Should have got a 350 years ago...

Hammer 663s
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Hammer 663s 7/12/2022 12:54pm
7/12/2022 12:54pm
Guy on the gate with me Sunday at Washougal has a 22 and 23 FC350. He said the 23 is noticeably more powerful than the 22 esp low to mid, and still revs to the moon. Another buddy just went from a 21 KX450 to a 23 MC350 and I bet he chimes in here soon. I went from a CRF450 to an FC350 in 2019 and have never regretted it. I can ride the 350 longer and harder w/o getting sketchy. I hole shot a moto this weekend on an uphill, deep dirt start against 24 other 50+ Vets so power isn't an issue. I'm 59, Vet Int for reference.
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Moto520
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Moto520 7/12/2022 1:00pm
7/12/2022 1:00pm
i can ride the 350 longer in a ride day. I wind up putting more hours on the 350 when i ride that bike. That's what i love about my 350...it preserves energy a little more. I'm personally just finding it hard to work with the power....it's either struggle lugging and clutch the shit out of it or rev the piss out of it and upset the chassis. Hard to adjust to the 350 if gaining speed is the most important deal.
stone881
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stone881 7/12/2022 1:08pm
7/12/2022 1:08pm
Moto520 wrote:
i can ride the 350 longer in a ride day. I wind up putting more hours on the 350 when i ride that bike. That's what...
i can ride the 350 longer in a ride day. I wind up putting more hours on the 350 when i ride that bike. That's what i love about my 350...it preserves energy a little more. I'm personally just finding it hard to work with the power....it's either struggle lugging and clutch the shit out of it or rev the piss out of it and upset the chassis. Hard to adjust to the 350 if gaining speed is the most important deal.
What sprockets are you running?
Moto520
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Moto520 7/12/2022 8:51pm
7/12/2022 8:51pm
Moto520 wrote:
i can ride the 350 longer in a ride day. I wind up putting more hours on the 350 when i ride that bike. That's what...
i can ride the 350 longer in a ride day. I wind up putting more hours on the 350 when i ride that bike. That's what i love about my 350...it preserves energy a little more. I'm personally just finding it hard to work with the power....it's either struggle lugging and clutch the shit out of it or rev the piss out of it and upset the chassis. Hard to adjust to the 350 if gaining speed is the most important deal.
stone881 wrote:
What sprockets are you running?
14/51 I believe. One tooth up on the rear sprocket

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Wildeye511
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Wildeye511 7/13/2022 1:26pm
7/13/2022 1:26pm


Went riding for the first time in a year last Friday night with BVM111. 350 is the way to go
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bvm111
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bvm111 7/13/2022 3:32pm
7/13/2022 3:32pm
The one in front is pretty effing sweet!!!!
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NeedMoto
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NeedMoto 7/13/2022 3:32pm
7/13/2022 3:32pm
Hammer 663s wrote:
Guy on the gate with me Sunday at Washougal has a 22 and 23 FC350. He said the 23 is noticeably more powerful than the 22...
Guy on the gate with me Sunday at Washougal has a 22 and 23 FC350. He said the 23 is noticeably more powerful than the 22 esp low to mid, and still revs to the moon. Another buddy just went from a 21 KX450 to a 23 MC350 and I bet he chimes in here soon. I went from a CRF450 to an FC350 in 2019 and have never regretted it. I can ride the 350 longer and harder w/o getting sketchy. I hole shot a moto this weekend on an uphill, deep dirt start against 24 other 50+ Vets so power isn't an issue. I'm 59, Vet Int for reference.
Isn't the 23 MC350 1 year behind in the updates/new-platform?

