I really wish I could more out of my jugs and pistons, but I guess I just ride way too much. As noted on other threads, I ride in the neighborhood of 500 miles a month, more during the spring and fall race seasons, as I ride 3-4 days a week, so I am putting on 300 miles a week. Since I will be 44 this year, it takes a lot more seat time to be able to run with the kids in the races. Here is my life cycle on the major components:
- On the jug, my spare (that was only 2 years old when swapped) is worn down to the aluminum on the exhaust port side.
- I change pistons at least 3 times a year, but have changed just rings a couple of times and held the number to 2.
- go through 4 rear tires in a year and 2 front tires.
- I have to rebuild the crank one every 2 years
- 2 sets of sprockets a year and one O-ring chain
- a couple of sets of plastic, unless I have a big get-off
- Ironically, I have had the same stabilzer and handlebars for three years. I run Pro Tapers, and actually have 2 extra sets hanging in the van, but have never bent or broken my bars.
- New heavy duty tubes every year, unless I get a flat during a race. I just continue to race on flats, so the tire and tube are toast after the race.
- I have 5 air filters, so I change to a clean filter frequently, and never race on anything but a fresh filter. I never have found dirt in the airbox, reed cage, or crank area, so filtration is sufficient to protect internals.
I guess I just ride too much to get the long life out of components. As a note, until I switched to a 500, I rode KX250's, and would wear out a bike a year. I tried to make a couple last into the second year, but it was always a mistake. With the 500, the bike is so tough that I can get 2 years pretty easily. I am actually going to try and get 3 years out of my current 500.
As you might imagine, I have a great wife, who not only lets me spend lots of money on my hobby, but also manages the pit crew at all of the races.
Rick
