Well this is true i hold you all responsible for the mess im in, which is this.Having been looking at your site for what seems ages and avidley following the ride reports i seem to have now developed an unhealthy obsesion with trail riding and dirt bikes. This i managed to keep to myself and under some sort of control for a good while until i started talking about it with my wife well she is now sick of hearing about KTM this, YAM that, CCM did this not to mention Fixer did this or Captain Slow did that just to mention but two. At this point a mate a retired motor x said he might get another bike and do the odd hare and hound over 40's now this didnt help me either. So this is what happened next my wife said why dont you do it ? i think just to shut me up. Well problem no bike licence something i regreted not doing for 20 years or more ever since they changed learners from 250s to 125s. So what did i do well take my bike test an yes i passed, that was a couple of months ago. Next hurdle was how the hell to use a computer to blame you lot, think thats now done. All i have to do now is a bit more overtime for bike nearly there, get my bike legs a bit and join TRF then i might be tapping some of you up for some much needed help in green lane riding skills if thats ok. I know that taking pics whilst out on a ride must be a bit of a pain sometimes and writing ride reports must take a lot of time,but do it cos it messed me up! Hope to meet you all someday.
you will need all of these Honda CRF230F a crash helmet (horns not obligatory but good disguise in Cornwall) and a set of body armour( the pink is usually cheapest)
Ha ha, well done mate. Well written piece, so I volunteer you to do the ride report when you come out to play with us...I look forward to it. Bob.
I was going to put 'only joking' but it's an interesting idea that a 'newbie' write up his/ her take on things after their first ride- if you're up for it.
thanks for the advice Withybrook pink body armour great, and i thought paisley jim jams would do just proves how new to this i am. PS i think i would pay money to see you on that honda wearing pink body armour and that helmit crossing that field of cows (last ride report) farmer would be to, it would increase the value of his farm 10 fold
Hi Martin, welcome to the forum and the world of Trail riding. We don't all use body armour just an old riding suit with the normal protection will do, it makes me more reluctant to fall off and generally ride more slowly but I manage to keep up most of the time. You would be very welcome to join us, experience and speed doesn't matter, just enthusiasm and a careful choice for your first bike is essential but that's a hole new can of worms. Cheers, Neil.
Captain Slow (Bob) or should i say one of those voises in my head. That sounds like a good idea i think i would be up for that when ive got myself sorted. But i can see two problems that may arrise, One : I have been known in the past to slightly exaggerate somewhat now i call this poetic licence some just say i talk b-----ks. This could mean things were steeper, deeper ,faster, longer than they actually were to the point that most of you would think you were on a different trail to me. Two: My grammer and spellink are crab.
i need your views and opinions my delemer is this. Finance for bike nearly there thats one hurdle out the way, but what bike? Ive got to be sensible about this i need a bike thats low on maintenance easy for a newby half decent on the road. Now i have been everywere you can think of looking and narrowed down to a few this is where you views will come in handy. Looked at a DRZ 400 E at st blazey loved it low in maintance but one prob the noise that DEP exaust nice sound but i dont think it would do much for public relations. Then a trip to damerrels for a look at the Yam WR250R now this looks like a nice little bike gets a good write up and low in maintenance 26000 mile tappets and long oil change. Also had alook at ccm 404 ds i liked this aswell all the right bits and came this close to buying but while looking a bit closer and putting the headlight on propperly tidying up some wires and oil at bottom new bike thought twice. One other thing to consider im about 6'2 and 14ish stone thats when im not in my 4 inch heels but thats another story.
I reckon you could do worse than a DRZ, good reliable bikes, might find it to be a bit heavy as you get more adept, Sonny had one and loved it. Could always buy/sell endcans on fleabay Hope this helps
Best test is to lay bike down trapping your right leg under the bike just behind the rear foot peg, then try to pick it up. Test best performed in a field full of stinging nettles after a brisk run for a mile or so.... in full riding gear, with a rucksack containing 3 x 2 litre milk containers filled with water.
This simulates a brisk ride-out following Fixer.
If you can not lift the bike up off your leg .... do not buy it!
An electric leg (push button start),.... essential
Most 125s are underpowered, designed for 6 stone 17 year olds.
Wide flexible power band ... useful.. not a feature of 2 strokes
{well that narrows it down to something like a Honda CRF230F}
Not that I am biased in any way..... Oh ... and don't buy anything that would clash with that bright pink body armour.. like wot I wear!!!!!!!
thanks for that fixer but i did check that out a while back. One problem with JD's is how the hell can you look at a wr250r when there's all that orange and black porn about i always leave there with dribble all down my t shirt. Ive been working with my mate this weekend (for bike fund) now hes an retired motorx er and thinks i would be better off getting something i could grow into if that makes sense. His suggestion was maybe a ktm 400exc forgiving power for a newbe but with bags of scope to improve with so now im realy confused.
