n00b gear questions

[cheesemethod]

Hi all. I've been wanting to get into a bit of dirt riding for years and I'm finally in a financial position to go out and do so. Starting at the tender age of 23 doesn't give me much of a change of being a motorcross champ, but I do like the idea of trail rides and beach riding etc. Bike wise I'm aiming for something 250ish, doesn't have to be mint and I can do my own mechanical work. Lots of good options around so not too concerned about that.

I do have a few queries about gear, however. I figure that good helmet, googles, gloves and boots are an absolute must - but how far should one go with pads and armour etc? Is this only for big air and motocross or is it sensible to have these things for trail riding too? Any other important bits of gear I'm missing?

[tnarg]

Knee pads are a must. Most people I know wear body armour but I find it to hot but for large events and mx I will wear a chest protector as stones flying at ya like bullets are not much fun.

[theblacksmith]

If youre going to jump(which you most likely will lol) make sure you get a kidney belt mate. Sore kidneys arent much fun believe me!
If youre gonna do a few trail rides I would recommend bark busters or similar - the branches hitting your hands flat out in fifth arent very comfortable at all. Some pressure suits have most of the armour installed in them - but some can get a bit hot to ride in. Chest protectors and knee pads can protect you - personal preference I suppose. Gloves can be of different qualities as well. I currently use Fox Dirtpaws and am very pleased with them-had no blisters at all with them and theyre comfy as with good grip on the handlebars even in wet conditions.

[buffstar]

IMO get it all - one day you will need it....(usually the day your not wearing it lol)
you're obviously already a biker and stands to reason that you will in time be honking along at a decent pace - good to have something there to deflect a certain ammount of impact/gravel rash/trees (ouch ouch and ouch)
Hope you have a ball out on the trails..... and Im with the blacksmith the jump bug will bite your ass too

[scott411]

i am with Buffstar, get everyting you can,
bare minimum imo is boots helmet gloves, pants, long sleeve shirt, knee pads, kidney belt, body armour, goggles,

[cheesemethod]

Thanks for your input guys. I've sorted out a ute now, so I'll be looking for bikes soon. Any tips in regards to what to look for when buying a second hand dirt bike? - I mean besides the obvous you would look for on a road bike

[theblacksmith]

Thanks for your input guys. I've sorted out a ute now, so I'll be looking for bikes soon. Any tips in regards to what to look for when buying a second hand dirt bike? - I mean besides the obvous you would look for on a road bike

What to check when buying a second-hand bike.

VISUAL - ON STAND

Plastics, tank, seat :- splits , repairs, tyre rub, seat foam deformed or hard.

Frame :- dents under frame rails, repairs, alignments, tightness of footpegs.

Pipe / silencer:- dents, leaks, repairs.

Engine / gear oil :- level, colour.

Radiators :- bent , repaired , evidence of leaks, coolant level / colour.

Controls :- light smooth action on cables, sponge in brakes,

Handlebars :- straight, tight, rubber into top yoke, grip ends, slack in levers.

Seals :- fork legs, rear shock, output shaft, gear shift, any oil leaks / repairs around sump plug.

General :- heavy spannering, replaced nuts / bolts, fuel tap, oil leaks.

Chainset :- wear, alignment.



MECHANICAL - ON STAND

Wheels :- dents/ repairs, spoke tension, spin to check rim, tyre, disc alignments, pad/disc wear.

Front end :- wheel bearings, fork bushes, headset- wear and roughness.

Rear end :- wheel bearings, swing arm bushes, slop in linkage.

Suspension :- do all adjusters move.

Seat off and check air filter for fit, holes and cleanness.

Gear shift lever / kickstart tight on shafts.



OFF STAND

Feel suspension, ride position.



START AND RUN ENGINE

Compression, ease of start.

Noise :- tick over, clutch in/out, rev up, exhaust note.

Electrics :- On /off/kill, lights Hi/ low, brake light switches, indicators, horn, neutral light.

Can you get neutral with engine running.



TAKE FOR A RIDE

Does speedo work /odometer move.

All gears up and down and smoothness of change.

Try for clutch slip, test brakes, suspension.

Flat spots , hot restart.



PAPERWORK

Proof of ownership, MOT cert, Tax disc, V5, previous owners.

proof of year, work done receipts, handbook.



DECISION

Yes:- cash, receipt, means of transport.

No :- justify

Maybe :- names and phone numbers, set time for yes or no.

[RJM]

I'm only 3 months into the joys of owning a CRF250R as my first bike and people tend to think I'm a little mad having that as a first bike especially considering I'm into the trail rides.

My gear consists of the below and I find at all does an important job protecting me while riding:
Helmet, goggles, jersey, kidney belt, roost protector, pants, knee pads, boots. I had a pressure suit but found it was far too bulky and I'd overheat in it. Another important and cheap piece of gear is a hydration pack. Essential to have water with you and handy to carry car keys, small first aid kit etc.

[cheese]

Redrider has a CR250 for sale. Tidy bike for $3k.

[Jinxycat]

Just a quick note on protection, while wearing Aroh lid, 661 full Armour, ufo knee/leg guards and tech 10 boots i hit a stump in long grass while running in a new bike, the result was broken fib x1 tib x4, not a story to put you off but to wear all the gear, that was almost 8 months now and im still on acc, also big upps and love goes out to my trail side angels" you know who you are"