A little guidance required

[Ayrtonsenna]

Evening Ladies....so then, I'm thinking about getting back into dirt bikes.

Tobe honest its been awhile, around 10years since I was ripping through a fire break outa control screaming like a little girl...and loving every second of it.
But I had the odd...error of judgment...three ops on my left Knee later...and my girlfriend saying those a mortal works "I'm pregnant"...and it was game over....sold the lot.

But its time to have some fun again.....everyone seems to be talking four strokes??? so I'm getting alittle confused....back in the day...the old guys rode 4s...in saying that I'm in my late 30s and apparently thats now considered old?

My previous bikes were: IT490....YZ250.....KX250...WR250...two strokes were great easy to work on- rebuilds etc, bit a little tricky to manage in wet slippery hills.

The bike will not be used on the road....trail rides, enduros...no MX...I'm out for a laugh...but want tobe competitive..LOl

Budget 3-4K

Cheers

Ants

[Jay GTI]

Your budget will get you a half-decent 250 4T MX bike, that would get you back into it without the high risk of "further errors of judgement" a 450 4T MX bike would bring. Having said that, sounds like you enjoy scaring yourself, so maybe a 450...

The rebuild costs of 4Ts and simplicity of 2Ts is an arguement that goes on on here every couple of months, but my mate has a 2008 250 SXF that has 200hrs on it, at 180hrs he pulled it apart to do a rebuild, just because he thought he should, and it only needed new rings. Even the valve clearances were still in tolerance.

Also, I went from a 250 2T (RM250) to the 350 4T. I'm way faster (and safer) on the 350.

[Ayrtonsenna]

Hi Jay
Thanks for your comments….went and a chat to Chris Bellamy from Superior motorcycles here in christchurch today….nice guy, with some great advice. He told me theres a KTM test ride day coming up, at the end of september, where you have the opportunity to ride up to 13 different bikes…very low key… no pushy sales….just an chance to ride the full range. He also said, the 300 2T type of bike are very popular for trail bike riding, with plenty of torque, yet nimble enough to work the forests.....interesting.

Ants

[Jay GTI]

Hi Jay
Thanks for your comments….went and a chat to Chris Bellamy from Superior motorcycles here in christchurch today….nice guy, with some great advice. He told me theres a KTM test ride day coming up, at the end of september, where you have the opportunity to ride up to 13 different bikes…very low key… no pushy sales….just an chance to ride the full range. He also said, the 300 2T type of bike are very popular for trail bike riding, with plenty of torque, yet nimble enough to work the forests.....interesting.

Ants

A 300EXC is a popular bike for trail riding, for the reasons you have listed. A ride buddy has one... he's still recovering from the destroyed ribs, shoulder and punctured lung when it got away from him. They are great bikes, but you have to respect them, they can get very angry, very quickly.

The ride day will be awesome though, perfect way to figure out what bike will work for you.

[Ayrtonsenna]

Ouch....so your telling me your 350 4T is easer to ride than the 250 2t..?.especially the way the power is delivered anyway.

I still wake up in cold sweets remembering times spent on the IT 490... :)

[Jay GTI]

Ouch....so your telling me your 350 4T is easer to ride than the 250 2t..?.especially the way the power is delivered anyway.

I still wake up in cold sweets remembering times spent on the IT 490... :)

Yep, it's so much easier to ride the 350 4T than the 250 2T that I am considerably faster as a result. I bought the RM250 to get back into riding and it's one of the dumbest decisions I could have made. It was way too powerful for me, with a hair trigger throttle and a power delivery that meant if I even looked at the bike wrong, it would shoot off towards a tree at warp factor 9. It put me in hospital twice...

I got used to it in the end, I owned it for 2 years and the first 18 months I was scared of it (can completely understand the IT490 cold sweats!), but the last 6 months I could handle the power and delivery and enjoyed it. It was still a tiring bike to ride though, harder work than it needed to be and I still couldn't keep up with my mate on his 4T KXF250.

The 350 is so friendly by comparision. Has the same sort of power, but it comes in smoothly and the bike is only ever as fast as I want it to be. The RM I would get tired and start hanging off the throttle too much and not having 100% throttle control was a real liability on it. I don't get as tired on the SXF, so I don't have the throttle control issues in the same way, but even an accidental big handful isn't a "oh shit I'm going to die!" moment anymore.

