u/turdbucket007

Whats a good spot to start looking other than LBS, closest one is 2.5 hrs away, so i need some ideas before i go.

Probably buy used for price considerations on Upway, but figured ild ask here. Will be riding with my 14yo daughter who currently rides a trail bike in XC, but wants to hit single track trails soon. So, i know ebikes are heavier, but whats light, nimble, fun, but a decent price? Maybe under $5k USD.

Full power vs SL, trails, all-country vs downcountry?

Spec. Levo, Orbea, ??? So many choices... Whats the right one?

I know, its all personal opinion.

5'10", maybe 31" ish inseam (not measured, going by 32 pants), about 155 lbs. Not sure what else may be needed.

For reference, we live near the NWA area of Arkansas for type of trails. My daughter is a 1st year ,14yo XC racer on a Ghost Lanao trails bike. Ive never ridden MTB before, only street bikes and ATV motocross (YEARS AGO).

Would this be too much bike for a newbie? Local Yamaha dealer has a left over 2024 model that i could trade my street bike for, but i know nothing... Obviously im gonna try to sell my streetbike outright to get more for it than a dealer trade-in. But I'm hesitant on the cost of an E-mtb when i dont even know if im gonna like the sport. I assume i would...

Or should i start on a analog and build up to my daughters ability so we can truly ride together.

I guess ild be looking for more of a trails bike, where does this Intense fall, trails, enduro, downhill?

So Ive been trying to learn about mtbs and emtbs, and such.

Im trying to figure out whats better for the riding style i plan on. Since I'll be riding with my daughter (or trying to keep with her) I'm pretty settled on a full sus emtb. She races NICA XC right now, but in the off season, she want to make it out to the more aggressive blue and occasionally black trails (as she progresses). So would i be looking for a trails bike, enduro bike or other? Im assuming trails.

I was looking at the Aventon Current ADV, but then i saw its listed as an Enduro, would that be a problem? Whats the difference? Maybe a Giant Stance E+2, or a GASGAS G Light Trail 2.0.

Please explain this in a gradeschool fashion, lol. Coming from the streetbike (Ninjas), none of this info is computing well in my head. With crotch rockets, you get what you get, with bicycles, theres different riding style geometry, frame sizes, etc. kind of an overload for a newbie...

Should i be looking at new, or used from a reputable shop, is something like Upway trustworthy? Ah! Too many choices! 😞😕

If looking at used, what kind of mileage is considered too high? So many questions, sorry. Again, complete newbie here....

As the title says, is there a good used market for class 1 e-MTB out there?

I live out in Marion County near Bull Shoals Lake, so nothing out this way... Only 1 bike shop in town, really small and only open on a day that I dont buy/sell.

Never MTB before, Daughters part of NICA, and i want to start riding Blue trails with her in the off season from racing, (she said she'll teach me, lol). She rides an analog Ghost Lanao FS4.

Been trying to learn about bikes and am interested in the Aventon Current ADV. BUT am open to other ideas for the right price.

If i went new, the Aventon would be about my budget limit, because i would need at least a 2 bike rack, rated for e-bike weight, helmet, riding shoes, etc just to get started.... So kinda limited on budget. Plus a house addition as we have a new baby on the way after 15 year's!!!

I was originally thinking analog bike, but most everybody has me convinced in an E bike as my daughter is in NICA and just picking up the pace with every practice and race, and I've never ridden MTB before, AND her head coach is already talked to me about joining as he might be loosing a coach after this year since that coaches kid is graduating, so it's his last year, and coaches end up riding sometimes MORE than the kids do...

Whew, mouth full. Sorry 😐

- Current bike rack is an ALLEN 3 bike hitch mount, but only rated for 32# per bike, top tube hanging style.

- Yes I already have shoes, but they're really thin barefoot shoes, probably not good for MTB'ing. (Im assuming)

Maybe LEM's Trail Thrasher?

So my 14 yo daughter recently started XC racing. When racing season is over she want to hit some trails in NWA since we live about 2 hours out (East of Harrison). Anyways, watching her XC races, talking to other parent's and coaches, and not wanting to let my 14 yo loose on a trail by herself, ive kinda gotten the itch to try it myself.

