What do you do when your buddy says, "Try my bike"?

JeffGuckenberg 7/9/2022 6:32am
7/9/2022 6:32am
April 2021 I rode a 2020 CRF450 WRE, my first time on a modern 4 stroke. Been riding a 03 CR250 since 2008. September came around I went and bought a 2022 CRF450 lol.
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Fourth_Floor
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Fourth_Floor 7/9/2022 6:36am
7/9/2022 6:36am
cbaird254 wrote:
I used to love riding my friends bikes until a few years ago. My buddy had a brand new yz250f, we were riding Unadilla for a...
I used to love riding my friends bikes until a few years ago. My buddy had a brand new yz250f, we were riding Unadilla for a club ride. He let me take it. I ended up washing out on that drop off where bubba landed on rc in 05. It’s a blind hill and a tight right turn. I got up and watched three people ride and jump right on top of the bike while I stood there helpless. Ended up bending the subframe and scratching the whole thing up. Safe to say I’m a little skeptical now. It’s not worth what I went through lol
That's a horrible feeling and is why I don't ride anyone else's bikes anymore, or if I do, I go like 10% haha.

This was probably like 20 or so years ago but my brother used to own a motorcycle shop and this Gas Gas rep was in the area and had a brand new 250 two stroke with him that he was letting people demo ride to see if they would want to start selling them. There was a small practice track behind my brother's shop so he called me to come down and take this bike for a ride. Long story short I ate shit on this thing tremendously and it was one of those 1 in a million type crashes. Bike was all sorts of bent up and broken and the Gas Gas rep was literally speechless haha I wanted to crawl in a hole and die.

The recent Stark media ride day I seen a video of one of the guys eating shit on it haha I cringed for him, that feeling sucks so bad!!
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wreckitrandy
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wreckitrandy 7/9/2022 7:14am
7/9/2022 7:14am
wreckitrandy wrote:
There are a number of things to factor in. Does he maintain his bike? Does he know what he's doing? Does he want your opinion or...
There are a number of things to factor in. Does he maintain his bike? Does he know what he's doing? Does he want your opinion or, is he just being polite? Is he a good friend or, just a buddy? Safer to just say no thanks. I let a buddy ride my bike once. Not only did he total his knee, the buddyness was shot as well.
sumdood wrote:
Your definition of buddy and mine must be different
That's a distinct possibility! My thoughts on good friends are that, there are people that I know I can call any time, about anything, and they step up. If you want good friends, you need to be one. I've got lots of buddies. Only a handful of good friends. Same cats that I've known for 45 years. I'm just a backwards old hillbilly though.
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slowoldman
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slowoldman 7/9/2022 7:28am
7/9/2022 7:28am Edited Date/Time 7/9/2022 7:30am
Signed up for two different classes to race one weekend at my favorite track. A buddy asked if he could ride one of the practice sessions, I said sure, just take it easy and have fun. , Two laps in, pile up in a corner and bike was pretty banged up, buddy was ok thankfully. At the time I was super bummed as I couldn’t find a set of bars and grips to race, but in the grand scheme of things, buddy was ok and I can fix the bike, can’t replace a good friend. Today, being in my 50’s I would let any capable human ride my bikes. MX is awesome and to put a smile on someone else’s face is priceless. 👍
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Darrin Willis
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Darrin Willis 7/9/2022 7:40am
7/9/2022 7:40am
We swap all the time. Most of my buddies are heavier so the bike rides front low. I hate that.Last week I rode a 300sx with brc tpi electric start 500 in it. That was fun.
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GrapeApe
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GrapeApe 7/9/2022 7:40am
7/9/2022 7:40am Edited Date/Time 7/9/2022 7:41am
GrapeApe wrote:
When I was 14 or so I blew up my YZ125 in practice and Vital's own dirtbikemike kindly offered me his KX500 to race. The correct...
When I was 14 or so I blew up my YZ125 in practice and Vital's own dirtbikemike kindly offered me his KX500 to race. The correct answer was obviously no thanks, but my Dad answered for me. I became a man that day.
Sr_Vet_Rider wrote:
DirtBikeMike is a damn cool dude. We spent some time at his house/ track in ‘07, on our way to Loretta’s. His wife made us lunch...
DirtBikeMike is a damn cool dude. We spent some time at his house/ track in ‘07, on our way to Loretta’s. His wife made us lunch, he supplied beers and showed us around his place. Even had our kids ride the water truck to help water the track.
Memories that our kids will never forget !!
Other than on Vital I haven't seen Mike or Brook since I went off to college in the 90's. That was around '88 or '89 that I raced his 500. It's a trip to see he's still at it helping other riders after all these years.
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FLmxer
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FLmxer 7/9/2022 7:41am
7/9/2022 7:41am
People thought my obsession with understanding suspension setup could help an issue they were having and I was always ready to try. There was only 5 of us riding Dirty kurty's private track for years and it was funny because we all rode different brands and switched off regularly. Love trying any and all types of fun on wheels.
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FWYT
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FWYT 7/9/2022 7:51am
7/9/2022 7:51am
sumdood wrote:
I always ride it if offered. It's just a motorcycle. Smile

