Older guy want's to ride again...

telest
Posts
3
Joined
9/15/2014
Location
Niceville, FL US
9/15/2014 11:55am Edited Date/Time 2/1/2015 8:19pm
Hi, new guy here. I am 54, use to ride and race a lot many years ago. I'm talking about early 70's. Had to stop racing in '73 when my older brother quit and I had no way to get to races. Fast forward to now, I still have the moto bug, and the means to buy a bike and gear. I am researching if there is even a place to ride in my area of Destin, FL first off. Second would be if I am kidding myself that I can still ride a dirt bike without causing grave pain and injury. Lol. Looking to go with a 125 two stroke. Anything more I am sure would be more than this fool could handle. Any older guy's like me with any input is appreciated. Thanks.

Steve
|
9/15/2014 12:16pm
Steve, I'm 53 as of next week. I started back two years ago this month. I went with a 450f at first, but quickly chucked it for a 250 2-stroke.

I wish now I had got the 125 YZ instead. I love my 250, but my son has a YZ125 and I love riding that thing. It is a blast to go fast on. I highly recommend a 125 for you as long as you don't weigh like a deuce and a half or something. Also, KTM makes a good 150 you could consider.

You can do it, but be prepared for MANY changes since you last rode. Jumps are bigger, bikes are faster, etc.

Since I started back I've felt great both physically and mentally. I highly recommend it for you, but take it easy out there - you don't heal up as fast and the breaks are more painful - trust me on that.
telest
Posts
3
Joined
9/15/2014
Location
Niceville, FL US
9/15/2014 4:54pm
Thanks Harry, I agree on the taking it easy for sure. Lol. I weigh 170, so a125 would be the way to go. And a YZ125 is what I have in mind as well. Now...to find a place to ride...

Steve
KFW
Posts
147
Joined
12/24/2014
Location
Placida, FL US
12/28/2014 8:19pm
Interesting post. I turned 50 in sept and bought a 2005 YZ125 after taking a 23 year break. I use to ride 125/250 and thought a 125 would be best to get back in riding shape and acclimated with changes. I think it was a wise choice instead of jumping in over my head. Did you end up getting a bike?
Dragoo168
Posts
239
Joined
4/14/2014
Location
NV US
1/7/2015 1:42pm
Food for thought,..when I first started riding again, i got a125 also, and while it didn't pull my 200lbs around like it did when I was 150lbs, I was having a blast! Forward to having rode for a few months, gotten comfortable on the bike, and was ready to get back on the line for the first time in 16yrs,..Thankfully a friend advised i race the Vet class, so that the other guys on the line would hopefully have the same intentions, and respect for each other. As the gate dropped, the harsh reality of being a 200lb man, on a 125cc 2-stroke, against 250 2-strokes and 450 4-strokes immediately set in as i hit the first turn nearly in last place! I rode my ass off, and finished around 6th, out of 20, and then 11th in the 2nd moto, but the real kicker was walking bent over for the next two days, because i hadn't practiced as hard as i had raced, and realized that I had over-ridden the bike because of the size handicap that i had placed upon myself! I sold the bike, bought a 250 (2-stroke), and lived happily ever after, eventually winning a state championship in the 30+ Expert class. If you are going to just ride, the 125 may suite you, but if you plan on racing, as you mentioned, i would think at the minimum of getting a 250f to start! Good luck! Smile

The Shop

Foghorn
Posts
927
Joined
1/26/2013
Location
CA
1/7/2015 6:42pm Edited Date/Time 1/7/2015 6:44pm
I'll be 54 this year. I last raced CR500s in the 80's and rode one for trail riding and hillclimbing recreationally until the mid 90s. Life and work got in the way and I didn't own a dirtbike again until I bought my Service Honda 500 in 2013. Not too much power as long as you know how to exercise throttle control Wink I've found it's really hard to go back once you've gotten used to one. Not saying you need to start up again with a 500, but it sure is a blast to ride.
mx621
Posts
312
Joined
12/8/2014
Location
DE US
1/9/2015 10:51am
My buddy just started this past summer. zero experience , He's 45. He Bought a brand new ktm 250sxf. Take your time, don't take any unnecessary risk on the track, think you'll be ok!
KFW
Posts
147
Joined
12/24/2014
Location
Placida, FL US
1/10/2015 9:12am
Dragoo168 wrote:
Food for thought,..when I first started riding again, i got a125 also, and while it didn't pull my 200lbs around like it did when I was...
Food for thought,..when I first started riding again, i got a125 also, and while it didn't pull my 200lbs around like it did when I was 150lbs, I was having a blast! Forward to having rode for a few months, gotten comfortable on the bike, and was ready to get back on the line for the first time in 16yrs,..Thankfully a friend advised i race the Vet class, so that the other guys on the line would hopefully have the same intentions, and respect for each other. As the gate dropped, the harsh reality of being a 200lb man, on a 125cc 2-stroke, against 250 2-strokes and 450 4-strokes immediately set in as i hit the first turn nearly in last place! I rode my ass off, and finished around 6th, out of 20, and then 11th in the 2nd moto, but the real kicker was walking bent over for the next two days, because i hadn't practiced as hard as i had raced, and realized that I had over-ridden the bike because of the size handicap that i had placed upon myself! I sold the bike, bought a 250 (2-stroke), and lived happily ever after, eventually winning a state championship in the 30+ Expert class. If you are going to just ride, the 125 may suite you, but if you plan on racing, as you mentioned, i would think at the minimum of getting a 250f to start! Good luck! Smile
Very good advice! I'm still trying to get back to pinning that 125 and riding faster but feel like in 6 months I'll be ready to get back on a 250 2stroke. I rode a 250f a few weeks ago and it seems so close to the 125 I'm glad I got the 125. I'm still trying to decide whether to race again but may just do a race or two. I always wanted to ride Glenn Helen and Washougal being from Ga and now can afford to do something like that for the fun of it. I assume at 50 the vet c class is best for me.
1
mxrose3
Posts
2170
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Delmar, DE US
Fantasy
853rd
1/28/2015 1:57pm
As long as your doing pretty good health-wise, your never too old.
125's/150's are a fun bike. They are a lot lighter than the other bikes and you can throw them around.
But don't be afraid to go with a 250F 4 stroke. Yes, they are a little heavier, but the power delivery of a modern 4 stroke is sooo much smoother than a small two stroke, making them a lot easier to ride.
I own both.
Here's a track in your neck of the woods:

County Line MX
KFW
Posts
147
Joined
12/24/2014
Location
Placida, FL US
1/31/2015 4:58pm
Thanks Brad for the hospitality and mxrose3 for the track info. County line looks like awesome track and my daughter is close by at FSU. Lot's of great information. Can't imagine how good the riding is in San Jose.
jmpatt79
Posts
88
Joined
10/2/2011
Location
Burleson, TX US
2/1/2015 8:19pm
i would go with the 06 and newer yz125 with the sss suspension you cant go wrong !!!

Post a reply to: Older guy want's to ride again...

The Latest