Fresh knobby, greased linkage, and a brand new sticker! Time to moto!
Okay - greasing the bearings, top quality chain, aftermarket air filter, race numbers, and comfortable grips - how many of you do these things to even a brand new bike?
Then I went out for my shake down ride. It was weird to be excited about a used bike when I have nearly every 2008 bike to pick from, but I was excited. I went out to Perris Raceway, where I'd ridden two weeks before on my favorite 250F, the KXF. Here are my notes from that first day. Is it okay to quote yourself? Well, I'm doing it -
"The bike turns like a dream. There was headshake coming in the corners, even at slow speeds, but leaning back during braking seemed to help. The power was perfect and railing out of berms was a blast. I was jumping neutrally, and one of the jumps I wasn't doing on the 250F looked tiny and I was doing it smoothly. The 2-stroke motor was magic in getting lift in the rhythm sections - just a tiny blip and the bike wanted to get into the air. Also, that magical line selection is back - okay to slide in, square up, and accelerate out. This bike loves that. The brakes, however, seemed weak. Not mushy, just like there wasn't much power. Maybe like the pads were glazed or something."
My lap times slowly came down through the day, and my fastest, in my last session, was two seconds faster than my best on the KX250F from 2 weeks before on the same layout.
Then we had the "3000 Reasons" test, and one thing I figured out there was that I think the bike's rear spring rate is too stiff for me. Jesse, who outweighs me by 15 pounds, was in love with the shock. I also realized this might be the reason the bike felt better when I exaggerated leaning back under braking.
So after the test I dropped the rear spring from a 5.3 to a 5.1, and am happier. I put on an FMF Fatty pipe and Power Core silencer. I wanted to test a Gnarly for MX, but was told by none other than Danny LaPorte that the Fatty was the way to go. I must say it made the bike's power both smoother and stronger - I like the change and am glad I listened to the former World Champion. Oh yeah, his personal bike he had out that day? An RM250.
I have a set of cool graphics on the way, a set of ASV levers that fit an RM250 that somehow never made their way out of my office way back when we had a budget limit, and, as way to prove that budget cap is really lifted, I have an Ohlins rear shock coming to try out. I'm also going to look into my weak brakes. I know there's more pucker power to be found.
Before I start throwing money at my bike and lose the perspective this project gave me, I'll hurry and sum up - this test really did show that you can get into the sport relatively cheap. I'm not saying $3000 is chump change, but it's not a lot of cash to lay out for the thrills motocross provides. The two-stroke may be dying, but what a deal you can get on an old race horse.
Crud never reached the bearings. | 
The transmission oil was dirty, but there were no shavings, so a quick refill and it was ready to go racing. | 
The head bearings were well lubricated since the RG3 triple clamps were put on by someone who knew what they were doing. |
Pete's Parts List
Bridgestone
www.bridgestonemotorcycletires.com
110/90-19 402 rear tire $67.85
Maxima
www.maximausa.com
800.345.8761
grease $5.99
MTL-R 80wt trans oil - $5.99
Pro Taper
www.protaper.com
951-736-5369
grips $7.99
NGK
www.ngksparkplugs.com
1-877-473-6767
BR8EG spark plug $4.56
Factory Effex
www.factoryeffex.com
800.866.0709
3 sets Factory 7" numbers $20.85
Twin Air
www.twinairusa.com
800.749.2890
Air filter $26.99
DID
www.didchain.com
ERT2 Gold chain $47.97
Total
Bike $2800
Parts $188.19
There was a little rust around the top of the head tube. This was easily cleaned up. Now go check and lube your bike! | 
Pete trimmed his handlebars as a personal set-up preference. Cutting just a little feels like a lot, so if you try this, take small cuts. | 
Remember that $2800 cash? Pete had long forgotten about it when he saw his sweet bike ready for a Dirt Rider photo shoot. |
Pete Peterson was maxed on his $3000 budget, so he had to get creative to make his 'custom graphics.' Thank you, Pro Taper. | 
The motor was stock except for the Moto Tassinari V Force 3 reed valve. | 
The RG3 triple clamps were a big upgrade. They help with bump and vibration absorption and also look great. |
The DID chain went on to replace the stretched stocker. The stocker was actually pretty decent, which means the bike likely had low hours. | 
Pete busts a huge trick and grabs minimal air. Everyone had fun at this Dirt Rider test. | |