Withybrook ive just checked out that site now thats a good price im now well confused so in times like this there is only one thing to do another large scotch
Hi there Martin I too was like you. I wanted to get into Green Laning and since meeting Fixer and Neil400EXC at a local bike meet I've been reading this website and forum for what seems like ages now - and I'm hooked! I've been scrabbling to get the clobber together to get out there and do it and dare I admit it but I've had all the kit now - bike, helmet, suit, boots etc... - for about a month but due to pre-planned weekend arrangements over said past month (Stag Do's and weddings - I'm never drinking again!) I've not yet had the chance to get out with the guys for a ride out - most frustrating - but it's sure to happen soon!!!
F.Y.I I opted for a Kwaka KLX250R (D3 model, Jap import) but only because it came along at the right time and at a price I couldn't refuse. I think the fact it's a kick start may be it's only downfall but that yet remains to be proved
I look forward to meeting you soon where we can share trials and tribulations of 'newbie' riding antics.
In reply to Captain slow, as a 'newbie' I'd love to write a piece about my first outing.
See y'all soon Geoff PS: where on the website do I find out about 'when' the next ride out is?
Future rides are normally posted in the Ride Outs section of this forum. It's a bit slow at the moment 'cos the ground is hard and it's all a bit easy. We do most riding in the autumn, winter and spring.
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I do know where I'm going, but the track it will decide, It's not the destination, It's the glory of the ride!
Have a look at Haven Trail Sport ...Linconshire {GOOGLE IT!!!} Have some Honda CRF230s with low miles and a couple of shercos ot sensible prices....
AND THE NEW AJP PR4 200 4T... aircooled fourstroke single made in Portugal with LIGHT ALLOY frame ang trick suspension £3195..... if I had not got the last new CRF in the country I would have looked at one of these... I am sure it could be painted Blue or Orange if you actually like bikes in those colours!!!!
martin, might be worth a look at the CCM 230 ( copy of the honda crf230) , available at THOR in bodmin and north cornwall motorcycles in bude & £1999 brand new!, have not seen one, but googled CCM site and looks quite nice and a good price, might be worth a look, think my CRF250 is plenty good for green lanes, speed is not the essence, just getting down the lane would be nice! or up!, cheers kev
Thanks for all the feedback chaps. Had a look at the ccm 230 a while back Kevdoyle but i think ccm have sold their sole to the chinese on that one. Your Honda CRF great bike, seems to be loades of crf250r about but hardly any newish crf250x about at the moment. Thanks for that Withybrook i had a look their web site looks quite a trick bike, just too far for me to go and look in the flesh. ps bit of soft spot for speyside malts also, just took the neck out of a bottle of Aberlour virgin p--s. Im tied up with work at the moment but hope to do the rounds next week and put a few feelers out at jds, albions, st blazey and thor meanwhile still looking in autotrader. I did think about getting all the kit helmet,clothing,boots and so forth so at least ill be somewhat ready but then thought i might get a better deal if purchased all together. Not long now nearly there
Re. kit. Knowing it's going to get pretty wrecked with use I trawled ebay for something suitable but at the bottom / used end of the market price wise it really seemed to be a lottery. So, with J&S's 30% off sale I bought the Akito Desert jacket and trousers - why they do that in white God only knows???? It cost a bit more but it was still a lot cheaper than what I priced up in some of the shops you mention!! I did the same with the lid but considering how personal this item is my feelings were that I had to try on anything I was going to consider buying. I opted for a £60 THH lid which I tried on locally but ended up buying brand new off the net for £30! Bargain No. 2. Finally, the boots too were a 'try on locally then (luckily) buy off ebay' affair. Oxtar Dunes, RRP £130 odd, ebay like new £40! Result No. 3. So, my advice to you would be to use the time between now and getting your trusty steed to hunt for the kit and if you find a bargain, as I did, snap it up. If not, go with your original plan and haggle for an all-in deal with the bike! At least having conducted the kit research you'll have a good idea of what's out there price V's quality wise.
Hope this helps - not that I'm an expert. As you know I'm a newbie like you which is why I felt compelled to share my route to getting kitted out.
Bought a pair of Sidi Flexforce Boot from J&S 3 years ago and they're very good, plenty of flex in the for/aft direction but none sideways so you get good feel (for off road boots) for the controls, not cheep though. Beware of cheep boots which flex sideways, broken ankle waiting to happen.
I must confess broken ancles also happen with new Alpinestar Tech 3 boots in their 4th hour of use!!!!!! tehy were still stiff and new and never been wet at the time. Just a warning.
you will need all of these
