How/where to get started in off-road riding in Auckland?

[chocobo_ff]

depends how much cash you have to spend, if you have lots of money buy new, remember that this sport is NOT cheap so make sure you set aside at least $600 ideally $1000 for all the protective gear, trailer (if you don't already have one) money for oil/gas, money for paying to ride at trail rides etc etc...... it all adds up. no one ever told me about the amount of cash it would drain, now i am addicted so just can't stop....

Still undecided on how much I want to spend, but leaning towards new, then I'll have less things to worry about maintenance wise (going to hurt my wallet a bit more but probably worth it?). Looking at the Kawasaki bikes... probably something like the KLX110/KLX140? Or should I be looking at moto x bikes like KX85/KX125? Not that interested in doing (big) jumps, although might be something to consider after I gain some off road experience (at the moment though, motard still seems like what I'm most interested in )

Have set aside about $1k for protective gear, although just after something that'll give me maximum protection, doesn't have to be the most expensive/flash gear. Got access to an ute so probably use that .

if you want really good advice try posting your height and weight. also where you think you might like to ride. do you live out west? if so woodhill should become your new home this winter.

Nope live in east Auckland, parents' farm down south though. Reading the sticky about places to ride, it seems like I have to travel quite a bit no matter where I go

I'm 1.8m and about 94kg (working very hard to cut down by about 10kg ) Probably going to do mostly trail riding (if my understanding of trail ride being dirt road, forest etc being correct?) to start off with.

[Ktmboy]

Here's a solution Chocobo (had to google the word to find out on the mystic)
There will be a good range of Kawasaki Demo bikes at our trail ride this Sunday, KLX450/KX450/KLX250/300 and the 140 range as well. See PDF below.

These will be available to ride around the 4-5 k farm loop only and not out onto the forestry tracks.

Ph Grant(Tuna) at Spectrum Motorcycles Takapuna if you would like more info. 09 489 5355

[jimmy 2006]

you are too big for the klx140, + i think that you would be bored of it by christmas, if not before. new kx125 from scott is a hell of a good deal, but then a kx125 as a first bike i would not recommend. it was my first bike and i learnt alot, but mostly the hard way......... in trees ect... frustration from fouling plugs..... klx250 or kdx200 or if you want some 4 stroke motorcross fun a kxf250 is the business.

[Rupe]

you are too big for the klx140, + i think that you would be bored of it by christmas, if not before. new kx125 from scott is a hell of a good deal, but then a kx125 as a first bike i would not recommend. it was my first bike and i learnt alot, but mostly the hard way......... in trees ect... frustration from fouling plugs..... klx250 or kdx200 or if you want some 4 stroke motorcross fun a kxf250 is the business.

This makes sense to me, you could start off with trying out the three bikes jimmy mentioned as they are all light, but still quick enough to make you grin.


Make the effort to go and try some bikes through spectum, and don't worry a 4-5km loop will be very easy to pick up the basics on. It's important to find out what you like and don't before you go parting with any cash.

Enjoy

[chocobo_ff]

Here's a solution Chocobo (had to google the word to find out on the mystic)
There will be a good range of Kawasaki Demo bikes at our trail ride this Sunday, KLX450/KX450/KLX250/300 and the 140 range as well. See PDF below.

These will be available to ride around the 4-5 k farm loop only and not out onto the forestry tracks.

Ph Grant(Tuna) at Spectrum Motorcycles Takapuna if you would like more info. 09 489 5355

Sounds like a fun day, not sure if I have the time to go as I have other commitments on Sunday will have to try my best to go though

you are too big for the klx140, + i think that you would be bored of it by christmas, if not before. new kx125 from scott is a hell of a good deal, but then a kx125 as a first bike i would not recommend. it was my first bike and i learnt alot, but mostly the hard way......... in trees ect... frustration from fouling plugs..... klx250 or kdx200 or if you want some 4 stroke motorcross fun a kxf250 is the business.

Went to Mt Eden Motorcycles to have a look, the KLX140 is tiny! I was recommended the KLX300 or KX250F... not sure what are the differences though? Was told one's enduro and the other motocross, which unfortunately doesn't tell me much Man now I wish I am free on Sunday so I can go to that trail ride thing on Sunday to get an idea what really suits me

[B0000M]

my suggestion to you would be a CR250X, got some power, nice and light, suspension is good, electric start, road-legal-able, able to be ridden by beginners or experts, plus the abundance of parts and accessories readily available everywhere.

at 95kg i would suggest a 85 is out of the question, and a 125 you would find underpowered and difficult to learn on. but a 250 4 stroke i reckon would be ideal.

yes im honda biased, but thats because ive had hondas since 1993 and never had a problem other than wear and tear items. ive ridden trails, enduros, cross countrys, mx at national level, beach racing, flat track racing at national level, paddock playing, you name it and ive never been let down.

