sports bikes offroad

**pyrocam** · 26th July 2005, 18:16

what happens when I take my penny thick road tires onto sand? and more importantly, up and around grassy hills.

can I do it or should I buy a motard....

I was thinking it would be fun to ride around off road a bit, over some country hillside and forest etc.

Ive heard it might be ok on sand if its hard enough but I dont think it would go over dunes or anything

**Motoracer** · 26th July 2005, 18:19

Ha ha, at least it's only a RGV.

My rude insults aside. If you really want to do it. Get a pair of knobllies for your bike. If you want to go over bumps, be prepared to replace the forkseals. Ultimately a dirt bike would be a HELL of a lot more fun than trying to do the same thing on your road bike.

**Toast** · 26th July 2005, 18:24

I thought it would be cool to spin my tyre up and spray sand in my mate's face at Piha one day...on a CBR250...

well I looked like a right dick when absolutely nothing happened....no bite on the soft sand at all....and I had to push the bastard away from the sand...

so yeah, knobblies would be a must then

**avgas** · 26th July 2005, 18:29

back in the day i couldnt afford a 'road legal' offroad bike (Those RMX's so sexy), so i bought my old RGonefiddy.
Make sure u have good chunky tyres (like Shinko's or some other crap tyre), as it gives u that little bit more grip.
And try keep off the seat.
Knobblys are good - but if ya want ta save money, just keep ya balance real good and dont slam the breaks on.

**Ixion** · 26th July 2005, 18:33

Originally Posted by pyrocam

what happens when I take my penny thick road tires onto sand? and more importantly, up and around grassy hills.

can I do it or should I buy a motard....

I was thinking it would be fun to ride around off road a bit, over some country hillside and forest etc.

Ive heard it might be ok on sand if its hard enough but I dont think it would go over dunes or anything

You will be fine on grassy hills so long as it is dry. I used to ride all sorts of road bikes off road. Sand depends on whether it is wet or not and what's under it. Wet sand like on a beach is fine , just like a road. Keep on the bit that's just above the waterline - watch out for waves.

Dunes are sometimes easier than you'd think. Especially if there's been a bit of rain. Ride across the face of the dune on an angle , and be very careful at the top.

Lower tyre pressures help too, but remember to have a way to reinflate them before going home, and be careful not to go too low unless you have the tyres clamped cos the valve stems may pull out.

Tis a very good way to push your slow riding skllls and practicing falling off.

Remember that salt does really shitty things to alloy.

Obviously you're not going to be able to compete with proper dirt bikes. But for a bit of afternoon fun, you should be fine.

Also, remember that riding in dunes is frowned on by people. You upset the dotterals or something. But then riding motorbikes anywhere is frowned on by people, cos you upset the dodderers

**Motu** · 26th July 2005, 20:44

Smooth tyres are ok for sand - knobs just dig holes,bigger knobs dig bigger holes.... a trials tyre is one of the best sand tyres run at very low pressures.Hard pack on the beach is the most fun surfaces you'll ever ride on,if you like to get sideways.....soft dune sand is one of the most frustrating and tireing.To get anywhere off road with your tyres speed and momentium is necessary,and some skill.....but crashing is fun....

**pyrocam** · 26th July 2005, 20:50

Originally Posted by Toast

I thought it would be cool to spin my tyre up and spray sand in my mate's face at Piha one day...on a CBR250...

well I looked like a right dick when absolutely nothing happened....no bite on the soft sand at all....and I had to push the bastard away from the sand...

so yeah, knobblies would be a must then

hehe.
I got some mad wheel spin when I did it at muriwai. only did it once and didnt look at my rear. I might have just been digging a hole

I might look at some quickly detachable mirrors if im going duning. good way to get the paint off I guess

**pyrocam** · 26th July 2005, 20:53

anyone want to go have a play at muriwai this weekend?

**NhuanH** · 26th July 2005, 20:53

Ground control to Mr $kid, ground control to Mr $kid: Your new disciple has arrived, please proceed to "Wide Eyed Newbie Fans Of Equally Foolish Behaviour" counter to collect.....

**unhingedlizard** · 26th July 2005, 20:56

saw a proper sand trye once. was completely smooth but had funny scoops all around the tyre.

**Ixion** · 26th July 2005, 20:58

Originally Posted by NhuanH

Ground control to Mr $kid, ground control to Mr $kid: Your new disciple has arrived, please proceed to "Wide Eyed Newbie Fans Of Equally Foolish Behaviour" counter to collect.....

Heh heh you're just jealous.

For someone restricted to 250cc dual purpose has to be MUCH more fun than sports bikes. And less expensive and less painful. And you'll learn more about real riding in one afternoon on a beach or bush track than in a month of squidding .

Go for it Mr Pyrocam, you'll have fun.

**R6_kid:Me** · 26th July 2005, 21:23

talk to mr skid... he had a CBR250 moto-cross spec and now has an XT600, not particularly sure of his reasons but he did ride on the beach when we stopped on the kaiaua ride