Newbie

[krad_nz]

Hey all. I've been given a 1983 Honda XL250R.

I've fixed up a few bits and pieces on it and have got gear. All shiny and new... too shiny and new actually. :P

So.. being a long weekend and all I'm keen to give dirt riding a go. Other than doing a basic handling cert I'm a complete newbie.

Where in or around Auckland would you guys suggest I pop my dirt riding cherry?

[heyjoe]

Dunno about your question as I don't live in Auckland but welcome to kb anyway. Have fun.

[chop]

The sandpit at woodhill forrest go to www.thesandpit.co.nz for map and info

[cheese]

Dry sand isn't that easy to learn on, but will give you good skills.

[krad_nz]

I think the plan on Friday is to head out of Auckland a bit and check out Kimmy's Farm :)

Going to tag a long with a couple of guys from work.

[sosman]

kimmys farm is good little bit of a travel
thundercoss park bout 15 mins from mercer on sh22 which is pretty good for starters too & if ya dont want to follow the track around,theres lot of grass area to muck around on near by :msn-wink:

[cheese]

Kimmys is very dry and slippery by all reports. Good fun track though!

[YellowDog]

If you've been given the bike and it goes OK, then well done mate. You obviously know when to smile at the right moment.

Welcome to KB.

[krad_nz]

Hah. Yeah I count myself lucky :)

Change of plans, hitting up Woodhill now.
A couple of guys from work think Kimmys Farm isn't ideal for a beginner.

[barty5]

looks like were headin out sunday or monday might see you there drivin a burnt orange holen ss-v ve come and say hi if your there

[tnarg]

Woodhill can put people off as riding in sand can be a bit of challenge when starting out. Start off by just sticking to the in/out road to get a fell for the bike then try the novice track next to car park. Trying to teach mates girl friend to ride up there but she cant get head around sand so taking her down to thundercross this weekend. Have fun and stick with eh.

[krad_nz]

Well survived Woodhill today. Got there a bit later than we anticipated though.

Anyway, I did the beginner trail a bunch of times, then I took on the medium difficulty trail.
Managed to bog down numerous times and stall here and there got there in the end though.

I discovered that if I went a bit faster the bike would glide over the sand a lot better. Also if I stood up I could keep it straighter.
I feel pretty happy with how it went considering it was my first time on a bike. Just need to boost the skills, co-ordination and confidence a bit and I'll have a better time of the deep sandy bits.
Couldn't get the bike into first but second did the trick. Good fun! :niceone:

[oldguy]

Well survived Woodhill today. Got there a bit later than we anticipated though.

Anyway, I did the beginner trail a bunch of times, then I took on the medium difficulty trail.
Managed to bog down numerous times and stall here and there got there in the end though.

I discovered that if I went a bit faster the bike would glide over the sand a lot better. Also if I stood up I could keep it straighter.
I feel pretty happy with how it went considering it was my first time on a bike. Just need to boost the skills, co-ordination and confidence a bit and I'll have a better time of the deep sandy bits.
Couldn't get the bike into first but second did the trick. Good fun! :niceone:
The trick is to keep going out there, the more you ride the sand the better you get.
good on you well done, Im thinking of going to the Sandpit or maybe ThunderCross, never know may see you out there come say hi, i'm the oldguy haha

[Ktmboy]

Well survived Woodhill today. Got there a bit later than we anticipated though.

Anyway, I did the beginner trail a bunch of times, then I took on the medium difficulty trail.
Managed to bog down numerous times and stall here and there got there in the end though.

I discovered that if I went a bit faster the bike would glide over the sand a lot better. Also if I stood up I could keep it straighter.
I feel pretty happy with how it went considering it was my first time on a bike. Just need to boost the skills, co-ordination and confidence a bit and I'll have a better time of the deep sandy bits.
Couldn't get the bike into first but second did the trick. Good fun! :niceone:

Ah ha, A quick learner. Secret in the sand. "Stand up for a rest, sit down to get tired" Good work.

The tighter tracks are easier, as the sand is not deep. Try those blue tracks.

[krad_nz]

Yeah I'll have to look out for the blue tracks then :)

The only disappointing part of the day was having to pay full price ($25) even though we arrived at 3. The place closes at 5 so that hardly seems fair.

I think some more thought needs to go into the pricing structure.

[4stroke]

Yeah I'll have to look out for the blue tracks then :)

The only disappointing part of the day was having to pay full price ($25) even though we arrived at 3. The place closes at 5 so that hardly seems fair.

I think some more thought needs to go into the pricing structure.

ktmboy will have something to say bout that???

[Buddy L]

i don't think the sandpit can be blamed for you turning up late in the day.
flat fee for all.

[krad_nz]

No, I'm not blaming them for me turning up late in the day. That would be a ridiculous idea.

Im just surprised that the $25 rate isn't adjusted as the day comes to a close.

Many other industrys work on this premise. I suspect its because customers complained about it.

The old adage, "The customer is always right" comes to mind.

Anyway, I'm not trying to start an argument about this. Next time I'll just have to turn up early. Or, if it works out that I can't get their earlier, then I will save it for another time or place.

[kevfromcoro]

Sand is ok to learn on..stick your backside back on the seat.good rear tyre and keep the power on.....you will get 99% traction in sand....
also soft to land on..just dont snot any trees.
if u can go up to the bombing range and look for a big sand dune. calllled the dropoff.been down it heaps...went up it once.dam near drove my kidneys out of my boots.as others have said ...practice...and more practice....

[4stroke]

Sand is ok to learn on..stick your backside back on the seat.good rear tyre and keep the power on.....you will get 99% traction in sand....
also soft to land on..just dont snot any trees.
if u can go up to the bombing range and look for a big sand dune. calllled the dropoff.been down it heaps...went up it once.dam near drove my kidneys out of my boots.as others have said ...practice...and more practice....

yeah the bombing range is starting to become a no go zone now, the fun police are getting a bit nasty on it.

[krad_nz]

I was thinking about checking that out.

Police patrolling the area or something?

I thought it was legal?

[4stroke]

im not a 100% on whats going on, but have heard a few stories aye.