Older Vet riders.(50+)

Crisp BRAAAP! 10/16/2017 7:38pm
10/16/2017 7:38pm Edited Date/Time 10/16/2017 7:46pm
I am 47 but I feel like I can round up. I've been on a 125 my whole life: I am a smaller rider (~5'6", 155). Never felt the need to bump it up. But, I'd love to jump on a 250T or 250F to see how it feels. These days, I am a Practice Day Hero, so it can't just be faster - it has to feel better to swap since I don't race anymore. Or maybe I just grab a second bike.

I'd love to do a ride day, but still getting over an injury from a year ago, so don't think I'll chance it this year. Maybe at 48.
ama530
Profile picture for user ama530
Posts
216
Joined
10/19/2011
Location
Lehighton, PA US
ama530 10/16/2017 7:43pm
10/16/2017 7:43pm
50 here also. Rode/raced 450s since 2003. Honda and Suzuki. Smokers before that. Started doing more scrambles and GPs. Went with a Husky FX350 for this year. Awesome power and the thing is so light compared to a 450. Does moto with ease and works great in the woods. Doesn't tire you out as much either. Best of both worlds. I'm so brainwashed with the 4strokes, riding a 2stroke is alien anymore. But the KTM/Husky 300s are pretty awesome.
Johnny Depp
Profile picture for user Johnny Depp
Posts
6435
Joined
10/16/2014
Location
Buda, TX US
Johnny Depp 10/16/2017 7:55pm
10/16/2017 7:55pm
If you want to last longer and go faster, you need smmoooth. You are most likely to find that in a 450 4t. E start a must. No yellow.
coastie44
Profile picture for user coastie44
Posts
559
Joined
1/19/2013
Location
NorCal, CA US
coastie44 10/16/2017 7:58pm
10/16/2017 7:58pm
52 here. I prefer 450s (but have a 350 too lol).

The Shop

See All »
kage173
Profile picture for user kage173
Posts
2947
Joined
11/27/2015
Location
TX US
kage173 10/16/2017 8:03pm
10/16/2017 8:03pm Edited Date/Time 10/16/2017 9:05pm
kage173 wrote:
Why are you attributing the injuries to the two stroke?
Gary105 wrote:
Never said anything about the injures caused by me riding a 2 stroke.... Lol A guy cross jumped in front of me causing me to land...
Never said anything about the injures caused by me riding a 2 stroke.... Lol A guy cross jumped in front of me causing me to land on the rear of his bike causing me to get driven into the ground. Sorry if you took it the wrong way.
Oh ok. I thought that was your whole premise for changing to 4 stroke.

In any case, imho, your fifty years old, you have a fully paid for bike, 4 strokes have dominated for almost 15 years, but now you're deciding to change? And you're going to go spend $9k? If it wasn't worth it to you before, why now.

I'm not 50+, but I had two 250 4 strokes before my current 2007 CR250 R, and I'll take the 250 two stroke all day. Never had a single issue with the motor, it has the power I need and it's light. I've ridden a few 450's, but they aren't for me. I'm kind of small - 5'7" and 150lbs so it's just a lot of bike to move around. I can't get into the lines I want. And the engine braking is awful. I can't get used to it. But! the whole world uses 450s and I don't win shit so what do I know. I do love every second that I'm riding though, so I don't need to go blow $9k. This sport is expensive enough
yz133rider
Profile picture for user yz133rider
Posts
5033
Joined
8/1/2013
Location
Avondale, PA US
yz133rider 10/16/2017 8:10pm
10/16/2017 8:10pm
Try each out before making the plunge. For me I get along on most bikes even 500s really well. But the two 450s I tried I hated , could be that I didn't try the right one.


