Stepping into darkness with a Pumpkin, or...

[Mad Dog]

Starting to see the light.

18 mos. ago I had my worst crash ever. The way it happened had me questioning if I should even ride a dirt bike again.
The thing is motorcycles are a part of me as much as blood runs in my veins.
I have been wanting a new KTM for some time now. Having a hard time justifying the money I was looking for a way to step into it softly.
But what to get??
530/525, 450, 400.
What I wanted was a trail / single track friendly ride that would not be boring. I was leaning heavy on the 450 when I read that Malcom Smith's favorite ride is 400 EXC / XC-W. Why is that? The man can ride anything he wants, 2 stroke, 4 stroke, big bore, small bore. He became and made famous Husqvarna. But he's on a KTM? Maybe he's sponsored? He own's a freakin dealership, he can ride anything he wants!!!
I'm no Malcolm Smith, not now, not then, not ever.
But I wanted to find out why. So I looked and found a very nice 07.

Notice it has a few tid bits on it along with full Ohlins.
I often wondered how good Ohlins are? This is the only way I'd find out because I'm not the kind of guy who would shell out the dough for them.
A little more info and I find out it was ridden and competed by a rather well known individual. So I had him sign front number plate.

Yep, it's the man's personal demo for the last 3 years.
To be able to buy a bike that has been set up and dialed in by a person of his stature, let alone 'The Man' himself is almost surreal.
You see guys I have been around long enough to have seen 'On Any Sunday' the first time around, at the theatre. I went 3 maybe 4 times.
After I did the deal and before I had even ridden it I told the wife I feel like a kid again. She said.......you're acting like one. Life's good.
Then I rode it. Life's better.

So after convincing the wife how much better life would be with one more motorcycle in the garage. It just might be the Holy Grail of off road motorcycles, she comes home to this.

I out weigh Malcolm by about 50lbs. It's out for springs.

So, is the 400 EXC the perfect off road bike for me?
Further research is needed.

[NightBiker07]

Well, there is no point in living if you arent doing what you like. would you rather be safe and die wishing you would have continued riding, or have died while riding?

hell, you just might get run over by an airplane tomorrow out on your morning stroll, so have as much fun here while you can.

as for the darkness.......well, i want 3 bikes in my stable. i want the 250 i have now to become a 500, i want a 07-08 YZ250, and i want a 450 thumper of some kind. I like the small framed 09 CRF, but i dont want their problemchild Fuel Injection. i like small-statured bikes, a 125 is my favorite bike size, but the motors arent enough for me at all.

cool new bike! just be careful out there, and have fun!

[sabreguy]

NICE

[NightBiker07]

What happened with the crash, if you dont mind me asking?

[Mad Dog]

I drove it right into the trees at about 40 mph.
Broke my scapula, rearranged my neck and spine. Wasted my Helmet.
Could have been alot worse without my Leatt. I'm a believer.

[NightBiker07]

I drove it right into the trees at about 40 mph.
Broke my scapula, rearranged my neck and spine. Wasted my Helmet.
Could have been alot worse without my Leatt. I'm a believer.

What happened that directed you to the trees? ive narrowly escaped a few high-speed tree tackles myself.