Perfect bike for vet rider

['00kx250spode]

I had elbow surgery 6 months ago and I've been waiting impatiently to see if I'll be able to ride again. I rode for the second time this weekend and the diagnosis is looking positive. I decided that since I can still ride, I deserve a new bike. I'll ride the bike on moto and supercross tracks. I don't race much - I just ride for fun. I'm more concerned with taking the jumps than going really fast.

I keep my bikes for 3 or 4 years so it's a big decision for me. I currently ride an Eric Gorr KX310. I really like the power delivery of that bike but it's a bit of a bus. I'm looking for something that turns better and I'm also thinking that a lighter and less powerful bike may be better for my elbow. I'm not sure how much power I could give up and still be happy.

The suspension on my bike is a jack-hammer. It wears me (and my elbow) out when I try to go fast in rough terain. I rode a YZ450F with a revalve from Pro-action and I was amazed at how plush the suspension was. Don't know if that was from the revalve or if the four-stroke suspension comes that good stock ?

The bikes I'm currently considering:

2003 RM250: From what I've read, this is a great handling bike with strong power. Not sure if it would be any easier on my elbow.

2003 RM125 or YZ125 bored and stroked to 167cc by RPMs: Probably my lightest choice. Not sure how I'd like the powerband of this bike.

2003 YZ250F bored and stroked to 302cc by RPMs: No lighter than a 250 2-stroke. How does this bike turn compared to the RM125 or my KX250? How's the suspension?

Thanks in advance for your insight! Mark

 

[pavelkod]

Mod Edit - This is NOT the For Sale forum. Next time we have to tell you this your account on DRN will be removed.

 

[Erick82]

If price is not a big deal I would wait acouple of weeks and get the 04 Rm 250. I love my 02, but they have made some good upgrades on the 04 based on their web sight.

I just don't think a 125 or 250F would be very fun to ride for very long after comming off that monster.

 

[pavelkod]

Mod Edit - This is NOT the For Sale forum. Next time we have to tell you this your account on DRN will be removed.

 

[Senior KX Rider]

buh -bye

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Mark- the KX 310 will surely be a tough act to follow. I'm facing the same situation. I am going to buy new soon and not sure which way to go. The top candidates in my book are


1 2004 KX 125 with big bore...for light weight and quick handling

2 2004 CRF 450 if I can make the move to the dark side. I have ridden a few 03s and this is a very nice bike

3 2004 YZF 250 with big bore

I love the KX 310 but its coming time to make a move :(

 

[Rich Rohrich]

Okie used to ride an EG KX310 (The infamous Mamba Project Bike) and now he is riding an Eric Gorr 262cc version of the 250F. You might want to get his feedback.

 

[biglou]

I am super-impressed with the 03 crf450r. I ate my words after I rode one of those. Super light and very powerful. The 04's are supposed to be all that and a bag of chips with increased compression, gripper seat, renthal bars and 3lbs less overall weight. That will most likely be my next bike in a year or so.

 

[placelast]

Devol & PC used to make different pull rods (dog bones) that change the rear ride height, making it turn more like a Honda...

 

['00kx250spode]

If it wasn't for the bad elbow, I would get a CRF450. But I'm afraid that extra weight and power will work against me sometimes and wear the elbow out faster. That's why I've been thinking about a 125cc-size bike - and wishing I could stuff my 310 motor into one.

I'm going to have to bum a ride on a 125 and 250F and maybe things will become clearer.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[killsoft]

Just a thought, don't know how you feel about KTM, but they make a 200SX. 125 frame & chassis, 200CC engine, same weight as their 125. Some mags say the 200SX is the ultimate vet bike.

The KTM 125's don't suffer from the same suspension problems and the KTM 250's, although shootouts almost always put the KTM last. The suspension can be fixed via a revalve and springs. 2004 KTMs are claimed to have much improved suspenders.

 

[Okiewan]

Bigger isn't always better....

I've ridden a lot of bikes, from KX 310, 426's, YZ 450's, CRF 450's, AF 500's. I'm not a small guy; even so, without doubt the most fun I've ever had was/is on a YZF250 (now 262 that ROCKS). Being a Vet (for me) isn't about being the fastest anymore, it's about having the most fun I can, on a bike that's super easy to ride and one that doesn't wear me out.

I own that bike :) .

The only thing that *could* convince me to change would be the CRF250 when it comes out this fall. I'd love to have my motor in a CRF frame.

 

[truespode]

I agree with Okie but the CR450 is a close second in my book.

I have not found it to be as reliable as my 01 YZ250F but a lot of that could be from luck and flukish things (waterpump and fork issue on the CR but nothing like valves or anything major).

The YZ250F is very easy to ride and a great all round bike.

With the mods I've made to the CR450 it is turning into a great all round bike too. I'm considering adding a flywheel weight and playing more with the suspension but the gearing so far is right where I like it out of the box. On some tracks I just ride in 3rd gear everywhere.

I bought the CR450 for MX racing and it is so much better than the 250F (but I was racing the 250F in the 250 class) for me. However, if I had it to do all over again I'd have gone with the 262cc kit in my 01YZ250F.

That's not to say the CR450 was a bad choice, just a lot more for me to get used to and tires me out a little more. But it sure is fun to open her up on an long uphill straight!!

Ivan