Either way, I'm sure your buddy will be stoked!
Langhammx 7/13/2022 3:52pm
7/13/2022 3:52pm
If anyone is interested in a very nice ‘19 350 with all the bells and whistles, I’m going to be selling it, or may end up parting it out.
I can be reached at Langhammx@sbcglobal.net for anyone interested.
stone881
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stone881 7/13/2022 3:55pm
7/13/2022 3:55pm
Moto520 wrote:
i can ride the 350 longer in a ride day. I wind up putting more hours on the 350 when i ride that bike. That's what...
i can ride the 350 longer in a ride day. I wind up putting more hours on the 350 when i ride that bike. That's what i love about my 350...it preserves energy a little more. I'm personally just finding it hard to work with the power....it's either struggle lugging and clutch the shit out of it or rev the piss out of it and upset the chassis. Hard to adjust to the 350 if gaining speed is the most important deal.
stone881 wrote:
What sprockets are you running?
Moto520 wrote:
14/51 I believe. One tooth up on the rear sprocket
I had a 17 and put a 13 on the front and loved it. A lot of others don't like that low of gearing, but that will eliminate the feeling you are speaking of. Not sure how the newer models are geared though.
A_Wise1
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A_Wise1 7/13/2022 3:59pm
7/13/2022 3:59pm
Moto520 wrote:
14/51 I believe. One tooth up on the rear sprocket
14/52 for myself on a '22 MC350 with a vortex mapped from Twisted will change your mind. I felt the same as you about the power but now with those mods and a full FMF, I can get amazing starts against 450s. When I get back on 450s, it is nice to have the power but I can enter and exit corners so much faster on the 350. I am anxious to try a '23 KTM 350 to compare the power.
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snillum
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snillum 8/18/2022 6:12am
8/18/2022 6:12am
I have been looking at joining the 350 club for a while. I want to upgrade from my 2010 CRF250R to something newer and to get a magic button Unfortunately, a brand new bike is not an option right now. It looks like most of the comments for the 350's in this forum seems pretty positive. So I am feeling good about going that direction. Also, I rode my buddies 350 once and it was awesome... Anyways, there is a used one for sale near my house and I am not sure if the "deal" is right. I spoke to the guy over the phone and he said he would come down to $4,800 if he put the stock clutch back and he keeps the Rekluse that is in it, which I am fine with. He also said he would put the stock real wheel back on (makes me wonder why it was removed to begin with).

2017 KTM350SXF and the hour meter says 48 hours. He did say that he put the hour meter on shortly after he got the bike so who knows what the true hours are. He has welcomed me to come check it out and ride it and he says its a great running bike. I haven't seen it yet, but just looking at the pictures, I think it may have more than 50 hours. What do you all think?

So for $4,800 - deal or no deal?







Moto520
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Moto520 8/18/2022 8:31am
8/18/2022 8:31am
snillum wrote:
I have been looking at joining the 350 club for a while. I want to upgrade from my 2010 CRF250R to something newer and to get...
I have been looking at joining the 350 club for a while. I want to upgrade from my 2010 CRF250R to something newer and to get a magic button Unfortunately, a brand new bike is not an option right now. It looks like most of the comments for the 350's in this forum seems pretty positive. So I am feeling good about going that direction. Also, I rode my buddies 350 once and it was awesome... Anyways, there is a used one for sale near my house and I am not sure if the "deal" is right. I spoke to the guy over the phone and he said he would come down to $4,800 if he put the stock clutch back and he keeps the Rekluse that is in it, which I am fine with. He also said he would put the stock real wheel back on (makes me wonder why it was removed to begin with).

2017 KTM350SXF and the hour meter says 48 hours. He did say that he put the hour meter on shortly after he got the bike so who knows what the true hours are. He has welcomed me to come check it out and ride it and he says its a great running bike. I haven't seen it yet, but just looking at the pictures, I think it may have more than 50 hours. What do you all think?

So for $4,800 - deal or no deal?







I think that's a deal if the bike is in good shape.
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R VanKamp77
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R VanKamp77 8/18/2022 8:40am
8/18/2022 8:40am
stone881 wrote:
What sprockets are you running?
Moto520 wrote:
14/51 I believe. One tooth up on the rear sprocket
stone881 wrote:
I had a 17 and put a 13 on the front and loved it. A lot of others don't like that low of gearing, but that...
I had a 17 and put a 13 on the front and loved it. A lot of others don't like that low of gearing, but that will eliminate the feeling you are speaking of. Not sure how the newer models are geared though.
Please elaborate more on this. I have noticed my MC350 feels "tense" way up in the RPMs. Maybe vitalmx is getting in my head but it does lose some comfort when its winding out in my opinion.
moto551
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moto551 8/18/2022 9:26am
8/18/2022 9:26am
Moto520 wrote:
i can ride the 350 longer in a ride day. I wind up putting more hours on the 350 when i ride that bike. That's what...
i can ride the 350 longer in a ride day. I wind up putting more hours on the 350 when i ride that bike. That's what i love about my 350...it preserves energy a little more. I'm personally just finding it hard to work with the power....it's either struggle lugging and clutch the shit out of it or rev the piss out of it and upset the chassis. Hard to adjust to the 350 if gaining speed is the most important deal.
Try going to a 14 53 sprocket combo.
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soggy
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soggy 8/18/2022 11:48am
8/18/2022 11:48am
snillum wrote:
I have been looking at joining the 350 club for a while. I want to upgrade from my 2010 CRF250R to something newer and to get...
I have been looking at joining the 350 club for a while. I want to upgrade from my 2010 CRF250R to something newer and to get a magic button Unfortunately, a brand new bike is not an option right now. It looks like most of the comments for the 350's in this forum seems pretty positive. So I am feeling good about going that direction. Also, I rode my buddies 350 once and it was awesome... Anyways, there is a used one for sale near my house and I am not sure if the "deal" is right. I spoke to the guy over the phone and he said he would come down to $4,800 if he put the stock clutch back and he keeps the Rekluse that is in it, which I am fine with. He also said he would put the stock real wheel back on (makes me wonder why it was removed to begin with).

