Tips and tricks you've learnt along the way

[khabel]

I've just bought my first motorbike, KX250, and was wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks that they have picked up along the way to makes things easier for a beginner?

Doesn't matter whether it's to do with riding, maintenance or whatever.

[WRT]

Yeah, dont crash - it hurts!

Seriously tho, it all depends on what sort of riding and terain, but in general:

Spend some time setting up the bike, adjust the levers for easy reach in all positions etc. Practice standing on the pegs, and moving your weight around to gain best traction and handling. Keep the front light in the loose stuff (especially sand). Dont be afraid of going quick, going too slow is just as likely to throw you off the bike. And always, always, wear protective gear . . .

And before every ride, make sure (check and double check this) that you have enough fuel for your trip. Doing the walk of shame by pushing your bike back to the car past all the other riders is damned embarrassing. Speaking of which, also never trust your mate when he says "she'll be right, bro!". He's lying - trust me on this.

[Cary]

Don't forget to put oil in the petrol! Do regular oil changes and clean the air filter after every ride.

Pays to have a tag for mixed oil so you know that it has oil it in or not.

Have fun.

[cowpoos]

if thats your first bike and your new to motorbikes....find someone to teach you...a kx250 is a dangerously quik bike for a newbie....many many new offroad rides go and get the latest and the greatest and scare them selves away from the sport before they learn the skills needed to ride propally and confedently...hav a search through this site and find yourself a ride buddy...someone with experience that can teach you some basics and then some...and take is easy!!!

[Motu]

Yeah,a 250 2 stroke MX bike is a terifying learners bike - but steady as you go and only get fun out of it,you'll be ok.

If someone says ''don't go over there''.....how 'bout you do as he says eh?....there's always a reason,well,I've always found it was a stupid thing to do....

I'm not the one for riding tips,'can't ride for shit' is an understatment.Stand up on the straights,uphills and downhills,let that bike float under you with no weight on the bars,using your legs to take shocks,forward and back for weight shifts,driving the weight through the pegs.Sit down in corners.NEVER sit down on a hill climb or in a swamp.Attack everything with confidence,looking to the end of the section,make that your goal,if you want to go there you will.

There's heaps to learn,and you haven't got a shit show of knowing it all in your whole life - so just enjoy the journey....

[Eurodave]

The best tip ive got for you all is;

'IF IT AIN'T BROKE,DONT FIX IT'

[crazyxr250rider]

By some bark busters for anything accept for MX .Nothing worse than a clutchless 2 smoker

[F5 Dave]

By some bark busters for anything accept for MX .Nothing worse than a clutchless 2 smoker
A brakeless 2 stroke?

If your mate stops in a big bog or puddle, never ever pull up behind him. If you can't work out why, you deserve to be showered with mud.
I know I did.:wacko:

[Cary]

if thats your first bike and your new to motorbikes....find someone to teach you...a kx250 is a dangerously quik bike for a newbie....many many new offroad rides go and get the latest and the greatest and scare them selves away from the sport before they learn the skills needed to ride propally and confedently...hav a search through this site and find yourself a ride buddy...someone with experience that can teach you some basics and then some...and take is easy!!!

So true, i started (3 weeks) on a 1980 XR250 twin shoch (er!) on to a 1990 KX250 (had been road riding for 15 years tho) Put up with that for bout 2 years (1 broken collar bone, 1 broken wrist)

Thought i was doing ok on that then got a 98 XR400 and went a lot faster/safer as it was much easier to ride.

Good luck...............

[Mattyc]

THE KX WILL ONLY GO AS FAST AS YOU THROTTLE IT

.never take you feet off the pegs, unless cornering or doing a nac nac :)
.push down on your pegs when if you are sitting down (get the center of gravity lower)
. practise riding standing up changing gear and braking
. do pretty much most of your braking standing up
.grip the bike with your knees when standing so u dont fall backwards and crank the throttle. while letting your upper self float, keep knees bent.
.keep ya pegs sharp (you can file them)
.do most of your braking with the front brake watch for lockups on loose stuff
.buy some decent boots helmet gloves and armour

[DEATH_INC.]

Stay forward,head over the bars (so you can look down and see the front plate)ALWAYS,even down hills,it stops you getting bunted over the bars by the seat and lets the bike rock back and forth under you.Keep yer arms up and elbows out,like yer doing a pushup.
When yer in a rut or berm (or really any corner) keep yer inside foot high,right up by the forks,and point yer toes forward, don't let it touch the ground,it'll stand the bike up and pointing yer toes stops yer heel digging in if you do.
Off a jump throttle on lifts the front, brake(pref rear)lowers it.
Use the clutch heaps,it helps to smooth the power if you use a higher gear and slip (fan) the clutch outta corners.and it's faster.
Lastly,don't jump off too high of a jump,it compresses your spine :crybaby:

[Mattyc]

Gah , dont tray any jumps for a little while if this is a first bike bro

[Wellyman]

as said before:
*keep feet on pegs
* learn how to make premix for smokers
*learn basic work e.g tightening chain, cleaning air fliter, changing oil
*WEAR ALL THE SAFETY GEAR!! HELMET ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN PUTTING AROUND!!!
*have fun and make new mates!

[crazyxr250rider]

put the old tube around the new tube for extra puncture resistance.And turn your fuel tap around to stop debris turning the fuel off,'cause it sucks when your half way up a large hill and your bike cutts out.

[SARGE]

after you pressurewash the bike.. apply Silicone to EVERYTHING but the seat, grips and tyres.. ( under the fenders and enging especially)..

makes cleanup so much easier..

[khabel]

Went for another good long ride yesterday and practised some of the things you guys suggested. I am finding it very hard to stand up and ride at the same time, keep feeling like I'm going to fall off the back everytime I hit the throttle and fall over the front when I brake.

I grip the bike with the knees, is there anything else I should be doing or just practise practise practise?

[Motu]

You need to set up the bike so it feels completely natural to stand up,with no weight on the bars...except what you put there.Centre the weight through to pegs,moving forward under acceleration,going back under braking,the extremes of having the bars in your gut and your arse on the rear guard should happen naturaly and feel comfortable.Use your knees,but keep fluid,locking your knees and you will lose flexability - you are riding a wild steed,both doing their part....but you are the master...

[Wellyman]

Stand up when riding
Keep your bike clean
keep up a maintance shedule.
keep a good supply of nuts and bolts
Keep a good supply of oils and lube
Don't be afraid to ask for help

[crazyxr250rider]

Went for another good long ride yesterday and practised some of the things you guys suggested. I am finding it very hard to stand up and ride at the same time, keep feeling like I'm going to fall off the back everytime I hit the throttle and fall over the front when I brake.

I grip the bike with the knees, is there anything else I should be doing or just practise practise practise?
Try riding on fire breaks to get used to hard exceleration and braking(Don't get caught riding illegally,get a permit).Also try applying the front brake with one finger to get more feel.
Dont give up! The KX is a powerfull bike dont expect to master it straight away.

[Hambo45]

I suggest just grip as hard to the tank wif ya knees as ya can.

if you find you're hand are sliipin, not sure how you're holding brake but you should only be holding front brake with two fingers (two next to thumb).

just a final point i find useful, when accelerating, sit forward on tank, when braking sit back on back of seat.

[Wellyman]

Keep your weight more forward over the handlebars. This will make you feel alot more balanced. try riding around just standing up leaning forward,practice it heaps and you will be away!
WM