New to bikes, can't decide..
Discussion
Hi all..
I have always had an interest in motorbikes, and owning one has always been on my bucket list to do, now at the age of 45 I don't want to leave it too late. (if not already
)
The problem is, I can't decide what I want the bike for other than the fact It's something I have always wanted to do..
My current thought is to get a road legal 125cc that has off road capabilities as the thought of racing around a wet muddy field excites me more than using a bike as a method of transport on the road. I have had a full car licence for 27 years and have only ridden a couple of auto mopeds (on holiday) in that time.
Is there such places (non competition) where you can take a bike, pay a fee then ride round until your bored ?
I'm also thinking just get a running project dirt bike, learn the bike, learn the gears etc, find some land then have fun and decide from there, at least I'm not restricted to engine sizes or whatever as 125cc seems to be a premium ? (transportation of said bike isn't an issues)
I Would absolutely love a Yamaha DT125 or KMX 125, but I know these are absolutely well above what I can afford..
What do you think or suggest my route should be
I have always had an interest in motorbikes, and owning one has always been on my bucket list to do, now at the age of 45 I don't want to leave it too late. (if not already
)The problem is, I can't decide what I want the bike for other than the fact It's something I have always wanted to do..
My current thought is to get a road legal 125cc that has off road capabilities as the thought of racing around a wet muddy field excites me more than using a bike as a method of transport on the road. I have had a full car licence for 27 years and have only ridden a couple of auto mopeds (on holiday) in that time.
Is there such places (non competition) where you can take a bike, pay a fee then ride round until your bored ?
I'm also thinking just get a running project dirt bike, learn the bike, learn the gears etc, find some land then have fun and decide from there, at least I'm not restricted to engine sizes or whatever as 125cc seems to be a premium ? (transportation of said bike isn't an issues)
I Would absolutely love a Yamaha DT125 or KMX 125, but I know these are absolutely well above what I can afford..
What do you think or suggest my route should be
ADR-Rick said:
Hi all..
I have always had an interest in motorbikes, and owning one has always been on my bucket list to do, now at the age of 45 I don't want to leave it too late. (if not already )
The problem is, I can't decide what I want the bike for other than the fact It's something I have always wanted to do..
My current thought is to get a road legal 125cc that has off road capabilities as the thought of racing around a wet muddy field excites me more than using a bike as a method of transport on the road. I have had a full car licence for 27 years and have only ridden a couple of auto mopeds (on holiday) in that time.
Is there such places (non competition) where you can take a bike, pay a fee then ride round until your bored ?
I'm also thinking just get a running project dirt bike, learn the bike, learn the gears etc, find some land then have fun and decide from there, at least I'm not restricted to engine sizes or whatever as 125cc seems to be a premium ? (transportation of said bike isn't an issues)
I Would absolutely love a Yamaha DT125 or KMX 125, but I know these are absolutely well above what I can afford..
What do you think or suggest my route should be
You’re going to struggle to get a bike where you can ride to the muddy field, rooms it all day and then ride home easily. Firstly due to tyres and secondly due to fitness. Road tyres don’t work well off-road and vice versa. Your bike is likely to get bashed up a lot off-road. If you don’t mind that then fine. I have always had an interest in motorbikes, and owning one has always been on my bucket list to do, now at the age of 45 I don't want to leave it too late. (if not already
)The problem is, I can't decide what I want the bike for other than the fact It's something I have always wanted to do..
My current thought is to get a road legal 125cc that has off road capabilities as the thought of racing around a wet muddy field excites me more than using a bike as a method of transport on the road. I have had a full car licence for 27 years and have only ridden a couple of auto mopeds (on holiday) in that time.
Is there such places (non competition) where you can take a bike, pay a fee then ride round until your bored ?
I'm also thinking just get a running project dirt bike, learn the bike, learn the gears etc, find some land then have fun and decide from there, at least I'm not restricted to engine sizes or whatever as 125cc seems to be a premium ? (transportation of said bike isn't an issues)
I Would absolutely love a Yamaha DT125 or KMX 125, but I know these are absolutely well above what I can afford..
What do you think or suggest my route should be
Finding a muddy field could be a challenge too. A motocross track will be way too scary, an enduro track better, but see above. Green landing might be an option, but that’s not a muddy field obviously, depends where you are in the country as to what’s available though.
A 125 road legal bike will be a soft lump of mushiness compared to what you’ll need for off-road too.
