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Author Topic: A tale of a smoker convert  (Read 4406 times)

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Offline eprovenzano

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A tale of a smoker convert
« on: November 05, 2012, 02:58:30 PM »
A friend of mine's son, grew up on smokers, but drank the 4-stroke koolaid.  He wanted to be the next MX star...  But as we all know very few are capable of that...  He rode 4 strokes and paid the price in repairs.  As time passed, due to financial reasons had to sell his bike.  After being off the bike for a while, he "borrowed" his dads KX 125...  Now he claims its a turd... (which I must agree, the KX is not in the same class as a similar year YZ)  But he has rediscovered the fun factor of riding.  He came by my house to borrow some tools as he was modding the KX a bit to help get the power to the ground. 

While he was here, he was picking my brain about KTM's 150. The best comment I heard, was I can ride the piss out of it, and replace a top end in under and hour for next to nothing.  He is now 22 years old, and paying his own bills...  hmmmm I think he has finally seen the light. 

The last few times I've been out riding, I see more and more people on smokers.  The main reason is cost, and of course the fun factor.  It's just nice to see the true grass roots riders picking a machine that will continue to move our sport into the future.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline SachsGS

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A tale of a smoker convert
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2012, 03:16:13 PM »
Recently I spoke to a young kid who was leaning toward a CRf 250 over a TM 125. I very patiently explained to him the recommended maintenance schedule for the Honda and what it would cost verses the TM. He bought the TM.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline twosmoke595

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A tale of a smoker convert
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2012, 06:50:42 PM »
i really think that our sport needs that 1k-2k intro bike (not brand new of course) but the used 125's-250's, particularly the 125's because they wont kill you (as fast) as the 250 will. buying 2000-2004 125's for less than 1k then fixing them up and making them ride-able then you have youself a really nice bike for less than 1500, heck maybe even 1200. There are quite a few 125's in my area in that price range. while others are priced in the ridiculous 2k+ mark, or my favorite a 1998 yz250 for 2850  :-

the ignorance and stubbornness of today's bike sellers is astounding. that's the worst part, is that people think a clapped 12 year old 125 is still worth 2k. THIS is what's hurting the market. also its funny there's been a few 2010 and up 250f/450's for around 3k. THIS is also what's killing the market now
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline eprovenzano

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A tale of a smoker convert
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2012, 11:44:50 PM »
Twosmoke595 I agree with you about the prices of used bikes.  Used 4 strokes are cheap because they are ticking time bomb, while a smoker mo matter how old, can be rebuilt cheap with basic hand tools.  So with that in mind, and most of us are hanging onto our "used" smokers, there's more strokers then smokers for sale.  This is forcing the price up on smokers, and yes many smoker owners are asking stupid high prices.  Hell my bike is for sale too at the "right" price.  Of course that price is so high no one is going to pay it... 
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline gpnewhouse7

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A tale of a smoker convert
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2012, 12:08:50 AM »
Quote from: eprovenzano on November 06, 2012, 07:44:50 AM
Twosmoke595 I agree with you about the prices of used bikes.  Used 4 strokes are cheap because they are ticking time bomb, while a smoker mo matter how old, can be rebuilt cheap with basic hand tools.  So with that in mind, and most of us are hanging onto our "used" smokers, there's more strokers then smokers for sale.  This is forcing the price up on smokers, and yes many smoker owners are asking stupid high prices.  Hell my bike is for sale too at the "right" price.  Of course that price is so high no one is going to pay it...

As my dad has always taught me everything has a price. It just depends how much you want it sold.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline twosmoke595

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A tale of a smoker convert
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2012, 12:55:53 AM »
its awesome though when a guy who gets out of the sport because 4 strokes made it to pricey. then gets back into it having as much fun as you possibly can on a cheap 125 that you can rebuild mowing a few lawns
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline SachsGS

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A tale of a smoker convert
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2012, 03:00:24 AM »
Supply and demand. High 125 prices indicate strong demand. ;D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline cnrcpla

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A tale of a smoker convert
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2012, 03:03:28 AM »
Quote
Supply and demand. High 125 prices indicate strong demand. ;D
One might think honda's marketing techniques would pick up on that... *hint hint honda* Bring back the 125's. They would make money selling them, but yeah they would probably loose a big chunk in the 250f's when a few people pick up 125's instead.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline Stusmoke

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A tale of a smoker convert
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2012, 06:08:06 AM »
Quote from: twosmoke595 on November 06, 2012, 02:50:42 AM
the ignorance and stubbornness of today's bike sellers is astounding. that's the worst part, is that people think a clapped 12 year old 125 is still worth 2k.

That would be reasonable in Australia. No Sh*t. I had one guy saying 3500 for a 2003 RM 125. I got him down to 3 but its still crazy expensive.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline Fatts

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A tale of a smoker convert
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2012, 02:43:45 PM »
Quote from: twosmoke595 on November 06, 2012, 02:50:42 AM
i really think that our sport needs that 1k-2k intro bike (not brand new of course) but the used 125's-250's, particularly the 125's because they wont kill you (as fast) as the 250 will. buying 2000-2004 125's for less than 1k then fixing them up and making them ride-able then you have youself a really nice bike for less than 1500, heck maybe even 1200. There are quite a few 125's in my area in that price range. while others are priced in the ridiculous 2k+ mark, or my favorite a 1998 yz250 for 2850  :-

the ignorance and stubbornness of today's bike sellers is astounding. that's the worst part, is that people think a clapped 12 year old 125 is still worth 2k. THIS is what's hurting the market. also its funny there's been a few 2010 and up 250f/450's for around 3k. THIS is also what's killing the market now

Just wanted to say hello to everyone here (great site btw) and that the statement here about buying a cheap rebuilable 2 stroke is THE way to go if you have even basic mechanical knowlege.  I have done this with my last 4 bikes and never had over $1100 in one.  I just bought a 2000 CR125 about a month ago for $500 with a broken piston which needed a bottom end kit also because of the shrapnel but the bike came with a fresh cylinder.  Also came with an aftermarket pipe/silencer and suspension upgrades.  Long story short, one month and another $300 later I have a really clean modified CR125 for about $800.  I love 2 strokes....
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Offline eprovenzano

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A tale of a smoker convert
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2012, 03:13:18 PM »
Quote from: SachsGS on November 06, 2012, 11:00:24 AM
Supply and demand. High 125 prices indicate strong demand. ;D

I know of several season riders (40 - 50 years old) that have picked up a 125 just for the grin factor... They were having so much fun on their 125's, that they dumped their 250/450 pigs.  But the best comment I heard was at the track the last time I was out... "There is nothing like the sound of a smoker on the pipe going around a track"  This from a die hard stroker....
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
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Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125
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