Mixing gas and hauling azz

[LWJ]

I seem to be late to a remarkable hobby that more than a few of you partake.

Dirtbiking.

Prior to 2021, I had zero motorcycle experience but have been a lifelong skier and mountain biked since forever. This year I have purchased three dirtbikes (sold two) ridden most weekends and had simply a fantastic time ripping up the single track.

It has been the perfect release for my COVID duldrums / stress / and general blah outlook on the world.

Being scared spitless has a lot going for it.

Also, being a gear head, I greatly enjoyed tinkering with the bikes. They are so simple, and respond wonderfully to a little attention. That has been gratifying as well.

NOTE: I did buy a nice helmet, knee pads, chest protector, and boots. All crashes so far have been low speed and I have zero injuries. I suspect that will change as the miles add up.

First bike was a clapped out TTR225 - the only thing I could find with electric start in the depths of COVID. Had a goofy chinese carb. Didn't really run. Got it to rip and then learned it was way too small for my 6' self. Sold it.

Bought a TTR250. Really liked it. All 270 pounds. Yikes what a PIG. I did like it though. Put some great tires and stuff on it. Learned to ride a little more. Sold it.

Decided I needed to go on a diet. Bought a 200 EXC 2 stroke. Supposed to be about 214# dry. After fixing a chipped reed valve and goofing with the jetting that thing is something else!

Going for a ride Saturday. Hopefully the mud is controllable. I really don't need any fractures right now.


Best story yet. My buddy and his daughter rode with my last week at a place called Jones Creek in the Yacolt National Forest. The daughter needed help and my buddy rode her bike up the trail at a somewhat challenging spot. Buddy managed to launch the bike off the trail and down a cliff about 12 feet vertical. Took us an hour to drag it back up the hill.

Sidenote: Sold first bike for $700 more than I paid and second for $900 more. I like this hobby!

[Bill Douglas]

I've got a Honda XR400. I don't want to go hell out on the trails, more like enjoying the day out there.

It's phenomenally reliable. I didn't want something I had to work on all the time.

[Evans, Marv]

Sounds tempting and potential fun. I see guys going by on dirt bikes almost on a daily basis. It would be nice if I had somebody to do sometyhing like that with.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

Sounds tempting and potential fun. I see guys going by on dirt bikes almost on a daily basis. It would be nice if I had somebody to do sometyhing like that with.

I had a TTR250 like the OP and used to ride by myself. One day hauling butt in the woods, I driftedoff the narrow path and hit a tree. Wrecked my neck and back and sold it soon after.

Edit: I was wearing every bit of protective equipment available.

[regency]

Yep, lots a fun. Although, i mainly just putt around on my vintage 92'Honda XR250L.

Steve

[LWJ]

I get the risk. Not completely comfortable with the level of harm I can do to myself. I keep coming back to my track record on a mountain bike which is less than stellar.

Which is why I have tons of protective gear. Give me a better outcome when I bite it.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

KDX80, KX250. All gone.Couldn't even strap a leg over them these here days. (well- maybe the 80) Hump the gas tank and gun it!

2 Strokes rule.

Go... be free...have fun!! The more, the better!

[ckelly78z]

I have a Kawasaki KLR 250 (4 stroke) that is easy to ride, fairly quiet, fast, and still looks good. My only problem with it is getting it started in the cold without E start. I ran a rubber tube down to the carb vent, so when i'm ready to start it for the first time, I squirt a few pumps of gas through the tube (from a metal pump oil can).

https://www.amazon.com/Metal-Oil-Can-Flex-Spout-Capacity/dp/B00UGDT3Y0

[javadog]

Sold my last dirtbike three days ago. 2000 Honda CR500.

It’s possible that I’m going to miss that. Gave my oldest kid a vintage CR 250 years ago, might need to get that back and restore it. He’s never ridden it, he has too many other things to ride.

23 years ago I bought my first four stroke dirtbike, a Yamaha YZ400f. Enjoyed the hell out of it but sold it two years ago. I really think I like two strokes better.

[javadog]

Learned to ride back in the 70s on one of these, what a long time ago that was. Pretty heady stuff, for a kid. I probably spent six hours a day back then on my bicycle and go kart, dirt bikes were so exotic by comparison.

The biggest thing was the suspension. I couldn’t believe the difference that made. Bumps and ruts simply ceased to exist.

[unclebilly]

I really like my CRF450X but I rode a friends KTM 250 SX (2 stroke) this summer. That is a sweet ride, seemed a LOT lighter than my CRF. I’d happily trade but then, I love my 4 stroke torque.

I guess I should have both?

[stomachmonkey]

Started as a kid with a CR80.

Graduated through various other bikes but 125's were my favorite, I'm 5'8".

Gave them and road bikes up in my late 20's because I was just too much of a "hold my beer" guy and was gonna end up splattered on something sooner or later.

But I agree, hella fun.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

I really like my CRF450X but I rode a friends KTM 250 SX (2 stroke) this summer. That is a sweet ride, seemed a LOT lighter than my CRF. I’d happily trade but then, I love my 4 stroke torque.

I guess I should have both?

It’s sort of depends on where and how you ride. A four-stroke has a more linear power band and revs a lot higher than a two-stroke. A two-stroke is pretty fun when it comes on the pipe and it’s always lighter.

The first half of my riding career was all two strokes. I then rode a four stroke bike pretty exclusively. I’ll probably have equal time on both.

You might pick up a two-stroke, load both bikes in the trailer and alternate between the two of them for a year. See which one you like better.

I already miss the CR.

[911boost]

I love my CR250R, it’s older and perfect.

Have it set up for the trails, but I do not ride as much as I wish I could…

[unclebilly]

My son got his 4 stroke 2 years ago. He still rides it.



He got his first 2 stroke at Christmas. He rides it too but seems to prefer the 4 stroke when riding with me and his sister. When he rides with friends, he rides the KX65… he likes to be the leader of the pack.

[Rusty Heap]

With Age comes a Cage. I love my Kawasaki KRX 1000 side x side, 20" of suspension travel and superb rock crawling capabilities with 32" tires.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by javadog

Sold my last dirtbike three days ago. 2000 Honda CR500.

It’s possible that I’m going to miss that. Gave my oldest kid a vintage CR 250 years ago, might need to get that back and restore it. He’s never ridden it, he has too many other things to ride.

23 years ago I bought my first four stroke dirtbike, a Yamaha YZ400f. Enjoyed the hell out of it but sold it two years ago. I really think I like two strokes better.

Best ad ever for a CR500....

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I get the risk. Not completely comfortable with the level of harm I can do to myself. I keep coming back to my track record on a mountain bike which is less than stellar.

Which is why I have tons of protective gear. Give me a better outcome when I bite it.

Think about this for a bit...slow is smooth...smooth is fast.

You have got to know how your bike is going to respond to the combination of terrain and your control input. Seriously , learn your bike first.

[911boost]

Huh, thought this was a dirt bike thread, but go ahead and post pictures of it rolled.
DB

[LWJ]

FB. I get the smooth bit.

Good reminder. Riding what could be some goopy mud tomorrow. Curious to say the least.