Dirt bike recommendations?

[Ocean1]

Probably doesn't hurt to buy some pants, boots or shirts 2nd hand eh?

Can't hurt to keep an eye on TM. I'm sure you know but just be careful with the new cheap stuff, some of it's OK but the majority of it's crap. Boots in particular. Having said that don't expect new boots to feel like sheepskin slippers, they take some severe beating to come right. Everything else should be obvious after you've worn it around the shop for half an hour, which you absolutely should do.

If you see something interesting show us, someone will have some history with most stuff.

[nzspokes]

Boots in particular. Having said that don't expect new boots to feel like sheepskin slippers, they take some severe beating to come right.

Mine took an age to to break in. Even then they are as stiff as hell. But thats the point of them.

[bosslady]

You realize this is KB right?

Clothing, pants and amour is ok second hand. Just check the amour out. I may have some arm guards you can have. But boots and helmet get new and to fit you.

Did you wear boots at Woodhill? Wheres the beginner trail?

I know where this is and how some people act, doesn't mean anything to me or excuse some of the behaviour on here.

Anyway what kind of armour is the norm? or recommended rather. I wore my steel cap work boots etc. Learner trail? well when you drive in it's to the left. Got yellow little flags or signs or something, that's the best explanation you'll get from me!

[bosslady]

Can't hurt to keep an eye on TM. I'm sure you know but just be careful with the new cheap stuff, some of it's OK but the majority of it's crap. Boots in particular. Having said that don't expect new boots to feel like sheepskin slippers, they take some severe beating to come right. Everything else should be obvious after you've worn it around the shop for half an hour, which you absolutely should do.

If you see something interesting show us, someone will have some history with most stuff.

could you recommend several good/common brands? I feel like I'm starting all over again, seems like heaps more or different brands compared to road gear.

[Ocean1]

could you recommend several good/common brands? I feel like I'm starting all over again, seems like heaps more or different brands compared to road gear.

I tend to use Gaerne or Sidi boots and Airoh or AGV helmets, not cheap but some of the reason is simply that they fit my deformed shape. I don't have much experience with the more reasonably priced stuff I'm afraid. And yes there is more choice with dirt kit, there's a shitload more people riding dirt bikes.

Don't get too carried away, as I said work trou and shirt are just fine, you really only need helmet, goggles boots and glubs to start with. A bike helps. You might have noticed the shirts are light, and so should the trou be, dirt riding is bloody hard work, a novice probably doesn't put in much less effort than a pro because you get it wrong ALL the time and recovering costs energy. That means you get very hot. For that reason I don't wear armour, I tried a 661 pressure suit years ago when they first came out but I just couldn't handle the heat.

Anyway, plenty of others have had different gear, find interesting stuff and ask away.

Edit: rather than sticking with the majority of dirt kit which is MX based and heavy/rigid check out some of the adventure bike based gear, it's a lot more flexible and easier to live with, (those Forma boots up there somewhere are a good example). When you can ride like Catherine Plumm you'll need MX gear.

[buffstar]

I always hate when people say shit like that, annoying and unnecessary, what a stupid question, in fact its more of a statement isnt it. I'd never buy a 2nd hand road helmet but I don't know if it's the same for dirt biking HENCE WHY I ASKED. Don't try and make someone feel stupid for asking a question. Rant over. But thanks for letting me know about cycletreads.


Probably doesn't hurt to buy some pants, boots or shirts 2nd hand eh?

no difference dirt via road for a helmet chick. Trees are hard when you hit them with your head - better to be safe than sorry. I wouldn't touch a 2nd hand helmet as unless your getting (or borrowing) it off a mate who gives a stuff about your noggin its not worth the risk.
be careful wearing steelies! My dad (road & dirtbiker) was always super anal about them as you can easily amputate your own toes if your foot stops suddenly & the rest of your body dosnt - super easy to do as Im sure you can imagine.
cool that J let you have a tootoo on her KTM!! shes a good stick how did you find it for height & weight? I've ridden it once or twice but it is far too lowered for me (the trials of not being a shorty)

[bosslady]

no difference dirt via road for a helmet chick. Trees are hard when you hit them with your head - better to be safe than sorry. I wouldn't touch a 2nd hand helmet as unless your getting (or borrowing) it off a mate who gives a stuff about your noggin its not worth the risk.
be careful wearing steelies! My dad (road & dirtbiker) was always super anal about them as you can easily amputate your own toes if your foot stops suddenly & the rest of your body dosnt - super easy to do as Im sure you can imagine.
cool that J let you have a tootoo on her KTM!! shes a good stick how did you find it for height & weight? I've ridden it once or twice but it is far too lowered for me (the trials of not being a shorty)

I only wore my work boots cause I was just trying the bike to see if I like the dirt before I commit money to anything lol. It was ok I guess! I mean I only have a gn 250 so I'm used to a low bike and I'm not used to the dirt to know what difference the height of a bike makes to things, I never stood up on it anyway so what do I know, hah.

[bosslady]

What are the "top" brands in MX gear? Is Alpinestars as popular in MX as it is for road/race gear? I saw a lot of people wear Fox - is that what is popular? Are alpinestars boots any good for dirt biking?

[leathel]

What are the "top" brands in MX gear? Is Alpinestars as popular in MX as it is for road/race gear? I saw a lot of people wear Fox - is that what is popular? Are alpinestars boots any good for dirt biking?

I am not up with the play with off road gear as I am a bit of a bogan when it comes to gear off road, Old chest prtectors (only on group rides) and jeans and T-shirt..