4Ts also put the power down better, you can start to wind them out mid-corner unlike a 2T that generally requires you to be through the corner and pointing in a straight line before accelerating, but you can of course adjust your riding to suit.

It's all personal preference, but I'd never buy a 2T again, why make riding harder than it needs to be?

[gwynfryn]

A rm250 is a motocross bike. A motocross bike is built to go fast around a moto x track . A moto x bike is not suited to picking over roots, climbing up a nasty rocky hill or a clay goat track. Sixth gear and a 10l tank oh forget it.
Sure plenty of guys use them but only after a sups revalve , and often smoothing the hit with a flywheel weight, richer jetting etc.

The newer 2 stroke endure bikes are nothing like the moto x bikes. With adjustable power valves and even different ignition maps they can be set up how you want. Lug it around or tune it for a big hit the choice is yours. Dont be put off any of the 300 enduro bikes.

You can save a lot of frustration by buying the bike that suits your needs. Want to go fast up and down the beach then get a 450 want to putt around the back yard get a trials bike.

I would be cautious when buying a newer 4 stroke as they are not like the xr's and dr's of old that were fairly under stressed . In your price bracket you could be buying someone else's problem . Sure some get a great run but there are plenty of bikes out there that don't get much love.

Good luck

ps back in the day when i had a it175 a guy gave me a ride on his it465 and i rode it around barely above idle , the sound it made at each engine detonation scared the hell out of me.

[Tony.OK]

$3-4k?
WR250f wouldn't be a bad option, not nearly as slow as you'd think coming from older bikes. Its as powerful as my old XR400, bit less torque but so easy to ride with better suspension and a lecky start :yes:
I picked up mine for $3.5, 06 with 4500kms, barely any wear on it. They seem to be the most reliable mechanically of the smaller 4t's from what I've read.
Have put a 269 kit in mine and geared it down and its near perfect for me now, enough power to have fun and doesn't wear me out or give me any frights when I'm knackered like the 450's can.

[Jay GTI]

A rm250 is a motocross bike. A motocross bike is built to go fast around a moto x track . A moto x bike is not suited to picking over roots, climbing up a nasty rocky hill or a clay goat track. Sixth gear and a 10l tank oh forget it.
Sure plenty of guys use them but only after a sups revalve , and often smoothing the hit with a flywheel weight, richer jetting etc.



The 350 SXF is a motocross bike. It is also built to go fast around a moto x track. It is also a very capable trail bike, which is what I use it for. In fact the RM was pretty capable once I got used to the power (learned to short-shift and rotate my hand further around the throttle grip to stop the "oh shit" moments).

I agree the modern 2T enduro bikes are a long way from a snotty 2T mx bike (the RM was old tech even for 2005 when it was made), but the 300 is still a bike to respect. My mate's 300 just doesn't like being run in the softer modes either, so his is left in full angry setting. Anyway I don't want to start another 2T vs 4T or argue enduro vs mx, we all have our preferences and I was just passing on my own experience.

The best advice, which we both definitely agree on, is Ayrton needs to find the right bike for him.

[gwynfryn]

Your right JayGTI i don't want to chase tails with a 2 vs 4 debate just trying to provide some balance.

I know that the sxf is a moto x bike and of course it can be punted hard on the trails but have you tried the 350exc or the other cross country model ?

[Ayrtonsenna]

mmmmmm…..Appreciate this guys…thanks for the advice…a little out of my budget but...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=624954594

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=621046559

[Blagger]

Of those two TardMe listings the first one alarmed me the most - nothing to do with the bike but
Crap feedback
Sod-all trades in history
Calls it an "honest Bike"

Run, run away from that trader

The best information you will get is from the seat of your pants when you try that KTM range

Jay and Gwynfryn both make good points but yeah, test ride everything yourself to be sure - I had a go on my mates RM250 and it just felt like it wanted to blow up or throw me around too much, had a go on a CRF 450 and it was pretty smooth but had kick when needed.
I'm happy with a big ol thumper cos I'm in love with torque but if I was buying again I'd seriously look at something enduro style about 300cc two stroke but hey that's my taste.

Electric start is good for when ya get old

If I can make any recommendation when it comes to buying a bike it is to walk away if it doesn't feel perfect for ya - there's a fucktonne of bikes out there and you've only got one wallet

[takitimu]

The 250 4/ ktm non sxf were pretty gutless pre 2011 or so, to be honest I'd go for a yzf250 if I was you, the motors are bulletproof if a touch tricky to start in the early years.
On balance I think a 250 4/ MX bike makes more sense, way lighter, you'll have a blast and if you keep a bit back you'll be able to redo all the bearings, get suspension refreshed etc.

