Anyone else ride OFFroad?

JustRidin · February 22nd, 2017, 12:12 PM

Two years after buying my ninjette I made the jump to dirt biking as well.

Now I enjoy street, trail, and limited motocross riding. While street and dirt share some similarities, they really seem like different worlds to me.

However, I've noticed my dirt riding has given me more confidence on the street. I think this is mostly because dirt riding has forced me to become comfortable in low traction or other difficult handling situations that I never had to encounter with street riding.

Does anyone else ride in the dirt too? Do you guys find your dirt riding makes you a better street rider or vice versa?

dirt biking.jpg

jkv45 · February 22nd, 2017, 03:01 PM

We ride in the dirt, snow, and ice -

I think it helps your street riding. On dirt bikes you are constantly sliding and correcting. That gives you a base for reacting to unexpected events on the street without thinking.

It gives you that extra edge in safety in my mind, in the same way track riding does.

I knew my 2 boys would want to ride street bikes when they were old enough (now 17 and 20) so I started them young on the dirt about age 4 -

csmith12 · February 22nd, 2017, 03:23 PM

I have a few "My Backyard" vids posted.

Dirt and trails can be really fun too.

CC Cowboy · February 22nd, 2017, 03:44 PM

I ride off road often. Sometimes on purpose.

Z1R rider · February 22nd, 2017, 04:33 PM

^^^^

CrazyCanuckGoat · February 22nd, 2017, 04:53 PM

I was never a dirt rider before, but I picked up a 1975 Honda XL250 this past fall with 3 containers of extra parts. I hope to be dual sporting in a month or two.

Alex · February 22nd, 2017, 05:12 PM

Yep!

mgentz · February 22nd, 2017, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkv45

We ride in the dirt, snow, and ice -

I think it helps your street riding. On dirt bikes you are constantly sliding and correcting. That gives you a base for reacting to unexpected events on the street without thinking.

It gives you that extra edge in safety in my mind, in the same way track riding does.

I knew my 2 boys would want to ride street bikes when they were old enough (now 17 and 20) so I started them young on the dirt about age 4 -

Hey Jay....I'm in WI. We should meet up for a dirt ride! Or a street ride...

mgentz · February 22nd, 2017, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustRidin

However, I've noticed my dirt riding has given me more confidence on the street. I think this is mostly because dirt riding has forced me to become comfortable in low traction or other difficult handling situations that I never had to encounter with street riding.

Attachment 42438

riding in the dirt is awesome for this exact reason. it makes you more confident and ABLE to handle slips, slides, and other low traction situations.

MLR · February 23rd, 2017, 12:24 AM

I went for a ride in the hills where I'm newly posted to, rocking the 2011 ninja 250, ended up getting lost.

Does riding 10 klm on a dirt road on the ninja count.

On a positive note, it does like to spin the back wheel after riding through some mud..

On a negative note, riding through creeks and mud tends to get the bike rather dirty.

But by Jebus, fun was had.

JustRidin · February 23rd, 2017, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLR

I went for a ride in the hills where I'm newly posted to, rocking the 2011 ninja 250, ended up getting lost.

Does riding 10 klm on a dirt road on the ninja count.

Haha, it technically counts, but if you had fun with that you'll have an even better time on a real dirt bike!

MLR · February 23rd, 2017, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustRidin

Haha, it technically counts, but if you had fun with that you'll have an even better time on a real dirt bike!

I've owned a few over the years, whilst blasting through the bush is fun, I got sick of falling off and breaking bones.

Left lower arm, both wrists, right knee cap, left ankle, left collar bone, right shoulder blade.

The worst was when I broke both my wrists, it made the simple things in life quite tricky.

Basically my skill level was overtaken by my ability on quite a few occasions.

motoman · February 23rd, 2017, 04:51 PM

I used to race motocross rode dirt for 30 years

JustRidin · February 23rd, 2017, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLR

I've owned a few over the years, whilst blasting through the bush is fun, I got sick of falling off and breaking bones.