But I did spy a rack of clearance gear (I looked at some road gear for rose, half price for that gear I looked at) at my brothers work... I will get him to check if there is any gear that might suit you.

[bosslady]

I am not up with the play with off road gear as I am a bit of a bogan when it comes to gear off road, Old chest prtectors (only on group rides) and jeans and T-shirt..

But I did spy a rack of clearance gear (I looked at some road gear for rose, half price for that gear I looked at) at my brothers work... I will get him to check if there is any gear that might suit you.

yes please do

[buffstar]

What are the "top" brands in MX gear? Is Alpinestars as popular in MX as it is for road/race gear? I saw a lot of people wear Fox - is that what is popular? Are alpinestars boots any good for dirt biking?

what sizes are you after? I have some old sets of gear hanging around that I've loaned out to peeps before so they can get the ball rolling so to speak.
Fox seems to be the dominant brand, but there is also Thor (which I think is slightly cheaper) gosh theres heaps!
make sure you get some knee pads!! they will save your bacon many times over & as you get faster/more extreme it would be a really good idea to get some proper knee braces, be warned they are not cheap - but well worth the investement - I am qualified to throw this advice around as I am sitting on week 10 after ACL knee reconstruction & it pretty much fucked everything, let alone the fact I still cant ride my dirtbike for at least another 3-4 weeks (against surgeons advice coz, he can get fucked)
I've only heard good things about Alpine boots - some of my mates ride with them & love them lots! I personally go for fox, but beware with the entry level ones as the support is not as good.
armour is pretty much essential - amazing how much a twig in the tit can hurt at speed, but it will not save you when you take on a tree
goggles are also not cheap but essential - not only to protect your wee eyeballs from roost but a twig in the eye can be disastrous!
just to give you an idea my gear consists of the following

Helmet
Googles
Jersey (fox of course dahhhhling)
neck brace
armour
camel back (great to be able to have a drink when your gasping and munted mid ride)
kidney belt - takes some getting used to & not everyone bothers
gloves
pants (fox again as I like to match )
knee braces/guards (gunna rock the new braces I bought when I finally get out again)
long socks
boots

oh and a bum bag with tools and spares etc

sooooo quite a lot of expensive shit really! but this has been accumulated over time.....


keep us posted as to how you go, I will have a fossick around in the garage and see if I have anything else to offer later on.

[bosslady]

what sizes are you after? I have some old sets of gear hanging around that I've loaned out to peeps before so they can get the ball rolling so to speak.
Fox seems to be the dominant brand, but there is also Thor (which I think is slightly cheaper) gosh theres heaps!
make sure you get some knee pads!! they will save your bacon many times over & as you get faster/more extreme it would be a really good idea to get some proper knee braces, be warned they are not cheap - but well worth the investement - I am qualified to throw this advice around as I am sitting on week 10 after ACL knee reconstruction & it pretty much fucked everything, let alone the fact I still cant ride my dirtbike for at least another 3-4 weeks (against surgeons advice coz, he can get fucked)
I've only heard good things about Alpine boots - some of my mates ride with them & love them lots! I personally go for fox, but beware with the entry level ones as the support is not as good.
armour is pretty much essential - amazing how much a twig in the tit can hurt at speed, but it will not save you when you take on a tree
goggles are also not cheap but essential - not only to protect your wee eyeballs from roost but a twig in the eye can be disastrous!
just to give you an idea my gear consists of the following

Helmet
Googles
Jersey (fox of course dahhhhling)
neck brace
armour
camel back (great to be able to have a drink when your gasping and munted mid ride)
kidney belt - takes some getting used to & not everyone bothers
gloves
pants (fox again as I like to match )
knee braces/guards (gunna rock the new braces I bought when I finally get out again)
long socks
boots

oh and a bum bag with tools and spares etc

sooooo quite a lot of expensive shit really! but this has been accumulated over time.....


keep us posted as to how you go, I will have a fossick around in the garage and see if I have anything else to offer later on.

Hey thanks that's a great help! Is there any recommendation in terms of brands for goggles? or anything I should look out for? Also any kind of special socks I should get? I don't know what size I would be looking for but I am a size 10/12 women's. I see ocean already recommended some helmet brands - what are some other common/popular helmets that people use?

[bosslady]

Any good? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-594381902.htm or actually maybe anything from this list: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Cate...ch_suggested=0 I'm thinking if it's not in Auckland I have shit show of being able to pick it up since I'd have to get someone to help me as I don't have a tow bar or trailer set up yet, they won't wanna travel out of town!

[Tony.OK]

Any good? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-594381902.htm or actually maybe anything from this list: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Cate...ch_suggested=0 I'm thinking if it's not in Auckland I have shit show of being able to pick it up since I'd have to get someone to help me as I don't have a tow bar or trailer set up yet, they won't wanna travel out of town!

How did you find starting the Ktm 200? Think about starting a bike on a slope where you need to balance on one foot.
As a novice/intermediate rider myself I can't recommend an electric starter enough, having trouble or worrying about starting your bike when you are exhausted will ruin your ride, that and you start thinking/worrying about falling off and having to kick the bike over.

[bosslady]

How did you find starting the Ktm 200? Think about starting a bike on a slope where you need to balance on one foot.
As a novice/intermediate rider myself I can't recommend an electric starter enough, having trouble or worrying about starting your bike when you are exhausted will ruin your ride, that and you start thinking/worrying about falling off and having to kick the bike over.

Well it's electric and starting it was fine? I would love an electric bike and you have a really good point - I just don't know if I can afford an electric one? they are more expensive?