Greenlaning and KTMs
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Discussion

Carrera2

Original Poster:

8,352 posts

255 months

Monday 16th January 2006
quotequote all
Another winters gone by with the 748 tucked up in the garage for fear of rot. It really gets me down - it's no fun riding a sports bike in the wet and cold and all the salt isn't that good for an Italian bike

So I was thinking......I could get a 2-stroke 250cc KTM for about £1500 and grab some off road gear and enjoy the crappy weather by doing some Green Lanes.

Anyone do this? Would you happen to have any maps of where these lanes are and if you think a 250 is pokey enough (from motocross experience years ago I'm sure it's more than adequate )?

Grib

34 posts

242 months

Monday 16th January 2006
quotequote all
My boyfriend had a KTM 200 two stroke last year...not being an experienced off roader it felt like a complete animal to me, but he loved it! We used to ride over Derbyshire, sometimes starting in Matlock. If you read the bike press I'm sure you've heard all about the minority trying to spoil it for us by banning motorised vehicles from the lanes. Not sure if the ruling has been passed or not yet, but if you're going to go out there, please keep it all legal and respectful to everyone else so it doesn't make things worse! From what we saw out and about everyone was generally friendly and polite, even when we mis-read maps and ended up on footpaths. Just the odd horse rider and walker that would be a bit of a prat, but what can you do


bimsb6

8,599 posts

244 months

Monday 16th January 2006
quotequote all
offroading is great !!!!but buy proper gear and always go with a mate or in a group
i got pinned under a tt600 yam last year and no way could i have got out on my own .

GRANT.D

1,258 posts

247 months

Monday 16th January 2006
quotequote all
Hi

Having had experience with Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ktm, and Yamaha i would certinly suggest you go for one of the main Jap bikes as i feel the built quality is far superior to Ktms. Ulthough it all depends on what you realy want to do.

Id say a 250 will be more than will have more than enough power for you due to the low gearing and power to weight ratio 60hp and around 100 kg it works out to around 550+ bhp/tonne.

Dont they Ktms look damn good though

Couple of my old bikes.





Grant

carrera2

Original Poster:

8,352 posts

255 months

Monday 16th January 2006
quotequote all
Cheers for the response.

Those KTMs look great - and as for reliability, well I'm used to a Ducati so I'm sure KTM can't compete

So where do you guys go? I've heard of green lanes but are they shown on OS maps or do you have to get special maps?

Grant.D - Great looking bikes - do you compete?

grant.d

1,258 posts

247 months

Monday 16th January 2006
quotequote all
Hi,

For the past year i have raced motocross bikes(nothing realy big, just booking into races at a local track). As for finding places to go on your bike im sure youl be able to find somewhere on an OS map, To be honest i dont even think youl need to find places to go as the first track you go to you will get word of another good place, and so on. If you are wanting to locate a place for yourself im honestly not sure if you get a special map??

Off the topic slightly but it just has to be said your 748 is gorgeous!

Grant

D1 MAD

383 posts

255 months

Tuesday 17th January 2006
quotequote all
For anyone thinking of riding on green lanes I would strongly reccomend doing two things;

1. Look up the TRF (Trail Riders Felowship) on the net.

2. Read TBM magazine / look at their web site.

Do these two things and you will have access to all the information you need to choose a bike, find out where you can ride legaly and get in touch with experienced off roaders, who will gladly guide you along while you get started.

Be quick though as the NERC bill may just take away a lot of the legal routes very soon!!

telecat

8,528 posts

264 months

Tuesday 17th January 2006
quotequote all
The other thing to do is look at Trial riding. Closed course and riding over rock's thru streams and up and down hills.

Carrera2

Original Poster:

8,352 posts

255 months

Tuesday 17th January 2006
quotequote all
Great advice guys - thanks a lot.

S2rr Kitty

11,876 posts

274 months

Tuesday 17th January 2006
quotequote all
C2, Hiya! your profile says you are in Weybridge.... not far from Newlands Corner... (just outside Guildford) where there are always a lot of green laners meeting/departing/fixing broken things/scraping mud and drinking coffee - it might be a good place to check out on a Sunday afternoon?
X


Carrera2

Original Poster:

8,352 posts

255 months

Tuesday 17th January 2006
quotequote all
S2rr Kitty said:
C2, Hiya! your profile says you are in Weybridge.... not far from Newlands Corner... (just outside Guildford) where there are always a lot of green laners meeting/departing/fixing broken things/scraping mud and drinking coffee - it might be a good place to check out on a Sunday afternoon?
X




Good idea! I'd forgotten about Newlands corner - I used to go mountain biking there years ago!

I'll check it out, thanks.

S2rr Kitty

11,876 posts

274 months

Tuesday 17th January 2006
quotequote all
A few of us here live VERY close to Newlands Corner - Give us all a shout on here when you intend to go - we will pop in & laugh at your broken bones

Carrera2

Original Poster:

8,352 posts

255 months

Tuesday 17th January 2006
quotequote all
Fine! I'll simply spray you all with mud as I go past!

S2rr Kitty

11,876 posts

274 months

Tuesday 17th January 2006
quotequote all
Spray us?? like a manky old tom cat?? yukky boy!