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I don't know about adding more classes, though. Could make a bad situation (people quitting over long days/short motos) worse.
I see bikes on craigslist that meet or exceed the specs of the bike in the original post all the time...for well under $4500. I've seen late model 125s in good running condition for as low as $1500. Even with paying someone else to do the work of "rebuilding" (essentials, not necessarily "blinging" like the rebuilds that get posted here), a buyer would be coming out way ahead of the game.
I do get what you are saying. I personally think $9K is ridiculous for a dirt bike too, but I also know that the typical MXer isn't very honest about his true "needs" as a rider. Maybe the demand for cheap bikes just isn't what you and CamP think it is?
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There have been many threads here where people have said their reason for hanging it up or switching to "practice pro" only is because of the long days and the scant amount of track time. The out of control class structure is usually the culprit behind it.
The funniest part of all is that all the hardware is out there. Sad; but, true.
And, another thing...
We've cornered ourselves w/ certain hardware/technology! I was thinking of "Which" Fork or Shock or even...Swing-Arm...
There's some Amazing parts available that have NO R&D cost; and, these parts are Better than a lot of the "Bleeding-Edge" stuff that we/you think is so damn cool.
Example: Shock.
Some of the best shocks w/ their Hi & Low speed circuits & some really "nice" coatings & Ti Springs were developed more than a few years ago...&, in most cases, are BETTER than most of the current shocks you have. Off-the-Shelf...ready to go...
Forks? I once rode a bike w/ those Showa-Conventionals on the front of the DRZ400; but, they were on an MX bike & they were AMAZING!
Swing-Arm: anyone ever check-out the back of a KLR or KLX? Nice construction/Ultra-Low-Cost. Then, go check out the frame on the KLX 250...
I'm jus' pondering...
TWMX had a great video recently asking riders about their mechanical prowess and to my surprise most can just do filters...the new bikes are so good that kids no longer need to work on them to keep them going...when the motor grenades just buy another bike or exit the sport...
Toste touched on the ego/vanity thing and he was dead on. I've seen it in modern and vintage...guys just have to have the best shit and for other guys like me showing up on a clapped out 125..I don't fit in. So IMO, guys like Newman who show up in a diesel hauler with three bikes and 5 show queens is not helping the movement because typically these guys have egos and are aholes. Not saying newman is one, but I've encountered too fucking many.
So until we fix this idea you need the best shit, the cleanest bike, the biggest hauler, the economy 125 is dead. Sure there are many clubs, racing clubs, but there needs to be some type of club formed to help younger guys build these bikes, give advice on engine building, help pull cases apart, loan tools or shop time, etc. All you have is an industry trying to sell parts and promote races. With the economy bikes there is a missing link.
So I'm back to RM127's idea and I still think it could work but you need to form some sort of club and ban togethor...build togethor...race/ride togethor...share tools and work space...and most importantly inspirational support of why you are doing what you are doing because it's tough to show up at the track with a older 125 and get ridiculed...and it's tough to finish rebuild projects...support group that loves this stuff and through their love inspire others...
If Honda came out with the 2013 CRF450 in 1998 to compete with the YZ400f the cost would be $6036 vs the $5799 of the Yamaha. That means the total price increase of all this technology is about $237. Incredible. A 2013 YZ250 would cost about $5100 in 1998. Which means the bike is CHEAPER now than it used to be..except inflation has made it harder to buy.
Keep it coming.. the OEM's would laugh you guys out of the room.
The japanese didn't invent 2-strokes, 4-strokes, cartridge forks, powervalves, progressive single shock rear suspension, long travel, aluminum frames, or color TV, but they did the tedious development to make them work well in mass production.
Very few "big" ideas come from Japan.
It's a nice idea what is being discussed, but don't think for a minute that the quality coming from the typical cheap Chinese manufacturers will be anything other than horrendous. The Chinese are competitive in price alone. Ask them to do it right and their prices will strangely begin to creep up into Big 5 territory.
The thing with the 2 stroke is that they are usually light weight, and they are simple to work on and repair. Add cams, valves, and e-starts and things get expensive and complicated fast.
Also, the suspension on the TTRs is wimpy. I think the OP wants a decent frame and suspension that could be raced on or at least improved quite a bit. The 87 CR frame would be great for something like this.. hell go back a year and keep the rear drum.
Anyway - none of this will happen anytime soon, unless it comes from China.. and China is not good at innovating and creating new products. They copy what's on the market now, and they are replicating 4-strokes. Doubt we'll see a decent two stroke and even if we did.. would anyone here really want to ride the least bit fast?
Pit Row
back on topic
Japan is now the oldest society in the world so that reflects in their manufacturing, back in the 70's they were a young country on the rise.
Unfortunately Korea hasn't taken up motorcycle manu in any big way and most of the other asian nations on the rise dont have the skill base to make something of there own,
but do have japanese dominated domestic manufactured products and markets.
$2000 will buy me a bike that runs. It won't be in top shape, but it'll do what I want and has lasted a long time already because it's made of quality parts. Instead you're wanting me to spend double that on a bike build from the cheapest components you can source to keep cost down.
If you've spent 30 years at the track, it may not be the bike for you, and you may have difficulty seeing the rationale behind this concept. The challenge is to try to step outside your box, and see things from the perspective of someone that doesn't really have a clue about the sport yet, but wants to be a part of it.
We are talking bottom up growth of the sport, because top down growth isn't working all that well.
Post a reply to: We need a $4k 125!