Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

So the day we got back from camping we spent at Jess' place and then family she shares a house with are into BMX/MTB racing (national level) and have off road bikes. All kids ones but I jumped on the 150 and had a few good hammers around the track. It brought back all the memories of my years trail riding. Wes (the dad) is considering getting one for himself and reckons I should sell the track bike and buy one too so we can ride together. It actually makes sense. I could get out for a couple of hour ride much easier than a full track day and they are on property so could have the kids with me and just hoon around there at times.

Having a look I could get a pretty capable bike for what I'd sell the ZX10R for.

Downside is I'd have to splash out on new riding gear and helmet as my old stuff is, well.. old. Like 15-20 yrs.

The decision would be 250 or 450 four stroke or even a 350 KTM. I like the power of the 450's but I reckon I'd enjoy flicking around a 250 more.

Just all pipe dreams till I patch the fairing on the ZX10R anyways. Just airing my muddled brain.

.....get both?

Sounds a good plan to me.

Maybe the 350 would be the ideal compromise in power ad flickability.

If you got a spare set if wheels you could fit supermotard rubber and take it on track too.

If you're not doing enough track days to warrant keeping a track bike then it sounds like a plan. I suspect it's easier for you to get out and do some off roading

Haven't used it in over 18 months

Do it Dude, if nothing else it will get you fit. Plus you can always rent a track bike for a day or two.

No point having then if it's not being used.

In fairness, hiring a trackbike isn't bad value.. it costs about as much as a set of tyres

From my little experience with crosser's don't get hung up on engine size get the bike in the best condition. A few mates have the crf250 and its a sodding BEAST. The smaller bike will be easier to pick up when you drop it there bloody heavy when you have been riding for 20 mins.

450 all the way.....on paper the 250s look close, but out on the trail they just get left in the er, dust. There's just no comparison between the two other than on really slow speed stuff.

I'd go for a 125 or 250cc 2 stroke, brap, brap, braaap!!!!

A mate of mine says he's getting a 300 2-smoker.. sounds dreamy to me

Monty wrote:I'd go for a 125 or 250cc 2 stroke, brap, brap, braaap!!!!

Back when I did all my off-road riding all my bikes bar the last one were 2 strokes. But they just don't seem to be around 2 hand here unless they are thrashed out ex race bikes.

Get yourself a 450 Sherco, seems to be popular down that way it's a tall bike though.... not ideal for me ha ha, but once up and running it's all good lol
I might get to use it properly one day

Frankie wrote:Get yourself a 450 Sherco, seems to be popular down that way it's a tall bike though.... not ideal for me ha ha, but once up and running it's all good lol
I might get to use it properly one day

Had never heard of them but just had a read up. You have one? I'm only 5'8" so a tall bike would be troublesome for me too.

Two strokes are too much of an on/off switch for my meager skills...if you can keep them on the boil they're great...but cut the throttle for just a second and they lose all their inertia.

D41 wrote:Two strokes are too much of an on/off switch for my meager skills...if you can keep them on the boil they're great...but cut the throttle for just a second and they lose all their inertia.

This is exactly the reason why the clutch takes so much abuse. From what I understand, in MotoX they keep the throttle pinned and modulate the clutch

Hmmmm.......I think I read that before somewhere......definitely sounds like a decent idea.

kiwikrasher wrote:

Frankie wrote:Get yourself a 450 Sherco, seems to be popular down that way it's a tall bike though.... not ideal for me ha ha, but once up and running it's all good lol
I might get to use it properly one day

Had never heard of them but just had a read up. You have one? I'm only 5'8" so a tall bike would be troublesome for me too.

yes mate and here it is.. 450cc single thumper, sounds like thunder and goes like stink, except full wack on a tarmac road heading down for an mot, ha ha it was all over the place on the knobblies !

Cheers Frankie

Had a look at them online, but being a European bike they are rather pricey here and support would be harder.

I've pretty much narrowed it down to a WR450 2012 onwards model. They had a revamp in 2012 incl. lighter frame, fuel injection. The WR'a can be rego'd (MOT) which is important as in NSW unless you are on private land you must have rego, even in the middle of the bush. It'll make it easier to get out on too, I can ride a few km up the road and then drop into the Blue Mountaind fire trails and have no issues. The WR's have big service intervals and are reliable, although not the top of the pile power wise, but still plenty for me.

I talked to a mate who does desert races on a WR (but has a stable of bikes) and that was his recommendation as well, so was good to get confirmation I was on the right track.

Just need to patch the fairings on the track bike and sell it.