Advice: Get into dirt biking?

[1.21GW]

From all the enthusiasm in replies, im getting the sense that this will not be a bad decision.  Thanks again, all.

A few random replies:

- surprised 4strokes are louder than 2strokes. I always remember 2strokes (eg garden equip like leaf blowers) being really loud. Regardless, if 2strokes are easier to maintain, im in.

- if i buy, not gonna take the plunge til end of year for what would be spring 2014 'season'. But for now, been looking at used bikes on CL. I figure i will spend up to 4k, but ideally would like in the 2-3k range. I don want anything im afraid to beat the hell outta. I can save that for my second bike.  Anyway, is that an acceptable range for used 250cc dirt bike or will that only buy crap bikes?

- gear: i know i need a dirt bike helmet. But can i use my street boots?  Dainese TRQs. Street gloves?  I have Rev'it something-or-others; theyre summer gloves and have good knuckle protection.  General advice sought re gear and street vs dirt gear.

- and yeah, im okay buying from a racer. Ive learned its now necessarily how the bike (street or dirt, or car for that matter) was ridden, but how it was maintained. I try to read the seller and see how knowledgable/ caring he is.

[sorry for typos, on train using tapatalk]

[ducpainter]

Get dirt bike boots.

You'll thank me the first time a rock or big chunk of wood hits your toe.

Go ahead...AMHIK.

[GLantern]

Yeah at least go for the boots and a pressure suit. You get a sixsixone pressure suit for less then 150

[Barney]

get dirt everything. most of the soft stuff is cheaper than your street gear and you wont be bummed when it gets torn up.  you're not gonna want big leather gloves in the dirt and your street boots will def. get destroyed.  

also, this:

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/3953183370.html


also, fire up google earth and search for "eagles nest airport" and make sure you're in the little egg harbor area of new jersey.  Once you've got it, zoom out a little bit, and directly to the north there's a HUGE sand quarry. to the south slightly there are two "relatively" small sand pits.  they're both huge.  the quarry is massive.  you can make out a bunch of the trails, and the race track is really burnt in in the southwestern corner of the quarry - no jumps there, but it's probably 2 minutes or more to get around if you're fast, to give you an idea of how big it is.  to the north of the airport you can make out a few of the trails surrounding the property, but there are tons more in there that you can't make out. there's a fire road running right next to the parkway north that you take past the airport to get from one spot to another where you can get it into 5th or 6th

there are a few other spots down that way as well that you can hit if you've got a full day to ride, but that's the best one...we've found most of them by searchin around on google earth - typically anything that looks rideable on there is.

i'll post about the spot we have near the turnpike a little later - that doesn't look nearly as impressive on the computer, but there are some really nice turns and berms, and a few big jumps - you'd never expect it to be in the meadowlands - it's a good spot to go if you've only got a couple of hours, it's not big enough to make a whole day event without gettin a little boring though.

[Barney]

turnpike trails
drop a pin on 40°49'10.00"N, 74° 1'29.00"W in google earth or search it in google maps, and zoom way in on what looks like a small dirt field by the road.  the place has been there for 20+ years so it's pretty burn in and the cops apparently don't care. some nice lines there, with big berms, whoops, and a few jumps that arent super sketchy. You can park behind that little grove of trees so you're not visible from the highway.  I've been there when there were 6-7 other riders, and quite a few people know about the place.  It makes for a good afternoon ride.

[SteveO.]

If you've got a car or SUV that you can get a hitch for, this works great.  I have a Tundra (the Tacoma in the photo is my old truck) and I use the hitch carrier for my bike all the time.  I rarely throw it in the bed unless I'm pulling my travel trailer.



I would strongly suggest getting all the gear, including pants, boots, helmet, goggles, gloves and a pressure suit.  I used to wear a plastic chest protector and now I wouldn't even think about putting one on.  The pressure suit is the greatest thing ever.

The next piece of gear you should have is a neck brace.  They're well worth the money and could save your life, or keep you from being paralyzed if you go over the bars, which you will.  I've been riding my entire life and crashes happen, even when you'd never expect it.  I'm currently waiting on a full knee rebuild after my bike dumped me at walking speed.  Tore my ACL, PCL and MCL 100% on an awkward get off in first gear.  Took my knee brace off first race of the year because my shin pad, new boots and brace weren't fitting well together.  Now I'll miss two seasons and this year only lasted 4 laps.  :'(

For bikes, get something that's been maintained.  2 stroke engines are basically all the same and will last forever if taken care of.  The difference between bikes is brakes, suspension and easily replaceable components.  I ride KTM because there are very few parts to upgrade when you buy one, compared to the japanese bikes that will cost you $1000+ to get "race ready".  If you can, have a look at a KTM, Husaberg or even a Husky for something a little nicer.  They're pricier, but worth it and hold their value, IMO. 

Here's my toy.