Trail Bike Adventure Magazine

Old Skool

Tuesday, 02 June 2009 17:26

I'm in a belligerent mood because issue #28 finally rolled out the door today, and I was able to go for a quick - very quick - blast on my 1999 KTM 125SX.

Oh yeah!

Not only did I buy a two-stroke, but I bought a motocrosser. 

And I'm deliriously happy about it. 

I've been looking around for a replacement for the XR, and I was tossing up about a two-stroke. I was remembering how much I loved riding and racing one back in Tha Day. Early this century I had a season or two on a 125SX. I remembered my son had one for a while as well. Late last century I had a single season on a 200EXC. I thought it'd be cool to hunt up a '99 125SX, the same model my son and I rode, and give it another squirt. 

As usual my memory was hopelessly faulty. It was a '99 EXC my son raced, and I can't remember what model my SX was, but most likely it was a 2001. I have a pic here of me stooging around a stadium-cross in Orange on it, and on the back the date is February 2, 2002.

Whatever.

I'd decided I should look around for a 125 motocrosser, and I thought it'd be a gas to find a '99 model ('cos I thought that's what my son and I had). Then - root me with a rebore kit if I'm lyin' - Ozzo pops up with, "I'm thinkin' of sellin' my 125SX." When it turned out to be a '99 model, I didn't hesitate. Ozzo did. After we agreed, he changed his mind because he loved the bike so much. Then he changed his mind back again, so I grabbed the bike and ran.

And today I was able to ride it for the first time. It's fabulous. And I kind of like the idea it's Old School. It was a great bike in '99, and it'll be a great bike now.

I don't know whether I'll run it in the mag or not. Maybe it's not that interesting to anyone else, but I'll keep everyone up to date with it on the web here. I'm betting the maintenance will be surprisingly cheap and easy. The performance is sensational. No lights, stand, ignition switch, or anything else that's not needed for racing. I love it!

Maybe a little look here and there in the mag. We'll see.

Meanwhile I'm loving the smell, sound and feel of a two-stroke. I have absolutely no hope of ever riding the thing properly, but that's not the point. The point is how much I enjoy trying. And what about that feeling when you have a crisp, clean-running two-stroke on the pipe and keep it there through four gear changes (before slamming into a tree, as it happened, but it was worth it).

Alrighty. #28's done and has our best cover yet, I reckon. #29's on the way, but right now I'm happy to let it be something I think about tomorrow.

TF

PS: I started gibbering about two-strokes on the forum. Join in if you're a believer! Upya if you're not. TF