Opinions for Motard Beginner Please

[Squidposer]

Thinking of building a motard/ratbike. I don't have a clue where to start. I want to start low budget in case I decide I just don't like it. If I like it, I'll start thinking about going into debt for something more modern. Since I don't know jack, I'd prefer to keep the cost of my pending errors as low as possible.

Any opinions on a mid '80s XR500 ?
Tires? What's good for the street but capable for light dirt riding?
Oh hell, I've got a million questions, any advice you guys can give me would be great. Give me links to other sites. Can you recommend any places to go where I can meet riders and learn as much as I can? I've got 30 years in the saddle but haven't been off the pavement for over 20. Just the idea of going off road is scaring the crap outa me. That's why the idea is so appealing.

Thanks in Advance.

 

[hooliganrider]

you will need a set of DOT dual sport tires to start with.
then go to Stockton on a Monday and do a track day.
1 pm to sunset for 10 bucks.

 

[thump]

1 pm to sunset for 10 bucks.

I heard they were putting it up to $20, but it's still a bargain.


edit...

But that's not what you asked, is it....

Okay, let's kill the motard myth. A motard is nothing more or less than a dirt bike adapted for street use. It's not some piece of $20k exotica.

At the simplest end of things it's a street registration on a pure dirt bike.

Then you can switch the tires for dual sport or road oriented tires like scorpions, gripsters etc, etc to improve the pavement performance a step.

Next stage is to switch the rims to 17"s so you can use sportbike tires.

And you suddenly find that the dirt bike brakes are too feeble, the gearing is too low (except for wheelies and hillclimbs) and the suspension is too soft.

At that point either buy a production motard or customise one yourself.

But the basic platform is a dirt bike.

Literally ANY dirt bike that you can successfully street register will do, but road legal dual-sports are the easiest and cheapest way to get started.

Just go buy one, change the tires and ride it around, see if you like it. If you don't like it, sell it again.

The things you'll love are the agility, visibility, manoevrability, low theft risk etc. of a dirt bike in an urban environment.

The things you'll trade off to get that are vibration and relatively poor highway performance.


So hit up craigslist and the classifieds here for XRs, DRs, LC4s, KRs etc. etc. and see what you can find.

Then come out and play :teeth

 

[Beauregard]

My humble advice: don't waste your money on a project just to see if you'll like it.

Go to Stocton for a day, fall in love, and go buy a factory motard.

It's the most fun you can have on two wheels.

 

[Squidposer]

Are there any places to go and observe motards in action on weekends?
I can't really afford to take off on weekdays right now since the winter and the war kicked my fiscal ass really well this year.
If I have no other option than to go to Stockton on a Monday, I will.
Please excuse my ignorance, but Stockton, from my point of view covers a lot of territory. Could I get some more details?:teeth

Thanx

 

[thump]

Are there any places to go and observe motards in action on weekends?
I can't really afford to take off on weekdays right now since the winter and the war kicked my fiscal ass really well this year.
If I have no other option than to go to Stockton on a Monday, I will.
Please excuse my ignorance, but Stockton, from my point of view covers a lot of territory. Could I get some more details?:teeth

Thanx

Monday open practice at Stockton runs through until sundown so you can get over there after work, no problems.

Here's some info on how you can have a go, directions, etc. etc.... linky.

 

[thump]

Are there any places to go and observe motards in action on weekends?
Thanx

Do you have a motorcycle to ride at the moment?
If yes, PM me.

 

[SuperMotard]

Are there any places to go and observe motards in action on weekends?
I can't really afford to take off on weekdays right now since the winter and the war kicked my fiscal ass really well this year.
If I have no other option than to go to Stockton on a Monday, I will.
Please excuse my ignorance, but Stockton, from my point of view covers a lot of territory. Could I get some more details?:teeth

Thanx

Well... Do you have any Bike at all? If so... There will be a few SuperMotard meet at Alice Sat morning 9:00 am... You could check out the Bikes get some word on what to do and what not... And follow us around for a bit to see what you can do on a SM

I done the Dualsport to SM change... is a bit cheaper since you don't need to worry about street legality...
Take a XR650L, some 17" with street tires, 320mm brake disc + adapter... toss it in a circus tent and you got your self a SM... $$$ for the extra parts will run at 1000$
Check this link for good prices on wheel sets
http://www.eastcoastwheels.com/?source=overture

Ping me if you need more infos or if you would like to stop by and check out the bike and talk

 

[kneedrag]

Are there any places to go and observe motards in action on weekends?

There is a practice this Saturday and racing on Sunday.

Please excuse my ignorance, but Stockton, from my point of view covers a lot of territory. Could I get some more details?:teeth

 

[astrocreep]

There is a practice this Saturday and racing on Sunday.

huh, wha wha what Practice on sat.....DETAILS MAN!

When and for how long?
you racing the lil 80 that could?

 

[kneedrag]

huh, wha wha what Practice on sat.....DETAILS MAN!

When and for how long?
you racing the lil 80 that could?

Stockton Update (as of July, 22)
- Practice will be held Saturday July 26
- Track open from 5:00pm until 8:30pm (cost: $20.00)
- Save time on Sunday and PRE Enter on Saturday
- Free overnight camping, gates close by 10:00pm

The 80 was a one off ride and has been since sold by the owner. I'm trying to mend some broken bones, so I'll be out a while.