Want to do some off road riding, need to know where to start

[chocobo_ff]

I've been thinking I need to do something fun and not as crazy as riding in the stupid Auckland traffic , and so been looking at doing some off road riding for a while. I am struggling to find some good, beginner-friendly info on this though. There's tons of info on things like how to maintain bikes etc, but I think I need something a bit more basic... heck, I don't really know what questions to ask, so be good if someone can point me in the right direction (e.g. a website or something). I know how to ride on the road (not going to claim I'd the best rider in the world but hey...), just never been off the road before.

I'm thinking of going to the Sandpit sometime seeing as they have bikes for rent, although not sure how suitable that would be for a complete beginner? And does anyone know if I can rent gear there as well or would I need to prepare my own?

Oh and I'm about 90 (towards the end of the week) to 95kg (after a good weekend), so thinking maybe a 250? Or maybe a KDX200 as many have already recommended on KB...

Thanks!

[flyingcr250]

I've been thinking I need to do something fun and not as crazy as riding in the stupid Auckland traffic , and so been looking at doing some off road riding for a while. I am struggling to find some good, beginner-friendly info on this though. There's tons of info on things like how to maintain bikes etc, but I think I need something a bit more basic... heck, I don't really know what questions to ask, so be good if someone can point me in the right direction (e.g. a website or something). I know how to ride on the road (not going to claim I'd the best rider in the world but hey...), just never been off the road before.

I'm thinking of going to the Sandpit sometime seeing as they have bikes for rent, although not sure how suitable that would be for a complete beginner? And does anyone know if I can rent gear there as well or would I need to prepare my own?

Oh and I'm about 90 (towards the end of the week) to 95kg (after a good weekend), so thinking maybe a 250? Or maybe a KDX200 as many have already recommended on KB...

Thanks!

if i was going to rent a bike and ride for the very first time i would give james at thunder park a call theres a kiddies track and a not so difficult b-loop thats lots of fun. does anyone have his number???? im pretty sure hes opening up this weekend too.......

[xen]

if i was going to rent a bike and ride for the very first time i would give james at thunder park a call theres a kiddies track and a not so difficult b-loop thats lots of fun. does anyone have his number???? im pretty sure hes opening up this weekend too.......

+1 will be easier than sand to learn on although won't be fully dry yet??
No. is 233 3117, will be there this weekend

Can recommend the kdx, was my first bike and was good to learn on

[chocobo_ff]

+1 will be easier than sand to learn on although won't be fully dry yet??
No. is 233 3117, will be there this weekend

Can recommend the kdx, was my first bike and was good to learn on

Thought part of the fun is to get wet/dirty? (don't think that'll help with the learning process though)

[flyingcr250]

Thought part of the fun is to get wet/dirty? (don't think that'll help with the learning process though)

it should be sweet this weekend, the metservice says its ment to be mint weather till monday, so most of the track would be damp/dry with the usual bog holes.......

[L Rider]

Thunder is a good place to learn - i went around & around the keds/learners track - so much easier than bloody sand which finally i'm now starting to enjoy riding in.

How much of the B Loop is actually left? I had heard it had gone but you could still do half of it by going through some gate somewhere???
Does anyone know?
There's no way i could do the A loop yet & no way wud i attempt the mx track & think now i'd get bored spending all day on the learners.

[chocobo_ff]

Cool will give James at thunder park a call sometime then - does anyone know how much it is to rent bike/gear etc there?

[Reckless]

if i was going to rent a bike and ride for the very first time i would give james at thunder park a call theres a kiddies track and a not so difficult b-loop thats lots of fun. does anyone have his number???? im pretty sure hes opening up this weekend too.......

Last time I was there the New MX track has taken the B loop out.
Although we still got to it by opening and closing the gate at the bottom of the drive up to the learners track. And riding the B till it got back to the Learners track. I'm not sure if we where allowed but it was a great little loop for the learners we had. So there is options.

PS Thunder is good to learn at and he has good bikes and all the gear!

[Reckless]

oh by the way just called and it opens today!!!
And you are allowed to do the B loop I described.
His boy said its still pretty wet down there though!!

Cheers all!

[B0000M]

Thought part of the fun is to get wet/dirty? (don't think that'll help with the learning process though)

yea, it is part of the fun, however on your first go, wet & dirty = a day of falling off and picking a bike up whilst slipping over at the same time.

your best to go out a few times to get the hang of the off road terrain before trying in the wet. you might as well forget the majority of what you know about riding road bikes on the dirt.

most importantly - HAVE FUN!!