So I'm 5'10", about 155 lbs, fairly active, hike 10-30 miles with anywhere from a daypack to 30+ lb backpack, run about a 27 min 5k, active mechanic and homesteader, so maybe not the best shape i could be in, but not bad for 47 either....

And y'all know the terrain around NWA. My daughters last NICA plains XC race she was getting 19 - 20 min. lap times.

So for me.... Should i be looking at analog or e-mtb, hard tail or full sus? (Not the best knees or lower back, tendonitis flare ups in right elbow).

I know, everyone is going to have their own opinions, just throw them at me. Im trying to decipher all this online info.... Its a LOT to take it. I've been a street bike (Ninja) rider for MANY years, so this is all new territory....

Please help,

and if you can recommend any trustworthy reputable shops, let me know. I know NOTHING about pedal bikes

Been watching some videos about the Aventon Current ADV, dont want to bug my daughter coaches because their working with the kids.... Although the head coach offered to loan me an Ascend bike for the rest of the season if i wanted to try it out.

Getting ready to sell two 2026 KRT edition 500, one is base model near 2800 miles, the other is an ABS SE what's around 1700 miles ish.... Both have shorty levers installed and I stunt slip ons still have all original components also.

What would be an honest asking price for these bikes, as i cant find an online value site for 2026.... Like kbb.

The base model (mine with prior riding experience) is spotless.

ABS SE (wifes), has a very slightly bent rear brake lever and 1 or 2 small scratches from a lay over at an awkward angled intersection stop. This one is also lowered 1 ½" for her.

To start, I don't do much night driving as my night vision is horrible, but for the off chance that I'm out late like last week coming home from my daughters house visiting with my grandchildren....

So I have done the garage door measurement for Vertical adjustment, may have adjusted slightly too high, will have to test next time I get caught after dark, as its still too light in the mornings when driving to work.

But when I attempted to adjust the Horizontal, it didn't seem to do anything. Has anyone experienced this also?

Last week my beam, was pointed front and center LOW, so now I've got it higher, BUT, that still doesn't help for corners, so I would like to spread the beams apart some. Maybe horizontal just takes a lot more turns...? Or maybe since Ive got it higher now that will help illuminate the turns better?

Anyone know of any reputable online used parts sites? Found a couple but their online parts lookup dont even list a 24-26 Ninja 500. Nothing I'm specifically looking for, but there used to be motorcycle salvage parts dealers several years ago like there is for cars/trucks. Do people just not work on their own stuff anymore? Or are sportbikes not as popular as they once were?

I Live in the Ozarks with a ton of beautifully twisted roads for example, and hardly ever see other bikes besides in town (BORING!)

I have a '26 500 Base model KRT. Anyone know of a good usb port to add that may possibly fit in the oem slot? And what wires to splice into? I would like it to somewhat appear factory without paying $95 for the kawasaki usb.

Or is there a plug for sale to make an easy connection to the existing wiring harness plug?

I should be able to pin out a plug, its just a matter of knowing what plug to get.

Look for a smaller tent for the wife and I. Currently have a 3FUL Taigi 3 that we've fit 4 in for our Grand Canyon R2R trip. (Only I used a 20" sleeping pad, the girls roughed it on the ground, lol)

So I'm considering either the Featherstone Backbone 2p (currently out of stock) or the SMD Lunar Duo Outfitter.

The Backbone is tip down

The DUO is tip up and I would have to seam seal it.

Any thought or advice on either? Never used a trekking pole tent, but tip up trekking poles makes me think of a rip hazard? And how difficult or time consuming is seam sealing?

Are there any trustworthy companies out there making/selling good BUDGET semi-ultralight down sleeping bags, under say $200. I'm looking at getting 3, thats why the lower budget per bag...

My wife is a cold sleeper so probably need a 0° or 15° for her. But myself and daughter could probably get away with a little warmer?

Was hoping for something lighter and smaller (stuffed size) than the Kelty Cosmic 20° that everyone mentions.

Any reports on Teton, Featherstone, Aegismax, Amazon, others? Needing something by November for a 3day/2night, wilderness survival camp.

I could possibly do a quilt, but for my wife and daughter would have to be mummy bag.

