Going on my first dirty ride this weekend!

[Paul_E_D]

Speed is not relevant to this discussion. I ALMOST folded my foot like that on my first dirt ride back from a long hiatus. I had on my heaviest hiking boots and the did NOTHING to protect my foot.

[Petorius]

Well shit. I think I'm still going to chance it for the first time, I'll invest later if I like it and pick up a bike. The boots I'll be wearing are steel toe/shank/cup, I am also a little worried about not being able to feel the shifter or rear brake.

[Paul_E_D]

You don't need to feel them. You know where they are. Definitely go for it, but be very aware that those boots are like paper bags compared to good MX boots. A foot between a rock and a (even slow) moving bike stands no chance.

[nhbubba]

You'll probably be fine. Take all the precautions you can.

Just whatever the hell you do, don't try to keep up.

[Petorius]

Checkers or wreckers baby!

[nhbubba]

I maintain it is a gawdamned miracle some of you have lived this long.

[e30addict]

I maintain it is a gawdamned miracle some of you have lived this long.

I never rode a motorcycle until I was 30, otherwise I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have

[maxim_X]

KB is selling the same bike I ride/race with a street title for a good price. Just saying, if you get the bug it's one to look at. But, I would recomend a ktm200 or KDX as a first dirty toy that won't leave you disappointed.

[e30addict]

KB is selling the same bike I ride/race with a street title for a good price. Just saying, if you get the bug it's one to look at. But, I would recomend a ktm200 or KDX as a first dirty toy that won't leave you disappointed.

I've been forcing myself not to click on that link!

[nhbubba]

Guns & Free Candy

[e30addict]

I hate you.

[breakdirt916]

everything people be sayin' is trooo...ur gonna fall a lot

but based on what you're saying, it sounds like you won't be WOT or holding a full clip for your pace, so hopefully you won't kick the bike over sideways and end up on that one pointy rock that's aimed directly for your shoulder...I've done many moderate/noobie paced dirt rides with street boots, fell and was fine. but regardless, gear up as much as you can...on my first ride I just wore a textile street jacket , textile pants, street boots, dirty gloves/helmet...

imho - most cheap dirty gear, really sucks protection wise. "MX pants" don't have good padding in the hips...almost like nothing at all. I recommend wearing either alpinestar armored shorts, or padded mtn bike pants. James (union) had some moto riding shorts which I thought were pretty cool, but I dunno about doing a slide (into homeplate style) and getting rocks dragged up in there...so the best quality mx pants you can afford. Make sure they can house knee/shin guards underneath (might cost $100 for good ones). Get dirty boots (more heavy duty than street) and try to avoid the lowest $80 fly/alpinestar boots because they'll feel like clogs and fall apart pretty easy. Adv style will be more comfy. For your tits and arms I like the pressure jacket thingie because it'll give you elbow/shoulder/chest/back/kidney belt all in one. You can always find armored slide-on elbow guards, but they will be a bit uncomfy and contribute to arm pump (esp. if new rider w' death grip). The loose fitting roost guards are just for roost or being a buffer for falling onto a rock. To be honest, I don't like 'em too much. You can get an undershirt chest/back/roost guard that will fit better. Dirty helmet will offer better ventilation than street helmets, goggles for sure, and dirty gloves (although they are generally thin - almost like mechaniks gloves). Don't buy bilt anything (although I've crashed in their pressure jacket thingie a few times and it's held up....but zipper is cheap, and a lot of people have theirs fall apart after a ride or 2 - gotta find one that was put together well from factory)

[nt650hawk]

I have some tall, solid work boots I will use.

you be sorry. I blew my knee doing about 10-15 MPH. if I did not have the dirty boots I WOULD have broken my ankle by the way I planted my foot behind a root.

[Petorius]

I'm gonna play it safe

[SVRACER01]

didnt take long for me to realize that things are easier in 2nd gear (or higher) in the woods. throttle gets less snatchy and speed/momentum is always your friend

[mike0479]

OUCH! 2nd,3rd, and 4th fx of metatarsal bones

[Chippertheripper]

Seriously, the faster you go, the smoother it is. Sitting and using your,legs like outriggers is tiresome and dangerous ($50 says that's how most,of these near injuries almost occurred)
Look as far ahead as possible, and don't be afraid to use the throttle to get you out of a near crash/tip over. It'll either work or end the suspense.

[Tas]

Pete, what bike are you riding? Hoping to trade the GSXR for a 1989 KX250 this weekend at Stafford springs bike swap.

[Petorius]

Pete, what bike are you riding? Hoping to trade the GSXR for a 1989 KX250 this weekend at Stafford springs bike swap.

I believe I will be on a DR350. 350? Not really sure. Borrowing it from a guy who has lots of wheeled toys, its hard to keep track sometimes. Would that be your first dirty bike?

[Paul_E_D]

DR350 is a good choice for your first outing. A bit heavy, but low seat height, soft boingers, tractor like motor. Easy to ride.

[nt650hawk]

I had a blast with the KDX220 as my virgin ride!

[carsick]

Following this with keen interest. Another bike seems to have shown up in my stable, but I have no dirt gear. Will I die or just be disabled??

[nhbubba]

...or just be disabled??

We talking physically? Or mentally?

[rolker]

When I got my CRF250L back in June, I went for a couple of dirt rides with minimal gear and survived.

I kept it slow, and chose easy terrain. In fact, the falls I did have were probably due to going to slow, so I managed to jump away from them without hurting myself.

So, no guarantees, but you might survive your first outing with minimal gear.

[Paul_E_D]

Oh, you CAN survive. Most do. But the potential list of painful injuries makes me cringe, knowing what I know. The x-ray in this thread shows the #1 risk IMO.