Yup.

I mean, I'm not going to send it; just ride it, ya know? Bikes are cool!

I'm still hassling a friend to let me ride his hardtail chopper thing. Definitely not my
kind of bike, but I still want to ride it!
insertinfo 7/9/2022 9:52am
7/9/2022 9:52am
I've rode my best friends bikes but none else's.
Same for my bike, i don't like to share it with people i don't know, just share it with my closest and true friends.
It's like a girlfriend.... errrhhh umh wait wrong place to talk about this! LOL
crf250pilot
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crf250pilot 7/9/2022 10:34am
7/9/2022 10:34am
tylermx967 wrote:
I DIND EVER GET MORE SCARED OF A BIKE WHEN I BORROW THE FIRST TIME SUSZUKI RM125. IT DOSENT LOW TO THE GROUND FOR ME AND...
I DIND EVER GET MORE SCARED OF A BIKE WHEN I BORROW THE FIRST TIME SUSZUKI RM125. IT DOSENT LOW TO THE GROUND FOR ME AND I DID A BIG PAPA TOWN WHEELIE AND FALLED OFF THE BACK THE GUY GET REAL MAD WHEN IT BRAKED THE SILENCER
plowboy wrote:
Tyler gets it.
Motox627! wrote:
This guy fucks.
On the 1st date!
Rickyisms 7/9/2022 11:14am
7/9/2022 11:14am
Rickyisms wrote:
I’ve probably ridden 20+ bikes that I didn’t own at the time and the only one that I really thought would’ve been a great addition next...
I’ve probably ridden 20+ bikes that I didn’t own at the time and the only one that I really thought would’ve been a great addition next to my two KTM 125s was a 2001 RM250 that I raced a harescramble on when my KTM wasn’t cooperating. I was actually thinking about buying it from my friend after I raced it but the parts availability scared me off.

Really want to try something between a 17-22 Austrian 250 2 stroke. Haven’t got to ride one yet, but I’ve seen a lot of people say they feel “different” than a Japanese 2 stroke.
Richy wrote:
I regret selling my tc250 most weeks, definitely try one out (would be an awesome addition alongside the small bores), but remember how adjustable they are...
I regret selling my tc250 most weeks, definitely try one out (would be an awesome addition alongside the small bores), but remember how adjustable they are and how much you can improve it for your own preference if you're just trying a random one. I've ridden a couple that felt much worse due to uneducated power valve fiddling or shit jetting or whatnot and if it could have soured me if I didn't know what they could be like 👍
Yeah man. My good friend has two 300XCs and let me ride one when I got a flat at the track. Had a Rekluse and a pipe, hated every single thing about it, punched hard off the bottom but absolutely no pull to it. Put it on the stand and saw the powervalve dolly was like 4 complete turns in! Backed it out to 1.5 turns and the thing pulled like a freight train, my buddy was ecstatic when he came back from riding it, it was his dads bike prior and I don’t think he really even knew what he was doing.
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plowboy
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plowboy 7/10/2022 1:30pm
7/10/2022 1:30pm
Ok fellas...I resisted temptation and did not ride the 350. Here's my reasoning. I haven't ridden in quite a while. I was riding 4 or 5 days a week and racing HS every opportunity. My old YZ250F flamed out and I knew with 200+ hours it needed some love. At the same time work got intense...80+ hours a week with lots of travel. Time passes...as it does.

Like others...if I throw a leg over someone else's bike...it's understood I'm gonna pay for whatever damage I do.

