motorcross

[usn90]

Hi

I’ve always had an interest in dirt bike, never riden one (or any bike) and I’m 28.

My dad bought me a Honda cr80 I think it was when I was young, needed work doing to it which we started but never finished for some reason.

Anyway, I’m serisouly considering buying one but where do you ride them, other than creating a nuisance of yourself down the local field?

I’d like a 2 stroke, so would a 125 be ok for a complete novice.

At this point in time I have no intentions of racing, just a general bit of fun/hobby so given that I don’t own acres of land I’m not sure if it’s a bad idea?

[gareth_r]

http://motocrosstracksuk.co.uk/track-listings/

I just searched for "motocross practice tracks".

[usn90]

At 6 foot and 14 stone what size bike would you recommend?

I want to stay 2 stroke, so was thinking 125 although I believe some 250’s are 2 stroke, although id expect them to have to much power for me considering I’ve never riden before.

[Birky_41]

I gave up racing in '99 through injury but got back into it after a few years of road bikes back into mx in 2009 (Racing) I was at the time same age as you

I would recommend a 250f not a 125. A fairly modern one like the CRF250 with its unicam engine is very versatile and reliable. Look for EFI as the older ones suffered from 'bog' and hot starting

I grew up racing smokers but a modern day thumper for someone starting off is a good easy bike to ride

[usn90]

thanks

In terms of brand, I’m sure they all have slight differences but is one brand notorious for being harder to ride than another?

looks wise I probaly favour the Kawasaki’s but do like the Honda and yamahas aswell

[Fastchas]

Back in c.1996 I knocked about with a crosser. I had a RR-t Fireblade at the time, and at the end of a race session he let me have a go on his Honda CR250.
Jesus Christ! I thought my 'Blade was quick but this was on another level!

[poo at Paul's]

Great for keeping fit, just don't crash!!

Look at Enduro practice days, courses are usually massive, like 10 miles, not massive extreme jumps that you will have lads landing on you over whilst learning, more natural obtacles and often quite a lot higher speeds possible, (only place I have ever had my CRF 450 flat out in top was in Hare and Hounds courses and 75 to 80mph off road is exciting!!) Plus for £50 or so you can ride all day, camp at the tract normally, and get to know lots of decent people.

It is the most fun biking you will ever do, you will ache for days after you start, and tbh, that doesn't go away really, even riding each week, Tuesdays will be Tourettes Day as we call it in my house. But it is brilliant and you will learn bike control you wont be able to learn anywhere else realistically.

[Birky_41]

usn90 said:

thanks

In terms of brand, I’m sure they all have slight differences but is one brand notorious for being harder to ride than another?

looks wise I probaly favour the Kawasaki’s but do like the Honda and yamahas aswell

Each to their own. Like road bikes they all have their own strengths. I personally hate Honda road bikes yet have always raced Honda (And Suzuki) mx bikes

Honda and Yam have the best build quality.

I think KTM are the most finicky. Not to say they are the worst but they physically feel different to Jap bikes, they typically are the most temperamental I found when at the track week in week out

[R8Steve]

A CR500 should do the job

[crusty]

R8Steve said:

A CR500 should do the job

But get it tuned as they are a bit gutless as standard

[rigga]

crusty said:

R8Steve said:

A CR500 should do the job

But get it tuned as they are a bit gutless as standard

And definitely film it.....


Loved when I raced mx about 30 years ago, Honda 125, tried a 250 but didn't like it, wasn't brave/mad/stupid enough to consider a 500.

[R8Steve]

rigga said:

crusty said:

R8Steve said:

A CR500 should do the job

But get it tuned as they are a bit gutless as standard

And definitely film it.....


Loved when I raced mx about 30 years ago, Honda 125, tried a 250 but didn't like it, wasn't brave/mad/stupid enough to consider a 500.

My dad had one and i had a shot when i was 14/15, it was certainly interesting to ride.

Thinking about it, this thread has prompted me to go to ebay...

[Captain Smerc]

Not quite a crosser but I'm sure this will suit your needs perfectly.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1146974

[rigga]

Captain Smerc said:

Not quite a crosser but I'm sure this will suit your needs perfectly.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1146974

Yea, that won't bite much.

[Brads67]

Go to an enduro and you will see a huge percentage of the bikes are KTM and Husqvarna. Hardly any Honda or other jap stuff

There is a good reason for this.

And buy a 4 stroke. 250 or 350. Steer clear of the 450's as they will kill you just for looking at them.

New TPI 2 strokes ride like 4 strokes mind you. Quite unreal how they ride at low revs, pulling like a torquey 4 stroke.

[Higgs boson]

usn90 said:

Hi

I’ve always had an interest in dirt bike, never riden one (or any bike) and I’m 28.

I really don't think that you want one as your first bike/ride!
A very docile 4-stroke would be preferable as your introduction to motorized 2 wheels.

[gazzarose]

rigga said:

Captain Smerc said:

Not quite a crosser but I'm sure this will suit your needs perfectly.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1146974

Yea, that won't bite much.

I did the Jack Frost enduro in March and there was a guy there on an IT465.

Back in the early 80s when my dad was racing mx he had a yz465, apparently it was a case of twist the throttle and hold on for your life!

[Higgs boson]

^^^
I had a 465. It was closely followed by a 490 Maico.
I never raced either of them; their only use was for practising wheelies. A job at which they were very good.

[gazzarose]

Higgs boson said:

^^^
I had a 465. It was closely followed by a 490 Maico.
I never raced either of them; their only use was for practising wheelies. A job at which they were very good.

Before the 465 my dad was racing 250s at a decent club level, but as we all do, matchoness took over and he bought the 465. Recons it was the worst thing he did for his racing, he should have stayed on 250. The other thing that knackered his career was the arrival of yours truly. Lol.

[usn90]

So I should get a 250 and not 125?

Reason I want 2 stroke is I love the sound of them, a lot more than 4 strokes, I know the trade off here is less grunt at low revs but I don’t mind the power band at the top