I had the opportunity last week (after a lot of reading and careful consideration) to buy a lightly used 2001 KDX 220 from a gentleman just a little older than myself, whose kids have grown up and moved out. It was his bike, and as such, it was the perfect bike - lightly used, but not abused, and bone stock (which means I get to do everything!!) He kept it clean and lubed, ran it comfortably, and followed maintenance schedules - so I was PUMPED.
Even better, because I had made plans to go out this last weekend with a co-worker and his son to do some riding - he was going to let me use his other son's YZ250F, but when I got the KDX I decided to take it instead. He also has a PW80 that his kids have outgrown, and invited my 9yo to come along and ride with us.
Now understand that this was my first dirt-bike experience, but the absolute coolest part was that this was 9yo's too. There is no way to describe the mixture of pride, excitement, trepidation, fear and concern that a father has watching his son climb on a motorized bike - or what it feels like to watch him going down (because you KNOW he's going to!), or to be cruising along at 25 mph or so and see him hit a loose dirt patch and slide a little and worry that he won't keep it together.
I ride a street bike, so I wasn't uncomfortable for myself (just had to learn the power band - well, at least for now - I KNOW there's a lot more to learn!) but of course I couldn't prepare him enough for that first experience. And those of you who have been there - you KNOW what the first event was. Too much throttle, and he fishtailed one way, then the other, then back again, and finally down he went. And all I could do was stand there helplessly wondering whether I should laugh or rush over to help him! But he picked himself up, and we started again. (Good lesson then, too - because we flooded the bike!)
Well he wiped out a few more times, but got it down pretty quick. Steve and his son came back, and so we went out on a ride together - very flat dirt roads (California City, up near the prison) and my son did great. Had some lunch, and went out on a slightly more technical ride, as well as longer. Near the end we hit some downhill whoop-do-doos (I GUESS that's what they're called - big depressions?) Well, I could see it coming - he's going faster and faster, and he DOESN"T have peg riding down yet at all - so his butts coming off the seat, then his feet off the pegs, then his legs are flying out behind him (looked like superman!) and then he dumped it. That is HARD to watch, let me tell you, because I could totally see it comimg, and could do absolutely nothing to help him. But, he picked himself up, restarted the bike, and we finished the ride.
I guess he must have enjoyed himself - he couldn't stop talking about it. Yesterday he asked me if I thought Santa Clause might bring him a dirt bike this year (good timing, huh?). Hmmm. And my six year old put "dert bike" as number 4 on HIS list...
I guess I better get my wife out riding too (funny - when I came HOME with the bike, she didn't say much - and she has yet to ask me how much I spent...Maybe she really DOES want to ride with us...)
Even better, because I had made plans to go out this last weekend with a co-worker and his son to do some riding - he was going to let me use his other son's YZ250F, but when I got the KDX I decided to take it instead. He also has a PW80 that his kids have outgrown, and invited my 9yo to come along and ride with us.
Now understand that this was my first dirt-bike experience, but the absolute coolest part was that this was 9yo's too. There is no way to describe the mixture of pride, excitement, trepidation, fear and concern that a father has watching his son climb on a motorized bike - or what it feels like to watch him going down (because you KNOW he's going to!), or to be cruising along at 25 mph or so and see him hit a loose dirt patch and slide a little and worry that he won't keep it together.
I ride a street bike, so I wasn't uncomfortable for myself (just had to learn the power band - well, at least for now - I KNOW there's a lot more to learn!) but of course I couldn't prepare him enough for that first experience. And those of you who have been there - you KNOW what the first event was. Too much throttle, and he fishtailed one way, then the other, then back again, and finally down he went. And all I could do was stand there helplessly wondering whether I should laugh or rush over to help him! But he picked himself up, and we started again. (Good lesson then, too - because we flooded the bike!)
Well he wiped out a few more times, but got it down pretty quick. Steve and his son came back, and so we went out on a ride together - very flat dirt roads (California City, up near the prison) and my son did great. Had some lunch, and went out on a slightly more technical ride, as well as longer. Near the end we hit some downhill whoop-do-doos (I GUESS that's what they're called - big depressions?) Well, I could see it coming - he's going faster and faster, and he DOESN"T have peg riding down yet at all - so his butts coming off the seat, then his feet off the pegs, then his legs are flying out behind him (looked like superman!) and then he dumped it. That is HARD to watch, let me tell you, because I could totally see it comimg, and could do absolutely nothing to help him. But, he picked himself up, restarted the bike, and we finished the ride.
I guess he must have enjoyed himself - he couldn't stop talking about it. Yesterday he asked me if I thought Santa Clause might bring him a dirt bike this year (good timing, huh?). Hmmm. And my six year old put "dert bike" as number 4 on HIS list...
I guess I better get my wife out riding too (funny - when I came HOME with the bike, she didn't say much - and she has yet to ask me how much I spent...Maybe she really DOES want to ride with us...)