[barty5]

Id agree with JatGTI i had a yzf450 rode that for bout 4 years was an awsome bike bullet proof but in the end i was way quicker on a 250 4t youll fine that by the end of the day on a 450 your arms will feel around 2 ft longer than they started. they are a lots of work to hold on to.
Hoping when we leave the USA in couple a years i can bring something new back home to NZ and will be looking at the 250 4T or mybe a 350 just have to see at the time but wont be going back to a 450 anytime soon.

[eelracing]

Evening Ladies....

My previous bikes were: IT490....YZ250.....KX250...WR250...two strokes were great easy to work on- rebuilds etc, bit a little tricky to manage in wet slippery hills.

Now that the ladies have spleened their inner choreographers a bit of reality can be added.
Do not buy a four stroke if you can help it,you will be bored to tears and joining a mens support group or worse...taking up golf (same thing really)in no time.

Every thing you say of two strokes is still relevant today and with the savings you can afford plenty of new rubber for those slippery hills.

[Blagger]

Now that the ladies have spleened their inner choreographers a bit of reality can be added.
Do not buy a four stroke if you can help it,you will be bored to tears and joining a mens support group or worse...taking up golf (same thing really)in no time.

Every thing you say of two strokes is still relevant today and with the savings you can afford plenty of new rubber for those slippery hills.




This man is a High Court Judge

[Jay GTI]

Your right JayGTI i don't want to chase tails with a 2 vs 4 debate just trying to provide some balance.

I know that the sxf is a moto x bike and of course it can be punted hard on the trails but have you tried the 350exc or the other cross country model ?

I'd love to try the 350exc, but to be honest I'd prefer to swing a leg over the 350xcf, which I see as the best of both worlds. I've riden a couple of EXCs, plus spent lots of time with both WR250s and WR450s all fecking great bikes even if I am too fat for the WR250's suspension. I just find that for the kind of riding available in NZ, an enduro bike is not really necessary although they do obviously still work very well. Most trail parks and rides are open and fast enough that an MX bike is more than ok, the drawbacks of using an MX bike (hard suspension and snappy power delivery) are not as much of an issue as they are in other parts of the world. Certainly some of the really twisty, rooty sections in Woodhill Forest are a bit of a struggle, but the bike comes right in the more open sections and makes up for it.

The other issue with enduro bikes is there just aren't that many out there. You can buy a 250 4T MX bike for the OP's budget all day long and, with patience, find a really sweet one, but the enduro market is a lot, lot smaller.

But, after all that, another ride buddy has just bought a 2013 Husky 310TE as an upgrade from his 250EXC. That is supposed to be a real weapon, definitely want to borrow that for a loop or two.

[F5 Dave]

3-4k may bring you a little trouble. Dirtbikes are (KBrs excepted of course), sold by complete Muppets with a sideline in Butchery & the honesty of a used car salesman who somehow lost his real estate licence. I use 2nd hand dirtbikes as evidence of this. We've all been there.

All the talk of MX bikes for trailbikes has been covered, but still people seem to think they are a good intro into trail riding, search me why.

I'm biased (but so is everyone), but I'd buy another GasGas Enduro 2 stroke in an instant. They are easy to ride, you can get parts for them easily without them being discontinued at 6yrs old, & they don't cost the earth for them. On top of that they have a dreadful resale value as people don't seem to know what they are so you can get them cheap in the first place.

[Ayrtonsenna]

"Orange Friday!" has arrived!- 13th Sept- Popped into Superior motor cycles...got my self a helmet…..borrowed some boots…think I'm ready?
Great opportunity….2s v 4s…going to be interesting….its been awhile!

[Jay GTI]

Sweet, post back when done, would love to know how you get on with each bike and what you lean towards at the end.

[ktm84mxc]

Well you'd better be prepared to up the budget by 10g to get a new KTM, good 2nd hand can be had for 5-7g for a 2010+ model.
Me I love my 2 smokes, light weight, low maintenance costs, simple design etc.

[Banditbandit]

Evening Ladies....so then, I'm thinking about getting back into dirt bikes.

