[Guest]

A bit scary actually but the most fun I have ever had!

Probably not the best first time on a bike, in the hills... private driveway... on a 100R dirt bike.

I started out in 1st, a bit torquey so I was riding in 2nd at low speeds, playing around going up and down the driveway...

When I slowed to stop I shifted into first, I think I kept the throttle pulled and let the clutch out a bit to fast... Basically I popped a wheelie which made me pull the throttle even more ... Eventually I let go of the gas, figured out that I needed to also pull the clutch (good news was the bike was having trouble idealing so it also died right about then) and I "dropped" it (never hit the ground but I basically laid it at a 45 degree angle sideways, its light so I just held it up)...

Kinda made me feel a bit sketch but I think the environment was just a bit to tough to get used to how light to be on the throttle, even on a 100cc the slightest twist of the wrist would lift the front end.

In a parking lot I think I could do a lot better...

But after I got it started (before the small incident) and was cruising up and down the street I felt very confident...

What a rush!

I am going to go out with the bike owner sometime to ride it at an actual dirt bike park, he also has a 50cc I'd like to play around with... Before my MSF (and ultimatly before I get my bike).

 

[CB750F]

Good experiance though. Get as much time on the dirt bike as you can before going to the street or the MSF test. It will give you an idea how stuff works and what control does what. Dirts a little bit softer than asphalt too.

 

[Guest]

thing is

Its a dirt bike... on a paved road...

But ya it was a good experience... I think it was the intense area. I need to take a bike out to a nice empty parking lot so I can concentrate on what I am doing with the controls, not where I am on the one lane windy road...

I'd seriously consider buying a dirt bike initially but I dont have a truck or trailer to get it to dirt biking facilities...

Is it adviced against taking your own bike out to the parking lot to work on basic things, prior to the MSF?

I could see how you may start forming bad habits but having a little comfort on a bike prior to the MSF could also help...

 

[CB750F]

Just get used to the controls, turning, stopping using both brakes and so on. I rode dirt a long time before I rode street. There are a good many things that are the same and a lot of things that are different.

 

[Guest]

thanks

The family member (not super close but still...) that got me and my dad (me into, my dad back into) biking dirt bikes... He took me out for a ride on his Harley and it really turned on the idea in my head....

Maybe I can convince them to take me out sometime for some dirt bike riding...

They have a ton of bikes...

Could be a fun experience to learn a bit and have a good time...

But it would not be financially worth it to start dirt biking (my own bike, gear etc...) just for street practice, would it?

 

[CB750F]

No, but you never know. You might really enjoy riding dirt. If someone is willing to let you use their stuff to learn and try it out on then go for it. i wouldn't buy one unless you were going to ride dirt a good bit. The other option is a dual sport bike, on and off road, if you are so inclined.

 

[Guest]

ya

Ill see if I can set that up... Also the person I road with today and had the small incident will most likely let me give it another shot, this time at a real dirt bike place hopefully

But yeah dual sport, nope... Most are more expensive then the street bike I am looking into (used Ninja 250) and am pretty set on, and I think they look horrible and I cant imagine they perform like a real street/sports bike handling wise...

 

[CB750F]

Well, no they don't perform like a sport bike. they are designed to be decent in the dirt and decent on the street. They don't do either real well but it's the idea they can do either.

 

[Guest]

Ya

I am very set on the ninja 250 and sports bike look in general...

As well as the type of ride...

I wouldnt mind hitting the dirt a few times, but dont see myself getting into it...

 

[CB750F]

Well, no they don't perform like a sport bike. they are designed to be decent in the dirt and decent on the street. They don't do either real well but it's the idea they can do either.

 

[jonny-dh]

I'm 15 and I've ridden for a little over a year. I started on a Honda CRF230F and I rode it a TON and got some great practice in. We have some property in Arkansas(I live in Texas) that we go up to 1 or 2 weekends out of every month. I've had hundreds of hours of riding just off road, not to mention on the street. I have a Ninja 250 that I've had since January. I started by taking it out for a ride around the neighborhood every day. I've ridden two up most of the time, and it's been a breeze. As long as your passenger knows how to lean and to not distract you, it's easy. I spent a month in Asia this summer, and my dad and I rented motorcycles for our transportation in Vietnam. It was a good experience to have, because Vietnam is known for very busy traffic, especially with motorcycles. I still haven't taken the MSF course, but I ride around outside my neighborhood. I'm very comfortable on a bike now, and I know my limits, and I ride like everyone is trying to run me over. Anyway, I just thought I'd chime in. This post turned out to not have a point, but who cares. Have fun riding.

 

[TFee3]

I turned my 250 X-6 Suzuki into a dirt bike by stripping the fenders off it and putting on knobby tires. It worked well both on the street and in the dirt. My friend had a new 185 dirt bike that was street legal, and we went trailing all the time and rode our bikes to the trails. Neither of us had any problems riding on the streets. That said, I'm surprised that one of you said dual sport bikes don't do either dirt or street very well. If you go into ADVrider.com, you'll find that almost all of them who take those long trips in the dirt have dual sport bikes. They seem to do very well. I'm tempted to buy one so I can also ride in the dirt. I know my C90T won't do very well.

 

[CB750F]

If the KLR 650 would have been upgraded in 07 instead of 08 I may have bought one of those instead of the Ninja. The new one looks sweet.

 

[TFee3]

CB750F, you're a lot like me. Every time I walk into a motorcycle shop, I wonder if I made the right decision. I guess I'll live with the one I have.

 

[Guest]

Two points, first, I wouldn't worry about riding before the course. They start from scratch, and have an extremely good technique for teaching the clutch, I'd just wait.

Second, and this is for everyone, riding dirt bikes will make you a better rider on the street. You get used to a lack of traction, and when you encounter that on pavement, you're ready. Kenny Roberts takes all of his road racers and puts them on 100 and 125cc dirt bikes at his ranch and has them race around for practice.