I have a 17 350 now and love it. Couldn't ask for anything better honestly.
friday10
Profile picture for user friday10
Posts
636
Joined
12/15/2009
Location
Northridge, CA US
friday10 10/16/2017 8:21pm
10/16/2017 8:21pm
Gary105 wrote:
So i know its nice to run those old 2 strokes and all. But on a serious note does the 4 stroke wear you down less...
So i know its nice to run those old 2 strokes and all. But on a serious note does the 4 stroke wear you down less
riding one. Have never ridden a 4 stroke if you are wondering. Have had a bad year with injures with broken ribs and collapsed lunge in a crash in July so that set me back 8 weeks of no riding. But really want to run with some of the faster vets for the whole race and not get beat down as much. We are not in our 20's with all the free time to ride so yes
looking for a little better option if there is one. And no i will not sell the 2 stroke :-)

My 2 cents! I have a KTM 250 sx and I spent a good amount of time on my sons 450 a few weeks ago. I was surprised at how much easier it was to go fast once I got used to it. I'm working my ass off on my 250, I say , go 450! BTW I am 60 y.o.!

Tuck812
Profile picture for user Tuck812
Posts
319
Joined
12/11/2013
Location
Fallon, NV US
Tuck812 10/16/2017 9:13pm
10/16/2017 9:13pm
I have a couple bikes I ride, so here is my two cents ( I'm 40 plus C rider 6'1" 242 )

2014 Husqvarna Tc 125 is by far the most fun to ride as it helps me learn to carry speed.
2015 ktm sx250 got a lot of help on setup from digger29. This bike is really fast. I can only ride it for about 3 laps and I'm done.
2015.5 sxf 450 FE this bike is the easiest to ride and I rely on the torque. I can make a full five laps.

Last time I went, riding I timed myself for two laps each on all three. I was fastest on the 250 over the 450 by 2 seconds and the 125 by 3 seconds. The 250 and 125 I couldn't make five laps, on the 450 I could because it was so easy to ride.
Radical
Profile picture for user Radical
Posts
2822
Joined
10/20/2012
Location
San Diego, CA US
Radical 10/16/2017 10:07pm
10/16/2017 10:07pm
I'm 55, and I've always owned 125's. When I borrowed a 250f, I'm pretty sure I was faster right away, but I like the way 125's make you ride: All out!

In my class the bike is not the biggest factor. Yes, the 450's can pull me in the straights, but that just keeps it interesting.

I'm looking forward to the day I can totally rail the corners. I'm working on it Smile .
H4L
Profile picture for user H4L
Posts
2593
Joined
3/18/2016
Location
CA US
H4L 10/16/2017 10:45pm
10/16/2017 10:45pm
NeedMoto wrote:
Jeffro/Gary... You guy's might be a candidate, or know someone since your still in the two stroke seen that might have an interest in my 07...
Jeffro/Gary... You guy's might be a candidate, or know someone since your still in the two stroke seen that might have an interest in my 07 CR250. I just stuck 5k into it, cases matched, tumbled and micro polished, ported and decked head, full Hinson clutch, Factory connection suspension, Lectron carb, WC goodies and other stuff. Only put about 3 hrs on it since the rebuild. At 58 I'm struggling to live the glory day's, or even be able to hold onto it.

I'll be posting up in the coming weeks, just throwing a quick plug that I don't think the original poster would mind since he's a two stroke guyWink
PM sent.
H4L
Profile picture for user H4L
Posts
2593
Joined
3/18/2016
Location
CA US
H4L 10/16/2017 11:00pm
10/16/2017 11:00pm
I'm in the 50 club . If your a bigger guy like me the newer 450's will suit you better Try & ride a 450 if you can to see if you like them. I'm a die hard 2t rider & have kept a couple of 3rd gen AF CR250's, but the newer efi 450's are easier to ride at the track as a vet imo.
hellion
Profile picture for user hellion
Posts
1083
Joined
12/19/2009
Location
Westfield, MA US
hellion 10/17/2017 4:39am
10/17/2017 4:39am
kage173 wrote:
Why are you attributing the injuries to the two stroke?
Gary105 wrote:
Never said anything about the injures caused by me riding a 2 stroke.... Lol A guy cross jumped in front of me causing me to land...
Never said anything about the injures caused by me riding a 2 stroke.... Lol A guy cross jumped in front of me causing me to land on the rear of his bike causing me to get driven into the ground. Sorry if you took it the wrong way.
kage173 wrote:
Oh ok. I thought that was your whole premise for changing to 4 stroke. In any case, imho, your fifty years old, you have a fully...
Oh ok. I thought that was your whole premise for changing to 4 stroke.

