New dirt rider advice

[Jewcati]

Taking my 11 year old daughter to planet dirt to learn how to ride. I am doing the class with her for bonding time, but I have never ridden dirt before. After the class, where can we ride? I heard trails in NH allow kids.

Also, where can you go in mass if I just want to practice with her for a bit?

What would you recommend for a starter bike for her to ride trails and a good trails bike for me? I am 200lbs and 6'. I was thinking 2 stroke. Budget for both 4-5k


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[maxim_X]

I can't help with the kid. But, for a new adult dirt rider the KTM 200, kdx200/220, ttr250, crf250x, wr250, husqvarna we 125, the list goes on.

[breakdirt916]

kid - depends on height mostly, then whether or not she wants a clutch...usually xr/crf100, ttr125, drz125, klx125, drz110, klx110

ma - just the early part of the lower hodges loop IIRC?

kids don't really need to go far...just either a loop they repeat, or a big open field

[nhbubba]

Like JC, I can't help with the kid part. No experience.

With a budget at $4-5k the world is your oyster. My personal preference would be the KTM 200 XC-W or an older EXC. But I'm biased. Great trail bike and mine has served me very, very well. All said I have about $6k into mine including the bike with spares, ice wheels & tires and 1.5 years of maint and repair.

A KDX220 at a fraction of that budget plus a lot of suspension work would probably do you well as well.

As a new rider I would stay away from a larger 4-stroke (ie a MX 250 or 450) unless it has e-start. You will flame out doing climbs and rock gardens a lot. Kicking a hot 4t in those conditions is not my idea of fun. The smaller 2-strokes start so easily it is not so much of an issue. A milder kick-only 4t like an old XR250 is probably somewhere in between.

[isaac_]

I'm a noob at this as well. But would you consider doing open practices at mx tracks instead of woods riding? I think the somewhat predictable terrain of a track would make better practice than unpredictable terrain of a trail.


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[loudbeard]

Another great place to start dirt riding is Wachusett Valley Riders Club in Winchendon MA. Dirt flat track, with a TT course as well. They have 4 year olds out there, very safe closed course environment. They also have rental bikes available of all sizes. The owner Roger is a solid guy. I'd recommend picking up some gear and going to give it a try. Roger's phone number is on their website, give him a call and he'll be happy to answer any questions and advise you on specifics of how to get started and what gear you'll need (basically standard dirt gear is fine.)

Wachusett Valley Riders Club

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[Paul_E_D]

Another great place to start dirt riding is Wachusett Valley Riders Club in Winchendon MA. Dirt flat track, with a TT course as well. They have 4 year olds out there, very safe closed course environment. They also have rental bikes available of all sizes. The owner Roger is a solid guy. I'd recommend picking up some gear and going to give it a try. Roger's phone number is on their website, give him a call and he'll be happy to answer any questions and advise you on specifics of how to get started and what gear you'll need (basically standard dirt gear is fine.)

Wachusett Valley Riders Club

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Great call

[loudbeard]

Great call

I honestly can't think of a better way to get someone started on dirt, or any kind of riding for that matter. Learn the basics of bike control, safe environment, skills acquired translate to anything a human would ever want to do on two wheels. Bike rentals allow you to make a more informed decision on an appropriate machine to buy. Start there and the world is your oyster.

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[Jewcati]

Another great place to start dirt riding is Wachusett Valley Riders Club in Winchendon MA. Dirt flat track, with a TT course as well. They have 4 year olds out there, very safe closed course environment. They also have rental bikes available of all sizes. The owner Roger is a solid guy. I'd recommend picking up some gear and going to give it a try. Roger's phone number is on their website, give him a call and he'll be happy to answer any questions and advise you on specifics of how to get started and what gear you'll need (basically standard dirt gear is fine.)

Wachusett Valley Riders Club

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Awesome! Exactly what I wanted


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[Jewcati]

I'm a noob at this as well. But would you consider doing open practices at mx tracks instead of woods riding? I think the somewhat predictable terrain of a track would make better practice than unpredictable terrain of a trail.


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I would love that, can you recommend any that have open practice sessions...track day like layout?


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[Mr. Kurtz]

Add a third recommendation for WVRC as a good place to get a beginner accustomed to a dirt bike...but obviously teach her the basics of controlling the motorcycle in advance, just in an open field. Clutch, gas, brake, change direction.

[isaac_]

I would love that, can you recommend any that have open practice sessions...track day like layout?


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Not having been to WVRC I didn't think of that first but would recommend that over an open practice.