Left lower arm, both wrists, right knee cap, left ankle, left collar bone, right shoulder blade.

The worst was when I broke both my wrists, it made the simple things in life quite tricky.

Basically my skill level was overtaken by my ability on quite a few occasions.

Ouch, I could see why you'd stop.

I've never been down on street, but have had dozens of small "involuntary dismounts" off-road. Fortunately just nicks, scrapes and a few sore parts but I tend to rock all gear on dirt save the neck brace when trail riding. Neck brace goes on for MX.

CaliGrrl · February 25th, 2017, 02:55 PM

I've found mountain biking and street bicycling complement each other, so it stands to reason that dirt biking and street motorcycling should as well.

February 22nd, 2017, 12:12 PM	#1
JustRidin ninjette.org member Name: Nick Location: Denver, CO Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 R6, 2015 KTM 250XC - Past: 2011 KTM 150XC, 2009 Ninja 250r, 2012 Ninja 650, 2007 CRF250R Posts: 194	Anyone else ride OFFroad? Two years after buying my ninjette I made the jump to dirt biking as well. Now I enjoy street, trail, and limited motocross riding. While street and dirt share some similarities, they really seem like different worlds to me. However, I've noticed my dirt riding has given me more confidence on the street. I think this is mostly because dirt riding has forced me to become comfortable in low traction or other difficult handling situations that I never had to encounter with street riding. Does anyone else ride in the dirt too? Do you guys find your dirt riding makes you a better street rider or vice versa? dirt biking.jpg __________________________________________________ Try it, you might like it.

February 22nd, 2017, 03:23 PM	#3
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	I have a few "My Backyard" vids posted. Dirt and trails can be really fun too. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

February 22nd, 2017, 03:44 PM	#4
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I ride off road often. Sometimes on purpose. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!
	4 out of 4 members found this post helpful.

February 22nd, 2017, 04:33 PM	#5
Z1R rider ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Roger Location: Mitchell, South Dakota Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1978 Z1R, 1999 EX250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Oct '16	^^^^ __________________________________________________

February 22nd, 2017, 05:12 PM	#7
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Yep! __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

February 22nd, 2017, 03:01 PM	#2
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	We ride in the dirt, snow, and ice - I think it helps your street riding. On dirt bikes you are constantly sliding and correcting. That gives you a base for reacting to unexpected events on the street without thinking. It gives you that extra edge in safety in my mind, in the same way track riding does. I knew my 2 boys would want to ride street bikes when they were old enough (now 17 and 20) so I started them young on the dirt about age 4 -

February 22nd, 2017, 04:53 PM	#6
CrazyCanuckGoat ninjette.org member Name: Rob Location: Winnipeg Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2003 ZX12R (sold), 2012 250R, 1975 Honda XL250, 1980 XJ650 Posts: 99	I was never a dirt rider before, but I picked up a 1975 Honda XL250 this past fall with 3 containers of extra parts. I hope to be dual sporting in a month or two.

February 23rd, 2017, 12:24 AM	#10
MLR ninjette.org member Name: Mark Location: Australia Join Date: Feb 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Posts: 219	I went for a ride in the hills where I'm newly posted to, rocking the 2011 ninja 250, ended up getting lost. Does riding 10 klm on a dirt road on the ninja count. On a positive note, it does like to spin the back wheel after riding through some mud.. On a negative note, riding through creeks and mud tends to get the bike rather dirty. But by Jebus, fun was had.

February 23rd, 2017, 04:51 PM	#13
motoman ninjette.org member Name: derrick Location: ontario canada Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 ninja Posts: 32	I used to race motocross rode dirt for 30 years

February 25th, 2017, 02:55 PM	#15
CaliGrrl ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kerry Location: Ventura, CA Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16	I've found mountain biking and street bicycling complement each other, so it stands to reason that dirt biking and street motorcycling should as well.

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