In any case, imho, your fifty years old, you have a fully paid for bike, 4 strokes have dominated for almost 15 years, but now you're deciding to change? And you're going to go spend $9k? If it wasn't worth it to you before, why now.

I'm not 50+, but I had two 250 4 strokes before my current 2007 CR250 R, and I'll take the 250 two stroke all day. Never had a single issue with the motor, it has the power I need and it's light. I've ridden a few 450's, but they aren't for me. I'm kind of small - 5'7" and 150lbs so it's just a lot of bike to move around. I can't get into the lines I want. And the engine braking is awful. I can't get used to it. But! the whole world uses 450s and I don't win shit so what do I know. I do love every second that I'm riding though, so I don't need to go blow $9k. This sport is expensive enough
Just so you know; As a young man Gary was one of the fastest racers in New England (Finkleday, Keller, Barber, Meenan era). He then spent many years away from the sport and has recently taken it up again. So he has skills, but was not around for the change from two strokes to four.
swtwtwtw
Profile picture for user swtwtwtw
Posts
1287
Joined
4/16/2008
Location
Apple Valley, CA US
swtwtwtw 10/17/2017 4:54am
10/17/2017 4:54am
56, 155lbs. I switched to a 250f from a 450f because of a serious injury I am rehabbing. I am over it. I like the broad range of power the 450 has and it's ability to get over just about any obstacle with a flick of the wrist. Not a fan of the 350. So when I can get rid of this 250f I am going back to a 450f.
Vet Rider
Profile picture for user Vet Rider
Posts
68
Joined
10/10/2017
Location
IL US
Vet Rider 10/17/2017 5:04am
10/17/2017 5:04am
My two cents. Im a 37yo out of shape vet rider... 20 years ago I was a 125 hero. I just got me a 17 KTM 250 SX-F. Its been awesome. Moto practice and trails is all I ride these days. And its great. Gives me that 4 stroke torque, but lets me wring it out for that 125 feel. Its like the best of both worlds. Im also 6' 260lbs. Im struggling with the suspension at the moment trying to get the right rear spring for my weight. But aside from that, the power is fine even for a guy my size. The new 250f bikes are very fast. My KTM supposedly makes 44hp. Thats alot. Not 450 level, but it seems to be fine for me. Im going to try the next KTM ride day in spring and see how the 450 feels. Maybe I will switch if its worlds better, but this 250 has been a blast. I feel like I can handle both the weight and power of it.
Gary105
Profile picture for user Gary105
Posts
196
Joined
2/10/2014
Location
Douglas, MA US
Gary105 10/17/2017 5:06am
10/17/2017 5:06am
Thank you very much for the compliment Lee.... Yes i have never ridden a 4 stroke and just going by what i see and hear from people. Do not get me wrong i love riding the RM and will be keeping it. But i was off a bike for 30+ years. I am 52 and still have the competitive feeling like when i was young. I want to be at the front of the pack at the end not just at the beginning and thinking maybe a 4 stroke could be the answer. Will have to find one i can try at a practice day at one of these tracks in New England.
ccstrebe
Profile picture for user ccstrebe
Posts
87
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Yuma, AZ US
ccstrebe 10/17/2017 5:30am
10/17/2017 5:30am
I'm 58, I was loving my 450 until I broke both legs in six places a few years back.

After a couple of years I tried to ride again but the 450 was too much bike for me at the time. So I figured I'd ease back into it on 250F in 2013. I loved how the 250F felt so much lighter and flickable than a 450 but after getting back into it awhile I was missing the low end power of a 450.

I wound up with a bore and stroke kit to make it a 300. It's been a good compromise on shorter tighter tracks but on longer sandy tracks it's lacking for me because I'm not comfortable riding at the rev limiter around the whole track.

I'd really like to try a new 350. I tried one when they first came out and wasn't impressed, I was expecting a lighter more flickable feel to it but it just felt like a slow 450 to me.

