Nelson Rideouts - Where next?

**warewolf** · 22nd September 2008, 21:40

Originally Posted by Padmei

We ended up crewing for Chris someone who was bit of a gun apparently. Didn't know him from a bar of soap but he ended up winning so it must have been due to the excellent way I poured petrol over everything on the bike & managing to get a squirt into the tank.

Chris Power. I wondered why his pit stops seemed a bit... casual.

Originally Posted by Padmei

He had a hard case with about ten pairs of new wind-on type goggles. Oh to be sponsored

anyway i've got about 9 pairs to sell

Bastard, I've just bought a set of those. But if the price is right I might be in for another pair. Last year in the wet that would've been a real bonus, in the end I gave up on my goggles, didn't even bother to get pit crew to clean them each lap as they wouldn't last until the top of the first hill without fogging up. Rode so much without them that my eyes were red & gritty for days afterward. Passing quads was particularly interesting.

**Padmei** · 23rd September 2008, 07:26

those quads would scare the hell out of me, those wide rotating leg rippers beside you

Casual ? casual? we were on to it

**warewolf** · 23rd September 2008, 10:10

Those leg rippers are the least of your worries. They don't spend much time beside you, as you're either letting them past or if you get beside them, it's an easy matter to open the throttle to get in front. The difficult bit is the getting up level with them. Especially in the wet when they throw up so much spray.

Several riders came in with bark missing from quad riders hitting them.

One had his elbow grazed and glove nearly ripped off, can't remember if he had to remove elbow armour when he showed us the blood.

A quad slammed into a pair of riders who'd pulled over hard left and stopped to let him through. He basically ploughed straight into them, claiming he couldn't see for the dust. More like his own bulldust they reckoned, he simply wasn't watching.

And right at the end a rider claimed he got firmly and deliberately bunted in the rear tyre by a quad. He knew the quad was approaching and was looking for a place to let him through and the quad apparently hit him without even giving him the opportunity to pull over! That episode got the stewards involved. Apparently the quad rider concerned is known to the stewards for getting a bit aggro.

One lap I saw Chris giving what looked like an I'm-pissed-off-with-you stare to a quad as he passed after trailing it in to the pits.

I suspect the atv riders are used to a bit more dodgem-car-like argy-bargy when they race, and they forget they are in a mixed field.

**Padmei** · 23rd September 2008, 19:00

Yeah its funny how some people react once they're on the bike. One little prick in 'our' tent was pissed off that people were in his way when he came in to refuel that he roosted everyone when he left. I was close to helping him off his bike by his helmet - he ended up having a little sleep instead of doing the last lap

Others are laid back & really grateful for any help -they make helping out wrthwhile

Gonna have to get me a little bike - would there be much diff in weight handling etc btween a 250 & 350-400 as the bigger older bikes seem to be cheaper? If I go too heavy I may as well use gonzo

Anyone need some wiring done in exchange for a bike???

**warewolf** · 23rd September 2008, 22:04

That's a pretty open-ended question. I suspect the 250s are dearer because of the learner limits, and there's fewer of them. Most people tend to want the extra power of the bigger bikes.

The DR-Z400 is water cooled, taller seat height, 60% more power but only 15% more weight than the 250. The 400 is a much more popular bike, but being shorter and lighter myself, I went with the 250. Despite topping out the power regularly, it was a really fun bike. It tired me out pretty easily, the 400 would have been worse I reckon - heavier to chuck around and pick up after an off, and more power to get you in to trouble.

Compared to a 2T, they are both heavy dogs.

Engine capacity has a bearing on agility. The 2T KTM EXCs in 200-250-300cc are only about 1kg apart, but the 300 feels a helluva lot heavier when mobile. Ditto the 4T range, the 450 is the same weight as the 525, but feels lighter and more responsive.

For a good learning experience, go for the smallest and lightest you can get away with.

**NordieBoy** · 24th September 2008, 08:10

A pre '86 XR250 would do the business and be able to be raced in Classic MX as well

The '79 XR500 is only a couple of KG heavier than the '79 XR250.
But once the engine is started it feels a hell of a lot heavier.

**CrazyFrog** · 24th September 2008, 22:33

Boys, I've just added a DRZ400 to my stable....good price and very low use, seems good so far, rides well and motor crisp. And it's got all the road shit on it too, although the T4 pipe would startle the chaps at VTNZ at warrant time. I'd better search for a stocker and switch 'em when the time comes.
Woohoo, something to chuck around without crying about broken bits of fancy plastic. Time to practice them dirt skills

**Padmei** · 25th September 2008, 20:52

Sounds cool crazy

There is/was a DR200 for sale in blenheim which may have been perfect but no money at moment

.

Had a great ride today over rosedale, jacobs ladder, Sunday creek. Got a fair bit of gravel riding in which was excellent.
Got in a few tight spots following a road into the forestry overlooking Harley Rd -Followed a wide road into dozer tracks to 4wd tracks down a few chutes ended up narrowing into a single track blocked by trees. Got back out ok - Amazing what a fistful of throttle & a bit of faith in your tyres will Do

Best of all is that I did a few tricky technical bits & didn't drop Gonzo

I must be getting better...

**thommo77** · 26th September 2008, 17:09

Where's everyone heading this weekend in this great weather? Might take a quick journey over the Maunga tomorrow arvo.

**JATZ** · 26th September 2008, 18:17

Originally Posted by thommo77

Where's everyone heading this weekend in this great weather? Might take a quick journey over the Maunga tomorrow arvo.

Got some work to do on the truck, work to do on my bike,work to do on Mrs Jatz's bike, work to do on daughters scooter
But I might just think "fcuk it and go for a ride.
Sunday......Who knows ?