Complete beginner looking for advice

**clmintie** · 7th October 2008, 17:04

Originally Posted by Xander87

I have always wanted to get into dirt bikes but have never had the money until now. How would a complete newbie go about learning how to ride, what bike to get, where to go etc?

Come up to the Power/Botany Honda family trail ride on the 19th at Woodhill, they have the range of Honda bikes available for test rides. They are usually able to spend a bit of time with beginners, teaching basics... Then, if you buy a new Honda, buy it from them, they will have earnt your custom.

**krad_nz** · 7th October 2008, 17:13

I got given a 1983 XL250R that I've learned on.
You are most welcome to use it. I can put it on the trailer and you can take it out and have a hoon. I don't care if you drop it etc.

Its now designated the whore bike, ie: everyone gets a ride :P I think my brother is going to give it a blast at the family day ride thingy next weekend. He's never been on a bike before.

Low seat height, but still accommodating. I'm 6'2 and it was fine to learn on, probably looked a bit goofy on me though :P My gf is 5'2 and she has taken it for a ride also, so unless you're a midget it will be fine.

It has decent low down torque but is no power fiend by any stretch of the imagination. I've taken it on many rides now and it's got me the end of every one of the them.

Down sides.
- heavy compared to modern bikes.
- drum brakes. Meh, no biggy if you're a learner you won't be going too fast anyway.

Pic of it in my profile. Sexy huh?

**CRF119** · 8th October 2008, 07:36

i also wouldnt reccommend trail riding a 125 anywhere serious, unless you know you're going to have a clear run all day.

I spent alot of time on a CR125 and i have to disagree. The 125 teaches clutch/throttle control, those that find them to hard id just say have gotten lazy with the new 4 strokers.

You also dont have to speend 4-6k to get a good one 2002-2004 125 should cost no more then 4k and are very light, very easy to maintain and you should be able to go almost anywhere on it wth practise!

Also when it comes to rebuilding the top end its simple as there is no valves/cams etc so even a monkey can do it and not have to pay your local shop $60-$80 a hour to do the rebuild!

**Hemex** · 8th October 2008, 09:03

Originally Posted by CRF119

Also when it comes to rebuilding the top end its simple as there is no valves/cams etc so even a monkey can do it and not have to pay your local shop $60-$80 a hour to do the rebuild!

Bloody good advice! Not being a very mechanical person

and now with a 4 stroke I am getting a little worried about what Im going to do once I have to do any fixes/reparis to the engine...

Although enjoying my ride was more important and so I went with a 4 smoker promising myself that I would learn the ropes of how to handle my own engine...Getting there...SLOWLY though!

The 125 felt a little under powered for my size and the 250 2 smoker scared me..lol..

Like I said...go around test the different types and see what makes you stop and say 'Fark yeah....that was brilliant!!'

**oldskool** · 8th October 2008, 09:21

Hiya,

I've owned PE175's (C and X) XR250R's, the legendary TT500 and the good ole XR500RC thumper in the past and used to ride them on road off road and absolutely abuse them to death, no oil changes, rode buckled wheels, bent forks etc etc. But I have to say I love my ole 200R, easy to work on, reliable and in woodhill plenty enough low end power to remain respectable.

I'll be going to woodhill on the 19th you're quite welcome to tick around the beginners track on the ole '86 XR200R although the Honda Team may have their CRF150 there anyway.

Also will be taking up a little DS80 if you want to scream around on that.

**SpikedPunch** · 8th October 2008, 10:44

I'm newbie as well. Before I got my bike I just made sure ask everyone I knew who rode bikes advice (my dad's boss is big into his bikes and would send dad home with his old kiwi riders with ads circled out for what I should get - very helpful), brought it up at every opportunity

Went round to lots of shops, asked more questions, sat on bikes, went online and saw what people recommended for people of my height/(lack of)experience. Picked out four I liked, and then went for the best deal I could find on trademe.

Originally Posted by krad_nz

My gf is 5'2 and she has taken it for a ride also, so unless you're a midget it will be fine.

*5'1" actually

'The lump' is a mighty learning tool. Great for making you appreciate lighter newer bikes

**cheese** · 8th October 2008, 11:25

There is the option of the new 150 4 stroke bikes like teh CRF150R and the other brands are all bringing them out now too - good for short people. I'd learn on something not as peppy though.

**theblacksmith** · 9th October 2008, 20:05

Originally Posted by cheese

And if it has a luxury exhaust, leave it alone!

Hahahaha! Crack up man!! But very true aye.

**BM-GS** · 13th October 2008, 18:17

As another data point, I'm attacking the newbie thing from another angle: being dad to 2 bike-mad boys (ages 5 & 3) we're now at the point where mum & dad need a bike as the kids are about to launch off the pee-wee tracks & onto bigger trails - and we've got fed up with watching them have all the fun...

Both of us have ridden road bikes for years, but very little (me) to no (her) off-road. We're taking the gentle route, as we have to drive the littlies home afterwards and will spend a lot of time picking up and re-starting them & their bike(s).

We figure a CRF150 for us (having had a quick spin on Botany's loaner) as it's small enough for her to learn on & light and may even have a button starter, tho unsure how many starts it'll do. Big enough for me (1.8m, 90kg), and this is our first off-roader, not our last. Also unstressed, low maint, etc. Can go for the 450s later.

Now, to teach the kids about bike-washing, lubing, etc...

**oldskool** · 14th October 2008, 09:26

Now, to teach the kids about bike-washing, lubing, etc...

I hear yah BM-GS. My kids are 10 and 12 and I've just got them a 1990 DS80 10hp ($550) to destroy. In my daughters case it's hopefully to swing her away from getting a pony. I've also just got myself an XR200R 20hp ($750) which I guess the CRF150 is a close enough equivalence in performance. I've had to suck it big listening to bigboy talk about 450's etc but having ridden dirt bikes since I was 15, and having totally thrashed the TT500 and XR500, I've learned it takes more skill to look good riding on a small barrel than a big barrel where 100% snotting it carves you outa trouble most of the times. What ever model you get, and what ever skill level you're at, I think you'll enjoy carving up the trails!

**FROSTY:Me** · 14th October 2008, 20:48

Hey BM- With my clan of bike nutters I had a KDX220 --great bike but totally wrong for following the kids around.
Instead Ive got a honda NXR125. and its bloody fantastic.
starts first kick. comfortable seat and enough power to outrun the kids on their 80's