Dirt riding for little dudes in MA

[breakdirt916]

is MA becoming like CA? no wonder people want to ride without tags, and run when they see ELE

but ya - garand, that's how it worked when I had a dirty bike in MA circa 2011...pretty simple stuff.

out here in CA, they don't have a separate fish and game office. They have a 960,000 hour wait at the DMV with all the other immigrants getting a driver's license, and *everything* has a title...trailer...off-road only bike, etc. Even if you're register it non-op (because you have a kid and never ride it) or just never re-new the registration, loads of back fees will accrue for the next owner to pay for when he goes to register it. even re-printing a registration costs like $50 or something ridiculous for a piece of paper coming off a regular laser printer

[Garandman]

Step 3.

[breakdirt916]

Nice...father son bonding

Time for a 2 rail trailer?

[Garandman]

I requisition a Chevrolet Express cargo van from work. I like having them locked up inside and out of view. Wish it was taller though: mirrors have to come off the WR.

The WR is like new - 2012 with 1500 miles and came with hand guards, skid plate and some Wolfman bags. Barely a scratch on it. Should be a lot of fun.

[gregp]

Since I have been trail riding in MA for over 40 years, I am now totally convinced that the MA Government does not want this activity to take place in this state anymore. This is sad, as MA has such a great heritage in the Off-Road/Trail Riding/Competition History. Non-Competitive/Non-Event trail riding is all but illegal throughout the state. All of the recreational trail riders have now been "corralled" into just a very few small area's. Trail Riders are under constant scrutiny, and any display of bad behavior will be exploited to condemn the sport, and leveraged to shrink access even further.
This is truly a shame, as there are *a lot* of trails in this state, and there are many area's in which nobody really has any opposition trail riders passing through - but all of the private and public land has now been placed under an enforcement umbrella that does not allow or condone situational judgement on the part of the operator, the land owner, or the enforcement.
A few short years ago, the fines and punishments were increased to levels that now indicate that having your son/daughter caught riding their trail bike is **4 times worse than being caught smoking marijuana** - in the eyes of our state leaders ($250 + towing + court for first time offense vs. a $75 ticket).

[Garandman]

What is the deal with the restrictions in young kids riding? My son is 10, and from what I read (can't find the text at the moment) it seems like he can only ride if he's under my supervision and preparing for some sort of event. Is this right?

[gregp]

I am not positive, but I do believe that interpretation is correct. Race, or no riding for young people. It is a disgrace. It is a blatant attempt to kill the trail riding sport in its entirety.

[Garandman]

So does someone drive up and ask him what race he is preparing for? Or me? That would go so well....

[breakdirt916]

might as well have him take up marijuana, looks like it'll be cheaper!

I also forgot what the rules say - so MX is fair game for all ages?

and garand - how far are NH trails?

37 miles from dorchester - I can PM you the super secret spot...you and your son can play all day without hassle

[gregp]

Actually, IIRC, the State was going to outlaw all riding for ages 16 and under (or something like that) until NETRA and other organizations petitioned to include their Pee-Wee, Nervous Novice, and Junior events. This was the only saving grace for young folks. Hence, the Competition Rule.

[Garandman]

In MA do you need an off-road permit if the bike is licensed for the street?

[Chippertheripper]

In MA do you need an off-road permit if the bike is licensed for the street?

Yes. You ALSO need offroad stickers.

[Garandman]

Went down to the office this morning. Got a parking space in front, walked in, no line, out of there and home again in no time. Yay.

[MarkMarine]

move out of mass

no seriously - Paul/Clinton got it.

there is also illegal but tolerated mini track?

I know where there is one...small but fun, about 45 mins from beantown:

all the local kids go there to tool around, it's not legal, but it's in the middle of the woods behind a shopping center and you park your car/truck in the woods anyhow so nobody would even know you're there. I occasionally see cops at the entrance behind the shopping center, but never had one come down the trail. You can register the bike with the MA fish and game as an off-road only vehicle, you essentially just need to pay sales tax and bring the receipt (with a check) to their office.







berms



small whoops



small jumps (bmx bicycle sized)



it was too small for the RM125, the XR200 was pretty close; albeit still a little big - so I figure an XR100 would be perfect

here's one of the local kids in action:

Can you PM me the location of this?

[Garandman]

So Sunday we may try and go after my son plays his hockey game. Should we go to Oxford?

If I drove to NH, what's the closest trail network to the border off Rt 93? Seems like dealers sell the off-road permits - any requirements for anything other than cash?

[tls25rs]

Rockingham trail system is likely your closest bet to rt93 as you come across the border into NH.

http://www.nhatv.com/pages/trails_maps.html

http://www.nhstateparks.org/uploads/...ailMay2010.pdf

[Garandman]

Searched all over to find this:

he assigned registration decals shall be firmly attached to both sides of the vehicle and located so that both are clearly visible. The validation date shall be displayed on the left side of the vehicle. The registration certificate shall be in the possession of the operator.

[Chippertheripper]

Before you go slapping those POS stickers on, clean the area THOROUGHLY.
And don't attach them where they might get scraped, dirty or wet.

On your bike is cut some PVC so it snaps over the fork tubes between the top and bottom triples, and put the stickers on that.

[Garandman]

I think that's how Sean did it. The guy I bought the bike from had Maine stickers on it and they are possibly even worse.

I might get high-speed and make some holders for them.

[Garandman]

My wife is OK with him riding. We got him more protective gear. And an equipment upgrade to something that isn't older than he is.

[Garandman]

Note to self: do not buy a bike from a kid. The kid who rde the CRF was 12-13 and his father also had a dirt bike so I expected it would be well-maintained.

The bike looks and runs very well. But the front brake was almost worn out (replaced), oil changed but no crush washer, leaking shifter seal, air cleaner absolutely filtthy, and chain was loose. One of the valves was gapped 0.005" (should be 0.002") and the cam chain tensioner seemed never adjusted.

[breakdirt916]

no...most used dirtbikes don't have maintenance done on them...kids and adults alike

only way to be sure is to buy new, or buy from Paul ED, R7, Typeone or fasteddie, ha

if you "just want to ride it", unless the damage is going to stop the bike from working, just ride it out until you sell it and disclose everything you know.

dirt bikes are a maintenance heavy vehicle, and can sometimes be costly...and if you want to keep the bike awhile, use your bike competitively, or just gain from the learning experience, it's worth it.

Let me clarify, this does not exclude the "new bike" minimum maintenace - every new bike I get will have the oil changed, air filter cleaned (if not replaced), chain cleaned (maybe changed), brakes inspected for thickness, subframe/covers off so bike can get cleaned, and bottom of engine checked for leaks. 2-strokes get a top end unless I'm selling it (and while in there, crank inspection).