Sandpit-can one teach one's wife to ride on an adventure style bike?

[socialites]

Question--I have recently got my wife a bike, a Yamaha XT250 street scrambler and would like to expose her to a bit more dirt tracks, other than just dirt roads. Would the sandpit be suitable for that, or would the tracks there labour the little XT to much?

[B0000M]

the track wont labour the bike too much, granted it wont be a rocketship but will handle it fine.

i presume she hasnt ridden on sand before, and if you're trying to introduce her to off road by going to the sandpit id be weary of putting her off, the sand can be a strange feeling for someone used to roads / dirt roads. if you can find a dry day i would suggest kimmys or thundercross park, or else try to find a family orentated trail ride.

the sandpit isnt hard, its just a different feeling if you're new to the game

[LittleJohn]

the track wont labour the bike too much, granted it wont be a rocketship but will handle it fine.

i presume she hasnt ridden on sand before, and if you're trying to introduce her to off road by going to the sandpit id be weary of putting her off, the sand can be a strange feeling for someone used to roads / dirt roads. if you can find a dry day i would suggest kimmys or thundercross park, or else try to find a family orentated trail ride.

the sandpit isnt hard, its just a different feeling if you're new to the game

Agree with Boooom, my wife is learning to ride dirt bikes and she struggles at the sandpit (likes the learners track) unless it is wet. On a dry day I would suggest Thunder which has an awesome learners/kids track.

[theblacksmith]

I agree with Little John and B000M.

[B0000M]

holy shit., someone agreed with me! :eek:

[Reckless]

Totally agree Thunder X, learners track on a dryish day (don't go in the wet its clay), best place!
Then do 1/2 the B loop, from car park back round to the learners track.
Then do full B loop, over the hill, steep decline etc.
Don't rush it! I'd say at least a few rides to get her that far, take lunch, coffee, wine 4 after, great day out!
Then sand pit or Mr Moto ride.
Sand is really good for skills but get her to ride well enough that she can at least get round the place and its still fun!
Had a mate that took both his teenagers at different times on rides to advanced for them, one was only a Mr moto ride as well. Put them both off!
Beginners are very bike unfit so they tire very easily and picking up that bike 100 times is no fun for anyone!

Just my 2c

[oldskool]

Question--I have recently got my wife a bike, a Yamaha XT250 street scrambler and would like to expose her to a bit more dirt tracks, other than just dirt roads. Would the sandpit be suitable for that, or would the tracks there labour the little XT to much?
Bike will handle it but it depends on how fit and strong your wife is. The XT250 would be too big for my wife who is also about to give it a go. She's a little concerned her 'new' XR200 is going to be too heavy to handle.

[telliman]

has the bike got wof/reg, if so hit the beach first!
best place for any beginner,cant believe we're not allowed on the beach anymore,sucks arse!

[Sammikins]

first time i ever went riding was on sand and im surprised it didnt put me off cos i spent most of the time on my ass, it was pretty stink actually... hope the bike isnt too heavy for her...

[LittleJohn]

Bike will handle it but it depends on how fit and strong your wife is. The XT250 would be too big for my wife who is also about to give it a go. She's a little concerned her 'new' XR200 is going to be too heavy to handle.

so you get the new kx and the missus gets your old 'new' xr!!!!!!! What a deal.....

[oldskool]

so you get the new kx and the missus gets your old 'new' xr!!!!!!! What a deal.....
:cool:I know!!! I'm a generous typa guy :rolleyes: She's more than welcome to use the KX, it's 20kg lighter and twice the horses. :devil2:

[LittleJohn]

:cool:I know!!! I'm a generous typa guy :rolleyes: She's more than welcome to use the KX, it's 20kg lighter and twice the horses. :devil2:

What so you should be able to jump higher, trhow the bike round more and go twice as fast on the KX!!!!!!!

[oldskool]

What so you should be able to jump higher, trhow the bike round more and go twice as fast on the KX!!!!!!!
Well that's not quite the plan, but along those lines!:msn-wink:

[Ktmboy]

Question--I have recently got my wife a bike, a Yamaha XT250 street scrambler and would like to expose her to a bit more dirt tracks, other than just dirt roads. Would the sandpit be suitable for that, or would the tracks there labour the little XT to much?

The main point you are probably missing(and most others) is that a street scrambler is ...well.. a street bike with...well street/trials type tyres.

