Off Road Riding............. some advice
Discussion
Ever since I did the BMW off road school last year - I have been desperate to ride off road, but have not bothered to do any looking into how I go about doing this, and where to go. This weekend I was having breakfast at a local biker cafe (Oakdeane in Wrotham), and 6 guys (between 30 and 50 years old) came in covered in mud, and I looked outside to see 6 KTM's sitting there.
I had a brief chat with them and they said they used to ride sports bikes, but got these off road bikes for the Winter, and have stuck with them as they are so much fun. Seems there are lots of places to ride where I live - although have no idea where they are.
Unfortunately I don't have an understanding of the rules and regs of this. I struggle with the difference between green laning, trail riding, motocross, Enduro etc etc.
Can anyone give me a quick idiots guide to what is what? Also a recommendation of bikes?
I am looking for road legal bikes, so I can ride to wherever the action is, and not have to worry about a trailer. I tried sitting on a KTM Enduro (I think 525) in the bike shop at the weekend, but it was too tall for me. I can fit on a DRZ 400 - but am wondering if they are not really suitable for off-roading/trail riding - i.e. they are like a BMW X5 as a 4x4!.
Any advice most welcome, and anyone with knowledge of where to go in Kent, again most welcome.
Thanks
I had a brief chat with them and they said they used to ride sports bikes, but got these off road bikes for the Winter, and have stuck with them as they are so much fun. Seems there are lots of places to ride where I live - although have no idea where they are.
Unfortunately I don't have an understanding of the rules and regs of this. I struggle with the difference between green laning, trail riding, motocross, Enduro etc etc.
Can anyone give me a quick idiots guide to what is what? Also a recommendation of bikes?
I am looking for road legal bikes, so I can ride to wherever the action is, and not have to worry about a trailer. I tried sitting on a KTM Enduro (I think 525) in the bike shop at the weekend, but it was too tall for me. I can fit on a DRZ 400 - but am wondering if they are not really suitable for off-roading/trail riding - i.e. they are like a BMW X5 as a 4x4!.
Any advice most welcome, and anyone with knowledge of where to go in Kent, again most welcome.
Thanks
green laning & trail riding are the same. indeed the trail riders federation is a major player in lobbying for keeping green lanes.
basicly look at an OS map, anything marked as a byway you can ride (unless its a restricted byway). some have TRO (traffic regulation orders) shutting them for temporary periods (read up to several years in areas the councils dont like you).
id suggest a quick google for the TRF (trail riders federation) & browse their site. its full of info & so on.
i keep wanting a dirtbike as well for the same reasons, i miss greenlanes from when i sold the 4x4 just never seem to get around to it yet.
basicly look at an OS map, anything marked as a byway you can ride (unless its a restricted byway). some have TRO (traffic regulation orders) shutting them for temporary periods (read up to several years in areas the councils dont like you).
id suggest a quick google for the TRF (trail riders federation) & browse their site. its full of info & so on.
i keep wanting a dirtbike as well for the same reasons, i miss greenlanes from when i sold the 4x4 just never seem to get around to it yet.
Hooli said:
id suggest a quick google for the TRF (trail riders federation) & browse their site. its full of info & so on.
I did have a quick look here http://www.trf.org.uk/ - but it all looks a bit gay and organized!well there has been so much hassle from the greenies in recent years they had to organise to fight it, same with 4x4 clubs. there is a lot of good info there though, about where you can go, how to behave etc.
you know the obvious stuff like dont go off the track up & that interesting looking bank & dont do 90 down the tracks spraying people with mud.
once you know the ropes of where you can go & so on then go play on your own. its how i did the 4x4s, went with a group sometimes but a lot of it was just me, or me & a mate.
if you get into laning its probably worth joining the trf just to support their fight to keep the lanes even if nothing else. they fought long & hard alongside 4x4 orgs (forgotten the names) against the CROW act for a start. they lost but they tried. the CROW act lost us all the RUPPs (Road Used as Public Path) which we used to be able to ride & gave powers to national parks to shut byways & so forth.
oh & dont go to sensitive areas on an illegal bike. for instance high button, its near the devil's punchbowl. i went up there regulary with a few mates & managed to get a producer while stuck on a cross-axle halfway up. plod watch it regulary to catch the people who go off the track as its SSSI.
you know the obvious stuff like dont go off the track up & that interesting looking bank & dont do 90 down the tracks spraying people with mud.
once you know the ropes of where you can go & so on then go play on your own. its how i did the 4x4s, went with a group sometimes but a lot of it was just me, or me & a mate.
if you get into laning its probably worth joining the trf just to support their fight to keep the lanes even if nothing else. they fought long & hard alongside 4x4 orgs (forgotten the names) against the CROW act for a start. they lost but they tried. the CROW act lost us all the RUPPs (Road Used as Public Path) which we used to be able to ride & gave powers to national parks to shut byways & so forth.
oh & dont go to sensitive areas on an illegal bike. for instance high button, its near the devil's punchbowl. i went up there regulary with a few mates & managed to get a producer while stuck on a cross-axle halfway up. plod watch it regulary to catch the people who go off the track as its SSSI.
Until recently I always had a dirt bike alongside my road bikes but sadly over the last 10 years all the haunts we used to have been lost to various organisations campaigning for their closure or indeed as in Hoolis case, made sites of special scientific interest( which personally I enjoyed more by ripping thru it with a knobbly on than looking at the various moss’s and flowers)
I do really fancy another one but all my old off road riding buddies have given up the sport or bikes full stop and I haven’t a clue where to go now ive moved county..
