Friday, February 26, 2010
As Long As I Can Remember Them
Three of my four grandparents lived the last couple years of their lives in rest homes. My grandpa (my mother's dad) was the only one that passed away outside the often bondage-like care of rest homes. Ironically, he lived the longest of them all.
I miss my grandparents, but I saw the crippling effects advanced age had on them. Death isn't always a bad thing, and I propose that my grandparents' deaths were definitely beneficial to each of them. Alzheimer's, arthritis, heart attacks and high blood pressure were increasingly overcoming them. I recognize now better than before how good death was for them.
My grandparents were hard workers, born and raised on farms. My parents grew up on these farms, learning the importance of dedicated, hard work. I've seen how their dedication has influenced many lives, one of which has been my own. They learned from their parents, and so on throughout the generations. My only hope is that I can continue the tradition of learning dedicated, hard work and teaching it to my future children.
In no way do I wish to belittle my beloved grandparents and their lives by comparing the last few years of their lives to my motorcycle, my 2004 Honda CR250R. They mean the world to me, and I owe them a great deal. My only purpose is to make a comparison, one to which you can hopefully relate.
Not completely unlike my grandparents were, my bike is just sitting - motionless, cold, cramped, somewhat neglected. It hasn't seen daylight since mid-November (2009). I haven't touched it since then. And I know for a fact that it doesn't get any visitors out there in the garage. For one thing, I'm not even in the same state as my bike right now. I recognize it has no feelings, no thoughts, no emotions. But I do, and my connection to that bike goes much deeper than the dollars I've gladly spent on it.
I have fond memories of riding my bike with my two younger brothers, my friends and my cousins. We've ridden in Idaho (Shelley and Ammon) and Utah (Salt Lake City, Centerville, Bountiful, Farmington and Ephraim).With my bike I witnessed my youngest brother rapidly improve his riding skills on a 2000 Honda CR125R. I've taken my wife on multiple rides with my bike. I even gave my mother-in-law a short lift back to the truck on my bike.
Not quite two years ago I broke my arm flying off my bike, which was the same day I had rebuilt the top-end and replaced the front brake pads. I had my first ride at a track on my trusty two-stroke. I broke up with a girlfriend shortly after taking her for a ride on my bike. I learned countless tips, tricks and tactics on my bike. My friend and I got chewed out and cussed at while on a short exploring trip on our bikes.
In a sense, my bike has made me a better man, and my wife makes me the best man. My bike is just a bike - a mass of aluminum, steel, plastic and rubber. It'll eventually deteriorate and fade away, but the countless memories I've made with my bike should transcend time . . . as long as I can remember them, I mean.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Biker Buyers Guide
You've saved up your money, or you've set your budget to finance to buy a bike. That's great news for you and your potential seller. But there are a few considerations you must ponder prior to purchasing your power plant.
Second, how often will you really use your bike? I don't mean intend to use it - I'm sure we all intend to ride more than we actually do. Spending several thousand dollars for a bike you only use a couple times per year may be overdoing it. Sit down and really analyze how often you can use it. Consider your weekly work schedule, home life, vacations, and anything else that may impede on your riding time. A weekly rider's cost benefits are different than a monthly rider's cost benefits.
Third, what style of riding will you do most? Motocross or enduro racing, trail riding, hill climbing, and desert riding are popular styles. Each style requires a unique setup and type of bike.
For motocross racing you need to analyze your own capability. A new starter or smaller child may feel intimidated mounted on a full-size 125, 150, or 250cc motocross bike. These full-size bikes are tall and big. An adult on a 125cc may feel like they want more power. Consider your height and weight before throwing down several thousand dollars for a machine.
Lastly, how much are you willing to spend? A brand new bike's bright colors and shiny, scratch-free appearance may attract your attention, but that may not be what you need. A well-kept used bike may be what the doctor orders. A great advantage to the used-bike brigade is the nearly limitless customized parts they offer at very low or no additional charge.
