Well here it is at last as promised:
I bought my Atomik 160cc Bigfoot of Ebay for a bit above $700. I chose the Bigfoot over the smaller wheeled bikes because I was after a bit more ride height and stability. I know many out there are anti-bigfoot config. So once the bike arrived I undertook the mandatory locktite of all bits and complete fluid change, this is a must. Next thing to do is toss the chain and get a real one, either RK or DID. Great insurance for less than $40, nothing worse than a chain going through your crankcase or foot.
So after the pre-ride jobs it was off to a local track to run it in. My brother-in-law and and his mate were over with there 450s. The Bigfoot was surprising quick even when running in, short changing gears so it didn't rev too much. Kicking it over is a bit of a trick, be careful of that compression kick back, resist opening the throttle too much or the bottom of your foot will know all about it. By the end os the session I was running it at about three quarters and that was enough to keep up with the bigger bikes. I am 5'8" and about 85kg which made the Bigfoot easy to throw around. The front wheel came up on demand, brakes were good, bike felt solid and the ride position was ok. My brother-in-law took it for a hoon. He is about my size and we both agreed that is was more comfortable in terms of ride of ride height than the WR450. Look I am not saying that this bike is better than a WR but for the shorter people of the world having all that travel means our toes hardly touch the ground. It appears Yamaha may have addressed that in the last couple of years.
Anyhow it is not all peaches and cream. If you plan to do any serious riding or jumps then the stock suspension will not do unless you are sub 50kg. I spent $650 and upgraded the front and rear suspension with aftermarket DNM set. Not too hard to fit, just make sure you do the oil change on the forks.
Also the CDI packed up in my second session, that was a pain but easily fixed for $6 for a basic one off ebay or $20 for something a bit better. Oh yeah expect to tubes to pack up.
I have just finished my track which has a series of tabletops, jumps, berms and whoops and this bike does all that great. For the little money the bike and the extras bits cost I think the bike is great value. For those of you out there who are just getting into bikes or just want a bike for a bit of fun then this is worth a look, after all even riding one of these chinese clunkers wishing you could ride like Ricky Carmicheal has got to be better than sitting on a X-box thinking you are Ricky Carmicheal.
I bought my Atomik 160cc Bigfoot of Ebay for a bit above $700. I chose the Bigfoot over the smaller wheeled bikes because I was after a bit more ride height and stability. I know many out there are anti-bigfoot config. So once the bike arrived I undertook the mandatory locktite of all bits and complete fluid change, this is a must. Next thing to do is toss the chain and get a real one, either RK or DID. Great insurance for less than $40, nothing worse than a chain going through your crankcase or foot.
So after the pre-ride jobs it was off to a local track to run it in. My brother-in-law and and his mate were over with there 450s. The Bigfoot was surprising quick even when running in, short changing gears so it didn't rev too much. Kicking it over is a bit of a trick, be careful of that compression kick back, resist opening the throttle too much or the bottom of your foot will know all about it. By the end os the session I was running it at about three quarters and that was enough to keep up with the bigger bikes. I am 5'8" and about 85kg which made the Bigfoot easy to throw around. The front wheel came up on demand, brakes were good, bike felt solid and the ride position was ok. My brother-in-law took it for a hoon. He is about my size and we both agreed that is was more comfortable in terms of ride of ride height than the WR450. Look I am not saying that this bike is better than a WR but for the shorter people of the world having all that travel means our toes hardly touch the ground. It appears Yamaha may have addressed that in the last couple of years.
Anyhow it is not all peaches and cream. If you plan to do any serious riding or jumps then the stock suspension will not do unless you are sub 50kg. I spent $650 and upgraded the front and rear suspension with aftermarket DNM set. Not too hard to fit, just make sure you do the oil change on the forks.
Also the CDI packed up in my second session, that was a pain but easily fixed for $6 for a basic one off ebay or $20 for something a bit better. Oh yeah expect to tubes to pack up.
I have just finished my track which has a series of tabletops, jumps, berms and whoops and this bike does all that great. For the little money the bike and the extras bits cost I think the bike is great value. For those of you out there who are just getting into bikes or just want a bike for a bit of fun then this is worth a look, after all even riding one of these chinese clunkers wishing you could ride like Ricky Carmicheal has got to be better than sitting on a X-box thinking you are Ricky Carmicheal.