TIA

Does anyone use, have a review, or can recommend AARN bodypacks? Most reviews I'm finding are 5 years old or more... I know everything is going the way of ultralight, but I'm not there yet. Current pack jabs me in the back regardless of how I pack it, bruises my hips, and makes my arms go numb even though the straps aren't that tight, the shoulder straps just seem too thin and dig into my shoulders unless I have them so loose the bag is floppy. But I'm also thin and kind of boney.

I like the idea of torso adjustment on the fly and the articulation and balance factors of the AARN. Two or three different REI shops have measured my torso three different sizes, so apparently they're not very well trained....

And Ive had prior back and neck injuries from car and motocross accidents, so this also makes the AARN look good.

SOMEONES got to be using these packs somewhere.

So I got my 1st Subaru, 2022 Crosstrek with 19xxx miles, now at 24xxx. Getting within range of the 30xxx cvt oil chnage.

So what's the norm, drain & fill or drain/flush/fill?

Is this something to diy, or have a trusted shop do?

Ive crawled under and dont quite understand how to fill without some sort of pressurized or pumpable device.

Found a Subaru shop (Subiegurus) in Rogers, Ar. But that's 2 hours away from me.

Also, is there a preferred oil to use other than ordering Subaru branded cvt oil? Aftermarket thats ok to use?

Thanks in advance

Any other tips?

Is there anyone who has Recently taken the motorcycle skills test (preferably at Bellefonte, Boone County). I've been licensed for about 27 years, but my wife recently decided we should get a bike again since the kids are older, on 1 condition, she gets her own and learns to ride... So, long story short... Day 1, had her working on clutch control, starting, moving 20ft, and stopping, over and over... Day 2 weaving between cones (rocks) about 12ft apart about 7mph? From a stop, accelerate to 20mph and stop within about 20ft. Doing fine with U-turns. So focused on the clutch, brake and gas, that we still need to work on the other controls while in motion.... (Hi/low, turn signals, horn, etc) But she knows where they're at, its just doing them while she's in motion needs work....

So, what's ACTUALLY on the test? I'm just going off memory from a military MSF course over 25 yrs ago....

For reference, I just completed my first overnight trip at Grand Canyon National Park, did the R2R, with a Granite Gear Blaze 60, fully packed with food and water, about 36 lbs. Give or take. Now some may say this is too much for a 1 nighter, but I'm the Man, Husband, Dad of my wife and 2 teenage daughters, so I'm the load hauler.... And our "ultralight" family tent is a 5'ish lb 3ful Taigi 3 tent, all 4 of us fit with no room to spare, no bags inside, etc. with 20" pads.

Either way, the GG Blaze did not perform as I had hoped. Waist belt dug in and flexed too much, bruised hips, shoulder straps dug in to shoulders and ribs. The weight felt too low like it was sitting on my butt, and it felt like something was jabbing the right side of my spine the entire trip, even though it has a plastic framesheet and i evenly loaded it with the tent pack standing up centered...

Ready to look elsewhere... Even tried the 19, 20 & 21 settings for the shoulder straps, nothing helped. Normally a 31-32" waist and i even had the flex fit belt down to 28".

For additional info, 47 yr old, 5'10", 155 lbs. Thin build... No hips, no butt as my wife says... Had my torso measured by .y wife and 2 different REI store anywhere from 19.25 to 21.5??? Who's right? Who knows?

Been thinking about an AARN bodypack Natural Balance or Effortless Rythm, Osprey Aether, or other suggestions?

Prefer larger load capacity and when i dont have enough items to fill the space, i dont compress my sleeping bag to help take up extra room, or just put my tent in loose to fill voids. Maybe a little bit of "prepper" mindset, also like larger size and weight capacities in mind. Main thing is comfort due to previous low back and neck injuries. The Blaze just wasnt a good choice for me i guess. I'll keep it if i have to, but would prefer to move past it.

Thought? Suggestions? Am i just an idiot?

In comparison, my daughters Osprey Renn 50 felt great maxed out on torso length, but it was only 24 lbs and I only wore it for 10 minutes around the house.... So not a great comparison, but the Blaze didnt feel right from the get go.

Wish i would have loaded it up and tested it when i first purchased it, but i didnt and it's set in my closet for 2 months untouched. Learned my lesson there...