Begging this great new experince

[Ender]

Beginning this great new experince

Hello all! I just got my first bike the other a day (a brand new DRZ 250). This is not only my first bike but my first time "on" a bike. I've ridden it a couple times already and its a blast! Still getting used to the whole clutch/shifting when I need to thing but it will come I hope. :confused: Main reason for getting a bike was because my dad and brother both got brand new TTR250s and of course I couldn't be left out.
Any ways I've taken the rather aggresive approach to learn how to ride as we have some excellent trails out behind our house. The only problem I'm having is with the muddy terrain with rocks and logs through it. I'm sure it will come with practice so I'm not concerned.
I've already dumped the bike pretty hard once. Taught me not to hit the front brake to hard on the trails though :)
Oh well. I was just saying hi to you all and am glad to be a part of this great sport!

 

[Rooster]

Welcome Ender! Glad to have you amongst the ranks. There's a wealth of info, knowledge and support here at DRN. :)

 

[yzeater]

Congratulations! Want some basic beginner tips? Learn to ride right. Take it slow at first. Weight the outside peg. You'll soon find DRN to be a great source of anything

 

[High Lord Gomer]

Please tell me that your name was inspired from my favorite book (by Orson Scott Card)!

 

[Ender]

Why actually High Lord it was :) (First forum I've found where it actually wasn't taken already)
Back on subject, glad to be aboard. Was looking for a place like DRN for a while now....finally found it :)
Looking forward to getting some great advice from you guys, but before I start asking tons of questions I'm just going to go out and ride. Figure practice is the best way to learn.

 

[High Lord Gomer]

Ask away! The search works pretty well, too.

Figure practice is the best way to learn.

I'd twist that a little to say that it's best to practice properly learned riding techniques.

I'm not sure about way up thar :), but Gary Semics has authorized instructors around the country (our closest is in NC) and there are a bunch of local pro riders that give classes, too. Learning the proper methods up front avoids having to unlearn any bad habits.

 

[Ender]

Ok so along those lines of good habits what you guys here say the most common faults are with new riders?
The things I'm going to try working on later this week will be freaking turning around in a tight circle for one (not a lot of rooms on the trails to slowly turn around). Also, getting used to shifting while standing as been a big pain in the arse any pointers there would be great. Read some previous posts on this that might help.
Last question at this point at this point would be any pointers to handle, muddy rocky areas with the occasional small wet log in them. These have been a real hurdle for me as I always end up stopping some where in the middle of 'em which isn't fun.
My personal though on this is that faster is better but I dont have the confidence yet so that may be it. Oh well..thanks for the support and help. And I'll look into finding some classes around here if there are any. :confused:

EDIT: One more thing I forgot to mention. My dad raced endors on an old Yamaha IT 175(?) when we were little so he knows what he is doing which will help me out. So I hopefully wont have any real bad habits to break.

 

[High Lord Gomer]

Hmm, common mistakes...finally something about which I am an authority! :scream:

In no particular order...

• Sitting down too much. Any time you're in rough terrain, you should use your legs like another set of shock absorbers.
• Not using enough front brake. It has bitten you, but learn to control it because it is as useful, if not more so, than the back brake.
• Using all 4 fingers for clutch and/or brake. At most use 2 fingers for each, 1 if you can. That way you get to hold on with the other 2 (or 3).
• Not moving around enough on the bike. When accelerating, be forward. When braking, be back. When turning, put the bike down lower than you with your weight on the outside peg / knee.
• Listening to people like me that barely have more experience than you. :o (Just kidding, I have lots of experience with what not to do!)

My dad raced enduros on an old Yamaha IT 175

Ahh...great bike. You'll be in good hands!

A little tip for the mud and rocks that you're riding in...the front tire will frequently get deflected / pulled in a direction not exactly where you had intended to go. If you decide to fight it when it wants to go left and you want to go right, it might oblige you by throwing you on the ground. Sometimes in situations like that you need to "follow the front tire" and correct your course when it is more willing.

I always end up stopping some where in the middle

Don't worry about stopping voluntarily...it's the involuntary stops that are more painful.

 

[OKKX'er]

Cool about some others liking the Ender series, I thought Children of the Mind was really good . David Brin has a series about the Uplift wars that is very imaginitive (IMO).