Dirt bike recommendations?

[bosslady]

You kind of picked the worst time of year to start learning how to ride, your options of places to ride are limited to sand. Which, as you have found, pretty much sucks unless you already kind of know how to ride.
You would enjoy it much more if you were learning to ride on dirt.

Or you're just having the biggest cry cause you can't do something you thought you would become good at quickly.

Yea great, thanks for your words of wisdom, real helpful. And I'm not having a bloody cry, I'm being HONEST and posting up about my experience, which, I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to do. I have nothing to gain by being a cry baby and publicly admitting I totally suck at dirt biking, if anything, it's embarrassing. I could just as easily have been posting about how awesome it is and how well I'm doing etc. and probably ppl on here would be none the wiser, but choose to be honest instead. And for the record I had no pre conceived ideas that I'd be a fricken mx rider or some shit, it took me 3 lessons in a car park on my roadbike to even brave it on the road! so it stands to reason I probably wasn't going to be a superstar after one ride on the dirt bike. But, in the same breath I never expected to find it so difficult and exhausting, stressful, even my flatmate just started riding and isn't having anywhere near as much difficulty as me. I can guarantee most kb rs would not be so forthcoming with admitting they are struggling with something, especially considering some people have taken a disliking to them and like to (attempt to) beat them down.

[bosslady]

As I keep saying, wait for Thundercross. Summer will be here soon.

I hardly stand or do anything else right. I get puffed getting the bike off the trailer.

I dont want to block a trail but when I have most people stop and help.

Just wait for Thundercross, and the next Waitamata ride(no pressure there, I can kick the fast riders out of the beginner trail and its a great trail)

Yup I'm looking forward to trying there sometime, am hoping it will be far less stressful as you've mentioned. Even my neighbour and his mate said they prefer thundercross over woodhill, clearly there is a reason eh!

[blackdog]

Sometimes it's just a good idea to admit you aren't any good at something.

For instance, I tried SCUBA diving and it really wasn't my cup of tea.

Maybe something like http://www.knittingparadise.com/ would be more your speed.

[nzspokes]

Sometimes it's just a good idea to admit you aren't any good at something.

Quiters gotta quit I guess. Seems like a way to a boring life to me.

I dont see Bosslady as a quitter.

[noobi]

Yea great, thanks for your words of wisdom, real helpful. And I'm not having a bloody cry, I'm being HONEST and posting up about my experience, which, I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to do. I have nothing to gain by being a cry baby and publicly admitting I totally suck at dirt biking, if anything, it's embarrassing. I could just as easily have been posting about how awesome it is and how well I'm doing etc. and probably ppl on here would be none the wiser, but choose to be honest instead. And for the record I had no pre conceived ideas that I'd be a fricken mx rider or some shit, it took me 3 lessons in a car park on my roadbike to even brave it on the road! so it stands to reason I probably wasn't going to be a superstar after one ride on the dirt bike. But, in the same breath I never expected to find it so difficult and exhausting, stressful, even my flatmate just started riding and isn't having anywhere near as much difficulty as me. I can guarantee most kb rs would not be so forthcoming with admitting they are struggling with something, especially considering some people have taken a disliking to them and like to (attempt to) beat them down.

I know you read all of my post because your reply was purely to the last line.

Maybe if you focused on the constructive feedback people have been trying to give you, instead of focusing on the little jabs at your behaviour on here, you may be better off.

[Madness]

Yea great, thanks for your words of wisdom, real helpful. And I'm not having a bloody cry, I'm being HONEST and posting up about my experience, which, I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to do. I have nothing to gain by being a cry baby and publicly admitting I totally suck at dirt biking, if anything, it's embarrassing. I could just as easily have been posting about how awesome it is and how well I'm doing etc. and probably ppl on here would be none the wiser, but choose to be honest instead. And for the record I had no pre conceived ideas that I'd be a fricken mx rider or some shit, it took me 3 lessons in a car park on my roadbike to even brave it on the road! so it stands to reason I probably wasn't going to be a superstar after one ride on the dirt bike. But, in the same breath I never expected to find it so difficult and exhausting, stressful, even my flatmate just started riding and isn't having anywhere near as much difficulty as me. I can guarantee most kb rs would not be so forthcoming with admitting they are struggling with something, especially considering most people have taken a disliking to them and some like to (attempt to) beat them down.

What about them Chiefs, eh?

[blackdog]

Quiters gotta quit I guess. Seems like a way to a boring life to me.

I dont see Bosslady as a quitter.

Quitting has nothing to do with it. I see it more as self preservation.

Just because you dream you can do something doesn't mean you will be any good at it.

Let's liken it to me pulling supermodels. Just because I want to, doesn't mean I'll ever be able to make it happen.

[nzspokes]

Just because you dream you can do something doesn't mean you will be any good at it.

Thats just a sad way to go through life.

[blackdog]

Thats just a sad way to go through life.

And, as we have discussed already. It can just as easily be a way to meet an early death.

