Returning to riding after 16yr hiatus

Jake86
Posts
131
Joined
12/3/2015
Location
Romeo, MI US
4/3/2021 5:43pm Edited Date/Time 4/5/2021 8:32am
So today I dusted off the 2003 YZ450F in the corner of my barn. Strapped on a new pair of Tech 7’s, and new set of Fly gear and helmet and rode for the first time in 16yrs. It kicked my ass, as you can probably guess. The 75-80lbs I have put on in the last 16yrs didn’t help. Definitely have to setup up the bike differently.

I have a perfectly functioning bike, definitely need to send the suspension out to get stiffer springs and valving. Just wondering if maybe I am too heavy to ride and should wait until I lose weight. I definitely had a blast, and have missed this sport. But at 6’1” 350lbs am I too heavy for MX? Not trying to be competitive obviously, but I am sure there has to be limits on suspension and frame capabilities. My current setup was from when I was 270ish.
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yak651
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6642
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Appleton, WI US
Fantasy
168th
4/3/2021 5:47pm
Riding can be part of your program to get in shape, welcome back!
9
CG118
Posts
627
Joined
6/27/2014
Location
Kennesaw, GA US
4/3/2021 6:00pm
Never too heavy to ride. But probably too heavy for your springs if you want to ride moto in a competitive way.
Get heavier duty springs and you will be fine until you get your shit back together.

Welcome back.

Loved my 2004 YZ450. Just wish it didn’t stall so much. Never did get that completely sorted.
4
LungButter
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5563
Joined
1/9/2016
Location
Yellow Pine, ID US
4/3/2021 6:14pm
Grip it and rip it bro. You’ll be 15lbs lighter before you even know it!
3
500 Mike
Posts
892
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Kingwood, TX US
4/3/2021 6:47pm
Wow, man. Kudos to you for even stepping a leg over the thing. I agree with Lung, keep riding and some weight will disappear quickly. You may want to hold off on redoing the suspension until your weight stabilizes. I’d hate to spend the $$ to revalve and then revalve again after you lose weight. Just a thought. Have fun and don’t push it too hard.
3

The Shop

chump6784
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1687
Joined
5/9/2011
Location
AU
4/3/2021 6:55pm
If you are working on losing weight I'd hold off on the re valve until your weight stabilises. Get new springs for now and rip it
3
Bruce372
Posts
6341
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
4/3/2021 7:10pm
Good for you dude. Go rip it!
1
Spudnut
Posts
1946
Joined
6/25/2018
Location
WA US
4/3/2021 7:11pm
Hell yeah welcome back! I agree with the posts above.

You’ll be melting away in no time, consistency is key and it doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you never stop
1
Colo moto
Posts
47
Joined
8/6/2014
Location
Sanford, CO US
4/3/2021 7:18pm
You’re only too heavy to ride if you’re wrapped in a pine box. Get back into it as much as you like. Don’t let a few $$$ scare you off of getting that bike set up like you need. If you have to send off for new springs and valving every 50lbs that’s a hell of an accomplishment. Not an obstacle in my mind. Welcome back! Get out and ride!
4
RAD60
Posts
79
Joined
7/4/2019
Location
MI US
4/3/2021 7:42pm
Congrats ! I had about a 20 year layoff but back at it in my 60s 🤙
6
Brent
Posts
5293
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Party in Temecula, CA US
4/3/2021 7:53pm
Congrats for getting back on the bike.

Just keep at it
2
lostboy819
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11493
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Somewhere, CO US
Fantasy
1568th
4/3/2021 8:17pm
If history has told me anything its we dont get lighter as we get older, you will lose some but even if you dont then set the bike for your weight and have fun.
1
fins227
Posts
909
Joined
7/1/2014
Location
Chillicothe, OH US
4/3/2021 9:04pm
Go check out motomike894 on Instagram, he’s a heavy dude that rips, even on a 125!
1
BeachMX
Posts
146
Joined
4/19/2020
Location
Anza, CA US
4/3/2021 9:54pm
I came back after a 16-17 year hiatus a year ago as well... I have no idea what I was doing with my life the last 16 years, but it certainly wasn't this fun!!
3
jkoch249
Posts
88
Joined
10/3/2020
Location
Pardeeville, WI US
4/3/2021 10:03pm
I'm back after 30 years...
Bought a 2008 yz450. Just finishing up turning it into the bike I want...might need new suspension, but I'll hold off until I get some rising in
4
jkoch249
Posts
88
Joined
10/3/2020
Location
Pardeeville, WI US
4/3/2021 10:04pm
jkoch249 wrote:
I'm back after 30 years... Bought a 2008 yz450. Just finishing up turning it into the bike I want...might need new suspension, but I'll hold off...
I'm back after 30 years...
Bought a 2008 yz450. Just finishing up turning it into the bike I want...might need new suspension, but I'll hold off until I get some rising in
"Riding"
2
1
4/3/2021 10:06pm
My cousin is a big dude around 6’5 and over 300lbs but he still rips on a bike. Everyone always tells him he should of played football but he’s all about moto.I think you’ll be fine. Welcome back to moto!