Ill have to have a nose round and see whats out my way, nothing compares to the fun of an off road bike for only part of the cost of running a sports bike.
I think the DRZ model you need mate would be the E model, word is they work well off road, certainly more than a newbie to off roading could want , ask Y2Blade about his.
I do really fancy another one but all my old off road riding buddies have given up the sport or bikes full stop and I haven’t a clue where to go now ive moved county..
Ill have to have a nose round and see whats out my way, nothing compares to the fun of an off road bike for only part of the cost of running a sports bike.
I think the DRZ model you need mate would be the E model, word is they work well off road, certainly more than a newbie to off roading could want , ask Y2Blade about his.
Hooli said:
green laning & trail riding are the same. indeed the trail riders federation is a major player in lobbying for keeping green lanes.
basicly look at an OS map, anything marked as a byway you can ride (unless its a restricted byway). some have TRO (traffic regulation orders) shutting them for temporary periods (read up to several years in areas the councils dont like you).
id suggest a quick google for the TRF (trail riders federation) & browse their site. its full of info & so on.
i keep wanting a dirtbike as well for the same reasons, i miss greenlanes from when i sold the 4x4 just never seem to get around to it yet.
It's probably worth joining some of those sites for access to the forums/recommended routes etc. Just don't forget to respect the horse riders! basicly look at an OS map, anything marked as a byway you can ride (unless its a restricted byway). some have TRO (traffic regulation orders) shutting them for temporary periods (read up to several years in areas the councils dont like you).
id suggest a quick google for the TRF (trail riders federation) & browse their site. its full of info & so on.
i keep wanting a dirtbike as well for the same reasons, i miss greenlanes from when i sold the 4x4 just never seem to get around to it yet.
Friend has much fun with this
Edited by Gretchen on Wednesday 28th November 14:08
Gretchen said:
Hooli said:
green laning & trail riding are the same. indeed the trail riders federation is a major player in lobbying for keeping green lanes.
basicly look at an OS map, anything marked as a byway you can ride (unless its a restricted byway). some have TRO (traffic regulation orders) shutting them for temporary periods (read up to several years in areas the councils dont like you).
id suggest a quick google for the TRF (trail riders federation) & browse their site. its full of info & so on.
i keep wanting a dirtbike as well for the same reasons, i miss greenlanes from when i sold the 4x4 just never seem to get around to it yet.
It's probably worth joining some of those sites for access to the forums/recommended routes etc. Just don't forget to respect the horse riders! basicly look at an OS map, anything marked as a byway you can ride (unless its a restricted byway). some have TRO (traffic regulation orders) shutting them for temporary periods (read up to several years in areas the councils dont like you).
id suggest a quick google for the TRF (trail riders federation) & browse their site. its full of info & so on.
i keep wanting a dirtbike as well for the same reasons, i miss greenlanes from when i sold the 4x4 just never seem to get around to it yet.
Friend has much fun with this
Edited by Gretchen on Wednesday 28th November 14:08
<--- sorry mate, I know you'll understand but apparently I have to use these now.Edited by parakitaMol. on Wednesday 28th November 14:53
parakitaMol. said:
Oi!! Are you qualified to give advice around here lady?? your profile mentions not motor vehicles of two wheeled design!
<--- sorry mate, I know you'll understand but apparently I have to use these now.
I like to peruse others parts... <--- sorry mate, I know you'll understand but apparently I have to use these now.Bikes scare me as a rule, I'm flirting with the danger on this one...that and I love the filth.*
- Of the off roading Enduro riding type
Gretchen said:
parakitaMol. said:
Oi!! Are you qualified to give advice around here lady?? your profile mentions not motor vehicles of two wheeled design!
<--- sorry mate, I know you'll understand but apparently I have to use these now.
I like to peruse others parts... <--- sorry mate, I know you'll understand but apparently I have to use these now.Bikes scare me as a rule, I'm flirting with the danger on this one...that and I love the filth.*
- Of the off roading Enduro riding type
I don't fancy you though, slut.
fun,fun,FUN
i rode mx for many years and did a bit of enduro,get a 525 exc ktm and a set of supermoto wheels for fun road riding lol
try the enduro forum on www.mxtrax.co.uk
have fun mate
i rode mx for many years and did a bit of enduro,get a 525 exc ktm and a set of supermoto wheels for fun road riding lol
try the enduro forum on www.mxtrax.co.uk
have fun mate
Joining the TRF is a good idea. I did this and went along to my local group monthly meeting on a Wed night. Decent bunch of blokes, informal, good advice, banter etc. For me it has been a good way of meeting people in my area to ride with - met a guy I now go to enduro's with.
A DRZ (E or S) is fine. Heavier than a KTM 525 but needs much less frequent engine maintenance.
I'd definately recommed Trail Bike & Enduro magazine (TBM) - half the reason I got into this. I reckon the TBM forum is best, lots of good advice/info there - have a look.
Also, take your time over bike choice. Think about what sort of riding you will actually do. Something like a KLR650 is a great trailie on the road, not always ideal in the slop when you're picking it up for 4th time in 20min! And you will fall off! All part of the fun though!
A DRZ (E or S) is fine. Heavier than a KTM 525 but needs much less frequent engine maintenance.
I'd definately recommed Trail Bike & Enduro magazine (TBM) - half the reason I got into this. I reckon the TBM forum is best, lots of good advice/info there - have a look.
Also, take your time over bike choice. Think about what sort of riding you will actually do. Something like a KLR650 is a great trailie on the road, not always ideal in the slop when you're picking it up for 4th time in 20min! And you will fall off! All part of the fun though!
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