Second, how often will you really use your bike? I don't mean intend to use it - I'm sure we all intend to ride more than we actually do. Spending several thousand dollars for a bike you only use a couple times per year may be overdoing it. Sit down and really analyze how often you can use it. Consider your weekly work schedule, home life, vacations, and anything else that may impede on your riding time. A weekly rider's cost benefits are different than a monthly rider's cost benefits.
Third, what style of riding will you do most? Motocross or enduro racing, trail riding, hill climbing, and desert riding are popular styles. Each style requires a unique setup and type of bike.
For motocross racing you need to analyze your own capability. A new starter or smaller child may feel intimidated mounted on a full-size 125, 150, or 250cc motocross bike. These full-size bikes are tall and big. An adult on a 125cc may feel like they want more power. Consider your height and weight before throwing down several thousand dollars for a machine.
A trail rider may not need the stiff, complex, heavy-duty race suspension for exploring the mountain highways, whereas a racer or hill climber does. It's important to note, too, that suspension is sensitive to weight. A typical race bike straight off the showroom floor is set up for a 150-pound rider. If you're heavier than that you'll need stiffer fork springs and shock spring to utilize reach the full potential each brand offers.
To summarize these considerations, look at your budget, frequency of riding, riding style to get the best bang for the buck with you bike. You'll regret purchasing a machine that requires routine maintenance and quick fixes if you're only planning on riding during spring break and Fourth of July weekend. You know yourself better than I know you, so you need to check out these few pointers to have the most fun. That's what this sport is all about!
Monday, February 22, 2010
You Gotta' Know this Manifesto from MXA
This is THE ARTICLE TO READ about two-strokes, written by men acquainted with every nut, bolt, bushing, clamp, hose, and everything else that makes a motocross machine.
Motocross Action Magazine, November 2009 issue, pg. 70, "Two-Stroke Manifesto: Call to Arms." Just flip to the glossary and click on the article.
Pinnacle of Power in MXA
You need to read this article to appreciate what real power is like! Motocross Action Magazine, September 2009, pg. 130: "Two-Stroke Nirvana with Chuck Sun." Just flip to the glossary and click on the article.
Chuck Sun, one of MXA's experienced test riders, writes his experience riding a Service Honda KX500AF, a modern wonder among two-stroke riders. Check it out!
There isn't a stronger production motocross bike in the market than any of the Service Honda 500cc two-strokes. Service Honda makes models for Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki.
For 2010 Service Honda offers these Honda models: 250AF, 250AFX, 500AF, 500AFX, Junior-R, Junior-X, Junior-100Y, ATV-SRX250R, Bailey Replica 500AF and Elsinore Replica 500AF.
Two vs. Four in MXA
Yamaha YZ250 vs. Yamaha YZ250F! Motocross Action Magazine, August 2008, pg. 68: "AMA Rulebreakers: YZ250 vs. YZ250F."
To all you two-strokers that want to see MXA battle it out on a Yamaha YZ250 and YZ250F, you have to read this.
To all you two-strokers that want to see MXA battle it out on a Yamaha YZ250 and YZ250F, you have to read this.
Despite the current four-stroke fad, MXA provides a detailed, comparative test between a 250cc two-stroke and a 250cc four-stroke. The clarity is there, you just need to read it to find out!
My Own Riding Experience
Despite my infatuation with Honda motorcycles since 1999, I'm not ingorant to the advantages and disadvantages of each of the "Big Five" two-stroke bikes.
I got my first bike in September of 1999, a trusty 2000 Honda XR200R. I loved riding with my brothers and cousins - all of which were on Honda XR's - and we couldn't get enough of it.
But after a year of consistently bottoming out on jumps, my brother and I decided a bike with better suspension was required. We both invested in 2000 Honda CR125Rs, and that's when we gained a deep appreciation for motocross.
I recognize only two of the "Big Five" still manufacture two-strokes (KTM and Yamaha), though KTM is the only one that still holds true to updating and refining their machines. I also believe that those two companies understand the importance of maintaining a distinction in their products.
Please remember the irreplaceable history and niche two-strokes have in motocross - then and now.
