1) your physical size (both height and weight are important)
6'0/230lbs
2) How physical / aggressive are you?
Work out 6 days a week, alternating strength training with light endurance every other day. I would say I’m moderately aggressive, I don’t like to do shit at 75%, 100% or nothing. I was in the Army for 20 yrs in a physical discipline, I’m not fat, just big and I’m not a typical old guy.
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or?
I plan to ride the local MX tracks in WV, PA and MD area.
4) Do you have any riding experience?
I don’t have MX experience but I do have a lot of off road experience. Growing up, our paintball wars were always on dirtbikes (YZ125’s) through high desert scrub and washes (dry river beds). I’ve also owned street-legal bikes throughout my life: KLR650, XR500L, current bike is a 2022 KTM 690 SMCr.
5) Do you think you will race?
My goal is to race in the old guy classes once I’m good enough. Before I ever set foot on a track, I’m going to attend at least two academies/schools that are MX focused. There’s a popular one in Ohio and one in Austin, TX that I’ve looked into.
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work?
I will be doing as much possible work on my bikes but will probably leave the complicated stuff to experts until I’ve learned enough. I plan to buy an older second bike and a shop manual and tear it apart and rebuild it.
7) Do YOU have a preference to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)?
I’ve been doing a lot of research and I’m considering a KTM 300 SX or any of the Japanese 250 4 stroke race bikes, knowing I’ll probably have to have some initial suspension work done. I’ve read/watched experts implore new riders to avoid getting a 450 4 stroke as a first MX bike and their reasoning seems solid.
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry?
There are many dealers in my area that sell all makes, so finding a bike shouldn’t be an issue at all.
9) How much ($) do you plan to spend on a bike?
I don't have any financial limitations or specific budget.
10) Your age?
53 yrs
11) Do you live in California?
No, Central Maryland