forks I see on newer 125's
I know these things might seem petty to a guy who has never owned a bike before but every now and then I see a 1995 and newer 125's that seem like they are in nice shape for $1000-$1600.
I'm just worried that if I get this 86 I might be kicking myself for not getting something new for not a whole lot more.
lemme know what ya think, all opinions wlecome.
2) How physical / aggressive are you ? dunno yet, in the middle I guess
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ????? local trails, desert roads...
4) Do you have any riding experience? over 10 years of full suspension mountain bikes
5) Do you think you will race ? no
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work? yes
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)? YZ125 or 250
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry? There are dealers for all major brands within a few miles of me.
9) How much do you plan to spend on a bike? about $1000 for my first bike.
10) Do you live in California? no
11) anything else that you think would help form an opinion:
I've wanted a bike for a long time now and I've been doing lots of research lately and I'll be ready to finally buy one in about a month. I only want to spend $1000 just in case I find that this isn't my cup of tea. I've been looking at 2 stroke 125's because coming from the sports car world I'm looking for light, quick and agile in a bike.I do understand the care needed in a 2 stroke over a 4 stroke and I'm fine with that.
i guess my main question thus far is this: I don't need/want the newest bike out there at this point but I don't want something ancient either. I have a guy locally who has a 1986 YZ125. I reluctantly went to see it as I didn't think I wanted something that old. when I got there we pulled out the bike and cold the bike started right up. the engine sounded extremely solid and revved very smoothly. checking the bike over the suspension was really smooth and "tight" and there seemed to be no play in the wheel bearings or swingarm bearings. I was very shocked at just how nice this thing was for such an old bike. we talked for almost 2 hours as he went over how tedious he was about keeping it running perfect(original owner BTW). he said he wanted $1000, that includes all new plastics(still in bags) and I think some other misc. gear.
My only problem is this, as mechanically sound as the bike seems:
1. it just looks a lil dated, seat, fenders, tank, etc.
2. it has rear drum brakes, not that it matters but I feel odd about buying into "old" technology.
3. it has standard forks as opposed to the "inverted" forks I see on newer 125's
I know these things might seem petty to a guy who has never owned a bike before but every now and then I see a 1995 and newer 125's that seem like they are in nice shape for $1000-$1600.
I'm just worried that if I get this 86 I might be kicking myself for not getting something new for not a whole lot more.
lemme know what ya think, all opinions wlecome.