I got my first bike in September of 1999, a trusty 2000 Honda XR200R. I loved riding with my brothers and cousins - all of which were on Honda XR's - and we couldn't get enough of it.
But after a year of consistently bottoming out on jumps, my brother and I decided a bike with better suspension was required. We both invested in 2000 Honda CR125Rs, and that's when we gained a deep appreciation for motocross.
I recognize only two of the "Big Five" still manufacture two-strokes (KTM and Yamaha), though KTM is the only one that still holds true to updating and refining their machines. I also believe that those two companies understand the importance of maintaining a distinction in their products.
Please remember the irreplaceable history and niche two-strokes have in motocross - then and now.
Jetting Specs. for 1999-2009 Yamaha YZ250
If you have a '99-'09 Yamaha YZ250 then you've got to check out Motocross Action Magazine's jetting specs, October 2009, pg. 106, "Yamaha YZ250 Jetting: 1999-2009." Just flip to the glossary and click on the article.
MXA's jetting specs are spot on, though you must remember they're running a stock bike at sea level where the average temperature is in the range of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Don't forget to consider the altitude and temperature differences for where you're riding in comparison to MXA's recommended settings. If you're riding in cooler temperatures or lower altitude you need to go richer. If you're riding in warmer temperatures or higher altitude you must go leaner. It takes some trial and error to get it just right.
Just remember to have fun out there on your blazing blue machine!
MXA's jetting specs are spot on, though you must remember they're running a stock bike at sea level where the average temperature is in the range of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Don't forget to consider the altitude and temperature differences for where you're riding in comparison to MXA's recommended settings. If you're riding in cooler temperatures or lower altitude you need to go richer. If you're riding in warmer temperatures or higher altitude you must go leaner. It takes some trial and error to get it just right.
Just remember to have fun out there on your blazing blue machine!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Pay Less for More Power
Let me give you some empirical "cost of power" data to ponder upon for a while. . .
Ten years ago the meanest motocross machine (excluding the ominous 500) was known as a 250 cubic centimeter (cc) two-stroke, which had an average MSRP of $5,500. A typical 250cc two-stroke put out around 45 horsepower. That’s equal to a cost of $122.22 per one horsepower, and .18 horsepower per cc.
Ten years later – today – the dominant motocross motorcycle is the 450cc four-stroke, which replaced the 250cc two-stroke. The average MSRP today for a 450cc bike is $8,000. The average output is around 52 horsepower. That’s equal to a cost of $153.85 per one horsepower, and .12 horsepower per cc.
Now, it may seem unfair to the two-stroke to compare it to a bike that has 200 more cc’s. If that’s the case, let’s compare a 250cc two-stroke to a 250cc four-stroke.
The 250cc four-stroke’s average MSRP is around $7,000, and averages about 36 horsepower. That’s equal to a cost of $194.44 per one horsepower, and .14 horsepower per cc.
When compared to a 10-year-old 250cc two-stroke, the 250cc four-stroke has 22% less horsepower per cc, but costs $72.22 more per one horsepower. A 450cc four-stroke makes 33% less horsepower per cc and costs $31.63 more per one horsepower than a ten-year-old 250cc two-stroke.
Neither four-stroke sounds like a winner in comparison to a two-stroke.
My "Unofficial" Disclaimer
I, like Motocross Action Magazine, know the joys and simplicity of two-stroke motocross bikes. Despite the widespread inundation of four-strokes in modern motocross, I hope to help you recall the historical significance of two-strokes in our beloved sport.
There may only be a few that recall the not-so-long-ago two-stroke dominance of motocross racers like Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart. These three recent historical motocross figures came to power mounted upon trusty and true two-stroke thoroughbreds.
I do not intend to encourage a complete change in the sport and its bikes, I only pray to uphold a small recollection of how modern motocross came to be as it is today.
There may only be a few that recall the not-so-long-ago two-stroke dominance of motocross racers like Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart. These three recent historical motocross figures came to power mounted upon trusty and true two-stroke thoroughbreds.
I do not intend to encourage a complete change in the sport and its bikes, I only pray to uphold a small recollection of how modern motocross came to be as it is today.
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