Getting started in motocross?

[Microman171]

Hey,

I am interested in starting motocross, but I've never ridden a bike before.

My parents are reluctant to buy me a bike until I've given the sport a go first. How can I do that? How do I learn to ride a bike, without my own bike?

I have been driving a car for a while now, so I know all about shifting gears and stuff. I also know how to ride a push bike, so balance shouldn't be an issue.

I live in the Waikato area, and know of the Tokoroa track, but I have no idea where it is... I also know where the Tauranga, (Ohauiti), track is, but again don't know anything about it.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

MM

[honda_power]

Where abouts in the Waikato are you and how old are you?

[Microman171]

Do you know where Matamata is?

I'm 15, I hear it is too late to start... But I'm not looking to be world class, I just want to have a good time.

[B0000M]

never too late to start dude.

could go to thnder park in west nowhere somewhere near huntly kinda.... (sorry)

they hire out bikes and gear

[Microman171]

Wow =), great forum. It's been 30mins and I've already got two posts!

My dad also liked the idea of hiring a bike. Can you get more details? I did a quick google for thunder park and didn't find anything...

Huntly isn't too far either, it's about 1 and a bit hours from where I am.

Here's the big kick in the guts... I live in the middle of town! Good news is my mum has friends who live on a farm (this is the Waikato after all).

I've been looking at trademe for bikes too. We aren't the richest people, and springing 1000 - 2000 bucks is a bit high... I have found a semi-pricey bike, a 1988 Honda CR125 for $900. It's in good condition, and has recently had a new clutch put in. Problem is I have to get all the safety gear too... Expensive sport, but parents say it will be okay.

I would really love a Yamaha YZ125...! Sounds like it is a great bike!

[B0000M]

without bursting your bubble too much, dirt bikes are not a cheap sport.

and unfortunately buying a cheap bike is not always a cheap thing to do.

especially as this is your first bike, and youve given the impression you arent a bike experience guy in your first post- i VERY STRONGLY reccommend taking someone with you who is experienced with bikes to go and look at bikes with you.

as a guy who does a fair bit of riding, i can tell you that things can and do break and wear out continually.

its good that you're into 2 strokes, as these are much more suitable for someone on a buget, rebuilds are cheaper, and 125 parts seem to be relatively cheap.

hopefully either you or someone you are good friends with is fairly mechanical and has a reasonable set of tools.

without trying to put you off, factor into your spending the following

probably a minimum of $600 worth of riding gear - good helmet, boots, armour of some sort, goggles, gloves, and at least a set of knee pads. i can tell you first hand that broken knees are no fun.

to run your bike you will need to be using at least 95 octane pump gas, along with a good 2 stroke mixing oil. 4 litres of castrol TTS is the most cost effective way of purchasing this, and its $85 a bottle from super cheap.

for every 10 litres of fuel, you will be using $5.30 worth of oil, which makes for $22 for every 10 litres. including fuel at $1.75 per litre.

fortunately with 2 strokes thats it for engine oil, and no filters are needed either for oil. you still have the trans oil, usually around 700ml per change, and an oil change should be done every 10 hours at the longest. around $8 worth of auto trans fluid each time.

top end kits, which on a 125 should be done in my opinion at least every 50 hours will probably set you back around $180 each time.

now im not trying to put you off, but i've had mates who couldnt really afford to run bikes, and its ended badly each time, likewise trying to do things on the cheap always ends up more expensive. bear this in mind.

to conclude, riding bikes is not cheap, and you sortof have to go all in or nothing, so getting yourself an after school job to fund your sport is probably going to be a must, unless you have very generous parents.

id also suggest spending a bit more on the bike initially and trying to get something from this millenium or at least a 98 or 99.




you will find info about thunder in the "places to ride" thread up the top of the off road forum here on kb


another cheaper option for having a go, is talk friendly to some of the locals or jafas and one of them might let you have a bit fo a go on one of their bikes


good luck!

[Microman171]

I understand what you are saying, and I'll have to pass that on.

It looks like it will cost more than I thought... A job will surly be a must, but that will leave me with little time to ride...? I get home from school at about 4:30. A job at somewhere like New World of the Warehouse I suppose...

My mum reckons they will pay for parts, but I will see what she thinks AFTER I tell her the cost.

I wasn't expecting the gear to cost so much, I was thinking second hand for the most part. New goggles and a new helmet.

