Off-road Riding: Why on Earth?!

[Deborah]

see what I did there?

First up, I'll be honest: I'm kind of in awe of you because any lack of traction when I'm riding just gives me the heebie jeebies, big time.

I'd love to learn what drew you into dirt-bike riding, and perhaps even how it compares for you (to on-road). Obviously you enjoy it, but is it just the sport of the riding itself, or is there something else like the social scene, your ritual, the noise, or whatever. Do you compete in trials, racing etc, or do you just prefer a playful thrash out in the sticks?

Talk to me.

[Desmo]

[SIZE=1]I'm kind of in awe of you because any lack of traction when I'm riding just gives me the heebie jeebies, big time.

Feel the back break loose and feed in more power, giggle like a twat as you spin the back end halfway to the next corner.
Losing traction on the rear end is fun.

[PaulMac]

Well, It's not as much fun landing a roadbike from 2 metres in the air over a big tabletop.

[chew]

Have done much more road than dirt riding but I do enjoy it and am not that good at it.

Like road riding with less rules (which leads to pushing a bit harder), traffic and the consequences of mistakes are usually not as physically damaging.

The major bonuses are improved throttle control and not having sphincter moments when the bike moves around. Both usefully transferred to road riding.

And apart from all that a good thrash is always fun, with or without a bike.

[shovelhead]

cause we can... and its fun

[I Fancy Holidays]

The same thing that drew me into motarding drew me into dirt riding. Being able to go where ever you want. Also doing it how ever you want, no speed limits, no hoon laws etc.

[Kev_Oh]

The freedom of being able to pretty much go anywhere and everywhere, no rules, laws or traffic to stop you. No need to put up with idiot drivers almost wiping you out because they forgot to look, I rode on the road for many years before taking up the dirt again. Main reason I did is I still wanted that freedom and feeling you get from riding a bike but without the constant worry if the moron in the vehicle ahead is going to suddenly pull out or change lanes on you. Too many close calls led me to not want to ride on the road anymore.

Being offroad still has the same thrills, if not more. The ability the explore areas you normally wouldn't be able to see and not to mention the adrenaline you get from those close calls, though when you do come off, it doesn't hurt no where near as much as what it does on tarmac.

[Old frt]

For those of us who rode from an early age (pre teen) dirt was the only option and IMHO no better way to learn how to handle a bike.

No knobbly tyres back then either. Them wer't days, you kids dun't know tha born.

[irdizzle]

Getting airborne.... spinning the rear on corner exit... getting loose everywhere and anywhere.... These are a few of my favourite things..

[orangeflash]

The ability to twist the throttle hold it wide open
With only your skill level to govern you
No nanny state of road

[benlikesbikes]

I started riding off road to get better on road and for some fun whilst I was waiting for my licence ban to finish,several times. It worked but I still think like a road rider. Approach the limit from the safe side instead of doing it properly. I love road riding but my licence can't afford it. And perth is pretty boring at legal speeds. I love dirt bike riding now, it is complete freedom, just wish I was faster.

[orangeflash]

Hey Deb I think the seat of a Ttf 125 or Crf 150
Would be the best place for you to get an understanding
Of what it's all about

[MattyA]

Being able to stop and turn off the bike and have complete silence.

[out_in_front]

Pfft - off road and breaking traction isnt quite as bad as on road and breaking traction - although most of the track riders will be doing that every outing too...

Dirt bikes are a hell of alot easier to control - you have heaps more leverage on the bars, you can use you legs better and they only weight 100kgs ish - also the knobblies bite into the sand / dirt etc so while the back end is going out it still maintains a decent amount of grip - it is very predictable and controllable compared to losing traction on the road.

What go me into it? Saw a honda Q 50 sitting in the back of the shed of a freinds farm when I was 5 or 6 - they let me ride it - I freaked out and rode into a heap of rocks off the side of the road.... got up a bit shaky - but got back on an hour later and had a ball - I still remember the whole day 25 years later. Since then i ahve owned a PW50, CR125 and a RMX 250 - dont have a dirty at the moment, but might get one next year if all goes well - tossing up between the KTM 500exc or 300exc. Might even give a few enduro's as shot.

[dazza1968]

As alot of people know I enjoy and love the the different skills required, one minute your in deep rutted out sand, next period is spent in mud n clay, then rocks n pea gravel, salt lakes, sand dunes and tight single tracks with logs,moss over limestone roads , they all have their bits of gold to ride and often need a different style! What one of us riding is good at another person is not , I grew up in deep rutted sand so for me that's the easiest to ride but a. Mate of mine loves the tight single track and he kills me in there?

On my road bike I get out of situations better, now I ride with a finger or 2 on both front brake n clutch!! When I see a speed camera its instant in speed adjustment :-)

The scenery is awesome and not many people get to see it

Power is your friend alot of the time and start on a bike that is easy to ride like a 450 or a 250 or 300 smoker (just joking)

My wife rides a ttr125 , electric start etc

Regards dazz

[Falcore]

I love dirt bikes as quite a few places in this awesome country are somewhat off the beaten track

Take some camping gear an go where ever suits.

[shan]

As the fart said , when you start young there is no road option.
Dirt bikes are much more controlable in a slide, infact its a good get out of jail. when in doupt, gas it.
Whats not to like about power slides, roosting out from a berm or just carving up golf courses for shits and giggles

Disclaimer- I have never carved up a golf course but it is an ongoing fantacy of mine to achive this

[Marty MOOSE]

see what I did there?

First up, I'll be honest: I'm kind of in awe of you because any lack of traction when I'm riding just gives me the heebie jeebies, big time.

I'd love to learn what drew you into dirt-bike riding, and perhaps even how it compares for you (to on-road). Obviously you enjoy it, but is it just the sport of the riding itself, or is there something else like the social scene, your ritual, the noise, or whatever. Do you compete in trials, racing etc, or do you just prefer a playful thrash out in the sticks?

Talk to me.

Lack of traction is relative I guess a wet road is pretty slippery too Compared to on road its harder on the body but easier on the mind I think well at least the riding bit. I enjoyed the social aspect, the technical side, travel, being able to practice each weekend and during the week as I felt like doing so. I really loved racing Enduros and M/X both really fulfilling and requiring a huge amount of training and dedication which was also enjoyed.

I also enjoyed just riding! But normally to practice a skill,perfect a rut or just playing suspension round and round and round the same few corners/berms/ruts on varying types of ground. The technical side of the riding and bike set up is most interesting and changes can be made quick and the consequence of falling off normally are minor.

Ons of the hardest things I've ever had to do was sell my last race bike and quit Hoping for some bone build up in the next year or two then straight back into enduros I think maybe some vets m/x

MM

ps
One other thing the freshness of newly turned dirt I miss that smell, or a fresh graded M/X track like Wanneroo at the start of a day, now thats a thing of joy.

[orangeflash]

MM

ps
One other thing the freshness of newly turned dirt I miss that smell, or a fresh graded M/X track like Wanneroo at the start of a day, now thats a thing of joy.[/QUOTE]

And theirs nothing like the soft dew still on the ground
As the sun rise,s and the scent of R30 gently wafts thru air

[Old frt]

One other thing the freshness of newly turned dirt I miss that smell, .

Still tastes like shit when you bite it though.