First ride! Oh my GAWD! (Long)

[Provelogear]

Today was my first ride on my new 220. It is bone stock now. I went out easy today to just do the break in. I bought the 220 because of the information I read here. You guys made the decision easy. I was thinking of getting a Honda CRF230R but after a little research and comparison there was no comparison. I mostly ride with my 8 and 11 year olds so I wanted a nice trail bike.

I've been off the motorcycle for 30 years. I use to compete on my Suzuki Grasshopper as a kid in the early 70s and then my 100mx and then Bultaco trials bikes. High school, girls, college and cars (not necessarily in that order) kept me from riding. A friend I use to ride with when I was a kid has been hounding me for a couple of years to go riding and last year I broke down and got a old Honda TLR200 (For sale now.).

We went last year and I was almost satisfied. The old Honda is a work horse but nothing like a real trials bike or a MX machine but the kids could easily follow me when I'm on the Honda. After today's ride, I felt like a kid again when I got my first 2 stroke 100mx.

The 220 scared the sh%$ out of me and I loved every minute of it. I can say I'm a better rider today than I was 30 years ago. Mainly because I am way stronger now and a little bit smarter. I spend 10-20 hours a week on a road bicycle so I am never tired. I'm so used to hanging on to the bars and my legs are way stronger so they never fatigue. Also, on a road bicycle you always have to ride a good line because you can't twist the throttle to get you out of trouble.

If you want to kill your buddies when you go on long rides, get on a bicycle for at least 8-10 hours a week and you will not believe how much longer you'll last.

I can't wait to aclimate to the KDX and have soaked up so much info from here I just wanted to say THANKS!!

Can't wait to start doing the upgrades! I'm kid in the candy store with a roll of twentys! :)

 

[Fred T]

I agree on the bicycling. I have 3 bikes now and I just started riding about a year ago, but it has helped me a great deal. I road bike and mountain bike. Great for the legs and cardio.

 

[NM_KDX200]

Another yea for bikes. I had a lay-off of nearly 10 years on dirt bikes and when I got back on, I was almost immediately a better rider. As mentioned- stronger, smarter. I attribute a LOT of that to mountain biking during those 10 years. In fact, these days, at 42 (see other thread!) I won't even go riding if I haven't been keeping up with my pedal-biking and Nordic tracking 'cause I know I won't have the reflexes, stamina, and balance to ride the KDX right. Another thing I've found to be a BIG help in KDX'ing is Tae-Bo. It's really, really helped my balance and agility.

 

[trailryder]

The dirt biking also helps the mountain biking too....after riding my kdx (last one ) for a few years those downhills weren't so big any more. My downhill speed has doubled !!

 

[mxmatthew]

yea, ive found the same thing too. I mostly do urban and dirtjumping but after doing stuff on a dirtbike everything on a mountainbike seems so small.

 

[OCScooter]

I started riding a mountain bike in 1995 and it really did a lot to improve my dirt bike riding experience. I am now starting Tae Kwan Do and hope to step it up another notch. I see myself riding for many years to come.

 

[Okiewan]

BIG help in KDX'ing is Tae-Bo. It's really, really helped my balance and agility.

That is SO true and rarely believed. Forget that you like like a complete moron while doing it, lol.

 

[ChopperDave]

That is SO true and rarely believed. Forget that you like like a complete moron while doing it, lol.

I usualy like like a complete moron when riding (anything) so I am used to it! Might try the Ti bo thing, can't hurt my speed!

 

[xsnrg]

If the KDX scared the %$#@! out of you, jump on someones modern 250 MX bike when you get a chance. I rode my friend's YZ250 and OMG!!! It was fun, but I was glad to trade back for the 'tame' 220 when we headed into the trails again.