[K6K]

I've been thinking I need to do something fun and not as crazy as riding in the stupid Auckland traffic , and so been looking at doing some off road riding for a while. I am struggling to find some good, beginner-friendly info on this though. There's tons of info on things like how to maintain bikes etc, but I think I need something a bit more basic... heck, I don't really know what questions to ask, so be good if someone can point me in the right direction (e.g. a website or something). I know how to ride on the road (not going to claim I'd the best rider in the world but hey...), just never been off the road before.

I'm thinking of going to the Sandpit sometime seeing as they have bikes for rent, although not sure how suitable that would be for a complete beginner? And does anyone know if I can rent gear there as well or would I need to prepare my own?

Oh and I'm about 90 (towards the end of the week) to 95kg (after a good weekend), so thinking maybe a 250? Or maybe a KDX200 as many have already recommended on KB...

Thanks!

I don't think you will regret trying the dirt...I was on road bikes for years and since starting on the dirt 18 months ago I have hardly had the time to be on the road as I am on the dirt every chance I get! I have just sold off my GSXR to by a new dirt bike so I won't be on the road anymore either. Give me a PM if you want any advice on transitioning from road to dirt. Good luck!

+1 will be easier than sand to learn on although won't be fully dry yet??
No. is 233 3117, will be there this weekend

Can recommend the kdx, was my first bike and was good to learn on

I still have not been down to thunder..been meaning to for ages. Supposed to be at the sandpit one day this weekend but that does leave one day spare... What day are you down there Xen?

[chocobo_ff]

I don't think you will regret trying the dirt...I was on road bikes for years and since starting on the dirt 18 months ago I have hardly had the time to be on the road as I am on the dirt every chance I get! I have just sold off my GSXR to by a new dirt bike so I won't be on the road anymore either. Give me a PM if you want any advice on transitioning from road to dirt. Good luck!

Where did you learn to ride K6K?

Will have to find a day to go down to Thundercross Valley sometime... busy this weekend so hopefully it stays dry next week, can't wait

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

[xen]

I still have not been down to thunder..been meaning to for ages. Supposed to be at the sandpit one day this weekend but that does leave one day spare... What day are you down there Xen?

Will be there sunday with tom & jt

[Midget200]

I've been thinking I need to do something fun and not as crazy as riding in the stupid Auckland traffic , and so been looking at doing some off road riding for a while. I am struggling to find some good, beginner-friendly info on this though. There's tons of info on things like how to maintain bikes etc, but I think I need something a bit more basic... heck, I don't really know what questions to ask, so be good if someone can point me in the right direction (e.g. a website or something). I know how to ride on the road (not going to claim I'd the best rider in the world but hey...), just never been off the road before.

I'm thinking of going to the Sandpit sometime seeing as they have bikes for rent, although not sure how suitable that would be for a complete beginner? And does anyone know if I can rent gear there as well or would I need to prepare my own?

Oh and I'm about 90 (towards the end of the week) to 95kg (after a good weekend), so thinking maybe a 250? Or maybe a KDX200 as many have already recommended on KB...

Thanks!

Yeah the Sandpit is another option with the hire bike! There's a small track by the carpark which is cool to learn on! If you Google The Kawasaki Sandpit, or talk on here to KTM Boy I'm sure he'd be happy giving you a few pointers! The sand is okay at the moment. Went out there today and there's huge puddles around, the sand is still wet! It would be great to learn there. How many times I've been told if you can ride sand you can ride anything! Lots of friendly people out there on Saturdays and Sundays as well. I think Tony has some spare boots and gear as well!

[Rupe]

Yeah the Sandpit is another option with the hire bike! There's a small track by the carpark which is cool to learn on! If you Google The Kawasaki Sandpit, or talk on here to KTM Boy I'm sure he'd be happy giving you a few pointers! The sand is okay at the moment. Went out there today and there's huge puddles around, the sand is still wet! It would be great to learn there. How many times I've been told if you can ride sand you can ride anything! Lots of friendly people out there on Saturdays and Sundays as well. I think Tony has some spare boots and gear as well!

Yep, I really don't see what the bid deal is with sand. It's easy to ride at the moment and if you go in the week it's near empty. Thave a kdx to hire which is fine to learn on, and the staff can tell you some great, safe, easy tracks to cruise round on. Thunder is great to, but if you go on your own and get a bit lost you can easily end up in a bog or slippery hill which will just piss you off if you are trying to get to grips with it.