2017 KTM350SXF and the hour meter says 48 hours. He did say that he put the hour meter on shortly after he got the bike so who knows what the true hours are. He has welcomed me to come check it out and ride it and he says its a great running bike. I haven't seen it yet, but just looking at the pictures, I think it may have more than 50 hours. What do you all think?

So for $4,800 - deal or no deal?







Pass. I take in account of where the bike is in pictures and general cleanliness can give hints to how well a bike was maintained. This bike looks fairly clean but If your posting ads of a bike leaning against a tree I’m out. Post pictures of a bike in a meticulously clean garage and you’ve got my interest.
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yz133rider
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yz133rider 8/18/2022 11:54am
8/18/2022 11:54am
snillum wrote:
I have been looking at joining the 350 club for a while. I want to upgrade from my 2010 CRF250R to something newer and to get...
I have been looking at joining the 350 club for a while. I want to upgrade from my 2010 CRF250R to something newer and to get a magic button Unfortunately, a brand new bike is not an option right now. It looks like most of the comments for the 350's in this forum seems pretty positive. So I am feeling good about going that direction. Also, I rode my buddies 350 once and it was awesome... Anyways, there is a used one for sale near my house and I am not sure if the "deal" is right. I spoke to the guy over the phone and he said he would come down to $4,800 if he put the stock clutch back and he keeps the Rekluse that is in it, which I am fine with. He also said he would put the stock real wheel back on (makes me wonder why it was removed to begin with).

2017 KTM350SXF and the hour meter says 48 hours. He did say that he put the hour meter on shortly after he got the bike so who knows what the true hours are. He has welcomed me to come check it out and ride it and he says its a great running bike. I haven't seen it yet, but just looking at the pictures, I think it may have more than 50 hours. What do you all think?

So for $4,800 - deal or no deal?







soggy wrote:
Pass. I take in account of where the bike is in pictures and general cleanliness can give hints to how well a bike was maintained. This...
Pass. I take in account of where the bike is in pictures and general cleanliness can give hints to how well a bike was maintained. This bike looks fairly clean but If your posting ads of a bike leaning against a tree I’m out. Post pictures of a bike in a meticulously clean garage and you’ve got my interest.
Looks to me he went there for the shade, so it wasn’t in direct sunlight.
snillum
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snillum 8/18/2022 11:54am
8/18/2022 11:54am
snillum wrote:
I have been looking at joining the 350 club for a while. I want to upgrade from my 2010 CRF250R to something newer and to get...
I have been looking at joining the 350 club for a while. I want to upgrade from my 2010 CRF250R to something newer and to get a magic button Unfortunately, a brand new bike is not an option right now. It looks like most of the comments for the 350's in this forum seems pretty positive. So I am feeling good about going that direction. Also, I rode my buddies 350 once and it was awesome... Anyways, there is a used one for sale near my house and I am not sure if the "deal" is right. I spoke to the guy over the phone and he said he would come down to $4,800 if he put the stock clutch back and he keeps the Rekluse that is in it, which I am fine with. He also said he would put the stock real wheel back on (makes me wonder why it was removed to begin with).

2017 KTM350SXF and the hour meter says 48 hours. He did say that he put the hour meter on shortly after he got the bike so who knows what the true hours are. He has welcomed me to come check it out and ride it and he says its a great running bike. I haven't seen it yet, but just looking at the pictures, I think it may have more than 50 hours. What do you all think?