Tobe honest its been awhile, around 10years since I was ripping through a fire break outa control screaming like a little girl...and loving every second of it.
But I had the odd...error of judgment...three ops on my left Knee later...and my girlfriend saying those a mortal works "I'm pregnant"...and it was game over....sold the lot.



:killingme: well done that man ... How much did you get for her ?? Was she still carrying or had she dropped??

[Stylo]

Well you'd better be prepared to up the budget by 10g to get a new KTM, good 2nd hand can be had for 5-7g for a 2010+ model.
Me I love my 2 smokes, light weight, low maintenance costs, simple design etc.

Agree ...but you left out the fun factor component, I think they call it a powerband ..

[Ayrtonsenna]

Budget...yes ...well...I'm working on a more realistic figure as we...type

[Ktmboy]

Personally with your budget and a little more I'd be looking at a YZ250 2t. Why...
Proven bullet proof. You can MX it. Enduro it (add a fly wheel weight) and trail ride them. Plus you can make them real quick if needed.
And they retain their resale very well.

NZ national Cross Country champ rides one ( Adrian Smith...actually his 2013 is for sale at 8.5k with a full factory rebuild at 50hrs and 2014 suspension) as does MX2 champ Ethan Martens.
Easy to rebuild and our riders are getting hundreds of hours(read 6-800) on a bottom end.

[takitimu]

Personally with your budget and a little more I'd be looking at a YZ250 2t. Why...
Proven bullet proof. You can MX it. Enduro it (add a fly wheel weight) and trail ride them. Plus you can make them real quick if needed.
And they retain their resale very well.

NZ national Cross Country champ rides one ( Adrian Smith...actually his 2013 is for sale at 8.5k with a full factory rebuild at 50hrs and 2014 suspension) as does MX2 champ Ethan Martens.
Easy to rebuild and our riders are getting hundreds of hours(read 6-800) on a bottom end.

Scotty Columb is also on the YZ250, they are mint bikes with a flywheel.

[browny]

a rmz450 08 model( for example) can be bought for about 4k, depends on weight and or skills but great bike heaps of power and cheap.

[Ayrtonsenna]

Well…..I survived!

Firstly I need to say a big thank you to the team from Superior, and KTM New Zealand for the opportunity.

A little apprehensive at first…given the fleet of Orange standing in front of me. With little said- it felt like a Le mans start….guys went for the favourites…with me standing back ground waiting for the left overs!

With thoughts of "We had to call the Westpac trust chopper last time" I decided to jump on a four stroke…..after fumbling around trying to sort the electric start….amateur….I was off!

Shit I thought…..this was ok….(250 EXC-F)….and it a bloody four stroke!

The two smokes were as I remembered - they felt light and nimble….with buckets of fast power…just point, and shoot. I can see why people are still drawn to them.
Talking to one of the guys out for the trial "Four strokes are shit mate" "I can't stand them…they feel sluggish" "Slow as pig shit" …..yeah I said :( WTF

After doing several laps on the sacred 350EXC and thinking…yeah this is really nice…I decided to head in and see what was waiting for me in the pits.

The 450…..and…..OMG……..this was what I needed! ………arrived back in the pits a little confused……went for another quick ride on the 350Exc again……great…….350xc felt a little better - more alive- but 450 left me smiling…..arrived back in the pits….time to stop and have a think (Suffering from Arm pump already)

Theres no doubt the 450 will hurt me at some stage…..where the 350xc will provide me with the platform I need...…..interesting.

Listening to the guys from Superior, the 350 EXC would suit me best, especially given my experience, and the type of riding I'm bound todo….I'll I could think -was- I want the 450.
"You can improve the 350EXC by sticking a better pipe on it"……450……"alot of guys Enduro the XC"….450

If I could explain it- Its almost like going out with the wrong girl because you know she's trouble…...your drawn to her because….

So……I'm getting closer to making a decision….its going to be four stroke- 350-450 I figure on going with my gut, at the end of the day…if I'm really struggling, and realises, I've made the wrong decision….Ill sell it…and buy something else….not a big deal.


Any last words of wisdom?


Ants

[Skiwi]

Now that the ladies have spleened their inner choreographers a bit of reality can be added.
Do not buy a four stroke if you can help it,you will be bored to tears and joining a mens support group or worse...taking up golf (same thing really)in no time.

Every thing you say of two strokes is still relevant today and with the savings you can afford plenty of new rubber for those slippery hills.