[Transalper]

Hi Bosslady, sorry to read of your frustration, it just sounds like you need better terrain to get started properly and maybe a little better assistance in person (not online) with bike setup adjusting things to fit you and the infield help (someone who will ride with you and stay with you for the entire ride).
Stay away from hills and sand, keep out of mud. Learn elsewhere then progress to that stuff. The act of picking up the bike alone will sap your energy. I always picked up my womanly friends bike and kicked it in to life for her when she fell just to save her some energy for actually enjoying the ride.
Here in Christchurch we are lucky to have free access to the Waimak riverbed only 30 minutes from town and some forestry single track alongside it which is easy to learn on when it's dry in the more summery months, then after that it progresses to mud fun in wintery months. Definitely going to be harder to start out as a beginner in Winter.
It's all fairly flat here too so even easier again to learn on, tracks just wind about the trees and out on the open areas between sections. Few bumps and steps but no real hills. Hills come later once we are ready, and we do have to go further afield and pay to ride on those but by then we are confident and familiar with the bike and can concentrate on learning the one new thing of hill without worrying about learning all the rest at the same time.

[haydes55]

I had a go out at woodhill I think a few months back. Stalled and dropped the bike on a narrow uphill path. Held up heaps of riders, had a laugh and spend a minute trying to kick the bastard over haha. Don't worry about holding people up. I dropped the bike 2 or 3 times had ago breather and got going again. I had fun but that sand was horrible to ride on. I just went the cheat way, 2nd gear, both feet off the pegs, sit forward and pin it. The bike just wobbles around under me and point the front wheel where you suggest the bike goes. On sand it seems to go where it wants. Don't stress if you're doing a slalom all over the show. You're doing skiddies and having fun. If you panic and stress you'll just make things worse. I'd say skip sand and try out dirt or clay.

[unstuck]

Sigh... I don't think you're getting it.

Sigh......I don't think your getting it. If you keep telling yourself you suck at something, guess what, your going to suck at it. Maybe you NEED to work on YOUR mental attitude before doing anything else.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Albert Einstein

[leathel]

summer rides are fun.... Farms are still a bit wet so its not as good to ride on as fun rides rip them up hence not many on ATM, there are a host of relatively easy rides to go on soon, from maize paddock mx style fun rides to farm exploring rides and of coarse when my bike is sorted I will be taking my crew out as well (caliper kit arrived Friday so will sort that and see what else needs fixing )

[bosslady]

I know you read all of my post because your reply was purely to the last line.

Maybe if you focused on the constructive feedback people have been trying to give you, instead of focusing on the little jabs at your behaviour on here, you may be better off.

Constructive feedback is based on having never gone out riding with me so while it's appreciated, it's not exactly as if anyone (with the exception of leathel) has ever been around or has gone riding with me and is able to see what's happening. And no, I'm not asking that anyone do that, but can see where I'm coming from? hands up how many people out of all the people in this thread have gone out dirt biking with me? only leathel at a farm and Tony for a lesson at woodhill, that's it. It's especially difficult because every single person gives different advice so you have to pick and choose what you use and it's really hard because it's all so conflicting and confusing; stand up, sit down, go faster, go slower, arches on pegs, front balls of your feet on the pegs, always use the clutch, don't use the clutch. All along I've been trying to read and understand the advice other people give me but you can see why I get confused? And then it's as if people don't like when you don't follow their particular advice, you just can't win.

Hi Bosslady, sorry to read of your frustration, it just sounds like you need better terrain to get started properly and maybe a little better assistance in person (not online) with bike setup adjusting things to fit you and the infield help (someone who will ride with you and stay with you for the entire ride).
Stay away from hills and sand, keep out of mud. Learn elsewhere then progress to that stuff. The act of picking up the bike alone will sap your energy. I always picked up my womanly friends bike and kicked it in to life for her when she fell just to save her some energy for actually enjoying the ride.
Here in Christchurch we are lucky to have free access to the Waimak riverbed only 30 minutes from town and some forestry single track alongside it which is easy to learn on when it's dry in the more summery months, then after that it progresses to mud fun in wintery months. Definitely going to be harder to start out as a beginner in Winter.
It's all fairly flat here too so even easier again to learn on, tracks just wind about the trees and out on the open areas between sections. Few bumps and steps but no real hills. Hills come later once we are ready, and we do have to go further afield and pay to ride on those but by then we are confident and familiar with the bike and can concentrate on learning the one new thing of hill without worrying about learning all the rest at the same time.

Hallelujah feel as if you know what I'm talking about. Sounds like the best solution is to win lotto and buy some farm or forest land? well I'll see what I can do, lol. And yes, the first couple of times picking up the bike isn't bad at all, well if I'm not winded or it didn't land on me and get me a little stuck, it's the 4th, 5th, 6th and... you get the idea, is when I get tired. But I grab my bike up, get on, get her started (how glad am I I followed the advice on here and got an electric start!) and maybe 20 metres later (rough guess, I've never been good at judging distance!) drop the bike again, and the next 20 metres etc. Anyway it sounds like you have some great resources down there, am definitely envious! and I'm hoping thundercross is definitely less stressful as spokes has said.

[bosslady]

summer rides are fun.... Farms are still a bit wet so its not as good to ride on as fun rides rip them up hence not many on ATM, there are a host of relatively easy rides to go on soon, from maize paddock mx style fun rides to farm exploring rides and of coarse when my bike is sorted I will be taking my crew out as well (caliper kit arrived Friday so will sort that and see what else needs fixing )

oh to have your mechanical knowledge! my bike hasn't even had a proper look at yet, hmmm and apart from cleaning it after every single ride (air filter after every second) I've not done anything to it! I've always loved the look of mx riding, or racing I guess I mean, that to me is what looks like more fun than trails with lots of trees and narrow ish paths and shit!