So for $4,800 - deal or no deal?







soggy wrote:
Pass. I take in account of where the bike is in pictures and general cleanliness can give hints to how well a bike was maintained. This...
Pass. I take in account of where the bike is in pictures and general cleanliness can give hints to how well a bike was maintained. This bike looks fairly clean but If your posting ads of a bike leaning against a tree I’m out. Post pictures of a bike in a meticulously clean garage and you’ve got my interest.
I think you are confirming what I am leaning towards. At first glance it looks clean, but the more I look at the pictures I see small things that leads me to believe it possibly hasn't been taken care of like I would like for it to be. It could be a diamond in the rough but with graphics hanging off the shroud, chain lube/oil on the frame, didn't even wash it for selling pictures.. I just don't know. Thank you for your input too!
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DuroTools
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DuroTools 8/22/2022 9:36pm
8/22/2022 9:36pm
snillum wrote:
I think you are confirming what I am leaning towards. At first glance it looks clean, but the more I look at the pictures I see...
I think you are confirming what I am leaning towards. At first glance it looks clean, but the more I look at the pictures I see small things that leads me to believe it possibly hasn't been taken care of like I would like for it to be. It could be a diamond in the rough but with graphics hanging off the shroud, chain lube/oil on the frame, didn't even wash it for selling pictures.. I just don't know. Thank you for your input too!
Personally I'd spend an extra grand and get a 19 and up for the better transmissions or an extra 2 to 3 grand or so and get 21' for better suspension and better Pankyl transmission but if 4800 is all you want to spend that would be a huge upgrade over your current bike and you really can't go wrong. You could likely ride it for a year or so and still sell it for what you paid roughly. From the wear on the brake tip and ignition cover I'd say its not a high hour bike.
psg119
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psg119 11/5/2022 12:13am
11/5/2022 12:13am
Hey guys, bumping for some 350 advice. Going to be selling my YZ250 to give one a go. Been looking on the used market and there are a lot of opportunities for 19s but 99% of them are 60 hours and above with no motor work for over $7k. So my question is what hours on a bike are you guys comfortable with buying for the 350? Been eyeing a 19 KTM specifically with 62 hours asking 7k vet ridden on his own property. I am just finding it hard to spend that much on a bike with that many hours. But I have been out of the market for a while so I don’t know if that is the norm now.
Richy
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Richy 11/5/2022 2:24am
11/5/2022 2:24am Edited Date/Time 11/5/2022 2:34am
I'm no expert, wait for other replies, but the Austrian bikes don't seem to be as fragile as the average bike, as far as engine hours go at least.

A lot of people happily go 100 hours, many even 200 hours, and a dude on here and another on thumpertalk (both fast guys) have way more without ever opening the engine, just oil and filters.

For me personally, I'm just under 60hrs, when i hit 100hrs, I'll want to check valve clearances (highly doubt those will be an issue) and throw a timing chain kit and rings in (assuming the piston still looks good and there's no indication I need to look deeper).

Unless I 'upgrade', and if I do, I won't be worried I'm selling a timebomb to the next guy, I'm sure it will be fine, I just personally feel that if the thing has given 100 solid hours of service, it seems like a good point to do my part and check the thing over.

