Dirt N00b! Are there courses?

[Tagnahoor]

So, after 30+ I'm getting my first dual purpose bike. I want to be able to ride dirt/gravel roads. My ultimate goal is to go adventure riding up in Canada.
Are there any courses in basic dirt riding locally?
I just bought a Honda Xr650L.

[SteveM]

You'll never use all that power!

Seriously, I've looked at dual purpose bikes for a while and tried to consider the compromises involved for street riding and trail riding with the same bike. I'll be interested to hear the feedback you get.

[union]

I was about ready to invite you along with me and Pete. I saw the dual sport and ya you wont have any fun on the trails we ride. I found best thing to do is to get out there and ride.

[Tagnahoor]

I found best thing to do is to get out there and ride.

My street experience tells me to look for a course, since there's a billion "common sense" things (to the inexperienced rider) that in street riding will get you killed fast. Is it not that way for riding in the chunks?

[union]

My street experience tells me to look for a course, since there's a billion "common sense" things (to the inexperienced rider) that in street riding will get you killed fast. Is it not that way for riding in the chunks?

Off road is a little more forgiving in a lot of aspects. Especially trail riding. You dont have to deal with the retards out there in there cars not paying attention. If I come to a spot I think I might have trouble with I can stop, think about it and take it slow. Or I can pick my way around it. The penalty for crashing is usually a lot less on the dirt with the lower speeds then it is on the road. You can still get hurt pretty bad like anything but its usually because of something you did instead of someone else.

[breakdirt916]

I also thought there were no dirty courses around here, but if you find one, definitely post up!

I'm also pretty noob-esque on the trails...and MX...and street riding...and track riding...man I suck

[hondarider102]

i would say when it comes to dirt the best experience is practice, the same with the street, while the msf and track days teach you the proper way, they wont help you if you dont practice

[Chippertheripper]

Training wheels should have a link on their site to the dirt course they offer. And James, I'd like to show you how slow a dual sport can be.

[union]

Training wheels should have a link on their site to the dirt course they offer. And James, I'd like to show you how slow a dual sport can be.

Ive seen how slow they can be but if you want to come out Im not going to stop you The 650xl is just too heavy of a bike to do what we do.

[breakdirt916]

...I saw the dual sport and ya you wont have any fun on the trails we ride....

where can you have fun with a dual sport around here?

I keep hearing that a dual sport opens up a lot of riding in MA, but if you're not doing enduro's, and unless you're willing to ride 40-180 mins on the street to connect state forests, what else can you do besides hop between wrentham/foxboro/franklin?

I know it helps at Pachaug, but, in the few hours it would take to trailer there/back, I figure one could've done a few more loops around Franklin or Oxford

[Chippertheripper]

righteous bro. hit me up the next time you guys are going to do the man side of freetown, i should be back up and running in the next 2 weeks.


here's that link: http://www.planetdirt.com/home.html

[union]

righteous bro. hit me up the next time you guys are going to do the man side of freetown, i should be back up and running in the next 2 weeks.


here's that link: http://www.planetdirt.com/home.html

We are usually in Franklin because its close.

[Tagnahoor]

here's that link: http://www.planetdirt.com/home.html

Awesome! Thanks! At this point any starting point is a good one.

[KB]

I'll give you a training course!

KB

[breakdirt916]

righteous bro. hit me up the next time you guys are going to do the man side of freetown, i should be back up and running in the next 2 weeks.


here's that link: http://www.planetdirt.com/home.html

cool, looks good!

I think I'm a little past the basics and will take the learn-through-experience route

I vaguely remember seeing a mini-mx track (whoops, jumps, hills, and big berms on each end) in the woods at Franklin and Hodges...does anyone remember which one it is? I'm getting the RM125 back soon...

[Cambridge K]

Go big - here ya go
YouTube- Ultimate Biker Challenge - Erzberg Rodeo - Austria - Pt 1
YouTube- Ultimate Biker Challenge - Erzberg Rodeo - Austria - Pt 2
YouTube- Ultimate Biker Challenge - Erzberg Rodeo - Austria - Pt 3

[Boston Rexer]

Handling is a bit different. Instead of leaning into a turn, as you would do on the street, you actually shift your weight to the other side of the bike and stick your leg out. There are a few different techniques, but if danger is your concern, I'd say it doesn't come close to the danger and unpredictability of street riding. In tight stuff, low end torque is key. Make sure you're tuned for grunt in the tight stuff.

[Begin Here]

I heard one of the MA training companies has Dirt classes now. https://www.ironstoneventures.com I took training with them for street and the street gear was old, but it was helpful. It's not on their website either but might be worth the call.

[KB]

Awesome to see the big names there.

KB