Also, I'm that dummy that can only seem to ride at max...which is ok when I know what max is on the bike I'm riding. An unfamiliar bike on an unfamiliar track... something's gonna get broken...probably my old ass. Hate me but...I'm still upright today...Blush
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bvm111
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bvm111 7/10/2022 2:08pm
7/10/2022 2:08pm
i rip the shit out of it!
bvm111
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bvm111 7/10/2022 2:11pm
7/10/2022 2:11pm
just kidding … sometimes i do ride a buddies bike for a couple laps and most the time i’m like, how the hell do they ride with this bend of bars, the levers pointed down, the seat seems hard, the forks are too soft, the shock is like a pogo stick!!!

Then when we switch back they pass me like i’m standing still and i’m like … WTF!?
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Richy
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Richy 7/10/2022 3:01pm
7/10/2022 3:01pm
Rickyisms wrote:
I’ve probably ridden 20+ bikes that I didn’t own at the time and the only one that I really thought would’ve been a great addition next...
I’ve probably ridden 20+ bikes that I didn’t own at the time and the only one that I really thought would’ve been a great addition next to my two KTM 125s was a 2001 RM250 that I raced a harescramble on when my KTM wasn’t cooperating. I was actually thinking about buying it from my friend after I raced it but the parts availability scared me off.

Really want to try something between a 17-22 Austrian 250 2 stroke. Haven’t got to ride one yet, but I’ve seen a lot of people say they feel “different” than a Japanese 2 stroke.
Richy wrote:
I regret selling my tc250 most weeks, definitely try one out (would be an awesome addition alongside the small bores), but remember how adjustable they are...
I regret selling my tc250 most weeks, definitely try one out (would be an awesome addition alongside the small bores), but remember how adjustable they are and how much you can improve it for your own preference if you're just trying a random one. I've ridden a couple that felt much worse due to uneducated power valve fiddling or shit jetting or whatnot and if it could have soured me if I didn't know what they could be like 👍
Rickyisms wrote:
Yeah man. My good friend has two 300XCs and let me ride one when I got a flat at the track. Had a Rekluse and a...
Yeah man. My good friend has two 300XCs and let me ride one when I got a flat at the track. Had a Rekluse and a pipe, hated every single thing about it, punched hard off the bottom but absolutely no pull to it. Put it on the stand and saw the powervalve dolly was like 4 complete turns in! Backed it out to 1.5 turns and the thing pulled like a freight train, my buddy was ecstatic when he came back from riding it, it was his dads bike prior and I don’t think he really even knew what he was doing.
Haha legend, it's amazing how people can change something and not realize they have made it FAR worse... Don't know if it's pride or just not being familiar with things, but it's good you took it for a spin and got it straight again 👍
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tprice07
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tprice07 7/11/2022 12:09am
7/11/2022 12:09am
I’ve been listening to keefer after dark for too long
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NorCalRedRyder 7/11/2022 1:19am
7/11/2022 1:19am
I've only done it twice. My buddy got one of the first YZ250fs when they came out and I rode it at Club Moto in Livermore. It was the summer and Club Moto was hard packed and clay, I was amazed how well it tracked on that surface. I rode 2 laps and gave it back. My Dad had just had my suspension done and the motor ported and polished by Steve Lamsons Dad(rip) done on a brand new CR125. That YZ was also stock and set up for off road, that is when I knew the 4 strokes were taking over. That stock YZ250f with an off road setup put my pimped out CR125 to shame on the dry hard packed track.

A few years ago my buddy got a brand new CRF450 and put all the goodies on it. So him, my son, and I went to Carnegie Cycle Park. I borrowed my buddies brother's 09 YZ450 and it wouldn't start, which kinda relieved me. I've only ever rode 2 strokes and hadn't rode in almost 10 years, the only 4 stroke I rode was a 1999 XR200 (loved that bike) that we had. My buddy talked me into riding his 450 and I rode 1 lap and gave it back. It was too pretty and like I said I hadn't rode in 10 years. But the main thing was the power on those 450s legit scared me, I now know why most racing is point and shoot. But then I got on my son's Cr250f and it was the perfect amount of power and handling. I was able to go out and hit every jump within a few laps. I may be in the market for a 350 in the future, but I still have the most fun riding my 2003 CR250r that I got from my buddy who barely rode it.

