Time for a bike upgrade methinks

[Sammikins]

nah am only able to spend what i sell my bike for, which won't be as much as $4G. sorry... am quite keen to try out the kx85 now!

[barty5]

nah am only able to spend what i sell my bike for, which won't be as much as $4G. sorry... am quite keen to try out the kx85 now!

just spoke to rupe a loan on the kx85 is all sweet.

[Sammikins]

just spoke to rupe a loan on the kx85 is all sweet.

Wicked!

[L Rider]

Ok bit of background!
What happened was Sammy rode my daughters CRF150f yesterday. And it fitted her much better than the DRZ125 as it was a bit bigger/taller. She liked the power delivery as well. The two of them are a similar level in learning and I bought the CRF for my girl because of the electric start and especially the power delivery. I know its a heavy old bus and the suspension isn't mx level but quite frankly they don't need MX level suspension to learn basic standing, braking and balance skills (which they still need to master). And they DEFINATLY DON"T need to be on a bike that scares them, the terrain alone does that at the moment!! In size the KX85 probably would be the only other bike that would fit or maybe a KX100 would be a good choice. But they can't get around the old B loop at thunder without a hand let alone get anything airborne anywhere. So I still reckon for my daughter the big ole CRF150f is the best choice till she's starting to outride it! User friendly power & electric start. Shit I followed a young lad on a CRf150F last MR moto ride and he was fair bloody hooning along on it, and not just on the straights either. You all know I'm a 2smoke man through and through and would love to get my daughter onto an 85 but the ride-ability/elec start of the CRF is perfect for where she is at at the moment!

Sammy is far to small for a 125 or 200 size bike for starters. But a ride on a KX85 would be a very good idea! The 230's might still be to tall for you Sam so go to Botany Honda and have a sit on a CR85(the kx85 should be similar??), CRF150F, CRf230 see what fits. You can still learn a lot on the DRZ you have, so take your time and ride a few different bikes! I kow the Drz is a little small but I reckon buying a new bike and being on tippy toes everywhere you go would be any good for you at all.
Just my 2c

I agree with some of your points Reckless re the scaring them etc. End of the day i think as a learner rider you need to spend the time becoming familiar with your bike & what you are terrain you are capable of riding. Rather than charging in & doing something way to hard spend the time mastering smaller tracks etc that you know you can do. When i first got mine i went out on a track at woodhill which too sandy for me - i struggled partly cause of sand but also turned out I'd blown a crank seal so had no power. That day put me off bigtime - not the bike but riding outside of my abilities. Since then i've spent all my time riding the learners track at woodhill & learners at Thunder. Sat just gone i finally went out & did couple of trails at woodhill & enjoyed it. Tussock i just stuck to a small track & spent the time mastering that.

When changing bikes you don't just wanna do a step sideways.

I think you need to ride a few then see what you feel more comfortable on.

[Sammikins]

my first time was on sand too, some mates just left me to it all by myself in some sand dunes in the middle of nowhere by muriwai, spent too much time falling on my butt so i tried to ride on the beach ended up saturated by a freak wave, worst time of my life.

[L Rider]

my first time was on sand too, some mates just left me to it all by myself in some sand dunes in the middle of nowhere by muriwai, spent too much time falling on my butt so i tried to ride on the beach ended up saturated by a freak wave, worst time of my life.

No way, nothing like being put off totally.
I'm sure you'll be sweet on a 85 mxer aye. If i learnt to ride on one then you should be fine. We didn't even know till recently that my one is higher geared than standard too which makes up hills harder.

[Sammikins]

i reckon i'll be sweet, im at the stage where im doin the 'babies' track at thunder ringing it out in 4th gear, and got round part of the b loop without falling off, conquered the big yucky hill that i couldnt do last time...

[cheese]

I think that you will get of a KX buzzing out wanting to buy one.

[L Rider]

i reckon i'll be sweet, im at the stage where im doin the 'babies' track at thunder ringing it out in 4th gear, and got round part of the b loop without falling off, conquered the big yucky hill that i couldnt do last time...

Sounds like you're doing fine. the mxer's are so light & easy to start - 2 things i really like bout mine. Least when i come off i can get it off me & back up & started.

