The BB off-road thread

[Bob_Defly]

Ooh a six days, noice!

[Hungrymc]

I threw my leg over a dirt bike for the first time last August (wish I had tried it earlier). Green lanes at the moment but might get a bit more adventurous through this year.

Am having as much fun as I've ever had on a bike and really enjoying having to learn a different way of riding compared to road bikes.

What I wasn't expecting was the sheer amount of cleaning and servicing needed....



I joined the local TRF group a few months ago, a really good bunch and loads of rides and events on.

[Tiggsy]

My GF and I picked up our first green lane bikes last spring as a hobby to do together - she had just passed her test and I rode sports bikes 15 years ago. Managed to get to Spain/France and then Africa last year - few more trips planned this year (eastern Europe) and try to get out every other weekend when kids/granparenting duties are not affected!

Us in Africa (we are as new to making daft videos as we are off roading!!!)

https://youtu.be/yYLQubGlnU4

[wuckfitracing]

Got my first trial a week on Sunday.

[Deranged Granny]

Tiggsy said:

My GF and I picked up our first green lane bikes last spring as a hobby to do together - she had just passed her test and I rode sports bikes 15 years ago. Managed to get to Spain/France and then Africa last year - few more trips planned this year (eastern Europe) and try to get out every other weekend when kids/granparenting duties are not affected!

Us in Africa (we are as new to making daft videos as we are off roading!!!)

https://youtu.be/yYLQubGlnU4

Awesome

[jamiehamy]

[MotorsportTom]

Only proper wheelie photo I have across any bikes I've ridden. My excuse for it being so small is it was cold.

The wheelie however is because I'm st and spotted the photographer late

[Bikesalot]

I knew the OE Dunlops wouldn't stand a chance in the soggy, thick, clay path but I still bloody went and gave it a go didn't I.

No damage done. Took me almost an hour to turn the bike around and get it out the track. Wheels just kept sinking.

Won't be doing that again without the knoblies on!

[Tiggsy]

There should be fund that Charlie and Obi Wan pay into each year and is used to fund repairs to giant ADV bikes that get damaged off road. Bit like making big tobacco chip in on health care!

[anonymous-user]

A recent trail ride which started in Bangkok to Kanchanaburi on road, following day was a massive trail that runs all the way to the Burmese border. It went from wide open sandy/dirt trails to approx 15 water crossings, into some dense bamboo forests, to steep technical rutted single and double track all the way to the top of the mountain which is the military outpost for the Thais where the bike is parked (on the helipad) and that's the Burmese outpost in the background on the hill top.

Best trails I've ridden so far anywhere.

The trusty modified CRF250L never missed a beat. Plan on going back in a couple of weeks and tackling some other trails there but the clutch needs replaced first. Parts on order tho!

[MotorsportTom]

DoubleTime said:

A recent trail ride which started in Bangkok to Kanchanaburi on road, following day was a massive trail that runs all the way to the Burmese border. It went from wide open sandy/dirt trails to approx 15 water crossings, into some dense bamboo forests, to steep technical rutted single and double track all the way to the top of the mountain which is the military outpost for the Thais where the bike is parked (on the helipad) and that's the Burmese outpost in the background on the hill top.

Best trails I've ridden so far anywhere.

The trusty modified CRF250L never missed a beat. Plan on going back in a couple of weeks and tackling some other trails there but the clutch needs replaced first. Parts on order tho!

That looks fantastic! How legal is that type of riding there or is it a case of if it's ride able it's allowed?

Look forward to seeing more photos of your adventures

[anonymous-user]

MotorsportTom said:

That looks fantastic! How legal is that type of riding there or is it a case of if it's ride able it's allowed?

Look forward to seeing more photos of your adventures

It's largely accepted so long as

A. You don't fk with any of the farmers crops
B. It isn't fenced off private land (which most of it isnt, including farms)
C. A fenced off national park (although plentiful parks you can ride that are open)
D. You ask the guard (if there is one) if it's cool to enter the trail

Mostly though the Thais love seeing the bikes. Smiles almost everywhere you go which is breath of fresh air compared to where I came from in the UK.

It's lots of fun!

[crusty]

Did the Portsmouth MCC Mudfest on Sunday.

Guess who else was riding? - Sam Sunderland!!!!

So I can say I have raced with him

[Hungrymc]

I keep looking at the "how long until spring" thread and thinking that this is the first year for maybe 20 when I've been on a bike loads through the winter.
Has been at least a whole day out (8 hours) every other weekend over the last few months. All down to having started riding off road (and some great guys at the local TRF and few other friends).

Two pics.... A day in Wales last Saturday and My lad trying out his new Oset on Sunday...…

[MotorsportTom]

I'm already sorry as I type it but.... does anyone have recommendations for a road legal enduro tyre (18" rear) that doesn't cost the earth?

I'm not competing or planning to, but do want to get an MOT on the bike at last and do a few practice days and some green lanes. Very unlikely I'll often be on rock so over to you...

[xstian]

Ive been using metzeler 6 days extreme with no complaints.

My mate swears by michelin comp 6. I also hear people say mitas E-09 have a real long life, but probably not as much grip though.

[gazzarose]

I use the new Mich Enduro mediums front and back. They are FIM legal as well should you want to do any events. Much have also just launched the Tracker, which is basically a road legal MX tyre but it's not FIM approved, but if you only laning and not racing then it doesn't matter.

My Mich Med shod bike made it through a 3 hour forest enduro on Sunday right in the middle of Storm Freya.

[poo at Paul's]

MotorsportTom said:

I'm already sorry as I type it but.... does anyone have recommendations for a road legal enduro tyre (18" rear) that doesn't cost the earth?

I'm not competing or planning to, but do want to get an MOT on the bike at last and do a few practice days and some green lanes. Very unlikely I'll often be on rock so over to you...

I use Michelin FIM approved stuff. Seems to work nearly everywhere, road legal, and lasts a decent time too. Michelin Comp 3s for most stuff, there are other versions, but on my 450, used mainly for racing, the Comp 3s work well.

[MotorsportTom]

Looks like Michelin then

Brand new set delivered for £130 doesn't seem too bad but anyone know of somewhere cheaper?

Gazza, was that with the Wales and west club?

[gazzarose]

MotorsportTom said:

Looks like Michelin then

Brand new set delivered for £130 doesn't seem too bad but anyone know of somewhere cheaper?

Gazza, was that with the Wales and west club?

Gladly no, the conditions just getting into the car park looked bad enough there. It was the WTRA Snowrun up in Llandovery. It was supposed to have been 3rd Feb, but ironically it was cancelled due to snow, so it was this Sunday. Cracking day, but a bit of a baptism of fire have it as my first ever event, but good fun tho.

Eta posing picture