Off roader for winter?
Discussion
I'm currently entertaining the idea of getting an off roader for winter. I've never delved into this off road world before (apart from messing about on 125s as a small boy) and had some questions about it that hopefully somebody here might be able to answer...here goes.
1. Is a 400 waaaaay too torquey to green lane or is it going to be fun controlling the power slides?
2. Is green laning generally despised by all walkers, horse riders and other rural types?
3. Anybody know of anywhere close to Guildford that provides somewhere to ride these things off road?
Cheers.
1. Is a 400 waaaaay too torquey to green lane or is it going to be fun controlling the power slides?
2. Is green laning generally despised by all walkers, horse riders and other rural types?
3. Anybody know of anywhere close to Guildford that provides somewhere to ride these things off road?
Cheers.
Not sure about the green laning, but I have just bought a KTM 200 SX. This is my first Moto X bike and I have never ridden one before except when I was 6!!!! I have found there are loads of Moto X tracks around Southampton / Winchester area so I would think there must be some around Surrey (unless the lentilists have closed them)
1. No
2. Yes
3. Loads
Seriously you're coming form a short circuit background so a 400 shouldn't be a big deal, you will get spat off lots to start with though, I'd say an KTM EXC400 or 450 is the way to go but I'm biased as I love the way KTM are leaps and bounds infront of anything else off road.
Nearly everyone you come across will scowl at you and may even give you abuse even when where you are and what you are doing is totally legal. It is worst in the summer when all the once a year walkers come out and oddly Horse riders are generally the most curteous as long as you show them some respect (i guess because they are out all year and respect that you have similar rights to them and feel equally persecuted in the pursuit of your past time) also bizzarely I've found mountain bikers generally get the hump even though their chosen pastime is infact closer to yours (maybe they just feel inferior
)
Buy a large scale OS map of the area but from memory that area has a fairly high number of byways, and other useable passes rupps and boats etc, Ordanance Survey are your friend.
2. Yes
3. Loads
Seriously you're coming form a short circuit background so a 400 shouldn't be a big deal, you will get spat off lots to start with though, I'd say an KTM EXC400 or 450 is the way to go but I'm biased as I love the way KTM are leaps and bounds infront of anything else off road.
Nearly everyone you come across will scowl at you and may even give you abuse even when where you are and what you are doing is totally legal. It is worst in the summer when all the once a year walkers come out and oddly Horse riders are generally the most curteous as long as you show them some respect (i guess because they are out all year and respect that you have similar rights to them and feel equally persecuted in the pursuit of your past time) also bizzarely I've found mountain bikers generally get the hump even though their chosen pastime is infact closer to yours (maybe they just feel inferior
) Buy a large scale OS map of the area but from memory that area has a fairly high number of byways, and other useable passes rupps and boats etc, Ordanance Survey are your friend.
Edited by mel on Thursday 13th July 09:26
mel said:
Seriously you're coming form a short circuit background so a 400 shouldn't be a big deal, you will get spat off lots to start with though, I'd say an KTM EXC400 or 450 is the way to go but I'm biased as I love the way KTM are leaps and bounds infront of anything else off road.
Excellent. The 400 sounds like a total laugh then. I like the idea of big lairy powerslides. mel said:
Nearly everyone you come across will scowl at you and may even give you abuse even when where you are and what you are doing is totally legal. It is worst in the summer when all the once a year walkers come out and oddly Horse riders are generally the most curteous as long as you show them some respect (i guess because they are out all year and respect that you have similar rights to them and feel equally persecuted in the pursuit of your past time) also bizzarely I've found mountain bikers generally get the hump even though their chosen pastime is infact closer to yours (maybe they just feel inferior )
This is a shame. Still, I'm sure I'll get over it as I ride by. )mel said:
Buy a large scale OS map of the area but from memory that area has a fairly high number of byways, and other useable passes rupps and boats etc, Ordanance Survey are your friend.
Cheers for all the info.
I'd go for a KTM EXC 400 or 450 and don't buy new as you will loose shed loads straight away. I had a 450 for a while and it was great for green laning ans was so easy to ride.
All the people I came across when green laning were fine, admittedly we slowed down to almost walking pace, we even had some older walkers chatting to us. Admittedly we did use the occasional bridleway to get us to the next BOAT (Byway Open to All Traffic)or RUPP (Road Used as Public Path) and even then we came across people who were fine. Basically respect each other slow down for other users and you should be fine.
With regard to the Guildford area I couldn't answer, but have a look at an OS map of your area and you will be able to find all the BOAT's & RUPP's.
Have fun.
All the people I came across when green laning were fine, admittedly we slowed down to almost walking pace, we even had some older walkers chatting to us. Admittedly we did use the occasional bridleway to get us to the next BOAT (Byway Open to All Traffic)or RUPP (Road Used as Public Path) and even then we came across people who were fine. Basically respect each other slow down for other users and you should be fine.
With regard to the Guildford area I couldn't answer, but have a look at an OS map of your area and you will be able to find all the BOAT's & RUPP's.
Have fun.
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