Hmmm? I can honestly say " boring" is the last word I would use to describe my 450 EXC








Nice piece of debate bait tho ;)

[Jay GTI]

Awesome, thanks for taking the time to report back on how you got on, glad you had a good time and got to do exactly what you needed, spend time figuring out what will ultimately work best for you.







Any last words of wisdom?




Only this... you will be faster on the 350, especially over a day's riding when you're starting to get tired. BUT, there's something addictive about that abundance of horsepower so I can appreciate the appeal of the 450 (especially with the new single-cam motor). Logic and sense don't always win the argument...

[Ayrtonsenna]

Well….I've done it now……just brought a KTM 450 EXC-R 08….with 90hrs on the clock….shes going to kill me!….but its from Santa!

[Grashopper]

Haha, was just reading your last post and was thinking 'he's so going to go for the 450' :D

Congrats! Have lot's of fun

[Skiwi]

Well….I've done it now……just brought a KTM 450 EXC-R 08….with 90hrs on the clock….shes going to kill me!….but its from Santa!

Welcome to the club. :yes:

I have a 13,14 & 15 tooth front cog, in about 5 minutes you can change the bike to do just about anything.

Oh, and remember to keep the medical insurance payments up to date ;)

[Ayrtonsenna]

A little guttered tonight guys….
I purchased the bike unseen from a guy in Taranaki, having had several phone calls with him, sounded honest enough, looking at lots of photos I decided to purchase the bike:
450 EXC-R 2008 91hrs $6k
When it finally arrived in Chch thanks to bike tranz the first thing I noticed was the side plates, and rear guard didn’t look right? upon inspection, I found the sub frame had been broken and welded in 4 different locations. He’d even drilled through side covers lacing them to the sub frame with Zip ties.
Air-filter was dirty as hell….chain and sprockets were stuffed.
Yeah I was disappointed…but I dealt with all that, buying a new sub frame / air filters / chain sprockets / changing all the fluids…..one thing I noticed was the gearbox oils was new…great at least he had done that I thought……mistake.

The bike sat in the garage for awhile before getting everything sorted….then I had to buy a trailer….finally I thought…time to go for a ride!!!

immediately I had trouble changing into third…bushing this off to new boots and a lack of experience.

Second ride, exactly the same….what the hell? back at home I noticed the shifter had come lose…thats gota be it!

Third ride…something’s wrong.

Replaced the gearbox oil again…no debris……rocking the bike through the gears in the garage – Good
Riding the bike at low speed- Good…..Under hard acceleration- the shifter feels Locked.

Time to take the bike to Superior motor cycles. Received a call today, that they need to split the case….engine out- full strip

Absolutely guttered $$$$$$$$$$$

[Jay GTI]

Aw man, gutted for you. Shame you didn't mention you were buying it unseen, plenty of us would have done everything to talk you out of that idea.

Hope it's not too catastrophic inside!

[Ayrtonsenna]

Received another call today, they striped her down and found the gear selector barrel has a scuff mark on it, which would warrant a poor gear shift…..so I now have to wait 3 weeks for the replacement part to arrive from Austria- gives me time to save some money! !

Thought about sending the worn barrel back to the original owner with a small note “Just in case you were wondering what was wrong with the gear box” - wanker!

Ants

[Ocean1]

Received another call today, they striped her down and found the gear selector barrel has a scuff mark on it, which would warrant a poor gear shift…..so I now have to wait 3 weeks for the replacement part to arrive from Austria- gives me time to save some money! !

Thought about sending the worn barrel back to the original owner with a small note “Just in case you were wondering what was wrong with the gear box” - wanker!

Ants

Do it!

Hope the barrel's not too much, the labour's going to be bad enough.

I had a longer list of shit to do on my 525, but I managed most of it myself. And the good part is you'll know it's right when you're finished, eh?

[flyingcr250]

itll forever be a problem bike, fix it then get rid of it...

[Ayrtonsenna]

itll forever be a problem bike, fix it then get rid of it...


Really?? but I stand to lose a lot....I mean what else could go wrong....guys at the shop said it looks pretty good inside...

[speights_bud]

Bugger dude, I Just bought an "04 250 EXC myself this week, first 'proper' dirt bike. I hope it doesn't bite me in the ass, I had Sketchy go check it out and he was pretty happy, but you never really know until you start giving it a workout. It's arriving at my place Saturday :2thumbsup.

