First, let me say: I owe return emails to at least eight readers of this site. You will all hear from me today, I think. I decided to celebrate Christmas by not writing to people or texting them back or even answering the phone.
As you can see, it was a great holiday for at least one member of the staff here at this highly-regarded blog…
Back in April, I wrote about my son’s desire for a Yamaha PW50. His experience on his electric motorcycle over the course of the past two seasons has been remarkably positive, so I’ve been considering the idea despite the fact that, you know, I just kind of crippled myself on a motocross bike.
When a member of the local sportbikers’ group listed a Yamaha TTR90 for half the price of a new 50cc bike, I figured this would be a smart way to go about it. With the new bike in the garage, John would be highly motivated to demonstrate his safe and skilful handling of his electric bike this spring. But because it be just a bit too big for him, I wouldn’t feel compelled to get him riding it right away the way I would had I bought him a new CRF50 Honda at the local shop. (That’s something I came this close to doing on Christmas Eve.)
So this morning we rolled out to get it. I was horrified at how enormous and powerful it appears to be. Then John swung a leg over the thing and demonstrated his ability to operate the choke and start it and balance it on tiptoe, which was even more horrifying. I figured he’d be big enough for it when he was eight, or maybe eighteen, or possibly thirty-eight. It’s now apparent that he’ll be flatfooting it come April.
What did I get for Christmas? I’m glad you asked. I got the Lego LMP from Danger Girl, a Star Wars shirt from John, and a new Kiton three-button jacket in electric blue from myself. Now I have something new to wear while I’m hobbling around the Detroit show in two weeks.
As we near the end of the year, I want to (im)personally thank every one of our readers. Some time in January, we are going to reach one million views on this blog. Such a thing seemed highly improbable when I started it, and even when I consider that 72% of our traffic is from my ex-girlfriends hoping to hear that I’ve broken my other leg in a tragic bathtub accident I’m still pleased to have this kind of interest in the modest talent that brother Bark and I bring to the autowriting game. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. And if you have any advice on how to turn the maximum throttle setting down on a TTR90, please feel free to comment below!
Merry Christmas! The throttle housing from the 50 might fit, it has a built in stop you can adjust. Other tricks could be a section of pipe inside the throttle slide to keep it from opening all the way, a washer in the exhaust port to restrict the flow, and masking off the air box with duct tape. Good luck!
Brings back memories of riding a similar 90cc Yamaha at a local amusement park; the bike had seen better days but it was fun. It was a small track and compared to the neighbours turquoise-coloured Honda Monkey the bike was ridiculously powerful but easy to ride because of the torque. Learning to trust the grooves will hold you in the corners took a few laps, and then I could really pick up the pace. I’m sure John will have a blast riding it.
Not sure it makes sense but it’s not so much what, but how you write that keeps me reading. I certainly don’t agree with everything you write, but usually it’s still an enjoyable read and a nice change from all the drivel the internet throws my way. First stumbled upon TTAC and later your musings via a google result for Sajeev’s review of the Gallardo in 2007, back when the site was ruled with an iron fist. Used to read daily but never commented that much over there, yet a few years ago I was personally and very angrily reminded by Herr Schmitt that there is such a thing as a stupid question.
Modest talent my derriere.
Take lots of pictures they will be captured snippets of treasure.
Great job getting him his first bike. He will have quite a few years of fun on that one and he will ALWAYS remember that you got it for him. And I know I don’t have to say anything about keeping safe on a dirt bike here…. But just remember the small bumps he is going to take are going to make him a better man because of it.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all at Riverside Green. Keep up the good work!
I used the throttle limiter screw on my daughter’s PW50 (unfortunately, I installed after she crashed it the first time) and it worked really well. But the “Bic pen” method works if you don’t want to hassle with getting another throttle assembly. Here’s the description of how to do it on thumpertalk.com:
“I think the easiest to do here, and still adjustable, is the bic pen mod. I read it on here a couple of years ago and did it to my sons bike for most of the first season. Just get a bic pen, the one with the white plastic tube that the ink twists into. Take out the ink part(obviously). Cut the white tubing to different lengths from about 1/2″ to 1 1/4″. Put a piece over the throttle cable in the top of the carb. I too would start with one that restricts the slide to about 1/2 way up. If I recall correctly, this was about 3/4 inch. As he gets better, you can put a smaller piece in. This worked great for my son. He did not have the fear of grabbing a handful of gas anymore. Once he had more confidence and experience, I took it out.”
The slide comes off real easy, and you just compress the return spring out of the way with your fingers and slip the section of Bic pen (rubber hose works too, but the plastic is a more positive stop) over the cable. Here’s what it’ll look like when you get it apart: http://i.imgur.com/GA00m.jpg
And don’t let the ninnies tell you otherwise - riding motorcycles makes kids safer, more responsible drivers … you’re actually protecting them by letting them learn the laws of physics first-hand.
Thank you a million for this!
Agreed that Motocycling makes one more aware and therefore much safer .
Please remember to send John to the iron Horse training ~ it really make for better and safer riders .
MERRY CHRISTMAS ! .
I didn’t want anything for Christmas , got to hold my Great Grandson Kai for a long while Friday , SWMBO remembered I’d hated getting socks and undies as a Child but I usually need new ones daily now so she gave me socks and tank tops…. I love this Woman .
BE SAFE ! ride hard , far and wide but always : _SAFELY_ ! .
Yes , this does include going as fast as you can but not every time , every where .
It was 39° F this morning when I foolishly bundled up and rode off into the dark to take my Son , Granddaughter and Daughter In Law to an early breakfast .
Sooner than you think jack , John will be showing you how to ride / drive better and faster , begin laying the groundwork now .
-Nate
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Also if you go to party in Detroit soon that allows pleubians send us a note and I might crash it and add try to add something extra, whatever that means.
Bought my daughter a TTR90 when she was 8. The bike had enough oomph to pull both of us around while I sat on back. Your son has more experience and should be able to handle it fine. My daughter was going WFO in short bursts not long after she started and never got hurt. That being said, I believe there is a clip on the needle you can move to limit power.