mariomatrix

I bought the '04 290 and my 13 yr old son the 125 as first bikes for both of us eighteen months ago All the problems you experienced with all the mods to cure them, but the greatest turning point is when my son became a much better rider very very quickly - Then he rode my bike & taught me the way to ride the 290! By riding the 125 I learnt to ride without using the power of the 290 & it really helps, Oh, and a few lessons from Graham Jarvis! "Ride slower, use first gear" The nine tooth sprocket will slow down your minimum speed at tickover in first gear but it makes it snappier off the throttle - I tried the 9 & the 11 and went back to the original gearing ( slipping that cluth is the secret) The greatest improvements to the '04 in order of improvement (That yr. had the most aggresive power) Retard timing & rejet - carb manifold spacer - slow throttle - handlebar position - suspension softened (2.5wt in front - adjusted rear - I weight 70kg) BUT time in the saddle was the most important and falling off about 100+ times practicing was another benchmark