Madhatter wants a dirt bike….

[Madhatter]

the honda is a beast , tons of power , and can tractor around once you set the carb . but im a big guy (250 lbs with out apparel ) so even though the honda when I sit on it feels like the suspension is firm , the sag is way off . and no matter how I sit or stand on it the front end feels very unsettled, so I am upgrading the rear spring this week , and later I will be sending the forks off to have them redone for my weight. excited to see how much better it will be after all is done . when I measured the sag it was at 5 inches plus , riding a chopper more or less. so this is my lesson learned , when you buy a dirt bike , set it up for your weight , im thinking if it does what it is supposed to do my confidence in the bike will improve.

 

[Madhatter]

my wife said no dirt bike riding Saturday , im sad , yes dear. ill just play with the tenere .

 

[Madhatter]

ordered a new rear spring and its here , will be installing and test riding . hope it is going to improve the ride. so this week while wife is away decided to service the air cleaner.... seems simple enough , a giant pain in the ass.... the filter seems larger than the airbox , the instructions say you have to do a push and turn motion to get it in the proper position.... I gave up last night after a 6 tries . the neighbor can change out the airfilter on his ktm in about 30 seconds . well I am learning , not sure I would ever buy another dirtbike (I am 61 after all ) , but learning what to look for in ease of service maintenance etc. will have an update tonight on progress.

 

[Madhatter]

Busy day

 

[Madhatter]

if you have a friend like Carrot you have a friend indeed..... so I was his helper , we got the new spring installed and set the sag …… I am a big fat old dude , the manual says race sag should be at 3.90 inches . with the factory spring it was over 5 inches . we are now at 4.3 inches , decided we were at the near adjustment limit and we stopped there. so, what to do, when we set Carrot on my bike and checked the sag (he probably a buck 50 in weight while im 250 sans clothing ) he was at 3.0 inches so I need to lose about 25 lbs and the sag will about right without further adjustment.... I need will power , so as is the bike tracked better ,was more planted in the corners , the front didn't act like it wanted to wash out on every corner , so a big improvement and with weight loss it should improve even more. im eating ice cream as I type this..... it is blue bell , what can I say.....

 

[Madhatter]

p.s. we did finally figure out the code to reinstall the air filter . thanks honda.

 

[Madhatter]

how about some pictures of y'alls dirt bikes and why you like em....

 

[Mak10]

2005 KTM525exc.

Bought new in 05 as a post divorce present to myself. Rode a lot from 05-08. Got remarried and didn’t have time and my riding partner moved away. She sits in my garage needing fork seals and a good carburetor clean. Picture is from 06 in Moab.

 

[Madhatter]

i bought a marlin 1895 cowboy in 45/70 (lever action rifle ) for my post divorce gift to my self ..... don't think my tenere will make that trail your showing ...lol. the rifle is a beaut.

 

[Mak10]

I guess you could call it a celebratory gift. Sounds like a nice rifle.

Not a trail I would want to take a Tenere on.

 

[eemsreno]

Just got home from a Track day practice. "C180MX" Douds , Iowa
The jumps were just to big for me. Still fun.


That 414 rider is Clint, He has a Super Tenere


This is one of the fast guys .

 

[Madhatter]

where is the parachute ?

 

[Madhatter]

no dirt bike riding this weekend , be working on my tractor , 1958 ford 841 . got a field to mow .

 

[Madhatter]

My other dirt machine. Dry as it is here it will blow up some dirt

 

[Jeff Milleman]

After see this ( Madhatter want a dirt bike ) forever I decided to read it tonight, after the 1 St couple pages I just read your story Madhatter and looks like your having a great time... Keep it up ... I 'll be 64 on the 20 th still go like ? you know the story ..but Ride my S10 ,Scuba Dive and work my butt off in this Florida heat, Be careful , ride hard and have fun!!

 

[Madhatter]

I am enjoying the late in life experience of learning to ride a dirt bike , except for the crashing part . I will be 62 in January , trying to stay active as I can … I have a friend who finally gave up the keys to his Goldwing at 80 , that's my goal . we are here on Gods creation for a short time , and blessed to live in a free country (mostly) so get out there and enjoy the gift while it last.

 

[BaldKnob]

Riding dirtbikes helps keep you young, trains your body to react to loss of traction and increases your ability to find good lines and look ahead for obstacles. At any age, it’s beneficial. Dress for the crash with good protection and get out there while you can. And since you asked, here’s my ‘17 250 EXC...

 

[Madhatter]

very dusty on my tractor , and it decided it wanted to act up on me . so did not finish what I started ….. its just another day ….. plan on riding the honda at carrots this coming weekend , we are promised a chance of rain this week , be a nice change of conditions . and cooler.

 

[Madhatter]

decided to ready the tenere for the moab trip , oil change ,gas it up , pack it up . make sure I have everything I need ready to go . still hot as blazes here.

 

[Madhatter]

no dirt biking till I return from moab ….... hope its going to be cooler when I get home.