Total newbie

Mac · Senior Member

Total newbie

Gadget · Senior

Totally new to this kind of riding,but I see alot of very dirty people riding round on very dirty bikes,and I'd like A bit of that.Iv got rid of my sports bike and got a ktm supermoto but now want to get ????... That's where I need to get your advise on what sort of bike would be best,I know of a ktm 450 exc r going cheap.so any advice greatly appreciated thank you in advance.

Slider rider · Senior Member

Hi Gadget, like Mac's has just said laning is not cheap but boy it's great fun Myself and a few other guys do start runs in the South Hams area normally

at Brixton Garage and the runs take us up and around the South Hams to Kingsbridge area and there your way Salcoombe. You have some great lanes around

your way. Of coarse you would be welcome to come on one of our novice rides to see how you get on. wink I don't think any of the guys will be out this coming

weekend as we just done a Wales weekend away and Exmoor. If you fancy a ride Sunday the 3rd if your sorted leave a message for us and we will see what we

can do biggrin biggrin

Gadget · Senior

Thanks guys for info,should be sorted in couple weeks,so will keep an eye on forum and meet up with you all soon,cheers for now

Russell Bentley · Senior

It can be cheap if you buy a Honda

Kwaka Geoff · Guru

Russell Bentley wrote:
It can be cheap if you buy a Honda

Booooooo wink

Welcome Gadget. I was exactly like you, had a sports bike but wanted to get into a it of green laning and since doing so I've not looked back (well, I've since bought another road bike but thats another story, I've still go my KTM and will never get rid of that over a road bike!) Laning is the perfect 2-wheeled hobby considering our weather and a days riding is a great social event, especially when directly compared to a road ride outing! See you out 'n' about soon enough I'm sure.

Gadget · Senior

Just a update,got myself the KTM 450, 2010 pick it up Saturday (can't wait) so if there is any one out there that wouldn't mind me popping round for a show and tell ,the best things to get her ready and show me what I need to be carrying I would greatly appriecate it,I'm in Salcombe so anyone around the hams would be good,thank you,be out there soon.

Slider rider · Senior Member

Gadget wrote:
Just a update,got myself the KTM 450, 2010 pick it up Saturday (can't wait) so if there is any one out there that wouldn't mind me popping round for a show and tell ,the best things to get her ready and show me what I need to be carrying I would greatly appriecate it,I'm in Salcombe so anyone around the hams would be good,thank you,be out there soon.

Hi mate it wouldn't normally be a problem with someone popping around to help you sort your bike and kit out except that you are in Salcoombe makes things a bit

awkward for us as most of us you been dealing with live around Plymouth. The kit you require is basic kit to get you out of trouble ie. plug spanner screw drivers 10mm 11mm, 13mm

27 mm spanners maybe a spare tube tyre levers. The problem can be carrying to much kit, but in general when you go out with a group someone may have something you didn't bring.

Tyres in the most important thing around Devon we mostly use MT 43 on the rear at 12psi front tyre of a knobbly type ie. ac 10 or 6 days matter of choice. You could speak to Dave at Pro-Tyre in Plymouth he can sort you out. If you not been on the Devontrf open forum that worth a go good guys on there and there will be guys that live very close to you which would be better for you. Hope this helps a bit and we see you out in the lanes. biggrin biggrin

Gadget · Senior

Thanks Charlie will look into those bits think its got knobly front and back tyres,I will do travelling of coarse,but is there any thing I have to do with air air filter or waterproofing anything?

Slider rider · Senior Member

Gadget wrote:
Thanks Charlie will look into those bits think its got knobly front and back tyres,I will do travelling of coarse,but is there any thing I have to do with air air filter or waterproofing anything?

You can still get on with a knobbly for now.. as for the air filter well just keep out of deep water, that's the sort of thing we all have to be careful of. biggrin

Wheely · Senior Member

Good luck with a 450 for your first bike. Can be a handful but take it easy and you'll be fine.
As said already - you can survive with a knobbly for now on easier ride outs but as things get more technical then you'll probably struggle for grip up some of our slatey/rocky lanes - unless you are a very quick and competent rider and can keep good momentum no matter what faces you. The MT43 rear is far more forgiving.
The air filter needs cleaning regularly and re-oiling. There's lots of oils to choose from but from experience I would now say the less biodegradable ones are better for when the going gets too wet. Motorex (ktm recommended oils) do a decent air filter oil and their own cleaner. Check out somewhere like dirtbikeexpress.co.uk - the sell it all mail order and free delivery too.
I'm based in Paignton but if you can get to Totnes in nr future I'll happily take you on some excellent lanes - suitable for a knobbly rear.

Mark.

-- Edited by Wheely on Friday 1st of November 2013 10:18:21 PM

-- Edited by Wheely on Friday 1st of November 2013 10:18:43 PM

Gadget · Senior

Thanks Mark will take you up on that defo,I'm at the expensive part of new hobby lol,picking bike up tomorrow whoop whoop,now to get endless (seems like) accessories ie boots,pads,tyre leaver,spares,back pack and so on,eBay gunna take a hammering,but as soon as I get basics for starter lanes I'll give you a shout.
See you soon,
Mark

d13dkt · Senior Member

you will be surprised, ktm spares are half the price of jap parts, the ebay levers are ok but check when you get them as they are a crap fit.

Gadget · Senior

Picked up exc what a beast of a machine. Better join the banter the only way is orange .!!!!

Slider rider · Senior Member

Gadget wrote:
Picked up exc what a beast of a machine. Better join the banter the only way is orange .!!!!

Orange is the way to go mate.

d13dkt · Senior Member

i have to say last year you couldn't have given me a orange bike, but i went to the dark side and even after having to do a engine rebuild on mine i wouldn't want to go back to jap stuff.

Slider rider · Senior Member

d13dkt wrote:
i have to say last year you couldn't have given me a orange bike, but i went to the dark side and even after having to do a engine rebuild on mine i wouldn't want to go back to jap stuff.

Well well well don't let Russell hear that biggrin biggrin

fireblade · Senior Member

Ha....

i went to the dark side a few months ago,and very happy with the 450exc,

just make sure you K eep.. T ightening.. m ate ktms have a habbit of parts falling of them..

hope you got plenty of money aswell K eep.. T aking.. M oney ..

orange all the way,,,lol

Mac · Senior Member

You made the right choice going Orange Gadget. But I would suggest you stick an MT43 on the rear wheel as a beginner on the lanes