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I guess I always expected more from degreed and/or experienced workers but I see the same behavior in people I pay $50+ an hour. I guess it makes it easier to swallow when I'm only paying them minimum wage.

Yes and all of those costs are passed through to us (the consumer). If your sales cover the higher costs no problem. If not, you close and/or move to another state.

Some of the highest taxes (e.g., business, individual, sales & use, etc.) in the country. High cost of living with a tight labor market. Tough, uncertain regulatory environment with lots of rules that favor the employee (e.g., family leave, overtime pay, etc.).

It's not the degree of difficulty in question, just the results. Anyone can drill out the rivets, remove the old packing and put it back together, it's just a nasty job that rarely (in my experience) produces a good result.

This right here. Save yourself the trouble and just buy a new silencer. There are plenty of new or slightly used OEM takeoffs available on Craigslist if you want to stay stock.

My experience with the last all new KX450 (2016) was awful. It took months for both OEM and aftermarket parts to hit the market and really put me in a bind on normal wear-and-tear items. OEM parts eventually started trickling in but I spent the first six months clicking the "e-mail when available" button on the Rocky Mountain OEM parts...

We have 2017 450SXF's. I have a clutch abuser in the family and have tried everything (e.g., Hinson, Barnett, Rekluse) to find something that will last before finally trying KTM. The KTM clutch has been fantastic, and his clutches are now lasting months vs. changing them every weekend on other brands or the constant free play adjustments with the Rekluse...

I've lived in most of the areas mentioned and believe southern California is tops, not just for the sheer number of tracks and riding areas available and great weather, but I think it's our access to MX parts and service providers that sets us apart from other locations. I've had bike issues in other states and ended up missing the...

Glad to hear it's not just me. And how about some contrast between print and background color?

Thank you for making my point. For years the one rule that governed the Olympic games was that only amateur athletes were allowed to compete. Professional athletes were not permitted until popularity of the games took off when the games were televised. The IOC realized that the Olympics could make lots of money so to bring in more viewers the...

Is there any other sport that allows current and/or former professionals to compete at amateur events? Can Michael Jordan or Kobe join a U.S. Amateur Basketball team? Maybe Tom Watson could tee up at select amateur golf events? John McEnroe compete for a US Amateur Tennis championship? I also don't agree that anyone over the age of 25 goes to...

I've always thought Tomac was too smart (IQ-wise) to consistently push himself to ride at the level it takes to be a champion in this sport. With all due respect, a majority of the current and former modern day champions are not what I'd call brilliant, and appear to have the ability to get comfortable with and/or just accept the...

I gave up on waiting for Shoei to update their MX line so I swapped over to 6D. I haven't had the need to contact customer service or (thankfully) helmet repair but I am completely satisfied with the fit, finish and look of the helmets.

Not sure where you got the impression I am mad at the bike. I have three 2017 KTM dirt bikes in my garage and consider them to be some of the best machines I have ever owned. Perfect? No. Perfect for me? Pretty darn close.

Perhaps you and I have a different definition of serial defect. I have a 2017 KTM 250SX and rode it for 5 hours before replacing the stock reed cage with a VForce. My reeds had a gap just like all the others I read about on Jeffeo's thread, KTMTalk, ThumperTalk, etc. and the bike ran fine and only marginally different/better...

A handful of failures out of thousands of units sold does not prove serial defect, at least not to me. With all due respect to the OP, you are naïve to think this will never happen just because you ride one brand or another. These are high performance machines, operating in hostile environments, being maintained by non-professionals (in most cases)...

I make the same mistake every couple years: been consistently riding 450 four stokes for years, doing well and having fun, but start thinking about a two stroke. I read how much better the new models are and how much fun I am missing and before you know it, I am at the dealer buying a new two stroke. Then...

Regardless, I'd get the 2016.

We moved away from Dunlop a year or so ago and really like the X30 front/X40 rear combo. Less expensive, easier to install and last almost twice as long as the Dunlops.

I thought the same thing until I owned one.