Anyone know how long the 2T cranks last? she's got a few hours on it but from what Glen said about the other stuff in the Guys garage it was pretty well looked after and his mate was the original owner.

[Jay GTI]

Really?? but I stand to lose a lot....I mean what else could go wrong....guys at the shop said it looks pretty good inside...

The bike has obviously not been looked after, but that doesn't mean it's a grenade with the pin already pulled.

Talk to the guys at Superior and get their professional opinion and maybe put together a condition report. While it's all apart, ask them to give everything a closer look to see if they think there any other issues or wear that could cause problems in the longer term, i.e. play in the crank, valve clearances, any wear marks on the cams, condition of the cam bearings, play in the water pump etc. Might cost a little more for them to do this, but if it is a dog, it will save you money in the long run.

Also ask why they think it's worn out the shifter barrel in just 90 hours, as this may point it to not being close to 90hrs in reality. Often it's the second or third owner fits the hour meter, so there's a large chunk of unknown ride time on the bike as well as what's on the meter.

The thing to remember is while 4T bikes have something of a reputation for fragility and expensive repairs, because sod all riders are good enough to put a 450 through it's paces, they are generally unstressed and can actually handle a bit of poor maintenance. The dirty air filter doesn't fill me with confidence, but if the top end is checked and it's all looking healthy, then as long as you look after it properly, you should be ok.

[Crisis management]

The thing to remember is while 4T bikes have something of a reputation for fragility and expensive repairs, because sod all riders are good enough to put a 450 through it's paces, they are generally unstressed and can actually handle a bit of poor maintenance. The dirty air filter doesn't fill me with confidence, but if the top end is checked and it's all looking healthy, then as long as you look after it properly, you should be ok.

This is a good point... my 450 was a bit disappointing when I serviced it, clearly the previous owners idea of servicing was a quick squirt with the hose and the hours were way off. However it's been bullet proof (not crash proof, but that's the muppet in charges' fault) and I wouldn't consider getting rid of it. The 450 will last a long time if servicing is kept up, I'm expecting to see 400 plus hours out of my engine without major repairs, yours is the "new" engine so there are some differences there but listen to the mechanics advice once he has inspected it.

[Katman]

Anyone know how long the 2T cranks last?

It depends on a number of things - primarily though, how good the oil you use is and how fussy you are with air filter maintenance.

[speights_bud]

It depends on a number of things - primarily though, how good the oil you use is and how fussy you are with air filter maintenance.

For sure, I think perhaps I should have been more specific, is 200 hours on a well maintained crank considered near the end of its life? I allowed for a rebuild but have no idea what they are capable of when looked after

[Jay GTI]

For sure, I think perhaps I should have been more specific, is 200 hours on a well maintained crank considered near the end of its life? I allowed for a rebuild but have no idea what they are capable of when looked after

Katman's answer is still correct. It's a how long is a piece of string question, depends on the bike, the year of manufacture, the condition, how it's been ridden, what oil was used and how often the air filter was cleaned... Next time you do a piston-swap, check for play in the crank, if it's all good, keep going.

Just for reference though, I did about 200hrs on my RM250 without even a piston swap, but I was very strict with the air filter and gearbox oil changes and for the most part of the ownership, trail rode it like a pussy, I was waiting for it to show signs of needing a new piston or rings before doing the swap and they never happened. It was still running sweet when I sold it and the new owner carried on with the same maintenance for a good few hours.

[speights_bud]

Katman's answer is still correct. It's a how long is a piece of string question, depends on the bike, the year of manufacture, the condition, how it's been ridden, what oil was used and how often the air filter was cleaned... Next time you do a piston-swap, check for play in the crank, if it's all good, keep going.

Just for reference though, I did about 200hrs on my RM250 without even a piston swap, but I was very strict with the air filter and gearbox oil changes and for the most part of the ownership, trail rode it like a pussy, I was waiting for it to show signs of needing a new piston or rings before doing the swap and they never happened. It was still running sweet when I sold it and the new owner carried on with the same maintenance for a good few hours.

Sweet, sounds good, i'll do a few more hours on it before opening and having a look.

Cheers for the reference on your experience, I just noted most bikes with Hours listed on Trademe appeared to be well sub-200 which made me question a bit... but as always, until you open it up and have a proper measure who knows...

[Ayrtonsenna]

Received a call from Superior yesterday……she nearly ready! :banana: