Pit Dog answers questions about Dirt Bikes and Trail Riding in Florida - how to prepare, bike setup and maintenance.

Dear Pitdog. I want a CR125 but my dad hates the sound. He says they're too loud. Please help me find a way to make a CR125 quieter.

Pitdog: What are you going to do, ride the thing past his bedroom window after he gets home from driving his Big Truck all night? A CR125 is a race bike pure and simple. This means if you're not at a practice track or a designated riding area, it needs to be on it's stand -- silent. Dad's doing the right thing by not getting you a race bike for around the house. Besides, you'll tear up the yard worse than the dog. (Can't believe I said that.)

Dear Pitdog. I want an XR200. Where could I get a used one?

Pitdog: I'm sure your parents already told you to go out back and keep watering that XR200 tree. You know, the one right next to the money tree. XR200s hold their value because they don't make enough power to break anything. If you're looking at paying less than $1500, you probably are looking pre 90s. Look in the Bike Trader, this site ads, call dealers, that's what I would do for starters.

Pitdog. I bought a used 93 CR125 but I am afraid to ride it because it has a small hole underneath the engine where the bottom end gasket is. It has been JB welded over. Is there compression in there, or does it just hold oil? The hole is about the size of a tack.

Pitdog: If the hole is in the crankcase area, there is compression. If it's in the trans case it just holds the oil in. Either way you're in big trouble. The real fix is to strip the case and weld it up. The JB Weld won't stop it if it touches a gasket. 93 huh?

I'm 14 and own a 2000 Blaster. I want to start racing Hare Scrambles. Who should I contact in doing this? Also what trail mods would be good to my stocker. I recently put on a set of Maxxis Razors with Douglas .190 rims, so I know I did right there. Thanks for your time. MoToJoE

Pitdog: Just check out the race schedule on this site for the Hares and show up. Oh, and bring your parents and money. As you progress in the series your scoot will let you know what it wants to run with the leaders. Things like a pipe and better shocks come to mind

Pitdog. I have a KTM 400EXC. I need more low end grunt. I have changed my countershaft sprocket down by one tooth. Are you aware of any companies that make flywheel weights? I heard they work for WR400's. Please Help, I've got the tight trail woes! Mud.

Pitdog: Flywheel weights smooth out the hit, if there's one there. I'm surprised the front sprocket change didn't make it quick like a bunny. I would look for more compression, different valve timing, and intake/exhaust flow mods to make the motor grunt early. These are tricky mods and require vast 4 stroke tuning experience so choose your tuner wisely.

This a question from Downunder.I have recently purchased a 97 RMX250. What's the first checks I should do before heading out? What's the best way to get a good manual for the bike? Blackdog.

Pitdog: Downunder as in Australia? Wow the Pitdog's scent really gets around.
Anyway, since it's like 4 years old everything needs to be checked. All the bearings in the swing-arm and steering head should be cleaned and lubed. Change the trans oil, brake fluid, and lube the lever pivots. Lube the clutch cable, throttle cable, and kick lever pivot. Feel the wheel bearings to see if the're smooth rolling. Things that need to be checked for wear are, air filter, chain and sprockets, brake pads, piston and bore, clutch plates, water pump bearings and seals, among others. MX and 2 stroke Enduro bikes are not made to last, the're made to be fast. After a couple of years things go bad really quick. Most motorcycle dealers carry service manuals that cover the same bike for several years in one edition. Or the Suzuki store could order you the factory one for about the same money. Gooday mate.

Pitdog. I am having trouble finding a good 4 stroke that I can race in the AMA. I am 12 years old. I currently have a XR100 but I'm ready to step up a level. Please suggest a good bike for me to race in the 4 stroke AMA Class.

Pitdog: In AMA Motocross, 4 stokes run in the 86 to 250 cc for small displacement. So if you don't run something close to 250 you will be close to last. In AMA Hares, it's 85 cc to Open so guess what? I would think your next bike should be a 2 stroke for racing and the KX100 would be perfect. That way you could run Super Mini 80 to 105cc. But really, are you going AMA racing after dinking around on a XR100? You better start training yesterday.

Hey, how safe is racing cause my parents won't let me race?
They think it is dangerous and I will smash up my bike beyond repair?

Pitdog: This is mostly to the parents, racing is dangerous. But hey, so is a lot of other stuff we do every day, like driving in interstate traffic! Most of what I hear about motorcycle off-road injuries is the result of carelessness. People free ride without gear and machine knowledge make the news all the time. In an FTR event, we ride the same trail, in the same direction, with riders in our class, with the required safety gear on. With the hundreds of competitors on any weekend, we still can't make the news, good or bad! Parents look at it this way, you will have the upper hand in all your kids activates if you use the racing as a control. If your kids don't toe the line, no racing, and I will support you. Please come out to an FTR event and watch what a true family sport can be to your kids. All the kids I see are the best this society has to offer. They all learn the lessons of winning and losing and end up better for it. No, it's not as safe as the couch, and yes you might have to make bike repairs, but your kids will become the best they can be because you allowed them to try. Mine are.

I need torque specs for 98 CR250. Help.

Pitdog: Every nut and bolt on the scoot actually has a torque spec, so where do I begin? I suggest a call to your local friendly dealer for the torque spec you have in mind. Or maybe you could stop by there and get a copy from the book. To be sure, torque is very important because being too loose or stretching metal is the result when not correct. Always start with clean threads and thread holes with some lube or loc-tite where needed.

Which is better 1998 or 1999 Honda CR125? Why?

Pitdog: Production MX 2 strokes are so refined that it really takes a very advanced rider to even begin to identify yearly changes to the same model. Ever read the shoot-outs and listen to the comments about how all the scoots are so much alike? My feeling would the newer the better just because of wear more then anything. A serious rider can take most of the good out of a MX bike in only 2 years. Unless the 98 has been sitting, chose the newer model if you are looking at used bikes because the difference in price will come back in spades.

Hello Pit Dog. I am new to off-road riding and would like to try Enduro racing. What would be a good first bike? I ride a 88 CR125 can I use that? What a great sport. Thanks Rick R.

Pitdog: You could add a headlight, taillight, and spark arrestor to your CR but considering the year, repairs will wear you down. I've always recommended the KDX200 for starting out in Enduros because of it's inherent design. You should try to get something less than 3 years old because the rigors of an Enduro are hard on you and the scoot. I'm glad you are enjoying your new found sport.

Pitdog. My friends and I are going to take a trip to Georgia for some off-road fun. All of us ride non street legal bikes. Do you have any suggestions on where to go? Must we change out our sand tires or can we get by? We are over 40 years of age and are C Class riders.

Pitdog: There are sure a lot more places up there than down here, public and private. I understand there's an off-road park near Two Wheels Only camp ground which I know is near Deals Gap. Most of the time when I go into an area, I scout out the scooter stores, asking around about places to ride. Works every time. Just keep your sand tires on because a lot of racers up there run em' anyway. Don't forget your camera and tread lightly.

Dear Pit Dog. I just got a 92' Honda CR125 and want to change the oil in it but don't know how much oil in takes. Can you help me?       Thanks Corey.

Pitdog: Usually about a half a quart for a 2 stroke 125 but it should have a sight glass or level check screw. If it has a sight glass just fill it to at least half way, with the scoot standing straight up. If it has a check screw, remove the screw and fill until it starts to drain over. I've never had a 125 Honda so I don't really know what style of level check it has. Be sure to change it in under 4 hours riding time because they don't hold much oil and it takes a lot of abuse.

Hey Pitdog. I have a 1989 Suzuki RM250, which I bought about 3 months ago. It has a leak in the exhaust gasket where it touches the cylinder. My problem is that it has a rubber O-ring around the pipe where it joins, but every time I change this it blows out after an hour riding. What will fix this?...I though of using gasket goo stuff? Cheers dog, Rob.

Pitdog: The real fix is a new cylinder, but an 89? The O-rings do a fairly good job at sealing that area when everything is new. There is also a compression gasket on the face. As time goes on, the vibration of the motor causes the port area that the pipe fits into to wear out or open up. Now there is too much clearance for the O-ring to stay in their seats and they blow out or split in short order. I have always assembled the pipe to the motor with high-temp silicone to add an extra gasket surface and to stop the buzz from the vibration. You may be beyond that point by now. If you could find a piece of plastic or PVC that is the same size as the pipe, you could JB Weld it to the cylinder and then chip the piece away to repair the area. Kind of a Rube Goldberg fix but hey, it's an 89!

Hey Pit Dog. I have a 87 Honda FatCat 200. It is a nice bike and runs great. I am 14 and want to sell it and get a racing four wheeler. I started riding on a Yamaha Kodiak and four-wheeling is more my thing. I was wonderin how much I should sell this Rare dirtbike for????????

Pitdog: CAT! You should never sell it because I'll always have a spare lunch in the pits, besides I think it's the only scoot that floats. But if you did, I would think something like $500 because of the year. It's rare because its limited in its off-road ability and not many were bought. So $500 is not much of a start on a racing four wheeler but it would get you a 87 something else.

Hey Pit Dog. I bought a 2000 KX250 and I'm having problems with the transmission.  It pops out of gear every once in a while or hits a false neutral.  I change the oil every other ride so I know its not dirty oil.   I read some where that Kawasaki changed something in the tranny a gear, shifting fork, barrel, or something however I can't find the article.  The fix was to use the part off the 1999 zookie. Any ideas.  Thanks and keep roostin'em.

Pitdog: KX's have had that symptom for as long as I can remember. My 96 does it and so do my buddies later models. At the same time, I have not had to replace any tranny parts so maybe it's not such a bad thing. My tuner said I could tighten the detente spring to force it to center quicker but it might be harder to find neutral. I've just gotten used to it over the years and don't notice it much anymore. I can mostly tell when I wasn't quite into gear so I'll double check. Most off-road guys run their shifter level with the foot peg or even slightly higher. This is mostly for protecting it from catching stuff but try it for your problem. Also check with your Dealer for a memo from Kawasaki about the 2000 model.

Hey Pit Dog, I have a 2000 Yamaha Banshee and I recently took it trail riding. I got into a big mud hole in which the water got up over the motor and just about an inch from the exhaust.  The motor died and after I got it out of the water it didn't take too many kicks to get it started, however the throttle started sticking after it started. It ran fine (other than the throttle sticking) for about 10 minutes then it started backfiring on one of the cylinders and smoking really bad on that cylinder.  I got it home and changed that plug and it quit smoking as bad and ran better, however it still isn't running right.  It still occasionally back fires on that cylinder and doesn't have the top end power that it should. When it gets warm the power-band won't kick in when in 6th gear.  It idles fine and when I'm just putting along it does OK.  Any suggestions?

Pitdog: The throttle is sticking because water got past the air filter and into the slides. There is also mud and water in the cable and probably every where else you could imagine. The engine miss could be just a cracked spark plug porcelain when it hit the water. This all sounds like simple stuff but trouble lurks in lots of other places. After a Jetski pass, any off-road scoot needs to be cleaned and lubed everywhere. You will need to take the carbs off and do a basic clean up. Also remove the ignition cover and clean it out. Every part that moves or takes lube needs to be serviced at the same time all over the bike. Pack water proof grease everywhere you can if you're going to get into high water or open your wallet when it all goes bad.

Hey Dog. This is for Craig Williams, with the 99 KX250. I did the Hare Scrambles last season on a 99 KX250, and the stock tank was good for all the C-250 races. For B/A classes, a larger tank/refill would be a must. Motor wise, it only had a pipe, and it pulled great everywhere, including a few hole-shots...Now I have to get used to my YZ400. Whoof.

Pitdog: Thanks rider. I would think some C riders and beginners could make it because of the number of laps given them and the WFO factor.

Hey Pit Dog. You're not the only one chasing your tail!   I've been chasing mine in circles trying to decide whether or not to buy a new YZ426 or stick with a new 2 stroke 250.  I currently ride a '96 YZ250 at local MX tracks, and want to stay somewhat active in the Hare Scrambles series.  I know the 4 strokes are difficult to restart after a crash, which I sometimes do, but I have heard they are more reliable, low maintenance, and dollar friendly long term. After all, I have three dogs of my own to feed!  Besides, the overall power of the 426 makes the heart pound!  I plan on keeping the YZ250, if for no other reason than to have a 2nd bike, and this also presents an opportunity to run a wider variety of classes if I buy the YZ426.  Any bones the Dog could throw this way would be helpful in the decision making? Stroked.

