[ev]

no Barbara,
my thoughts were a little different
I do not think you are too sensitive
real fast riders do not insult small bikes
they might call them 'small' but with a smile and respect
the crids I dislike are the weekend warriers, the ones that think they are oh so hot and oh so cool, but are only somewhat fast because they switch off their brains and ride with a crowbar plus they seldom are knowledgeable,
if you can not outrace them to 'earn' their respect you got to shake off their 'big+bad mouthing'
beat them with their own weapons
when I started off-roading self-mockery und over time understatment were my best defence
still use it
and I still have a ball, when they look down on and pitty my XLR200 until it passes their 610, 620, 640
yes, Barbara, a 17horse pitbike can do that, but it takes a lot of sweat, bruises and tears during the years of learning

[EWP Zoul]

Any machine that you can get hurt on is not a toy. A good friend of mine has a KDX200...I can whoop his A$$ in 3rd gear on my YZ250. But the KDX is a blast to ride in the tight trails. Than on the other hand another friend of mine races nationals Hairscrambles on a XR250, and he places in the top 3 and i cant even come close to keeping up with him.
It is skill level not the size of bike you are riding that makes u fast.
The most important thing is ARE YOU having fun. If the bike is too small for your skill level you will get board of it, if you are having fun riding the CRF230 than more power to you. And if the pro racers still bug you about your bike, ask them if they have ever been on one. I am sure they will start to think back to when they were first starting out and have fond memories of a simular machine and a ton of stories too.