Where to begin?

[danfree]

What advice can you give a late blooming (40+) beginner? I would like to learn to ride offroad and have pretty much decided that a KDX 200 would be ideal for me. Ht: 5' 7". Wt: 180 lbs. Trouble is that there is no trails nearby to learn on. I really would like to be able to compete.. er complete an enduro event (something I've always wanted to do but life got in the way, you know?). Of course I realize that it may be a couple of years for my experience to bring me to that place. That's just fine. However, it occured to me that a closed course motocross track might be the way to learn. There is an indoor track less than a mile away from my house (in Waterman, IL). Although the turns and jumps look pretty intimidating to me, I wonder if the practice spent on nice soft dirt would be less painful than trees, roots, and rocks. I realize that the KDX is really a trail bike, but can it be used at a track? I highly doubt that my skill level is ever going to push the limits of the KDX's suspension. If learning on a MX track isn't as dumb as it sounds, would a smaller MX bike be more suitable? i.e. a yz125 or rm125. Or should I just find a riding area and trailer the bike there for trail riding?

 

[robwbright]

First, I wouldn't count on the MX dirt being too soft - it HURTS if you go down hard. . . :bang:

You can race MX or enduros as a beginner - you don't need to wait 2 years - but you should take a bit of time getting used to the bike before attempting either.

If you can find a class to take on riding techniques, it will do you a LOT of good.

There are TONS of options as far as a bike for you. The KDX's are really great for trail stuff. They're not so good for the track, as you guessed - about 25-30 pounds heavier than an MX 125, I think. I suppose it would be fine for just practicing around on an MX track, though.

I don't think I would recommend an MX 125 for a beginner who wants to primarily trail ride - they're hard to keep "on the pipe". Plus, at 180 lbs you're a bit larger than the average 125 rider. An MX 250 2 stroke and an MX or enduro 250 4 stroke would be other options. For trail stuff, I suspect a CRF250X would work really well for you.

KTM makes a 200 as well - check this out:

http://www.ktm.co.at/200-XC.184.20.html

I bet there are some trails and other tracks within an hour of you. I just found a track 2 weeks ago that I didn't even know existed - and it's 20 minutes from where I work.

Check this out as well . . .

http://www.motocrosstracks.com/trackdb/browse.php?stateselected=il

http://www.motocrosstracks.com/trackdb/browse.php?stateselected=wi

Here's one for a road trip:

http://www.rorp.com/homepage.html

Others

http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=8740

http://www.buffalorangeridingpark.com/

http://www.rockyglenohv.com/thepark.html

http://illinoisatvtrailmasters.com/ridespots.htm

 

[GETMETOCA]

Congratulations on your decision to get started in such a great and rewarding sport. Soon enough, you will meet other similar-minded people who will offer you support and opportunities for more rides. Try looking for a "Family Enduro" to try out first once you start riding and then move up to a traditional series/district enduro.

Good luck and let us know how its going!

 

[FruDaddy]

If you want to try out the MX tracks for practice, don't wory about the turns and jumps. Take the turns at your own pace, and remember that you don't have to jump anything. I am more intimidated by others jumping past me than about the jumps themselves.
If you get to know the schedules for your local tracks, you can show up when there aren't a lot of people there. For instance, I have a local track that usually has a poor turnout on weekends, especially if the promoters has a race at his other track on that weekend. This same track is always crowded on their Wednesday night practice. The last time I went to that track, there were only 3 or 4 riders there when I arrived, and not more than 12 all day.

 

[danfree]

Thank's alot. The websites are awesome. I didn't realize there were so many places to ride. And some of them are quite close. I have heard that a 4 stroke would be easier to learn on, but I would like a relatively tame 2 stroke. So I quess the KDX is the way to go for me. Some of those sites seem novice friendly. Perhaps I can hook up with one of the district 17 clubs and help out with their enduros. It seems like a great way to get involved and learn something. Keep yer feet on the pegs!

 

[MrLuckey]

The KDX's are really great for trail stuff. They're not so good for the track, as you guessed - about 25-30 pounds heavier than an MX 125, I think. I suppose it would be fine for just practicing around on an MX track, though.

You must not have seen fredette on the track with a kdx or the guys at DW02 at Cooperland.

The guy on the bike makes all the difference in the world.