Recess Or Recession?
If you listen to the cacophony of dire economic predictions spewing out of the major media sources, you are probably aware that our country's financial industry is in need of a new top end. Though unpredictable fuel prices and less discretionary spending may equal one less class on race day, don't let the poorly jetted economy keep you off your bike completely. Riding areas remain-albeit precariously-open, races are still being held and a lot of dedicated people are working extremely hard in order to keep our industry charging ahead. But you can help: Take yourself racing sometime this month, buy a product or two from some of our advertisers and most importantly...Letter Rip!
Letter Of The Month
The Silent Supporters
I don't ride, but I definitely am the first person home and I steal my husband's Dirt Rider religiously. There is always mention of riders and all the fun they have, but do you think you could pay tribute to those of us who launder the riding clothes and nurse the wounds of the people having all of that fun? It doesn't have to be anything big, maybe just a response to this. If it weren't for us, there would be nothing clean to get dirty, and what fun would that be? If any of you have your significant others do your laundry for you, they know we definitely deserve a standing ovation. Give it a thought!
Heather Cotnoir
West Swanzey, NH
As a tribute to all the unsung heroes of our habit, I'm comparing your awesomeness in a selection of analogies. I'm also awarding you (and the luckiest husband in the world) the Cycra prize pack for Letter of the Month. If there are any other Heathers out there, this one's for you, too. If there are any potential Heathers out there, please send me an e-mail so we can start dating ASAP. For lucky dirt riding men-like your husband-who somehow and someway found a lady friend willing to touch dirty riding gear more than once, you're a perfectly jetted 125 on a crisp morning of youthful moto innocence. For normal married riders-like the rest of married men not living in your husband's dream world-you're the tricked-out, one-off factory ride full of unobtanium and sano coolness that Kevin Windham walks to the starting line at Anaheim 1. For single riding dudes like myself and a few of my fellow hooligans, you're the upside-down whip James Stewart snaps during his victory lap that makes me happily spill my $15 beer into my soon-to-be-ex-girlfriend's lap. For dirt riders all over the world who fear their spouses' wrath after a maybe-too-long weekend of riding, you're the fresh air of a mountain pass crossed and left behind on a trail ride of epic proportions. Thanks, from your husband and from riding spouses all over the world (men and women). -Jesse Ziegler
The Most Questions We've Ever Been Asked In One Letter
I have a 2002 CR250R. I am a fairly new member of the dirt bike world, and I have a few questions. Let me start out by saying I think that my CR250 has some problems; it is just that I don't know how to fix them.
First of all, my bike cannot idle for more than 15 seconds or else it seems to foul a spark plug. Second, my bike seems to have little or no bottom-end, a very strong mid, and then no top-end. How do I improve the bottom-end and what is wrong with my top-end? Is it blown out, do I need a new one? If so, which kit would you suggest? Third, when I first bought my bike, it sounded clean and crisp and now it sounds old, super loud and ratty. Fourth, whenever I start the bike cold, tons of white smoke billows out of the exhaust pipe. Fifth, whenever I get off the throttle it sounds like my front tire is flat, but when I get back to the truck it's just fine. Sixth, every time I ride my bike it has dark brown, greasy, oily liquid paste stuff leaking from the top of the head/cylinder. Seventh, how do I set the sag on my bike because I don't know how but I have heard that setting the sag correctly can easily improve cornering and such? Eighth, where do you insert a reed valve? I have a new one to put in that was given to me before I bought the bike and I just don't know where to put it. Ninth, I have two different exhausts for my bike and I don't know how to interchange them. They're both made by Pro Circuit; one is the forestry-regulated one and the other is Factory 304. Tenth, when I bought the bike it came with a Pro Circuit platinum pipe on the bike already. How do I know if this bike has been properly jetted for the new pipe? Eleventh, when I bought my bike it did not come with an owner's manual or a repair manual. Where is the best place to buy these and which one should I get? Twelfth, since I do not have a manual I don't know how to change the oil. I have transmission fluid that came with the bike but I do not know where to use it. Thirteenth, my clutch pull seems excessively hard and by the end of a good day of riding my forearms and hands burn like they are on fire.
Finally, does Dirt Rider ever let totally amateur and beginner riders like me test ride bikes? I have been thinking of getting a 250 four-stroke and I do not know which one I would like more because I have not ridden a new four-stroke. The only four-strokes I have ridden are a CRF150F and a TT-R125. So would you guys let beginners like me come out and test which bike best fits us?
Devin Hanrahan
motocrossman217@cox.net