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Mine’s an 2001 - strongest engine. Later ones did handle a bit better though.

I was in a bit of a funk after seeing a cheap, scratched up 1299s which sold before I could get my act together. Bit of blue smoke and braaaang blew that right away!

Quick spin this afternoon. Still the scariest 250ccs ever. Really, everyone should have one once. :)

I dinged the roof of our old van going into the parking lot at LAX about 4 hrs after we bought it. The stated height max was greater but it caught some plumbing on a ramp, definitely watch out for that.

I'd crank a little extra preload and bring that down a bit (raise the back end,) will help steering. But yeah. Spring rate and preload define the sag.

I always think my dirt bikes feel soft if I haven't sat on them in a while. If there's a problem, feeling soft is usually more to do with damping than springs.

You want about 100mm race sag - which is the difference between full extension and with you sat on the bike, measuring up from the rear axle. Do it cold.

Gas bit is generally the damping mate, or controls the oil for the damping. Sag is set by spring preload.

Is it warm enough for a proper test ride yet? Looking forward to your thoughts after you've given it a good rinse through 2nd and 3rd.... :)
I can still vividly remember my first time on a really fast bike...you'll love it. Millennium falcon time.

The Brembos on the Duc, which are non radial, 4 pot calipers on old, cast iron superbike discs are phenomenal. Astonishing bite and feel - more than the bike needs really!

I'll second Lynx on the OEM brakes - hauling heavy bikes down from triple digits needs good pads. EBC are pretty average, they do stop but not much bite and quite a wooden feel at the lever. I'm trying Galfer at the moment on the GSXR and they're a bit better, still not marvellous though.

Errr, currently 9. Two basket cases though.

Sweet! Love those. Big comfy missile.

I used to do the same through France. Beat the Mrs on Easyjet to Bordeaux Airport once, although I did have a couple of hours headstart.

The be fit bit. Fuck me, MX turns me in to drooling gibbering Jello in a couple of laps.

Really take it very steady on the jumps. I got too confident, too quick a couple of years ago and knocked myself silly and badly sprained an ankle casing a double.

It's a wicked, scary laugh though. Cheap thrills.

Yeah dirt bike brakes are definitely marginal with street tyres.

The only surfaces I've ridden on that you have to be a bit cautious with the front are dusty / gravelly hard pack and at the other end of the spectrum, deep sand as you can go over the bars. Not ridden any of the muddy, gloopy stuff that you lot have to deal with....

I'd say I normally brake 70/30 front to rear. You obviously need to be going straight and upright.

I always thought about it this way - if you've got enough grip to wheelie, you've got enough to stoppy too.

Also, on very steep descents the back brake is pretty useless. You can't weight it enough for the knobblies to work.

Front brake still does most of the stopping, even off road. MX tracks you use a LOT of front brake.

Blimey you lot. Motorbikes can be dangerous, riding bicycles down bumpy hills at 40 mph wearing Lycra is dangerous. I think I prefer to fetishize the fun bit rather than the injury bit!

Haha. Loooooooong old answers over there.

In fairness Dammit, motorbikes are so cheap you should buy a 916 (because you want one, you're sensible enough to take it easy and you'll look after it properly) AND a 250 enduro bike like a KX250X (or 125 two stroke if you're feeling brave.) That way you can shove it in the Vito and take it to the MX track or off road area and have a proper bike when you get there. Sorted.

I love throwing it sideways on dirt but still fully shit my pants if the rear lets go under power on dry tarmac. Nature's way of telling me I'm having a bit too much fun.

I would posit that braking hard on tarmac is a skill that can only be learnt by braking very hard on tarmac. A lot. Until you can confidently lift the back end, without locking the front. That's what I did anyways and I fell off quite a lot in the process.

Very cool!

I echo Jambon and Skinny. Buy what you want and be careful. Something new enough to have ABS wouldn’t be a bad idea. A monster is a good shout, just be aware twins are lumpy and you’ll need to modulate the clutch more at low speeds.

I'm still amazed at the difference in petty theft here vs London. Not to say stuff doesn't get robbed but it's so much less prevalent. LAPD are certainly no angels but at least they'll have a go chasing thieves and if they nick them, they generally go down. The Met are useless, always have been.

Hahaha. It was just getting good!

I think my red bike has healed itself. Gave it a good hundred mile rag on sunday and it was faultless. Italians. Fickle.

Damn that is batshit crazy. Sorry mate, what a bloody drag.