*Edit. Just checked my manual, timing chain recommended at 100hrs, I'd do the tensioner too, as of course those two are super critical parts. Piston says 50hrs, but I assume that's due to rings not piston itself? And so many people have gone way past that I'm not worried, I'm slow anyway.
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cloud41
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cloud41 11/5/2022 6:49am
11/5/2022 6:49am
psg119 wrote:
Hey guys, bumping for some 350 advice. Going to be selling my YZ250 to give one a go. Been looking on the used market and there...
Hey guys, bumping for some 350 advice. Going to be selling my YZ250 to give one a go. Been looking on the used market and there are a lot of opportunities for 19s but 99% of them are 60 hours and above with no motor work for over $7k. So my question is what hours on a bike are you guys comfortable with buying for the 350? Been eyeing a 19 KTM specifically with 62 hours asking 7k vet ridden on his own property. I am just finding it hard to spend that much on a bike with that many hours. But I have been out of the market for a while so I don’t know if that is the norm now.
7k is too much. Over 50 hours is 4.5- 6k unless it’s a 22 or newer. Don’t get caught up in it.
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soggy
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soggy 11/5/2022 7:13am
11/5/2022 7:13am
Wait for the market to cool more. I bought my 19 with 25 hrs in May of 20 for 6800 and it had some nice goodies. I’m now at almost 90 hours. Checked valves at 60 ish they were fine. Probably go over 100 hours without doing the piston and rings. Been a rock solid bike.
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CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 11/5/2022 7:24am
11/5/2022 7:24am
I went 125hrs on my 2019. Never touched the engine, besides oil and air filter. Solid bike! Sold it for $5k
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Ob917
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Ob917 11/5/2022 7:51am
11/5/2022 7:51am
I have 202 hrs on my 20. Only oil and filters. I sold my old one with 400ish.
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Hammer 663s
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Hammer 663s 11/5/2022 8:18am
11/5/2022 8:18am
62 hours is nothing. My vet-ridden 18s went 145 and 125 before a piston/rings/timing chain. And they were flawless before and after that. But, $7k is too much unless it’s got Mx tech or other serious fork upgrades.
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wwdiii
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wwdiii 11/5/2022 9:27am
11/5/2022 9:27am
I kicked around the idea of getting a 350 but at my age I’ve only got a few more years to ride before I have to hang it up. The 350’s are pricey and not as easy to get your hands on as going down to the Honda dealer for a 2023 250R. So I got a Honda.

With that said the Austrian bikes are quality, easy to tell standing beside one. I can understand why the 350’s would have the draw they do. I guess the dirt bikes are such a small percentage rage of the Jap makers profits it doesn’t make sense to have a 350. One would think a YZ350F with a tractor like power band which would be easy for Yamaha to do would sell.
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Rider 5280
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Rider 5280 11/5/2022 9:51am
11/5/2022 9:51am Edited Date/Time 11/10/2022 10:43pm
wwdiii wrote:
I kicked around the idea of getting a 350 but at my age I’ve only got a few more years to ride before I have to...
I kicked around the idea of getting a 350 but at my age I’ve only got a few more years to ride before I have to hang it up. The 350’s are pricey and not as easy to get your hands on as going down to the Honda dealer for a 2023 250R. So I got a Honda.

With that said the Austrian bikes are quality, easy to tell standing beside one. I can understand why the 350’s would have the draw they do. I guess the dirt bikes are such a small percentage rage of the Jap makers profits it doesn’t make sense to have a 350. One would think a YZ350F with a tractor like power band which would be easy for Yamaha to do would sell.
I read your post as SOLID REASON to go get that Austrian 350!

You only live once!

(True story: friend of a friend died on the operating table, was resuscitated, now says "you only live twice!" and went and bought a Bentley.)
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grunkster
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grunkster 11/5/2022 10:13am
11/5/2022 10:13am
Naw you did WELL with the 23 crf250! Love my 22...had a 20 350xcf and the Honda feels MUCH lighter and more flickable and fun... with PLENTY of motor. My .02
wwdiii
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wwdiii 11/5/2022 10:55am
11/5/2022 10:55am
wwdiii wrote:
I kicked around the idea of getting a 350 but at my age I’ve only got a few more years to ride before I have to...
I kicked around the idea of getting a 350 but at my age I’ve only got a few more years to ride before I have to hang it up. The 350’s are pricey and not as easy to get your hands on as going down to the Honda dealer for a 2023 250R. So I got a Honda.

With that said the Austrian bikes are quality, easy to tell standing beside one. I can understand why the 350’s would have the draw they do. I guess the dirt bikes are such a small percentage rage of the Jap makers profits it doesn’t make sense to have a 350. One would think a YZ350F with a tractor like power band which would be easy for Yamaha to do would sell.
Rider 5280 wrote:
I read your post as SOLID REASON to go get that Austrian 350! You only live once! (True story: friend of a friend died on the...
I read your post as SOLID REASON to go get that Austrian 350!

You only live once!

(True story: friend of a friend died on the operating table, was resuscitated, now says "you only live twice!" and went and bought a Bentley.)
I’m sure when I tell my frugal wife to watch where you step when you walk through my side of the garage. Not much room and don’t knock the new Husqvarna 350F off the stand. It may fall into my new 2023 250R which could fall into my tricked out CRF250F trail bike what could fall over on my old YZ250F will all the new parts!!!

I’m sure she would understand without saying a word!!!

Post a reply to: Should have got a 350 years ago...