Have you ever owned a bike that has made you seriously consider giving up riding? Maybe because you did not gel with the ergonomics, the suspension, power, whatever the case - it just kind of sucked the fun out of riding to the point you were left questioning why you are even doing it anymore?
The reason I am asking is, I am trying to determine if I have lost that passion for the sport now or if the bike is the main culprit.
Bit of back story for context. I got back into riding 2 years ago when my kids (now 11 and 14) showed an interest in riding. I raced 125 and 250 Intermediate/B in my youth and gave it up in the late 90's when I left for the military and basically started my adult life. I am 43 now. All my experience having been on 2-strokes and being unfamiliar with the 4-stroke era, I started on an '18 FC350 and a '19 KX450 so I could compare the two. It was clearly evident that I lacked the fitness for the 450 after having gone soft. The 350 seemed like a good fit with the limited hours I put on it. But it needed some ergo work at 6'4 and suspension work. So, I figured, why invest into an older bike so I traded in both KX and FC for a new GG MC350F. Spent a bunch of money on it thinking I would own it for several years and wanted to make it mine. After about 20 hours on it, I am just not enjoying myself.
I do not like the front forks. I feel like I am always chasing a comfortable setting. I get them dialed in on one track and then find them harsh or unsettled on a different track. I do not have confidence in the bike. I wanted to give the forks a fair chance to break-in and for me to learn their adjustability. Some of the issue is I am slower rider these days, and lots of tracks I ride are hard and choppy with lots of squared edge bumps. I do not think investing in a spring conversion or a revalve is really going to bring me anymore satisfaction and I am reluctant to spend any more on the bike. The rear spring was changed out early for my weight (230 with gear). Sag is correct. Played with every variation of fork air pressure.
At this point, I think the last thing to try is changing over a Japanese 250F. I have realized that I do not need more power than a current 250F for my needs. An easy to manage bike with nice plush suspension that can be firmed up as I gain speed and increase my fitness is what I need. And I guess if I continue to feel the same way after doing so, then it comes down to a loss of interest.
I do not even find myself getting excited at the prospect of getting out to a track and riding like I used to. I enjoy taking my kids, but I almost get overcome with a sense of anxiousness sometimes and it feels like more of inconvenience and effort for me to want to pay, get geared up, pull my bike out of the trailer to go ride with them. I don't know if I have just become really lazy and out of shape to where it feels like such a chore - or I just truly don't feel the excitement anymore as a result of lost enthusiasm.
I should note for reference, we own snowmobiles and SxS's and do a lot of both outside of motocross. So, I am not a completely useless couch potato.
Anyways, long winded post here. Will probably get some hate for it. But curious to hear from some of the fellow vet guys if you have experienced similar situation and can relate.
Trails might be a better option for you and your kids. It’s less stressful, you don’t need to ride all the time to stay in “trail shape” and you can get an off road focused bike that doesn’t need fiddling with all the time.
Yep! Usually when I have some set up issue not sorted and riding the bike with something way off and I don’t know because I’m not a factory mechanic. If I’m fighting the bike I have zero fun or flow. I don’t enjoy feeling sketchy or off. I go way slow and don’t push and still get arm pump.
when the bikes working right I can flow and feel great. I’m my own worst enemy though because with other commitments, lack of wrenching talent, lack of enthusiasm for wrenching, low iq, whatever else, I often get the bike jacked up and then struggle to figure out what’s causing what.
over the years I’ve ran thru so many issues now that I can at least avoid those for the most part.
its always something!!
sounds like you could use a 24 kx450 on close out from what you’re saying smooth engine comfy chassis and spring forks. Or a 250 smoker for the sounds and smells.
Don't be afraid to switch platforms.
Friend of mine had a Works Edition Honda and I swear that was the worst bike I have ever rode. It made me feel like I didn't know how to ride.
Jumped on a YZ450F and felt at home within 1 lap.
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Your experience has been with 2 strokes, go back to a YZ250 and relive you youth!
