I want to learn dirt.
- Thread starter JealousFromOH
- Start date
Mario
Well-known member
My newbie experience: I was new to dirt 6 years ago, decide to learn on a wr250r dual sport. It it was pretty good to get started but I quickly found it was not a great bike to learn pure dirt skills, it was a bit on the heavy side and had trouble keeping up with experienced dirt riders.
A year later I pulled the trigger on a KTM 200 two stroke. The difference was amazing! Light, agile, that sweet sweet power band :teeth. Took me a long time to adjust but after a few years or riding I could keep up with some fast dudes. This is the bike that I learned all my dirt skills.
At some point I upgraded the wr250r and moved on to a KTM 500 EXC plated. It was definitely an improvement over wr250r but a step back over the 2S. The 500 was heavier and less agile than the 2S but had a plate, so I could ride Death Valley and other places I cannot take the 2S. Plus I got sumo wheels and ride the crap of it at the track :ride
Today I still have the 200 and 500 (and a few more... they keep multiplying! :laughing). Looking back, if I were to do this again, I would still aim to have a 2S and a lightweight 450/500 DS. If I were to have only one, I'd go for a lightweight performance 250 DS (KTM 250 EXC-F or any non-orange brand) and have the best compromise between a 2S and a powerful DS.
Good luck!
A year later I pulled the trigger on a KTM 200 two stroke. The difference was amazing! Light, agile, that sweet sweet power band :teeth. Took me a long time to adjust but after a few years or riding I could keep up with some fast dudes. This is the bike that I learned all my dirt skills.
At some point I upgraded the wr250r and moved on to a KTM 500 EXC plated. It was definitely an improvement over wr250r but a step back over the 2S. The 500 was heavier and less agile than the 2S but had a plate, so I could ride Death Valley and other places I cannot take the 2S. Plus I got sumo wheels and ride the crap of it at the track :ride
Today I still have the 200 and 500 (and a few more... they keep multiplying! :laughing). Looking back, if I were to do this again, I would still aim to have a 2S and a lightweight 450/500 DS. If I were to have only one, I'd go for a lightweight performance 250 DS (KTM 250 EXC-F or any non-orange brand) and have the best compromise between a 2S and a powerful DS.
Good luck!
HadesOmega
Well-known member
You'll learn that less is more in the dirt. The smaller your bike is the easier it will be to ride off road. That's why I ride mini bikes 
A 250 is just right for off road. Depends on what kinda off road riding your doing I guess.
A 250 is just right for off road. Depends on what kinda off road riding your doing I guess.
Er... thinking about the fun factor... i have always been a proponent of minimal weight, hence my affinity for two stroke bikes.
The Alta electric bikes are easier to ride, mostly, but yeah, they are heavy, and that makes for additional challenges. And exercise.
Find a 210 pound 250 two stroke for $2K and you are golden. Ride it until it doesn’t go. Then fix it and ride mo.
The Alta electric bikes are easier to ride, mostly, but yeah, they are heavy, and that makes for additional challenges. And exercise.
Find a 210 pound 250 two stroke for $2K and you are golden. Ride it until it doesn’t go. Then fix it and ride mo.
banshee01
Well-known member
Any updates? Leaning towards anything?
JealousFromOH
Active member
Yo!
I just signed up for the Garrahan off-road training, so that's in process! Super excited I was able to get a slot. May 30th I'll be there. Otherwise, the more I look, the more my budget keeps creeping up. I think I'm going to just wait and see how the course goes before I buy anything. At this point I think I'm most interested in the Yamaha WR250F, Honda CRF250x, and a KTM xcw 250. I really don't think I want something too heavy in the dirt. Looking around on Craigslist frequently and have received a few PM's from folks on here who have bikes that might work for me. Super stoked to take the course. Ive been watching YT vids quite a bit, and riding around a MX track looks like so much damn fun...
I just signed up for the Garrahan off-road training, so that's in process! Super excited I was able to get a slot. May 30th I'll be there. Otherwise, the more I look, the more my budget keeps creeping up. I think I'm going to just wait and see how the course goes before I buy anything. At this point I think I'm most interested in the Yamaha WR250F, Honda CRF250x, and a KTM xcw 250. I really don't think I want something too heavy in the dirt. Looking around on Craigslist frequently and have received a few PM's from folks on here who have bikes that might work for me. Super stoked to take the course. Ive been watching YT vids quite a bit, and riding around a MX track looks like so much damn fun...
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banshee01
Well-known member
Sounds like a good plan man. Go take the class then figure the bike out after
JealousFromOH
Active member
Is it imperative to get a green sticker bike for riding in NorCal? It looks like I wouldn't be able to ride some almost all of the SVRA's (excepting Mammoth Bar) in summer time on a red sticker, but I would be able to ride most of the BLM stuff in my area, and all of the NFS stuff in my area (Tahoe). I'm in Woodland as of now, perhaps relocating to the east side of Sac in the next year.
I can definitely see the appeal of having green and not having to worry -- just gear up and go wherever you want. But I'm curious how limiting the sticker situation really is for those of you with experience? Living in the Bay may be different than living in the dust bowl like I do. I've been looking at this CARB document from 2007. Since I got to it from their website, I assume this is the most up to date policy? http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1234/files/2007 carb revised riding seasons.pdf
I can definitely see the appeal of having green and not having to worry -- just gear up and go wherever you want. But I'm curious how limiting the sticker situation really is for those of you with experience? Living in the Bay may be different than living in the dust bowl like I do. I've been looking at this CARB document from 2007. Since I got to it from their website, I assume this is the most up to date policy? http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1234/files/2007 carb revised riding seasons.pdf
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OaklandF4i
Darwin's exception
I'd say if you aren't living in Bay Area, its less of an issue. Where you are living, its going to be hot as hell during the restriction season and will choose not to ride OR drive where it may be cooler up in the Mtns, which dont have a restriction.