(Pic of my cousin)
1
sandman768
Posts
5958
Joined
3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY US
4/4/2021 5:01am
Find a rough sand track, pound motos 2-3 times a week as part of your comeback program... welcome back!
1
Graybeard
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1068
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11/25/2013
Location
Athens, TX US
Fantasy
2478th
4/4/2021 7:45am
Awesome! As others have said, training is the key, ANT type of training, including riding! And the weight will come down, guaranteed! But enjoy yourself, be safe, and watch out for the bugs on your teeth from smiling while you ride!
2
80sMXbadboy
Posts
80
Joined
3/29/2021
Location
Mototown, MI US
4/4/2021 1:32pm
Kidney belts are no longer in style but wearing one will get your stomach trimmed down quick. I got back into it late 2019 (a 30 year hiatus for me).. Take it easy at first and pull over to take breathers if needed.
2
kawasa84
Posts
1185
Joined
6/7/2008
Location
Flower Mound, TX US
4/5/2021 4:13am
Kidney belts are no longer in style but wearing one will get your stomach trimmed down quick. I got back into it late 2019 (a 30...
Kidney belts are no longer in style but wearing one will get your stomach trimmed down quick. I got back into it late 2019 (a 30 year hiatus for me).. Take it easy at first and pull over to take breathers if needed.
I can say this is important. After a 9 month hiatus due to knee reconstruction years back, I can tell you, I went out and started pounding laps. It wasn't my first practice day back, but my 2nd. I was trying to be steady, but do 25 minute intervals. It got pretty warm that day. I felt good the whole day, but after my last session, prior to loading up, I had chest pains and a racing and uneven heartbeat. I cautiously rested, did deep breathing, and waited for awhile. All ended up being ok, but I'm 5' 10" 164 lbs.
If you've been off a bike for awhile, don't push it. Especially if it's getting hot. Have fun with this, but make sure you are aware of your body and slowly ride back into shape. Be in it for the long haul, good for you
1
duckdog77
Posts
379
Joined
3/28/2019
Location
Laotto, IN US
4/5/2021 4:27am
Welcome back!

I’m in my 3rd season back after 11 years off the bike. I’m now 33 and in the best shape of my life. Moto was what I needed to motivate me to get in shape. I’m now in the gym 2-3 times a week, moto 1-2 days a week, and another form of cardio (running, rowing, or mountain bike)1-2 days a week.

Don’t let your weight hold you back. Let moto be your motivation!
2
Spooner
Posts
1918
Joined
1/8/2011
Location
Kansas City, MO US
4/5/2021 5:38am
chump6784 wrote:
If you are working on losing weight I'd hold off on the re valve until your weight stabilises. Get new springs for now and rip it
Valving has nothing to do with springs or weight, its more about how fast he is riding/conditions. So he could spring and valve it now and when he loses 40lbs he just needs to swap springs but valving should still be good unless he's changing terrain or his speed drastically.
1
Jake86
Posts
131
Joined
12/3/2015
Location
Romeo, MI US
4/5/2021 6:58am Edited Date/Time 4/5/2021 7:00am
Kidney belts are no longer in style but wearing one will get your stomach trimmed down quick. I got back into it late 2019 (a 30...
Kidney belts are no longer in style but wearing one will get your stomach trimmed down quick. I got back into it late 2019 (a 30 year hiatus for me).. Take it easy at first and pull over to take breathers if needed.
I must not be in style, I wear and wore a kidney belt always.
Panic_Rev
Posts
688
Joined
7/13/2012
Location
Fayetteville, AR US
4/5/2021 7:08am
So you don't need a new bike to have fun?
1
Jake86
Posts
131
Joined
12/3/2015
Location
Romeo, MI US
4/5/2021 8:16am
Panic_Rev wrote:
So you don't need a new bike to have fun?
Nah! I just wanna ride like I used to.
kage173
Posts
2125
Joined
11/27/2015
Location
TX US
4/5/2021 8:23am
Welcome back bro. Don't overthink it. Just get out and ride.
diz330
Posts
302
Joined
7/7/2014
Location
CA
4/5/2021 8:30am
All I can suggest is don't let Ryan Hughes see you riding on a track. Unless you take one of his Moto schools, then its ok.
1
EngIceDave
Posts
2432
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Merritt Island, FL US
4/5/2021 8:32am
One thing I have learned, is to take your time. Let the speed come to you. If you go out and push it, chasing the speed, you'll over ride and crash hard.

Take your time, let speed come to you.
1

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