Unstable crf?

[garyboy]

The issue of age and hard trails is indeed.. an issue.
Some have given up .. I'm not sure how they view me, in my seventies, going on eighties?

I'm determined to improve my riding.. but I've been saying that for decades .. perhaps I ought to wise up?

[DavidS]

I’ve just got to 71 but twingey knees in particular plus the lack of ability/courage gradually cut my trail riding down to easy lanes and horse trials.
I did come up with a three hour local circuit but I still didn’t like solo trail riding and decided keeping a bike for about six days a year was daft, even though it wasn’t a cost issue.
With my medical issues this year, that would have been zero but, dropping from the Tiger to the 400X has rejuvenated my road riding, which I prefer to do on my own.

Once you hit, say, 70, there are many variables that can compromise hobbies and ‘feeling right’ is a big part of it. One thing I ignore is the ‘expert’ or ‘I can do it so why can’t you’ response.
I am proud to be mediocre to average all through my life (maybe a bit better than that in my work) - we can’t all be amateur professional quality.

I’m just happy I’m still riding!

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

You might find this interesting/useful

https://twotyres.co.uk/honda-crf250l-cr ... yre-guide/

I'd stick a quality tube in there and a security bolt, which at least allows you to adjust pressure. Tyres provide both springing and damping, and how much of each depends on the pressure. The extreme enduro boys run mousses, but they closely guard exactly had they do to them to get the best results (clue...it involves a drill).

I always had good luck with Pirelli MT21s for trail riding on a variety of bikes including my much-loved DR350, which isn't that different from what you have now.

Also get the wheels balanced, and make sure the procedure for refitting the front wheel has been followed so the fork isn't binding, and that the steering head bearing is correctly set.

somne stuff abou tyre size here

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forums/topi ... /#comments

[Tramp]

I ride a bloody donkey aka xt660z which is 210kg fueled with 24 ltrs , both my wrists have carpal bone osteoarthritis awaiting surgery in new year to remove a bone in each hand..ouch! ..I take great joy in days out riding while i still can with the odd trail all be it short distances...I could still blat the hard stuff but I'd not enjoy it and need a week to recover...

We each must ride what we want how we want within our ability...age is not a obsticle the body and mind is...

[garyboy]

I’ve just got to 71 but twingey knees in particular plus the lack of ability/courage gradually cut my trail riding down to easy lanes and horse trials.
I did come up with a three hour local circuit but I still didn’t like solo trail riding and decided keeping a bike for about six days a year was daft, even though it wasn’t a cost issue.
With my medical issues this year, that would have been zero but, dropping from the Tiger to the 400X has rejuvenated my road riding, which I prefer to do on my own.

Once you hit, say, 70, there are many variables that can compromise hobbies and ‘feeling right’ is a big part of it. One thing I ignore is the ‘expert’ or ‘I can do it so why can’t you’ response.
I am proud to be mediocre to average all through my life (maybe a bit better than that in my work) - we can’t all be amateur professional quality.

I’m just happy I’m still riding!

lack courage? ... this front fork twitchyness (on loose stone) has made me very nervous and ive not been out for a week or more. So I know that feeling. I notice I don't see many or any? of the old guard .. but of course they are my age or older, now. How things have changed.

A good average over a lifetime, is a great acheivement. So much can happen. lucky to reach 70's, I suppose.
Being happy with u lot is a great acheivement in later age.
Eric is a great exemplar of making your lot your contentment.
I can never understand why people virtually applaud me for still ridin, at my age.
as you say .. so much can happen .... sometimes we don't realise how lucky we are. ..or what's coming, lol.
Great that u are still riding ... keep going young man

[garyboy]

You might find this interesting/useful

https://twotyres.co.uk/honda-crf250l-cr ... yre-guide/

I'd stick a quality tube in there and a security bolt, which at least allows you to adjust pressure. Tyres provide both springing and damping, and how much of each depends on the pressure. The extreme enduro boys run mousses, but they closely guard exactly had they do to them to get the best results (clue...it involves a drill).

I always had good luck with Pirelli MT21s for trail riding on a variety of bikes including my much-loved DR350, which isn't that different from what you have now.

Also get the wheels balanced, and make sure the procedure for refitting the front wheel has been followed so the fork isn't binding, and that the steering head bearing is correctly set.

somne stuff abou tyre size here

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forums/topi ... /#comments

Thanks for the tyre guide, Richard .. I think I've got 80/100-21 and 110/100-18. the latter as recommended by Bob and others on here.
It is a great choice and I am very happy with all aspects of it.
I've seen pics of the mousses drilled out, and there are even some novel manufacturer inovations too.
I had HD tubes in, and also std ones. I seemed to have great difficulty in getting the feel right for the front, in all cases. Things seemed to change and vary with the trail, day, or mood of the bike?
I even got a pinch puncture on wbin from the rear hittin a hard ledge very hard. I had just adjusted the pressures using my electronic tyre pump. I got something wrong there, but is Was hot, not a cold tyre?
Mousses make it a lot easier .. I can blame the mousse and tyre now, lol. Though generally, the mousses work fine .. except on loose stone.

I hated MT21's on the trail ... very nervous ... maxxcross much better .. but they are full nobblies, of course.

I loosened the front forks, so working smoothly now. They were binding bad ..... I had to squeeze them together to fit the wheel ... I shoda known better .. buy my tyre guy did the same ... He shoulda known better too.
Head bearing and wheel bearings feel tight.

I'll read the last link later .. read lol. .. ive always wondered how a fatter tyre would feel on trail.

[garyboy]

I ride a bloody donkey aka xt660z which is 210kg fueled with 24 ltrs , both my wrists have carpal bone osteoarthritis awaiting surgery in new year to remove a bone in each hand..ouch! ..I take great joy in days out riding while i still can with the odd trail all be it short distances...I could still blat the hard stuff but I'd not enjoy it and need a week to recover...

We each must ride what we want how we want within our ability...age is not a obsticle the body and mind is...

Well Done, Russ ...... keep going.

Doing what we Love ....

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

[garyboy]

thanks for that, Richard.
they look a good tyre .. though I never fancied that liquid sealant stuff.
Mita xt+ extreme (I think) seems to be the trf favourite, locally. .. I may try them later?

I've not looked here lately, as i'm put off my crf250Rally, at the moment .. I'll get back soon I expect, though the weather is putting me off. I must be thinking the front end will put itself right .. all on its own.
I may potch a bit more ... but basically ... I think I'm waiting for the front tyre and mousse to get worn and soft (sounds like me .. so a good match).
I have been buying all sorts of waterproof gear .. for the road bike, trail bike, eMtb ... its so hard keeping up .. but I haven't been out with any of them, lol.
Best Wishes .... keep going

[garyboy]

I'm finding that Gardening is more satisfying, atm, than schittting myself on the crf.
I should get a different bike.. I've been able to ride other bikes in the past.

I'm buying stuff for the communal garden in our asylum for deranged older persons. They mad here .. not in a nice way. Full of jealous evil people, that I need to keep away from.
I've bought 2# (2k) recording cameras, with 1# (4k) HD on the way, and tied the pots down to stop, or reduce? stealing. It's just a matter of time before they drop (another) destructive bombshell.. but it's all part of the (evil psychological) challenge, and I'll get some evidence this time, for prosecution.. or at least a return firework, or little bonfire, ha ha.

I'll open my bike storage tent soon, to see how much rust needs to be hacked off, lol.