Older Vet riders.(50+)

I don't know but got anymore pics of that RM of yours?

I'm no where near being 50 but I guess you could always take a look at the 350? More power than a 250, less than a 450 and coming off a 250 2 stroke you should feel at home since it demands to be ridden somewhat like a 2 stroke.

And smart decision on not selling the 2 stroke.

53 years old and love my KTM 350 with a Rekluse and e start.... almost feels like cheating
but I still have a smoker in the shop too...

Im running a TM300.. its way easier to ride than a 250, but the same weight. And it sounds sweeeeeeeeeeeeet

Here you go Maverick... Bike makes good power thanks to Digger29..

Gary105 wrote:

Here you go Maverick... Bike makes good power thanks to Digger29..

I like that you kept the side plates intact and didn't cut them up. I think adding the newer style front number plate and front fender and leaving the sides normal looks the best.

Honestly looks fast just sitting there. I miss riding

Get a 350

I'm 45 and loving my 350. 450 is unnecessary unless you are riding desert or wide open tracks. 250 is underpowered. My worthless .02

Imo, if you're fit and want to run with the 50A or B riders get a 450. They're easier to ride fast, but they will be more tiring at the end of a long moto due to the power.

A lot of guys in my area have gone to a 250f or 350. A good bet for a 2 stroke rider as they have to ridden aggressively to be fast. I went the other direction from a 2014 450f to a '16 YZ250 2s and couldn't be happier, not winning many start straight drags though, as you know... lol

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
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 :-)

I have that gear also and I love it :-) Ok, this is my 2 cents on the subject so take it for it's worth. I loved that RM and both of my KTM 300SXs but on all three of my 2 strokes my lap times would drop dramatically on the last 2 laps of pretty much any race. Then I got my first 450FE in 15 and not only did my lap times get faster on it but they didn't drop off much at all. The last 2 seasons on the 450 I've had plenty of races where my last lap was my fastest lap and trust me that would've NEVER happened on the 2 stroke not to mention when I get tired I can just leave it 3rd gear and I'm still able go pretty good and get over all the jumps and that again wouldn't happen on my 2 strokes. You're more welcome to ride my bike in the vet practice at the next race I see you at. I'll go out and slug around in the expert practice. Go and check the lap times from our 2 motos yesterday and you'll see that yours are right there until the last laps. Mine were pretty much the same right down for all 5 laps and trust me its the bike and not fitness because I haven't been fit since the 70s :-)

RPM93 wrote:

53 years old and love my KTM 350 with a Rekluse and e start.... almost feels like cheating
but I still have a smoker in the shop too...

Same age here and same bike (350XCF) with Rekluse. My other choice is a 300 XC or any other 300 2-stroke...

Gazzo, I'm a two stoke guy myself, but if I was still racing often and cared about my results, then a 450 would be my bike of choice. They just make everything easier, and if you're still smooth like I remember, it'll be way less tiring. If you're not a member of the Clydesdale club you should consider the 350 too, it might give up some on the start but it'll be more fun to ride after.

I would first suggestion is bum a ride on whatever you are considering. Especially a four stroke.

I am 57. Used to be fast. Now I am faster in my head...

I tried a YZ450F in 07, new. Lasted 4 races. We never did see eye to eye.

A month ago tried a new 17 YZ250F. My first race at Unadila was brutal. Tried it again at a practice day at High Point Raceway. I was much more comfy & faster on my 07 YZ250. Needless to say the 250F went down the road.

Now I am considering a KTM / Husky 2 stroke. Going to a KtM ride day on Ohio next weekend to try them all out. A final decision will be made there.

I cannot see me ever going to a 4T. But that is me...

Digger29... Yes i see that in the lap times. The 2nd moto i stalled the bike going into a corner and the last lap made a mistake just before the Riverside jump that cost me time but yes i do fade with this bike. I have been plagued with stalling the bike coming into the corner to hard and getting on the brakes hard. Then getting it started is a 20 kick session that wears me down as well... lol Has cost me big time this year. Lee.... Yes i want to be up front. I am there to race hard no matter what so finishes do count. That RM is quick as Digger29 knows. Starts i am right there with the 450's and if it is a shorter start I have pulled a few holeshots. Like i said earlier i plan on keeping the RM as well so
i will still be able to smell 2 stroke smoke if i want.

58 years old, ride the 50A class. 450 for me. Much depends on your riding style. I tried the 350, and 2 stroke as well.

I use to be a rever kinda rider, but not these day's. Torque, and riding low in the rpm's is what does it for me.

Our moto's are 20 minutes long. I drop anchor at about the 17 minute mark, but so does my competition.

You being a two stroke rider, would likely be at home on a 350.

If your able to ride the 350 and 450 same day, do 6-8 laps with a stopwatch, go from there.

@Gary.....I go against the grain on this compared to most , so take that the way you want too. I find myself getting tired , more quickly on the big 4 strokes , compared to my 2 strokes. It is the main reason why I've some what converted back to riding the 2 strokes.

What I've been dealing with as of late , as far as testing new bikes out for next season...