But back to the subject. I would never ride a bike that my Dad didn't work on. He was an engineer and raced cars, boats, and MX when he was younger, all while raising my 3 older sisters and me when I came along as the "mistake" 7 years after the youngest of my sisters lol. My Dad was extremely smart, had an Ivy League education, and was extremely anal about vehicles...especially the bikes. He loved working on the bikes and tried to get me into it, but I just found it boring. But everytime I threw my leg over a bike I knew it was perfect because of him. It got annoying sometimes though. I remember going to Pismo Beach for Thanksgiving with my son's mom and a large group of friends, which they had done for years. I brought my CR250r race bike and maybe rode it for less than hour. We headed home Sunday morning. I stopped at a self serve car wash and cleaned the shit out of every part of that bike that sand could get too. He hated the sand. So we got back home to my parents house in San Ramon, ate lunch and hung out with my parents and our son who they baby sat. After lunch I went and got all of our stuff out of my truck. I shit you not the minute I put my bike on it's stand my Dad started looking it over. I went inside and started watching TV with my gf, Mom, sister, and son. I shit you not 10 minutes later my Dad walked in with the rear axle to show me the sand on it, then came the front axle, filter etc. It was super annoying at the time, but after he passed away one of my sister's said his worst fear was me getting hurt because he didn't have the bike in perfect running condition. He also was a perfectionist and loved working on stuff. I sure wish I sat in the garage working on the bikes and took all the knowledge that he offered now. Sorry for the long winded rant.

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mx4all
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mx4all 7/11/2022 8:56am
7/11/2022 8:56am
I let my "friend" ride my 350 yesterday.. he has a 450 and is thinking about buying a 350.

He ended up crashing it ofcourse. Scratched my new 1.8k akrapovic system, twisted the fork/bars and radiator and trasched my odi grips.

He said "sorry" and gave me my bike back..

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plowboy
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plowboy 7/11/2022 9:06am
7/11/2022 9:06am
mx4all wrote:
I let my "friend" ride my 350 yesterday.. he has a 450 and is thinking about buying a 350. He ended up crashing it ofcourse. Scratched...
I let my "friend" ride my 350 yesterday.. he has a 450 and is thinking about buying a 350.

He ended up crashing it ofcourse. Scratched my new 1.8k akrapovic system, twisted the fork/bars and radiator and trasched my odi grips.

He said "sorry" and gave me my bike back..
That's the scenario that always goes through my head. I would step up and pay for what I damaged but...I would still be thinking...I could have bought some trick parts for my bike with that money.Pinch
plowboy
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plowboy 7/11/2022 9:07am
7/11/2022 9:07am
NorCalRedRyder wrote:
I've only done it twice. My buddy got one of the first YZ250fs when they came out and I rode it at Club Moto in Livermore...
I've only done it twice. My buddy got one of the first YZ250fs when they came out and I rode it at Club Moto in Livermore. It was the summer and Club Moto was hard packed and clay, I was amazed how well it tracked on that surface. I rode 2 laps and gave it back. My Dad had just had my suspension done and the motor ported and polished by Steve Lamsons Dad(rip) done on a brand new CR125. That YZ was also stock and set up for off road, that is when I knew the 4 strokes were taking over. That stock YZ250f with an off road setup put my pimped out CR125 to shame on the dry hard packed track.

A few years ago my buddy got a brand new CRF450 and put all the goodies on it. So him, my son, and I went to Carnegie Cycle Park. I borrowed my buddies brother's 09 YZ450 and it wouldn't start, which kinda relieved me. I've only ever rode 2 strokes and hadn't rode in almost 10 years, the only 4 stroke I rode was a 1999 XR200 (loved that bike) that we had. My buddy talked me into riding his 450 and I rode 1 lap and gave it back. It was too pretty and like I said I hadn't rode in 10 years. But the main thing was the power on those 450s legit scared me, I now know why most racing is point and shoot. But then I got on my son's Cr250f and it was the perfect amount of power and handling. I was able to go out and hit every jump within a few laps. I may be in the market for a 350 in the future, but I still have the most fun riding my 2003 CR250r that I got from my buddy who barely rode it.

