by jlstoo » Tue Jun 24, 2014 5:11 am
68, very healthy, retired at 62 and had been Mountain Biking the trails for many years but when I retired I decided to start enjoying motorized fun for a change so pondered either a dirtbike or a 4 wheeler. Weighed pros and cons of both options for my needs and decided on a trail bike and glad I did.
I first bought a good running older fixer upper blue 200 trail bike, fixed it up fairly nice and the little bike was stolen almost immediately. Neighbors must have sat and watched the progress over the weeks and helped themselves to it.
So again not loyal to any brand I watched Craigslist for awhile and found my 230 (about five years ago) 250 miles away and bought it from a young Air Force Captain over at Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, LA being deployed to middle east. Bike was well maintained, like new not many hours I was told and a fair price delivered to my front door.
I don't think, for my kind of riding that I could have ended up with a better trail bike than the 230.
Easily enough power for me in the sandy and lightly mud, 2nd-4th gear, trails that I ride.
Trail riding the back woods and swamps, primitive camping and fishing are my sports and passions in my retirement.
I am 6'2" about 180lbs and the 230 easily hauls me and a lot of camping and fishing gear.
I am presently tricking the 230 out with new colors and going to OD green plastics to cover the red and white stuff and matte black on all shiny stuff, rims, frame, forks, and motor.
Doing most in Plasti Dip so should be able to revert back to stock colors with little problem if ever I want to go back.
Also recovered seat with digital camo fabric.
DIY PVC racks on front and rear with soft bags all over for gear. Mostly OD and camo military surplus packs and bags. Going to add on too many other bells and whistles, and other ideas, to even begin to mention here.
Two short comings to the 230 for my needs is I would like a kick start for backup and stronger coil for a few small electric accessories but other than that the 230 is perfect for me.
I'll probably never sell it, my last bike in life for me at my age so to speak.