Air forks are dogshit. Like the guy above you said, you may prefer a YZ250 or if you want a 4S, go with a YZ250F. KYB suspension is the bomb! You will need a set of 46 fork springs, and probably a stiffer shock spring too. But you will love the suspension. I am 54 and raced from 1990-2002. Got a YZ250F back in Jan 2023 and had the suspension setup and revalved by andreaniusa.com . Its smooth as silk on the track!! Could not resist the temptation of a 2 stroke, so i bought a 2009 KTM 150sx and restored it. I have a track at the house, so i switch out bikes when i ride. Love it. No desire to race again though. Get off the big powerful bikes and avoid the shit air forks!!
When you say sag is correct, what is the static sag and race sag, and preferably preload?
Clickers?
2024 GasGas? as in, the new frame model?
Personally, I’m a local mid pack A rider in the Midwest and I don’t adjust my suspension for the track or conditions ever. My bikes get sprung and valves for my weight and ability, set the sag and I ride it.
I think paralysis by analysis might be the culprit here.
I’ve gotten really hung up on bike set up as far as gearing, power delivery mods etc but realistically I can jump on a stock klx110, ride it hard and have fun. Nothing about those ergonomics are “correct” for me as a 6’1 180lb adult.
i believe you’re focusing on set up too much and not focusing on adapting to the bike and just riding it how it is. I understand it might be a pain in the butt if it just doesn’t feel good, but take some outside lines a gear higher standing up and just cruise around!!! Riding is fun!!!
2023
In my opinion the wp air Forks or Garbage some people like them and say they're better than they used to be but that doesn't mean they're good I did the KYB technical touch conversion on my 22 150sx worlds of a difference so much better! I grew up riding two strokes and that's where I still find the excitement! Four strokes seem kind of boring to me even though they are easier to ride. Also like others have mentioned try to find some off-road Loops or trails some of our tracks around here have them and I sometimes enjoy myself a lot more out there than at the track.
I've had this happen before. Back when I was on 80's I moved from a yz80 to a big wheel cr80, at first it went well. I did my first few races and had decent results, but it quickly nose-dived. I went from top 5 at small local races to constant crashing, and even getting lapped. Got to the point where I was going to tell my dad to just sell my bike and i'd look for a different hobby. Fortunately, it turns out that I had just out-grown the bike and wasn't skilled enough to be a big kid on a small bike, moved up to a 125 and the joy was instantly back.
While different from your scenario, I do think a small change can make a big difference
This. Or even a 125, the most fun bikes on the planet!
I know for my tastes, riding a 4-stroke is not fun. The power delivery and engine braking screw up my riding style so badly that I can't go fast. Going slow = no confidence = no fun. I'm not saying you are having the same experience, but you may find that the familiarity of a 2-stroke brings back the memories and fun. Like mentioned above, the smells might take you back to that happy place, too.
Don't give up completely before you try something different, regardless.
Definitely not "over-thinking" it. I do understand and appreciate where you are coming from. I would be happy to just *ride* and enjoy the experience and honestly, I could care less about trying to get every last ounce of potential capability out of the bike, per-se. I seem to enjoy my son's '21 KX250 more than the '23 MC350F, especially the forks. But that said, I am not 'convinced' that just going to a bike with spring forks and getting it sprung and valved is going to make the difference.
Hence my question in trying to determine if I have just lost the enjoyment for riding so soon after this comeback or can a bike itself really negatively affect your desire to ride. It is not like it's a 500 that I can't control. And its not like its an archaic bike from the 70's. Lots of guys would love to have this bike - I get that! Maybe I am spoiled, but I am sure I am not expecting too much from it. I am reluctant to go and spend more money on trying a different platform and still not being happy. But I think at this point that is about where I am at. That would definitely be the decisive decision maker.
Trail riding is a nice alternative, but in my area, trails open to motorcycles is extremely limited. Once you have ridden the same couple of trail systems/parks, it starts getting a bit dull.
I appreciate the feedback though - figured this was a good place to ask for a different perspective since I know there a lot of guys have come back to the sport after years away. A part of me feels like maybe I have simply forgotten what it was really like back in my youth, and that what I feel today is not living up to what my memory is telling me.
