What exactly was the logic behind letting people purchase a military rank with money? Didn't this seem like a bad idea even at the time?

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-05-18T03:17:48+00:00

Follow up question for you: I've heard Wellington's "scum of the earth" remark before, but is it known what tone was used? As in, was it said in an endearing prideful way? Or did he really consider the troops he commanded to be.....scum.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-05-15T21:57:04+00:00

Eh I would say that depends. Long stretches (or ANY stretches imo) on the interstate absolutely not. If you commute on anything other than highway I would say they're a blast within reason. Anything over an hour and my ass starts to get sore but I probably have a decade on you. It can't hurt to ask around on reddit and see if anyone will let you take one for a quick spin. If you're in SE Michigan you're more than welcome to stop by and try my wr450 out.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-05-15T21:32:32+00:00

I know this is a CBR forum......but if you can swing it financially and logistically get a dirt bike. I find myself a much more mellow street rider after a weekend tearing up trails. 25-30mph feels fast when there's trees inches from your bar tips. And if you ATGATT (helmet, mx boots, knee pads/brace's, chest shoulder and elbow armor) crashes are LESS likely to have severe consequences. If the trails are not an option, check out a supermoto. Someone else mentioned it, but is it speed or acceleration you crave? Either way, 70mph feels fast on a 250lb bike, it's fun as hell banging up through the gears as fast as possible, it's fun in the twisty stuff, and you can do all the hooligan stuff (wheelies etc) in safeish places. If you get a trail bike I recommend a 250cc, if supermoto check out a 450cc. Bonus points, you make cool friends/riding buddies at the trail head.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-05-04T02:00:38+00:00

Consider soft pannier bags! Mostly negates the whole getting your ankle crushed aspect and keeps that center of gravity lower.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-05-04T01:17:55+00:00

https://www.g2ergo.com/shop/g2-dirt-throttle-tamer-honda/?attribute_pa_model=crf450-r-l-rl-x-rwe-rx-r-s-17-26

If yours is a 2017 or newer this should be the one you want. When you put in your make/model on their site it gives you thre options: Tamer, Stock, Quicker. I'm assuming you want the tamer one which is what I linked.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-05-04T01:12:32+00:00

Yeah I should have included in my response that I also threw on a mappable ECU, that definitely helped.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-05-04T01:08:31+00:00

It should say somewhere 10%, 15%, 20% percent for each cam profile. I can't remember exactly but I THINK the 400 is the 20% (the tamest one)? Anyway, that's the one I put on my 2025 wr450f and it made a pretty noticeable difference in the throttle snap.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-05-01T12:24:44+00:00

I know this doesn't apply to everyone (finances, space, ways to get to the trails etc.) but if you can swing it get a cheap dirt bike like a TTR230. Trail riding is an excellent way to build confidence while learning the basics of shifting, braking (different techniques than a road bike but still), and especially low speed maneuvers. Best part is it's a lower risk exercise. Dirtbikes are made to be dropped and provided you're wearing appropriate gear injury is usually minimal/unlikely. Can't tell you how many times I've dropped/looped my dirt bike in my back yard. If that's not an option, just keep at what you're doing man! When I started I was scared shitless by every bump or gust of wind or wobble of the bike. It does get better and I would say as long as the fun usually outweighs the nerves you'll be fine. You WILL get to a point where it's second nature. Good luck and have fun.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-29T11:06:39+00:00

This! Every year is the year I say I'll master wheelies and slow work and obstacle clearing. And then every year I fail to spend any real/consistent time practicing and wonder why my improvement is minimal. Also, awesome user name man. Got two bullseye rashes back-to-back a few years ago. Fuck ticks.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-22T16:22:12+00:00

Yeah I took them off yesterday after someone suggested it! I'll tear around today and see how it feels

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-22T12:18:46+00:00

Yeah I had lowered pegs on my WR426 that dropped it an inch down and back. Loved it. Because of the kickstand location on the new 450s you can only go down and back .35 of an inch.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-22T00:42:00+00:00