450's....to fast and to much torque for me any more.
350's....Kind of in the same boat for me as the 450's , and on top , they are just as fast as any 450 I've eve ridden.
250F's.....Haven't been able to spend time on any of these newer ones the past 3-4 years ( that's coming )

Last but not least.....
250 2 stroke....Need to test a new Husky TC 250 before I make my mind up. I love my 17' TC 125 , so in theroy I should actually dig the TC 250 a lot. My 06' RM 250 is awesome in every way.....but if I could have the same chassis as my TC 125 , with newer 250 2 stroke power under me....I don't know if there would be a better bike on planet earth ( for me ).

All depends on how you ride , what you ride and where you ride it. Fit and feel is everything. Don't go by shootout's and so forth...go with what your gut tells you.

I rode myyz 125 and 250f back to back and there was really no comparison. the 125 wore me out so quick.

I have raced a couple times on my 250f on a vet track and it seemed like I could stay pretty even with the guys on 450s. It's just too bad starts are so important

Gary105 wrote:

Digger29... Yes i see that in the lap times. The 2nd moto i stalled the bike going into a corner and the last lap made a mistake just before the Riverside jump that cost me time but yes i do fade with this bike. I have been plagued with stalling the bike coming into the corner to hard and getting on the brakes hard. Then getting it started is a 20 kick session that wears me down as well... lol Has cost me big time this year. Lee.... Yes i want to be up front. I am there to race hard no matter what so finishes do count. That RM is quick as Digger29 knows. Starts i am right there with the 450's and if it is a shorter start I have pulled a few holeshots. Like i said earlier i plan on keeping the RM as well so
i will still be able to smell 2 stroke smoke if i want.

Perhaps you might try a flywheel weigh (s), if you don't run one now.

It should help with stalling, and also smooth out the power / hit that may be a big part of your late moto fatigue.

Why are you attributing the injuries to the two stroke?

Although I can’t belive it, I’m 54yo, for the time being.

I think it’s just personal preference. So many fantastic options.
Even the latest 125s are incredible. Easy to ride with power all the way from bottom to top, and 40hp!

On top of that, most bikes can be massaged to suit with flywheel weights, slipper clutches, recluse clutches, and ignitions/ECUs.

As I’ve written before on here, after being lucky enough to test ride a few new bikes, I’d ride a 350 if I was racing for “sheep stations”(as we say in Aussie). For fun I’m tempted to get a 125. I currently race (occasionally ) a 250f (bought brand new, would have been a 450f if I’d thought I’d have been faster, or have more fun)

I’ve been racing a fast 525 in Supermoto, and just bought a new FS450. Even I can use all the power on a smooth tar straight!

Another thing is the state of tune you are running.

A few years ago (not that long ago - like Australia, I think Britain still had new RMs available long after they ceased selling them in the USA) , with either Moto or Dirt Bike Rider (Brit Mags), they had a project / season bike RM250.

They compared various bolt ons, and found that whilst having their benefits, Boyesen RAD Valves / Moto Tassinari Reed valves made for a much harder hit, and a more tiring ride than the std reed block. The rider in charge of the bike for that season, would change the reed blocks to suite the track / weather he was dealing with. Same thing for pipes and mufflers. All easy / quick changes to the bike. There's also pre-load adjustment on the PV springs that can be done to the RMs - few people realize that's an easy source of tuning on the RM.

I may have a super clean stock 2017 FC350 with 9.2 hrs on it for sale soon...in mass. Lol

Pirate421 wrote:

I may have a super clean stock 2017 FC350 with 9.2 hrs on it for sale soon...in mass. Lol

If he isn't interested, Let me know details. I am looking for a 350.

Huckster wrote:

If he isn't interested, Let me know details. I am looking for a 350.

Pm sent

Today was an RMZ450 & a TE150. Both were a blast. I'm just stoked to get to ride...
Anything.

kage173 wrote:

Why are you attributing the injuries to the two stroke?

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.

NeedMoto wrote:

58 years old, ride the 50A class. 450 for me. Much depends on your riding style. I tried the 350, and 2 stroke as well.

I use to be a rever kinda rider, but not these day's. Torque, and riding low in the rpm's is what does it for me.

Our moto's are 20 minutes long. I drop anchor at about the 17 minute mark, but so does my competition.

You being a two stroke rider, would likely be at home on a 350.

If your able to ride the 350 and 450 same day, do 6-8 laps with a stopwatch, go from there.

Same here. I'm 60 and weigh 155. I rode a Kawi 250F for years. Then I went to a 450 for the same reason. I could lug it and still go fast. Love my 450, but I do have friends that like the 350's. Just depends on your riding style. I wouldn't go back.

I don't feel like my 450 wears me out anymore than my 250F did.

Had a big long comment in mind ... just ride what you want

Piss on all the rest

P.S. I'm 53 and a big mutha-fukah

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 on the rear of his bike causing me to get driven into the ground. Sorry if you took it the wrong way.

Hey Gary...I think you already mentioned something about keeping the RM. Do exactly that! I can tell you , even after owning and riding these newer 2 strokes.....for fit and feel , that RM still to this day is tough to beat. I'm amazed that I can jump on my 12yr old 250 2 stroke , and have it feel about as perfect as a bike can get. This is coming from someone that's owned newer 4 strokes as well , all the way up to 2016. Those RM's are truly amazing freakin bikes! I ain't ever selling mine.

58 years old. Still on a 450 but shopping for an older smoker.