Hit the Woods - anything off-road. You seem stressed. But - Do not sell your bikes....you will fade away if you do.
PS-
Yes, I did have a bike that made me want to slit my wrists. It was a '98 RM250. I hated that bike; sold it after 3 months. I went back to my '97 YZ125 and had a blast. Sometimes, it really is about the bike.
To add, I have in fact been seriously considering a 2 stroke. Issue I have is, no way I am going to another KTM with air forks - because I do not want to invest the money in a conversion and being 6'4, the YZ and YZF peg to seat height ,are not well suited to my height. I have ridden a 20 and 21 YZF250f and felt awkward and cramped in the knees. I do not want to pay what the new gen YZ 250's are going for in my area, which is as much or more than same year or newer 250f and 450f's with less hours and better shape. Stupid.
This will probably be the most underrated and overlooked comment, but this can really get the spark going. Sometimes we get too caught up at the track and over think things that can screw us up for a while. Trails and desert tracks always give me the reset I need when I start feeling "over it" at the track.
Pit Row
I had a KTM 250sfx for a while and found the forks and chassis felt so good in some conditions and were really harsh and uncomfortable in other conditions, mostly hard and choppy stuff like you mentioned. It seems good but seems like you have to be more precise with settings. I’m on a yz250f now and the kyb stuff and chassis feel good on everything. I’m a 215lb vet c rider that doesn’t really race much anymore for comparison.
Kris Keefer is really helpful with questions like this. If you go to Keeferinctesting.com there a contact tab. He’s always been great with my questions and his podcasts are helpful too.
The biggest problem with amy bike is listening to people that don't own them regurgitating bad stuff they've read about them.
Same boat as you in 2019 with a 350 FC ! Went back to a 250 yzf 2021 and that was the best move ! Try a new 250 yzf 2024 (the New platform is better for your size) it will be a game changer i can assure you, you won't look back
Sounds you might be a good candidate for an 'XC' version of a motocross bike. Most of the manufactures offer them. KX250X CRF250RX, YZ250FX etc.Typically nothing more than an 18" rear wheel and slightly softer suspension settings (better for those square edge bumps you are talking about). Don't confuse them for full on enduro bikes, these are mildly smoothed out mx bikes.
A lot of Vet riders including myself run them, maybe something you can research.
I sold my 19 Kawi 450 last year. Didn’t have a bike for about 9 months. Went riding with my buddy a few months ago. He had just gotten a new husky factory edition. He had a 2019.5 previously that he still had. He asked one day if I wanted to go to the track with him and ride his old 450. I said sure since it had been a while. We got there early and the track was smooth. I had a blast on his old bike the first few times out. After the second ride I was like what do you want for it? and Venmo’d him on the spot. As the day wore on and the track developed and got rough I realized I had made a huge mistake. The forks are just awful. You feel all the chop and they do not inspire any sort of confidence landing from big hits or in big rough stuff. I desperately need to sell that thing. I have no desire to go ride it since I bought it.
Yes, 2016 Husky with 4CS literally broke my spine…..
Took 5 years off, and now we’re back on a 20 year old RM 125!
My 08 YZ450F. Had it for a year, then went back to 2 strokes. Havent looked back since.
I also took a break from riding for about 10 years in my 20’s.
Life ebbs and flows. If you aren’t feeling it right now, that’s okay. Move on with life and perhaps pick it back up later
If you're thinking about offroad and a smoker, I didn't see anyone mention the YZ250X.
Might be worth considering.
Beta also makes some nice 2 strokes! Still carbed!
1988 CR250. Headshake makes you want to reach for your "St Christopher necklace" as MXA used to say. Rode a buddies 1988 KX250 and it was better in every way. No headshake, better turning, power.
This sounds exactly like what my 2018 TC250 did to me, went to a YZF450 and never looked back
Man, sounds like a tough spot. Ever thought about trying a different style of riding to mix things up? Sometimes a change of scenery can reignite the passion.
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