20 weeks post ACL re-reconstruction

[mxerhale]

Well, 2 days shy of 20 weeks after going under the knife I got back on a bike. I took out my new YZ450 and broke it in with a good 2 hours of riding mostly in the desert but some of it was on a burned out old MX track. I rode alot of big sandy whooped out trails did some small and a couple medium size jumps and I'll be darned if my twice reconstructed knee didn't feel as good as it ever has! I must admit I never had to stick it out to save a tip over but I purposely took it easy on the right turns. I don't know if it was the new doc or the rehab I've been doing, but something is working right. I felt so good today (the dreaded day after) that I did an easy paced 24 mile road bike ride.

[Ranger_450F]

Good deal man glad to hear your out riding again. Now give us the details on the bike. Looks like you have had alot of 4 bangers would like to hear you impressions on the new one vs the others.

[Woody_393]

Sweet mxerhale. Sorry I didn't meet you out there, but family duties called and I answered.

Glad to hear the knee is holding up. And remember, no more frisbee's for you.

I'm with Ranger, what did you think of the bike?

[mxerhale]

I spent the majority of my time being nice breaking it in, but it seems to have more torque right off the bottom than the CRFs that I've ridden and it revs quicker than my old KTM. The forks are still a little stiff (probably not quite broke in yet) and I didn't even set the sag on the rear shock with such little time on it and it seemed to kick a little in some choppy stuff under acceleration but I can tell just sitting on it that the sag is way too high. I didn't want to get real crazy on my first ride back so I can't tell you much,but 2 of my buddies that were with me said I looked alot faster coming out of the turns than I did on my KTM. Next week I think I'll hit a track and be able to give a real ride report.
Maybe you can make it next week Woody.

[Woody_393]

maybe... I may be in Reno at a supermoto event.

Thanks for the info

[DCox]

Mxerhale,

I don't know if you remember me, but I met you back in April when I came out to ride with Woody and other ATMers.

Thanks for the post and congratulations on coming through ACL reconstruction successfully. What knee brace(s) do you use when you ride?

Also congratulations on your recent new purchase. I for one would be very interested in a detailed ride report/analysis when you get the chance. Of particular note would be your perception of its strengths and weaknesses relative to your most familiar (KTM) as well as the CRF450s you have been exposed to (viz., Woody's).

Also, can you post some pics. I really like to see peoples' new bikes!

[mxerhale]

I remember you DCox, you were pushing an empty stroller around the stadium as I recall (even though you didn't have any kids with you). This is, unfortunately, my third "sucessful" ACL recontruction but because of that I have a pair of CTi2s for my poor knees. As for the bike, like I said in an earlier post I need to put in some track time (better comparison to me) and do some jetting and maybe suspension setup this coming weekend and then I'll put up some details on what I think. I'm just about to get a digital camera and I guess I can post some pics but it's just going to be a clean stocker.

[Woody_393]

Looks like the Reno SM adventure is out (my son's birthday is friday, and I can't miss it), so where we going riding saturday?

I'll bring my camera, and we'll make a day of it.

Let me know.

[DCox]

Good recall on the "SX-baggage" mxerhale (no pun intended ). . . .

I was just reading an article in Transworld MX mag about the owner of the CTi2s and a mini bio. Pretty interesting story of the circumstances that led to his development of the knee brace. Also wish I had nailed some stock options on that company when it first went public . . . .

Sorry to hear that you are on fix #3. You must have determination man. In a trials event in 1982 I crashed and drove a tree thorn deep into my knee cap. Ended up with surgery, but nothing invasive like you have experienced.

If I am not mistaken, a off-shoot company of the CTi2s, and owned by the same individual, makes a "pre-injury" knee brace. I believe I am going to get two . . . .

If it does cross your mind, please PM me indicating when you post your review of the YZF450. I am interested in someone with your experience giving an honest appraisal.

Originally posted by mxerhale
I remember you DCox, you were pushing an empty stroller around the stadium as I recall (even though you didn't have any kids with you). This is, unfortunately, my third "sucessful" ACL recontruction but because of that I have a pair of CTi2s for my poor knees. As for the bike, like I said in an earlier post I need to put in some track time (better comparison to me) and do some jetting and maybe suspension setup this coming weekend and then I'll put up some details on what I think. I'm just about to get a digital camera and I guess I can post some pics but it's just going to be a clean stocker.

[MotoMan]

Good deal, glad to hear you are back on the bike and back at it man. I too am just getting back at it, and I know what you are going thru.

But it sure feels good to ride doesn't it?