[jimmy 2006]

seriously go and see scott at Mr motorcycles (pukekohe) look him up, even just give him a call.. he will look after you and point you in the right direction. a new kx250f is a hell of alot of fun, typically MX bikes have more grunt than trail models, but are higher maintainance. (this is the trade off that you have to make.) you would not be dissapointed if you bought a new KX250f!!!!

[chocobo_ff]

seriously go and see scott at Mr motorcycles (pukekohe) look him up, even just give him a call.. he will look after you and point you in the right direction.

Yep probably be going down this weekend, will be going towards that general direction on Saturday anyway. Now's probably too late to call, but just in case I forget tomorrow, does anyone know if it's open on Saturdays and what time? Can't seem to find that info on the website...

a new kx250f is a hell of alot of fun, typically MX bikes have more grunt than trail models, but are higher maintainance. (this is the trade off that you have to make.) you would not be dissapointed if you bought a new KX250f!!!!

Hmm, not sure if I want the extra grunt (probably will in a few months ), but yeah going to see what Scott can suggest and go from there

[tnarg]

Listen to jimmy the kx250f is an awesome bike, im not bias at all

[B0000M]

much the same as the CRF250X... only the honda is a honda. and it can be road legal too if you ever wanted it to be. and it has electric start, and it has less ferocious power as its the trail version... Botany Honda ive found are good guys to deal with , theoreticly relatively close to where you are

(where have all the honda supporters gone in this forum???)

[chocobo_ff]

much the same as the CRF250X... only the honda is a honda. and it can be road legal too if you ever wanted it to be. and it has electric start, and it has less ferocious power as its the trail version... Botany Honda ive found are good guys to deal with , theoreticly relatively close to where you are

(where have all the honda supporters gone in this forum???)

I can imagine the Hondas would be very reliable... though Kawasaki was what made me get a motorcycle license in the first place, so I'm biased towards that

Botany Honda IS close, about 10-15 minutes drive, looks like they have a CRF250X in stock too should check that out when I am not busy being lazy

[B0000M]

I can imagine the Hondas would be very reliable... though Kawasaki was what made me get a motorcycle license in the first place, so I'm biased towards that

Botany Honda IS close, about 10-15 minutes drive, looks like they have a CRF250X in stock too should check that out when I am not busy being lazy

honda may be the thing that gives you many years of happy riding to come, (and from what ive heard, cheaper parts as well)

im not trying to make you buy what i say, but dont get fixed on one idea before checking out whats out there, especially if you're not in a rush i suggest going and looking at and riding whatever you can get your hands on until you figure out for yourself what it is you like in a bike

[chocobo_ff]

honda may be the thing that gives you many years of happy riding to come, (and from what ive heard, cheaper parts as well)

im not trying to make you buy what i say, but dont get fixed on one idea before checking out whats out there, especially if you're not in a rush i suggest going and looking at and riding whatever you can get your hands on until you figure out for yourself what it is you like in a bike

Fair enough, a very valid comment (whether you are biased towards Honda or not ). Reading the other threads in the forum, it appears that Kawasaki and Honda are the two main bikes people go for, what about the other Japanese bikes (Suzuki, Yamaha)?

[scott411]

ill chime in here now,

i think a KX250F is a great bike, although i would not reccomend it as a 1st bike, if you are looking at kawasaki either the KLX300 or KDX200 would be a better bet, lower maintence, a bit eaiser powerband, if you ave never ridden bikes before i would probebly stear you towrads the KLX300,

the KX125 would be very hard to manage for a new rider, although it will make you a better rider if you learn to ride it properly, the KLX140 and KX85 are smaller bikes and would not be suitable,

we are not open this weekend as we shut long weekends, if you want more advice give me a yell,

Scott, Mr Motorcycles ,

[B0000M]

Fair enough, a very valid comment (whether you are biased towards Honda or not ). Reading the other threads in the forum, it appears that Kawasaki and Honda are the two main bikes people go for, what about the other Japanese bikes (Suzuki, Yamaha)?

suzuki's, most of what i hear from suzuki owners, past or present are problems, also the amount of dealers doesnt appear to be as many as honda and kawasaki (from what ive seen) and therefore parts availability and service may not be as convenient. as for why not many ppl ride yammys here, i dont know