Pitdog: I'm sure a lot of riders have been cruising their dealer's floor thinking the same thoughts so I'll expound. (Arf, ugly word.) The question has been, are they more reliable and all that other stuff. My feeling are, yes and no. You know your 96 needs a ring and piston every so often and the bottom end probably needs to be rebuilt if it has not been done recently. But, you don't have to adjust the valves and buy 3 quarts of oil and filter on every service. To me, the biggest thing is the front end weight and the center of the weight on the 4 strokes. They just flat wear out the old Dog, and trying to restart the thing after a tip over makes me bonk. Besides, after about three years of series racing all the other stuff on the bike wears out too. So what are you left with? A 4 stroke that has an OK motor but worn out everything else? Or a 2 Stroke with a worn out everything? Only a play rider or beginner would want it then, no matter which bike, and for how much? Net loss on either bike, about the same. Plus, how many collar bones from the 4 stroke chasing you down the trail. I'll stick with the 2 stroke 250s 'till they pry it from my old paws.

Hey Pit Dog. I just obtained an old junked 91' CR125. It definitely needs a top end. And a lot of cosmetic work. Is it worth making it a play MX bike instead of killing my KDX's suspension?

Pitdog: If you put top end work into it then the bottom probably will fail. Plus the clutch, then the shock, and the swing arm bearings, then the brakes, it will never stop killing your wallet. My thought would be, it wouldn't have ended up junk if it wasn't. So what year is the KDX? They are very sturdy but the bongers are lacking right from the box. With a little help they are great for Enduros, so so for H/S, and a hand full for MX. Play riding and MX practice on a groomed track  rarely are said in the same sentence. What ever you take out on the MX track needs to perform, or one little slip up and it's gonna hurt. Now it's decision time, think real hard about your goals for this season and come up with a solid plan to get some decent wheels under you. It will be worth it in the long run, wasted money in the short.

I plan on running most of the Hare Scrambles this year on my 99 KX250. Do you think the stock gas tank has adequate capacity for the entire race, or do most people run oversize aftermarket tanks? Also would a flywheel weight be a good investment? If so any suggestions on which size? I have had porting work done by Eric Gorr to help the bottom end and smooth it out some. Would the weight "Bog Down" the bottom end or just keep it from being such a harsh hit?
  Thanks, Craig Williams Jax, Fl

Pitdog: The stock tank will only work for a H/S event if you know the average fuel mileage before hand and then know the event mileage. Most riders do have larger fuel systems on their MX bikes for H/S because they don't want to go to the event unprepared.
If you had porting work done to smooth out the bottom end then the result would be a larger hit when it comes on the pipe. You basically just moved the power around. A flywheel weight would have been your best approach from the get go so I recommend it. The amount of weight is in relation to the hit and your choice will come from product source recommendation or your testing. I would think if you are a C rider you would want more, an A rider would want less.

Hey Pitdog. I need a new rear tire for my bike. The parts and accessories store told me that the prices in the dirt bike magazines are a lot cheaper because those are the ones that sit on the shelves and they can't get rid of them. Then the tire stiffens up and is hard to mount. Is mail order a good idea? Is this guy telling the truth? RMX250RDR

Pitdog: The problem with mail order has always been if you order only one item then the shipping cost makes the total cost very close to the parts store guy's. Plus you are not building a relationship with your local dealer if you are not in his store. Smart dealers like to know that FTR members are their customers and some even offer a discount to us. Show them your card and ask them what their support program is. They want to see your interest in their products and the store stickers on your hauler and scooter. Tires that are not popular will sit in a shipping warehouse just like they will at a dealers store. Good tires are a cost concern for off-road scoots because they don't last long if you ride every weekend. Buy the popular ones that are in stock, with a new tube, and build that relationship with your local dealer as an FTR member.

Hey,W'sup Dog?  I race hare scrambles with a 94 RM125. The bike is running great, except for the fact that it got a little beat up at the last Venice race, but that is beside the point. My question is, I worry about some of high mileage, or 4 to 5 lap races because of the size of my gas tank. I was told nobody offers an oversize tank, was I misinformed? Also what is the adapted reservoir I see on the front plate of some racers bikes? Is that a good solution to my problem?? Thanx Dog, ScreaminSeaman#77.

Pitdog: Larger fuel tanks were made for the 94, just not anymore. That and other parts will become a continued problem as time marches on. I've seen front number plate tanks used at or events, even by fast guys, I just don't like the idea of having that fuel up there with lines running to the main tank. You need to find your fuel mileage at a race pace first of all. Do that by topping off a fuel tank after practice and doing the math, or testing on a fun ride at race pace. You could also add up to a gallon in ten seconds at a pit stop if you practice the art with your pit crew.