But back to the subject. I would never ride a bike that my Dad didn't work on. He was an engineer and raced cars, boats, and MX when he was younger, all while raising my 3 older sisters and me when I came along as the "mistake" 7 years after the youngest of my sisters lol. My Dad was extremely smart, had an Ivy League education, and was extremely anal about vehicles...especially the bikes. He loved working on the bikes and tried to get me into it, but I just found it boring. But everytime I threw my leg over a bike I knew it was perfect because of him. It got annoying sometimes though. I remember going to Pismo Beach for Thanksgiving with my son's mom and a large group of friends, which they had done for years. I brought my CR250r race bike and maybe rode it for less than hour. We headed home Sunday morning. I stopped at a self serve car wash and cleaned the shit out of every part of that bike that sand could get too. He hated the sand. So we got back home to my parents house in San Ramon, ate lunch and hung out with my parents and our son who they baby sat. After lunch I went and got all of our stuff out of my truck. I shit you not the minute I put my bike on it's stand my Dad started looking it over. I went inside and started watching TV with my gf, Mom, sister, and son. I shit you not 10 minutes later my Dad walked in with the rear axle to show me the sand on it, then came the front axle, filter etc. It was super annoying at the time, but after he passed away one of my sister's said his worst fear was me getting hurt because he didn't have the bike in perfect running condition. He also was a perfectionist and loved working on stuff. I sure wish I sat in the garage working on the bikes and took all the knowledge that he offered now. Sorry for the long winded rant.

I hear ya.
Rickyisms 7/11/2022 12:35pm
7/11/2022 12:35pm
mx4all wrote:
I let my "friend" ride my 350 yesterday.. he has a 450 and is thinking about buying a 350. He ended up crashing it ofcourse. Scratched...
I let my "friend" ride my 350 yesterday.. he has a 450 and is thinking about buying a 350.

He ended up crashing it ofcourse. Scratched my new 1.8k akrapovic system, twisted the fork/bars and radiator and trasched my odi grips.

He said "sorry" and gave me my bike back..
I would Weston Peick my “buddies” bike off the stand if I got that kind of response.
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plowboy
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plowboy 7/11/2022 12:38pm
7/11/2022 12:38pm
mx4all wrote:
I let my "friend" ride my 350 yesterday.. he has a 450 and is thinking about buying a 350. He ended up crashing it ofcourse. Scratched...
I let my "friend" ride my 350 yesterday.. he has a 450 and is thinking about buying a 350.

He ended up crashing it ofcourse. Scratched my new 1.8k akrapovic system, twisted the fork/bars and radiator and trasched my odi grips.

He said "sorry" and gave me my bike back..
Rickyisms wrote:
I would Weston Peick my “buddies” bike off the stand if I got that kind of response.
Lol...might feel good in the moment but won't fix anything.
mx510
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mx510 7/11/2022 8:07pm
7/11/2022 8:07pm
This is how I was duped into the 350 craze as well. Then let 3 buddies ride mine and they all own them as well lol. I have learned that if I think I may like the bike too much and want one, if the funds aren't there for me to buy it for my own mental health best choice is to avoid it lol.
mxb2
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mxb2 7/11/2022 8:18pm
7/11/2022 8:18pm
mx4all wrote:
I let my "friend" ride my 350 yesterday.. he has a 450 and is thinking about buying a 350. He ended up crashing it ofcourse. Scratched...
I let my "friend" ride my 350 yesterday.. he has a 450 and is thinking about buying a 350.

He ended up crashing it ofcourse. Scratched my new 1.8k akrapovic system, twisted the fork/bars and radiator and trasched my odi grips.

He said "sorry" and gave me my bike back..
Rickyisms wrote:
I would Weston Peick my “buddies” bike off the stand if I got that kind of response.
plowboy wrote:
Lol...might feel good in the moment but won't fix anything.
Sounds like a fair trade.
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dirtcan
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dirtcan 7/11/2022 8:36pm
7/11/2022 8:36pm
I don't mind trying somebody's 250f, as that is what I've been riding for years but that's it. Last year, a buddy of mine offered me to try is 2021 crf450 works edition. I was happy at the opportunity and jumped on the 450 for the first and only time in my life.

I did one lap, came back to the pits and put the bike right on the stand. I couldn't believe how much power this thing had. I honestly felt like it was dangerous more than anything. Never touched another 450 after that!

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