Do these bikes use much fuel? The way you added it up made it look like fuel wont be a problem =)

[honda_power]

never too late. seeing as your in the waikato your welcome to meet me at a mx track some time and have a blast on my yz250 if you cant find a bike more suitable for a first-timer

iv seen that cr... it looks pretty fucked. old mx bikes = trouble

[flyingcr250]

I understand what you are saying, and I'll have to pass that on.

It looks like it will cost more than I thought... A job will surly be a must, but that will leave me with little time to ride...? I get home from school at about 4:30. A job at somewhere like New World of the Warehouse I suppose...

My mum reckons they will pay for parts, but I will see what she thinks AFTER I tell her the cost.

I wasn't expecting the gear to cost so much, I was thinking second hand for the most part. New goggles and a new helmet.

Do these bikes use much fuel? The way you added it up made it look like fuel wont be a problem =)

yea mate a job would definatley help, atleast then you can pay for the smaller things yourself like oils, fuel, entry fees for bike parks, also helps take the pressure off mum and dad. etc...

as for the gear i would suggest spending a bit on a good helmet (its your head after all) and some decent boots, things like armour you can pick up 2nd hand..

[B0000M]

on a typical day riding i'd go through about 15 litres on my old CR125.

as the old saying goes, nothing is more 2nd hand than a 2nd hand dirt bike

[Microman171]

It does...? It looked find to my inexperienced eyes...

Flying CR250, that sounds like a good way of doing things. Living in a small town during the recession makes it a little hard to get a job... I was thinking of saving my money from holiday jobs.

YZ250 eh? Sounds pretty big =)

Can someone tell me more of what I need?

So far I know this:
Safety Gear:
Helmet
Goggles
Boots
Knee Brace
Body Armour
Kidney Belt
Gloves
MX Jersey
Pants

I am defiantly mechanically inclined. I haven't actually worked on any engines before though... I pick things up quick.

What do you actually do for maintenance...? All I know is you clean the air filter every ride or two, you oil the chain (before every practice?).

Thanks for helping out a prospective newbie =)

Dan

[laserracer]

Hi microman171 we have 2 x bikes my yz426 and my sons yz250, we are in hamilton, he has just raced his first ever mx race last sunday with the cambridge mx club was very wet but he loved it, he started riding about 18months ago and like you had never riden a bike..we brought him a klx300 kawasaki trail bike to learn on and after a while he started to improve to a point where he was confident enough to ride in organised trail rides .. he soon found the klx to slow so we brought the yz 250..i think its best to start slow and build your way up with both the bikes and the riding..If you need a hand looking at bikes i am more than willing to have a look with you and check them out
cheers Dave

[flyingcr250]

It does...? It looked find to my inexperienced eyes...

Flying CR250, that sounds like a good way of doing things. Living in a small town during the recession makes it a little hard to get a job... I was thinking of saving my money from holiday jobs.

YZ250 eh? Sounds pretty big =)

Can someone tell me more of what I need?

So far I know this:
Safety Gear:
Helmet
Goggles
Boots
Knee Brace
Body Armour
Kidney Belt
Gloves
MX Jersey
Pants

I am defiantly mechanically inclined. I haven't actually worked on any engines before though... I pick things up quick.

What do you actually do for maintenance...? All I know is you clean the air filter every ride or two, you oil the chain (before every practice?).

Thanks for helping out a prospective newbie =)

Dan

yea most of us work to ride. i know i do lol

[Microman171]

Wow! You guys sure are generous =).

I would love to have a test ride on a proper track somewhere, but it would need to have some good flats to start out on.

Anyone have a YZ125? I was thinking of starting with a 125 of some kind.

[honda_power]

It does...? It looked find to my inexperienced eyes...

Flying CR250, that sounds like a good way of doing things. Living in a small town during the recession makes it a little hard to get a job... I was thinking of saving my money from holiday jobs.

YZ250 eh? Sounds pretty big =)

Can someone tell me more of what I need?

So far I know this:
Safety Gear:
Helmet
Goggles
Boots
Knee Brace
Body Armour
Kidney Belt
Gloves
MX Jersey
Pants

I am defiantly mechanically inclined. I haven't actually worked on any engines before though... I pick things up quick.

What do you actually do for maintenance...? All I know is you clean the air filter every ride or two, you oil the chain (before every practice?).

Thanks for helping out a prospective newbie =)

Dan

You dont need all that. I ride with boots, gloves and a 2nd hand taped up fly helmet. Not saying you should, But helmet googles gloves and boots are all you need to start.

Through school I had a milking job in weekends and holidays. Parents never supported my riding... at your age I managed to buy a 02 rm125 and pay for gas and maintance. Its not that hard.