If you’re going to buy a dedicated off road bike then a 125 2stroke will be an animal, a 4 stroke much nicer. Anything bigger is likely to scare the s
t out of you. I’d go for a bike based on the engine rebuild history and how it runs over any brand / cosmetic prettiness to start with. Depending on where you live, green lanning might be the answer. Knobblies aren’t nice on the road, they’re ok but you always have to keep your thoughts on the fact that you’re on a knobbly front in particular.
I quite like riding an enduro bike on road, you keep the speeds down and have to be a little steady in the corners. Wouldn’t pick one for a longer trip of course.
I’d agree all the points above though. CBT to decide if you like bikes, then DAS so that you’ve got loads more choice of bikes.
I quite like riding an enduro bike on road, you keep the speeds down and have to be a little steady in the corners. Wouldn’t pick one for a longer trip of course.
I’d agree all the points above though. CBT to decide if you like bikes, then DAS so that you’ve got loads more choice of bikes.
I’ve always like the look of the Yamaha TW125 and Suzuki RV125 (Vanvan), look cool with the big ballon type tires and thought they would be perfect green lane type bikes.
Never owned one so not sure what they are actually like, can usually pick them up cheap though so might be an option.
Never owned one so not sure what they are actually like, can usually pick them up cheap though so might be an option.
Lazermilk said:
I’ve always like the look of the Yamaha TW125 and Suzuki RV125 (Vanvan), look cool with the big ballon type tires and thought they would be perfect green lane type bikes.
Never owned one so not sure what they are actually like, can usually pick them up cheap though so might be an option.
Imo (and this goes for 4x4 vehicles too) you need quite narrow tyres for typical UK off road conditions, they provide more traction as they cut through the upper soil layer. If the ground is bone dry it doesn't matter what bike you use, my cbr 600 occasionally goes off road in these conditions if I'm trying to get somewhere.Never owned one so not sure what they are actually like, can usually pick them up cheap though so might be an option.
Hi OP, I am in a similar position.
Loved riding a bit on dirt bikes when I was a kid but not ridden anything with 2 wheels and an engine for the past 30 years.
Depending on where you live there might be an off road centre near you, I live down in Dorset and we have Rogers Hill Raceway and e-nduro. Really looking forward to a session down there to see if it still does it for me.
Loved riding a bit on dirt bikes when I was a kid but not ridden anything with 2 wheels and an engine for the past 30 years.
Depending on where you live there might be an off road centre near you, I live down in Dorset and we have Rogers Hill Raceway and e-nduro. Really looking forward to a session down there to see if it still does it for me.
You don't need a bike licence to do a day at Mick Extance : http://www.mickextanceexperience.com/ultimate.php
However I think you'd get a lot more out of it if you've already done CBT on a geared bike. It's a pretty cheap way to get some time on a bike and see if you like it, and if you do then that's already the first step out of the way.
However I think you'd get a lot more out of it if you've already done CBT on a geared bike. It's a pretty cheap way to get some time on a bike and see if you like it, and if you do then that's already the first step out of the way.
I suggest you book yourself into the Yamaha Offroad Experience in Llanidloes. Probably the best place to learn how to ride off road and it will set you in good stead for the road. New bikes, 10,000 acres to play in and excellent staff. Very reasonably priced and a must for any enthusiastic biker - all levels catered for from beginner through to top pro. The Jones family actually care about bringing you on as a rider, rather than trying to show you how wonderful they are (which is all too common with other training schools cars & bikes). Only issue is you may need to book someway in advance.
roperrich said:
I suggest you book yourself into the Yamaha Offroad Experience in Llanidloes. Probably the best place to learn how to ride off road and it will set you in good stead for the road. New bikes, 10,000 acres to play in and excellent staff. Very reasonably priced and a must for any enthusiastic biker - all levels catered for from beginner through to top pro. The Jones family actually care about bringing you on as a rider, rather than trying to show you how wonderful they are (which is all too common with other training schools cars & bikes). Only issue is you may need to book someway in advance.
I was reading an article about the Yamaha Offroad Experience in a copy of Redline magazine (dated August 1998) just the other day. Looks pretty good fun to me.I started learning to ride on a DTR 125. I had a slight advantage that where I lived was surrounded by huge fields. Off road riding does teach you a lot of useful skills like balance (handy to sit up off the saddle if you get into a tank slapper), low speed control and backing in. Plus when I fell off it was onto wet soil and about 500yards away from the nearest traffic.
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