These will defintely not be suitable and will make things damn awful for her not matter where you go, Kimmy/Thunder included except on the driest of days.

Damn, I wish I had some KLX140's for learners...now there's a thought???

[socialites]

The main point you are probably missing(and most others) is that a street scrambler is ...well.. a street bike with...well street/trials type tyres.

These will defintely not be suitable and will make things damn awful for her not matter where you go, Kimmy/Thunder included except on the driest of days.

Damn, I wish I had some KLX140's for learners...now there's a thought???

Others might be missing that point, but I defenetily am not, as I also ride a CRF450 so know the difference between street scramblers and dirt bikes. This is why I asked the question. I have never been to the Sandpit, so have no idea what the riding terain is like. Naturally I presumed that there was a lot of sand...hence the "Sandpit". As my wife is a new rider, and I have got her almost competant on the tar and dirt roads, I am hoping to find a place where she could experience a bit more difficult terain, not so much as difficult as some enduro's or trail rides, but something inbetween. I would eventualy like her to come along with us on some Adventure Rides that the "Duel Purpose Bike Boys" do, without being to much of a pain by slowing everyone down....lol

[B0000M]

i know nothign about what a xt250 is, but im assuming it cant be too different to the theme of the old xt400 my mate's uncle had back in the day

so in my mind its something like a street spec xr250 ... am i way out?

[oldskool]

i know nothign about what a xt250 is, but im assuming it cant be too different to the theme of the old xt400 my mate's uncle had back in the day

so in my mind its something like a street spec xr250 ... am i way out?
If we kept it Yamaha then it would be the street spec TT250, which is similar in performance to the XR250. XT250 probably not a lot different to the TT250 except for the added weight of electrics, less beefier shocks and perhaps a milder cam. Most had semi knobs but then again some ppl opted for the full knobbies. Stating the obvious, and as socialites is fully aware, of course you'd wanna run with full knobs if you ride soft terrain.

Heres a link to a XT250X short review at the Sandpit
http://www.aatorque.co.nz/reviews/Pages/Yamaha-XT250.aspx

[socialites]

If we kept it Yamaha then it would be the street spec TT250, which is similar in performance to the XR250. XT250 probably not a lot different to the TT250 except for the added weight of electrics, less beefier shocks and perhaps a milder cam. Most had semi knobs but then again some ppl opted for the full knobbies. Stating the obvious, and as socialites is fully aware, of course you'd wanna run with full knobs if you ride soft terrain.

Heres a link to a XT250X short review at the Sandpit
http://www.aatorque.co.nz/reviews/Pages/Yamaha-XT250.aspx

Thats the bike oldschool..the exact one....

[B0000M]

Thats the bike oldschool..the exact one....

in which case the review should sum it up nicely!

[Ktmboy]

in which case the review should sum it up nicely!

Correct.. Now that the sand has had a fair wetting then she should be ok to toddle around most, if not all the easier tracks.

Bring her out I say.

[FROSTY]

Others might be missing that point, but I defenetily am not, as I also ride a CRF450 so know the difference between street scramblers and dirt bikes. This is why I asked the question. I have never been to the Sandpit, so have no idea what the riding terain is like. Naturally I presumed that there was a lot of sand...hence the "Sandpit". As my wife is a new rider, and I have got her almost competant on the tar and dirt roads, I am hoping to find a place where she could experience a bit more difficult terain, not so much as difficult as some enduro's or trail rides, but something inbetween. I would eventualy like her to come along with us on some Adventure Rides that the "Duel Purpose Bike Boys" do, without being to much of a pain by slowing everyone down....lol
Sorry dude perhaps the others diddn't phrase it right for ya.
Sandpit for a novice dirt rider I dont recomend if there are viable alternatives. Its a different kinda riding from "normal" dirt riding.
I feel its all about building skillsets (woohoo dig the fancy words) First of all get her to learn the basic mechanics of riding the bike,Then the mechanics of dirt riding. THEN tackle sand.
My opinion is you are better with a hard clean trail to start with.
Quite frankly at the level of riding Im hearing you saying she's at Other than being a bit heavy her 250 will be great. For that matter for the reason you want her to learn it will be perfect
ALL THAT said. If theres been a good dosing of rain then as KTM boy said the beginners tracks arent harder than any other place