Off road riding :D

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Deepest Wales-
First time ever off road riding and no tuition and we were off! 7.5 hours of riding and by the end it was dusk/darkness as we rode back into the start point.

Many slabs to roll down, loose shail 2nd gear wide open long climbs, slippery deep mud. I must admit as we set off I questioned if I was beyond my depth but the first steep muddy climb over bear rock saw me shouting!

Any other fans? I dont think I can afford it regularly but I'll do it again in Summer

[OCD-Dan]

Haven't done any offroad in over 10 years, but seriously considering getting shut of my MT09, for a light weight ADV so can ride all year round and not worry too much about state of the bike.

Looks and sound like an epic time, that a 250L or 300L?

[Bob_Defly]

Nice!

My intro to off-road riding on a CRF250L got me completely hooked, absolutely love it now.

[Alex9]

I think I love riding off-road too, I just need to get out of my head and build my confidence to go faster!

[Hugo Stiglitz]

250L with riser bar extensions

[Jap90s]

I love it on my T7

Afford ?

Once you've got the bike & gear it's just fuel cost really (man maths)

I think it's a cheap hobby (compared to track days)

[Hugo Stiglitz]

How do you transport the bike?


Or is that man maths

[OCD-Dan]

This is my concern the transportation of the bike, this is why I'm thinking light weight ADV, something I can ride comfortably to easy green lanes/by ways (if there is such a thing)

[Bob_Defly]

I started on a CRF250L, and ended up on a CRF450RL, both are road legal so I just ride to the trails.

I did have a KTM dirt bike in the middle of those which I had to trailer everywhere, but I got tired of doing that which is why I went back to Honda. If you're not fortunate enough to live near trails then you'll need a small trailer and a hitch.

[Fleegle]

Had a little ride out on Sunday with a couple of mates. It was a bit wet.....

[Bob_Defly]

Holy bearings replacement Batman!

[Nothingtoseehere]

Fleegle, that looks like great fun!!

When I was sniffing around it I came across these if useful to anyone:
https://www.outdooractive.com/en/offroad-routes/es...
https://www.essexhighways.org/getting-around/publi...

I hope to give it a go at some point!

[limmy01]

Is there many pay to hire places in the UK? We've been going to toro trials in spain, which is great fun

[crofty1984]

I've got a Himalayan 450 I use for a little light green landing (farm tracks and the like). I'm building a honda 200 based bike to get a bit muddier with.

[PT1984]

Is the CRF300L the direct replacement for the CRF250L? Silly question maybe but I know some Honda off road models are more off road biassed.

[Alex9]

PT1984 said:

Is the CRF300L the direct replacement for the CRF250L? Silly question maybe but I know some Honda off road models are more off road biassed.

I think it's pretty much the replacement yes, although I believe Honda offered both for a while. I think you can see any L models as a tamer, road-friendly version of the enduro bikes.

My only experience on my 300L so far (after 1 ride) is that it feels like a BMX compared to the Africa Twin so I don't feel my opinion on them can be worth much yet!

[PT1984]

I just keep coming back to the 300L as a winter / green lane bike. It will also be a great bike to tinker with, which is something I miss. I just have to pay for the Ducati’s Desmo service first……

[xstian]

I’ve managed to get out the last couple of weekends. It’s very sandy where I am, so not a muddy as above.

[PT1984]

The ramblers will hear you coming on that!

[Freakuk]

Not done it for years, used to have a KTM450EXC and went green laning quite a bit around the peak district, did a few hare & hounds and then onto enduro events.

Also one Xmas out in Vegas I did a day in the desert somewhere with a fast dutch guy.

Every now and again I'm tempted to get another bike, but I'd need a van, or a trailer and a towbar, plus new kit.... which is why I haven't so far.