Getting Back to Basics with the 85cc
Alright, so I finally did it. Got myself an 85cc dirt bike to mess around with. It’s not like those big thumpers I usually ride, this thing’s way smaller. Been thinking about it for a while, just wanted something light and flickable, you know? Something to bring back that raw feeling.
Picked this one up second-hand. Wasn’t perfect, but the bones were good. First thing I did was get it back to my place and give it a good once-over. Didn’t need a fancy checklist or anything, just used my eyes and hands. Checked the tire pressure – felt a bit low, so I pumped them up. Lubed the chain, it looked kinda dry. Checked the oil and coolant levels, topped them off where needed. Basic stuff, really. You gotta do these things, especially with a used bike. You never know how the last guy treated it.
Then came the moment to fire it up. Turned the fuel on, pulled the choke, gave it a good kick. Took a couple of tries, but then it sputtered to life. That two-stroke sound, man! High-pitched and angry. Let it warm up for a bit, blipping the throttle. Seemed okay.
First Impressions and Ride Time
So, I geared up. Nothing fancy, just helmet, gloves, boots. Took it out to that little patch of dirt behind the old warehouse. Threw a leg over. Felt tiny underneath me, almost like a toy after riding bigger bikes for so long. Eased out the clutch, gave it some gas. Whoa, okay! That little engine definitely has a powerband. Below it, kinda sluggish, but once it hits that sweet spot, it takes off!
- Learning the Clutch: Took a few stalls to get the clutch feel right. It engages way quicker than I’m used to.
- Finding the Power: Had to learn to keep the revs up. Short-shifting just doesn’t work well on these little two-strokes. You gotta wring its neck a bit.
- Handling: Super light! You can just throw it around. Made me feel like a kid again, honestly. Makes tight turns so easy.
Spent a good couple of hours just ripping around. Nothing serious, just getting familiar. Fell over once or twice in the loose stuff, low speed, no big deal. That’s part of learning, right? Brushed myself off, picked the bike up – easy peasy because it’s so light – and got back on. Had to make a small adjustment to the idle screw because it felt like it wanted to stall when I chopped the throttle.
It’s funny, messing with this little bike. Makes you appreciate the simple mechanics. No complex electronics, just a carb, an engine, two wheels. You can pretty much see how everything works. Reminds me why I got into bikes in the first place. It’s just fun. Pure, simple, noisy fun. It’s not about going super fast or hitting massive jumps, it’s just about the ride, the tinkering, the feeling of being connected to the machine. Definitely gonna keep playing with this one.