[Reckless]

I agree with some of your points Reckless re the scaring them etc. End of the day i think as a learner rider you need to spend the time becoming familiar with your bike & what you are terrain you are capable of riding. Rather than charging in & doing something way to hard spend the time mastering smaller tracks etc that you know you can do. When i first got mine i went out on a track at woodhill which too sandy for me - i struggled partly cause of sand but also turned out I'd blown a crank seal so had no power. That day put me off bigtime - not the bike but riding outside of my abilities. Since then i've spent all my time riding the learners track at woodhill & learners at Thunder. Sat just gone i finally went out & did couple of trails at woodhill & enjoyed it. Tussock i just stuck to a small track & spent the time mastering that.

When changing bikes you don't just wanna do a step sideways.

I think you need to ride a few then see what you feel more comfortable on.

Exactly my point!
Bearing in mind we did have a KX85 and it was a light switch, even 2 extra base gaskits and other mods didn't turn it into a leaners bike for a young lady. BUT it could have been ported so maybe I had a bad one! Dunno!

Secondly its always very hard for us that ride well and often to put ourselves back into a learners shoes. We always want to bring them on so fast and teach them our skills all at once. Its still all about fun not winning or going really fast for most beginners, often the terrain is enough challenge in itself.
If my girl is still keen on it in the next year or so we might try a flywheel weighted CR85 or something?? Who knows just want father time to be fun for her!

You keep that up L Rider we'll have to change your name to pro rider LOL!!!

[raglanash]

Sounds like you're doing fine. the mxer's are so light & easy to start - 2 things i really like bout mine. Least when i come off i can get it off me & back up & started.

Thats what my wife likes, and I must say I like it too, makes for a much more peaceful day on the bikes. They go really quick too, I have imbarrassed a few trail riders on the wifes YZ, and myself as well because I look like a dick on it but I don't really care it's great fun.. The wife go's really well on it too, funny when people realize they just got owned by a chick on an 85.

[B0000M]

Sounds like you're doing fine. the mxer's are so light & easy to start - 2 things i really like bout mine. Least when i come off i can get it off me & back up & started.

on the east to start thing, i can start an 85 with my hand. that kinda shows how easy they can be started

[L Rider]

Exactly my point!
Bearing in mind we did have a KX85 and it was a light switch, even 2 extra base gaskits and other mods didn't turn it into a leaners bike for a young lady. BUT it could have been ported so maybe I had a bad one! Dunno!

Secondly its always very hard for us that ride well and often to put ourselves back into a learners shoes. We always want to bring them on so fast and teach them our skills all at once. Its still all about fun not winning or going really fast for most beginners, often the terrain is enough challenge in itself.
If my girl is still keen on it in the next year or so we might try a flywheel weighted CR85 or something?? Who knows just want father time to be fun for her!

You keep that up L Rider we'll have to change your name to pro rider LOL!!!

Sister in law got an RM80 thinking it wud be alot like my CR80 - well it was rather Random with its powerband. You never knew when it wud hit & it did have quite a kick to it. She had trouble with it at Thunder on B Loop - flipped it etc - ended up riding mine & found it great. She's since gone & brought a CR80 & now the RM will be up for sale soon.

[Midget200]

Hey there Sammikins!

If you're out at Woodhill, or Jolly Roosta, or any time you're more than welcome to have a ride on my bike! I was on a KLX140, which was awesome for a year! It was the right height, I put an FMF pipe on it for more power! I could touch the ground, magic! I like the electric start, so that restricts me! I'm only 5 foot 1 and the CRF250X is huge! I've put a lowering link on it, changed the suspension, cut the foam out of the seat. It's nearly there now! Power is awesome, but it's heavy! I think sometimes the guys definitely do forget that we're learners and don't remember back that far! I certainly do remember flailing around Woodhill in the deep sand!!

[Sammikins]

Hey there Sammikins!

If you're out at Woodhill, or Jolly Roosta, or any time you're more than welcome to have a ride on my bike! I was on a KLX140, which was awesome for a year! It was the right height, I put an FMF pipe on it for more power! I could touch the ground, magic! I like the electric start, so that restricts me! I'm only 5 foot 1 and the CRF250X is huge! I've put a lowering link on it, changed the suspension, cut the foam out of the seat. It's nearly there now! Power is awesome, but it's heavy! I think sometimes the guys definitely do forget that we're learners and don't remember back that far! I certainly do remember flailing around Woodhill in the deep sand!!

Whoar, crf250 is a big bike for me! i think i'd be too scared to ride it!....