I tried my buddy's new Husky 450 the other day and was impressed, but I love the feel of a 250. If the new 350 has a closer feel to a 250 it might be the bike for me.
1stSSPZ
Profile picture for user 1stSSPZ
Posts
257
Joined
3/17/2014
Location
Lubbock, TX US
1stSSPZ 10/17/2017 5:44am
10/17/2017 5:44am
60 years old here. My experience has been pretty much the opposite, I suppose. My last 2 450's wore me out but I stay fresher, longer (and have more fun!) on my 04 RM 250!

Gary105
Profile picture for user Gary105
Posts
196
Joined
2/10/2014
Location
Douglas, MA US
Gary105 10/17/2017 6:06am
10/17/2017 6:06am
That makes a ton of sense to me!!! You and Digger29 are talking the same language.

Pit Row

See All »
LoudLove
Profile picture for user LoudLove
Posts
2756
Joined
7/16/2010
Location
US
LoudLove 10/17/2017 10:00am
10/17/2017 10:00am
350 is the Swiss Army Knife of bikes, as it may not be the best option for any single application, but it's in the top 3 across the board. Moto, off-road, woods, take your pick. Yes, you might lose a few holeshots to 450s, but otherwise it's on equal footing. Unless you're clearing big jumps with short run-ups, which I assume most 50+ folks have put in their rear-view mirrors.

Plus you can ride a 350 like a 250T; try that on a 450 and you might get yourself killed! It's just more "fun" than a 450, although fun can vary from person to person. The 450 is simply a more serious machine, and it can quickly penalize mistakes. The 350 leaves more room for error, and for most riders is less taxing than a 55+ horsepower beast. (You might even look at a 350 XC-F, which is at home on and off the MX track.)
kage173
Profile picture for user kage173
Posts
2947
Joined
11/27/2015
Location
TX US
kage173 10/17/2017 3:30pm
10/17/2017 3:30pm Edited Date/Time 10/17/2017 3:33pm
hellion wrote:
Just so you know; As a young man Gary was one of the fastest racers in New England (Finkleday, Keller, Barber, Meenan era). He then spent...
Just so you know; As a young man Gary was one of the fastest racers in New England (Finkleday, Keller, Barber, Meenan era). He then spent many years away from the sport and has recently taken it up again. So he has skills, but was not around for the change from two strokes to four.
So basically what you're saying is that Gary is a savage. And running around mid-pack will crush his soul and diminish his savage legacy.

That's cool. I get it now. 450 it is Gary.
captmoto
Profile picture for user captmoto
Posts
5801
Joined
4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
captmoto 10/17/2017 4:00pm
10/17/2017 4:00pm Edited Date/Time 10/17/2017 4:01pm
I sold a very nice well running 05 CR250 to buy a 17 FC450 and have no regrets. it hauls my fat ass up Mt. St. Helens with a lot less fanfare than my CR ever did. I'm still too out of shape to say whether I can ride one or the other longer.
smoothies862 10/17/2017 4:17pm
10/17/2017 4:17pm
47 here. average vet rider. I made the mistake of riding a ktm 350xcf. I am now selling my 250f. it really is the right mix. woods,moto. power ,handling was crazy good. I think japan better wake up and make a 350.
b8res
Profile picture for user b8res
Posts
529
Joined
1/30/2014
Location
Lodi, CA US
b8res 10/17/2017 4:34pm
10/17/2017 4:34pm
I'm also in the 50+ group...frankly I'm scarred of really going out and trying a 350 or 450. I totally enjoy my 206 RM 250, it does everything really good. It's not perfect, but solid. I race between 17-19 weekends a year, I have plenty of friends who will let me ride 350 or 450.. I just will not do it...I just might like it too much. Being a OTHG intermediate "C class" in the real world the RM does a great job of keeping the fun needle pegged. It's always fun racing those guys on the 4 strokes. As for my lap times, I don't seem to fade towards the end of the races, for the most part I tend to get a little faster in the closing laps according to MyLaps timing.

That said.... I have accesses to a Husky 350 and if I was to choose a 4 stroke, I think the 350 would be the bike I'd really like to put some time on.



Post a reply to: Older Vet riders.(50+)