PitDog, Do you have any thoughts on how to 'eat well' ? What foods are good for helping to get in shape, stay in shape, and have a high energy level for competition?

Pitdog: The Pitdog was brought up on the U. S. of A. Government's recommendation for pets and farm animals for maximum health. This, however, made him kinda large. ( Witness my picture). After some research, I also discovered the recommendations for human health were very similar to fat animals and that's why people are more fat than ever! Scientist looking for the answer to this discovered that remote lifestyles, like Eskimos, live on what they can kill and harvest. So they eat animal meat with all the fat, nuts, berries, some grains, and hardly any starch or sugar. With this limited intake and the harshest environment, they are still much healthier than people following the USDA recommend food groups. So is it the cold air? Hardly, it's the protein, fat, and minerals without starch and sugar in their diet. By the way, they also have excellent mental health, and live an awful long time.
    What these scientist discovered is that foods that are low in starch, reduce the insulin swings that are produced to combat the sugars from the starch. As a result an even metabolism is the reward. Cholesterol levels balance out, and the need to eat between meals is gone. For the Pitdog, this means he can have more brown bottles before dinner, green in Kevin's pit. (Gotta be a little bad.)
    So what should we eat? Well, since we as riders want to have endurance, we need lasting power in our muscles. Since our muscles are mostly protein and fat, guess what? Now we can buy that double cheese burger as long as we throw out the bun. Fill up on green vegetables and nuts. Dairy products and eggs are good. If your muscles are strong at the beginning of an event, just a power bar to kick the nervous system is all you will need for your best performance.
    To find out more about this, look for the 'Power from Protein Plan.' Also get off that couch after work and go ride that mountain bike sitting in the shed. You'll find the Pitdog out there, lean and mean.

Dear Pitdog. I just bought a 1987 Yamaha XT350. What would you suggest for a pipe and silencer, stock or after-market?

Pitdog: Well, since your new purchase is basically a mechanical mountain goat, and you'll not want to bother the other mountain goats when you ride, I'd get a stock silencer because it's quiet. Replacing the stock pipe will add very little, unless of course it's rusted out. Shop around in the scrap yards for an old stocker because finding a new one will be bucks up.

Hey Pitdog. I am rebuilding my 97 CR250 top end for it's my first time.  I am also trying to clean out the exhaust valves.  I may have already made a mistake. I disassembled all the easy stuff on the power-valve but there is some parts that the manual says I better wait on. I scraped a lot of carbon off. I also sprayed some carb cleaner in it thinking it might loosen up some grit, is there a problem with this?  What should I use to re-grease it?  Do I need to worry about cleaning exhaust and intake areas that are hard to reach?  Any other advice... I read a lot on it.  Thanks    Willy

Pitdog: Sounds like you got yourself into a pile of dog dodo. No fault of mine, understand. What the manual is referring to is the section that needs to be timed. Most home tuners use oven cleaner on their cylinders so they won't have to take everything apart. The system can be lubed with premix oil since that's what keeps it lubed anyway. Be warned, this is not a system you will want to play with without getting it back correctly. It will make a huge difference in the power delivery. You should at least have your cylinder looked at by a tuner when you take it apart for maintenance. Even a new piston will be junk in short order when it has a problem.

What's up Dogg? Just wondering what you can tell me about reeds.  What are they and what do they do?  I'm new in the sport and just wanted to know a little more before I buy a bike.  Thanks a lot.

Pitdog: No problemo. Most people know the system of valves in an engine because of their lawnmower or their car. Simply put, valves close in time with the compression stroke to hold in the compression until the spark plug lights it off. This type of system is found in 4 strokes. In a 2 stroke motor, the reeds replace the valves in the intake, sort of. The reeds look like flaps and are after the carb so that the compression does not blow back in the intake when the cylinder pressures up. This system keeps the flow of the fuel charge traveling to the cylinder, sort of. Since they are simple one way gates, they cannot shut completely off during compression and that's why I say 'sort of.' A small part of the charge does get back into the intake which is a tuning dilemma and one reason for intake location and length. The exhaust system also pays an important part in the deal. Reeds can wear out and break so they need to be inspected when the cylinder comes off for maintenance. There are also different design reeds for tuning changes. Bottom line is, they play an important roll and are a cheap fix.

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