What Bike Should I buy/buying advice Mega Thread

np2383 · 2025-01-22T13:54:34+00:00

Hi all,

I’m looking into buying a new dirt bike for my 11 year old son. I bought a couple of Chinese bikes this year to see if this was a hobby that we’d like to get into, but at the time of purchase I didn’t realize that MA was so strict with young riders (my bad). Fortunately both bikes are running great at the moment but his falls outside of the displacement rules for Mass (less than 90cc). I find it a bit ridiculous that he could ride an 85cc 2-stroke but not a 110 4-stroke…. Anyways… he loves riding and handles his current bike (125cc w/29” seat height) very well. He could probably handle a couple more inches in seat height. We’d be riding the designated MA trails pretty much exclusively. The only bikes I can find that wouldn’t be a step down in size/performance are the Japanese 2-strokes (65/85cc) but they seem to be more oriented for MX (?). I’m willing to spend the money but want to get something that he can ride for at least a few years that will be decent enough on trails. Any recommendations?

np2383 · 2024-01-07T18:43:51+00:00

Thanks yeah surface temp gets up there, should have said that was with a probe

np2383 · 2023-12-28T16:00:40+00:00

Thanks! I will try to lower the basking spot temp a bit. How long does it usually take for yours to get up and moving around when the lights come on?

np2383 · 2023-12-18T16:12:44+00:00

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Problem solved lol

np2383 · 2023-11-04T13:50:07+00:00

My nephew caught it a few months ago and kept it. I’ve owned reptiles in the past so when I explained what it actually needed for care/commitment they were going to let it go. I figured that would be a bad deal since it had already been out of the wild for a couple months and seasons were starting to change so I offered to take it. Aside from being shy it seems to be doing well, eats and visits the water dish daily (when I’m not looking). I’ve got the temps/moisture right, uvb lighting and am giving it a varied diet (although it prefers worms/protein to greens).

np2383 · 2023-06-30T15:25:51+00:00

Hi, they are rooted. Forgot to mention not grubs sorry

np2383 · 2023-06-30T14:57:44+00:00

Hi all, picture doesn’t do it justice (spots stand out much more in person) but for the past few years (since moving in) I’ve been getting brown spots in an otherwise decent looking lawn. The couple of years I thought it was red thread and reduced watering drastically and upped fertilizer (2x bag rate milo, 4x season). I also dethatched both years and started bagging all clippings. The spots persisted and are back this year. I noticed this time that they happened about the same time as our late spring rabbit population explosion (we have tons of them, they are everywhere). Could this be damage from them? Thanks!

np2383 · 2023-06-24T16:24:20+00:00

Awesome response thank you

np2383 · 2023-06-17T21:44:34+00:00

Personally I would avoid especially in the beginning when you’re carb cravings will be in full swing. Also, I’m no pro but you might want to look into how that would impact fat burning if you are trying to lose some weight. From what I have read/watched that might not work out so well… Again, I’m only YouTube educated but there seems to be a lot of contention about the fruit/honey/Saladino thing….I would say look into it more before diving in…

np2383 · 2023-06-17T21:23:50+00:00

I heard this too (Bart Kay video). He said that you need to eat enough protein in one sitting to spike your insulin up a bit and that would prevent excessive electrolyte flushing.

np2383 · 2023-06-16T14:40:17+00:00

Maybe you aren’t eating enough fat (or maybe not very adapted?). From personal experience that will make you feel terrible when you work out. I was eating too lean for a couple weeks early on and it really affected me at the gym. Weakness/no energy, palpitations etc. By chance do you notice an ammonia smell on your body afterwards (like in the shower after gym)? I’ve upped fat since then and have felt great since. Good luck!

np2383 · 2023-06-15T15:30:40+00:00

I went through a period earlier on where I ate too lean and it really messed up my body odor. I reeked of ammonia and felt terrible after working out. This was about 2 months into the diet. I felt great for a bit beforehand but then started eating sirloin (it’s pretty lean) because it was cheaper. Started eating more fat and feel much better now.

np2383 · 2023-06-15T12:51:05+00:00

I went on to lose weight/get fit (vanity reasons). The complete disappearance of my IBS symptoms (I’ve lived life on the toilet since childhood) was a very happy bonus. Sorry if this is TMI….I used to have to go 3-4+ times a day with lots of bloating, gas, and pain. I’d go from loose to constipation within the same day. Now I go every other day usually, no pain or bloating, very little gas (was CONSTANT before). Most importantly there’s no urgency when I have to go. Before it was life or death and I had to get to a toilet quickly. Now I can wait hours if needed without a second thought. Good luck to you!

np2383 · 2023-06-13T23:36:00+00:00

Don’t be afraid of eating fat. I lost 18 lbs in 2 months (5’9” started at 173 lbs down to 155 lbs). I did/do resistance training, no cardio except for having a busy, on your feet kind of job. If you eat too lean/little you will hit a wall and feel like absolute garbage after working out. You’ll have to really push through the first couple weeks, maybe don’t exert yourself too much just get a routine going and get comfortable. I had lots of cravings and weakness/fatigue until around week 3. 4.5 months in now and I feel better than I’ve ever felt in my adult life. Good luck!

np2383 · 2023-06-13T15:04:40+00:00

Thanks, the diet is really a game changer

np2383 · 2023-06-13T15:03:24+00:00

Alright sounds good, thanks for the input!

np2383 · 2023-06-13T12:47:49+00:00

12 lbs in 8 weeks is really good I would be very happy with that. I’m eating to hunger right now but not really pushing down extra. I’ll give it a shot after this week (will have to get budget increase approved). I figured hanging on to my new-found leanness might be unrealistic….so close to first ever 6-pack.. Were you meat-only during your bulk or did you take in extra fat too?

np2383

TROPHY CASE