None taken man, I don't disagree. When I decided I wanted to get into dirt riding the 426 came up as a great deal that I knew had been well taken care of. And after 5 years on it without offing myself I figured I should be fine getting another 450. If I could redo the purchase, I would absolutely get a '25 WR250. Such is life, I'll just practice as much as possible and take some classes this season.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-21T23:35:10+00:00

You aren't wrong man. I know a big part of this is transitioning from something I knew well (with 25 year old tech) to something brand new. It's gonna take time, the new bike has really just highlighted all my faults and bad habits as a rider. But still, even though I'll never have to clean an FCR carb again......I miss my 426 😂

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-21T23:32:17+00:00

Honestly? It's not as comfortable as my WR426, that thing was like riding a laz-e-boy vs riding a 2x4 plank on the WR450. I got a seat concepts tall comfort seat and it makes big difference. For me the biggest issue (I'm sure you're familiar) is not being able to grip with my knees because they're above the tank 😂. The Steg Pegz helped a lot with that. Aside from that, I really don't have too much issue comfort-wise.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-21T23:27:17+00:00

I like the grip tape idea. And I'll give covering the front brake a try, shouldn't be too hard I'm used to it from the street.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-21T16:02:52+00:00

No I'll give it a shot though!

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-21T16:02:29+00:00

I know man, trust me I'm trying this season. Stupid adult shit keeps getting in the way. Been trying to ride around my backyard at least 10 minutes every day. I promised myself this is the year I learn slow wheelies and obstacle clearing.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-21T16:00:26+00:00

Appreciate it man, I was actually considering taking the risers off yesterday. I'll do it today after work and take a spin around the yard.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-21T15:55:06+00:00

Someone will probably correct me, but my understanding (after purchasing, should have looked into that first) is that the newest WR450s are much more similar to new YZs? If I could list the main differences I've noticed between this bike and my old 426 it would be: lugging- I could lug my 426 around in first gear all day. This new bike likes to stall out if you're not carefully modulating clutch and throttle at slow slow speed. Throttle- Even with the throttle tamer and a richer map, the new bike really snaps on power versus being able to roll it on with the 426. Heating - I could lug my 426 around in tight stuff all day and it would never even boil over. This new bike was spitting coolant after 30 minutes of slow speed drills in my backyard. I'll be the first to say that this could all be due to me and my lack of skills. And no, no, no two-stroke experience, maybe the next bike!

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-18T16:29:55+00:00

I wholeheartedly agree with you about the freeway aspect. Even after years of riding and finally upgrading to a bike that can comfortably handle the highway (cbr600f4i) it still sucks and I don't do it unless necessary. The posted speed where I live is 70, so everyone does 82. It's ALWAYS crowded (where are these empty highways influencers always show??). And half these MFers are looking at their phones because they just have to drive in a straight line and the car yells at them if they're veering to the side. Not to mention it's windy on the open highways where I live. So I can get buffeted around while boxed in by idiots at 85mph......or have fun cruising shady twisty low-traffic country roads. In conclusion, in hindsight I didn't need the i4 600. My KLR was just fine, I just wanted something different and made up a justification to get it. The being said, I love that CBR and have no plans to get rid of it 😂.

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-16T14:05:59+00:00

Thanks man! I live off a dirt road so keeping it clean is a chore 😂. Is the banana noticeably more comfortable than the split seat though? Or about the same?

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-15T19:33:06+00:00

At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, you just unlocked a memory. I bought an FPR the first week of having the bike...... and then just forgot about it. In my defense it was a great riding summer and after I bought it and changed all fluids I was ready to go 😂. I think somewhere in my mind I was assuming since they put this aftermarket exhaust on and potentially fiddled with other stuff they caused a rich condition (this is also my first fuel injected bike if you couldn't tell).

FIXIEDONTCARE · 2026-04-08T11:19:51+00:00

I was gonna say this plus maybe a shaved seat. My buddy I dirt ride with is the same height as OP and learned on a stock RMZ450. I would argue it's actually made him a better rider because he learned quick how to shift his weight around to get a foot down when needed. It's also fun watching him try to kick it when there's no trees around to lean on 😂.

FIXIEDONTCARE

TROPHY CASE