I haven't been to many open practice but they are a total hoot. Yes it's like a track day except no instruction. Usually broken into kids, Novice through expert groups.

I'll have to come back with names because I don't remember what they're called :p

[Jewcati]

Ok... Thanks for the advice. Are woods and my bikes interchangeable?


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[maxim_X]

Are woods and MX bikes interchangeable?


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For yourself, at zero experience it won't matter much. You will likely have better luck on MX with a woods bike than woods on an MX bike until you are faster/better/stronger. It would not make sense to only do one or the other just because of the bike.

[isaac_]

You will likely have better luck on MX with a woods bike than woods on an MX bike until you are faster/better/stronger.

So true.

[Jewcati]

For yourself, at zero experience it won't matter much. You will likely have better luck on MX with a woods bike than woods on an MX bike until you are faster/better/stronger. It would not make sense to only do one or the other just because of the bike.

Perfect


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[aldend123]

Avoid MX bikes if you're focused on trail riding. The power delivery, gearing, and suspension are not enjoyable at slower speeds over rough terrain.

If you want to ride trails, look for a woods bike. I'm not the most qualified, so I'll back that up with the quote above. It'll also link you to a similar thread you might want to read. But it's also worth noting that the faster woods guys seem to like MX-ish bikes set up for woods riding. Depending on your daughter's size, you could buy a 125/150 that you'd take out solo to learn first, then give it to her when you find your full size bike.

MA only has a few legal spots, seems like most riding is word of mouth. If planet dirt is in your area, then I'd look to Freetown for riding. Dirt roads throughout for working on the basics, with trails through the woods.

[maxim_X]

If planet dirt is in your area, then I'd look to Freetown for riding. Dirt roads throughout for working on the basics, with trails through the woods.

By rights those roads are public and/or park fire roads. Except for a few short sections where the ORV trails cross and use the road they are off limits to orv's. I'm not saying that a dad and his daughter learning to ride will have any trouble, I couldn't tell you. But, if a ranger/DEP sees a normal dirt bike rider on one they generally stopped and scolded at best, and at worst you can be subject to what comes from riding and unregistered/ uninsured motor vehicle on a public way. You can thank the previous riders using the roads for wheelies and topping out their bikes for that.

[nhbubba]

But it's also worth noting that the faster woods guys seem to like MX-ish bikes set up for woods riding.

Who?

All fast types I know that ride real MX focused stuff in the woods have either poured some decent money into their machines to make them more enduro like. (Suspension work, bigger tanks, lighting kits, etc, etc.) Or desperately want to trade for a factory enduro. Some check both boxes.

[aldend123]

By rights those roads are public and/or park fire roads. Except for a few short sections where the ORV trails cross and use the road they are off limits to orv's.

Sorry wasn't thinking. Forgot about that.

Who?

All fast types I know that ride real MX focused stuff in the woods have either poured some decent money into their machines to make them more enduro like. (Suspension work, bigger tanks, lighting kits, etc, etc.) Or desperately want to trade for a factory enduro. Some check both boxes.

That's what I mean by MX-ish set up for woods. Suspension work, tanks, bar guards, skid plate etc. Just my perception from looking at who's closer to the front of the train, seeing who rides what at events. There's plenty of woods bikes too - didn't mean to sound like everyone's doing that.

EDIT: And the weights on some of the newer enduro bikes seem to be getting closer to where MX bikes were. I wonder if this will be changing as it's just easier to buy a bike ready out of the box.

[Jewcati]

Stupid question, how do I know the difference between an me and woods bike?


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[csmutty]

Lettering. Each brand has their own letter designation that separates the woods bikes from the MX bikes.

For example, a Honda 4 stroke 450cc mx bike is crf450r, the woods version of that is the crf450x.

[number9]

I'm a noob at this as well. But would you consider doing open practices at mx tracks instead of woods riding? I think the somewhat predictable terrain of a track would make better practice than unpredictable terrain of a trail.

I started out similar to the OP (minus the daughter, of course!) and have done both woods riding and MX practice days. Both have been great at learning to ride, in different ways of course. I think it's a great idea!

I would love that, can you recommend any that have open practice sessions...track day like layout?

NHMX (formerly Jolly Roger) in Lempster, NH has practice days most Tuesdays and Thursdays and (I think) racer practice on Saturday. Ditto Crow Hill MX in Baldwinville, MA. I've done both these tracks, Crow Hill is easier but both are awesome fun.

There's also Wareham MX in Wareham, MA which runs on a similar schedule. And MX 23 in Brookfield, MA; I haven't ridden either of those tracks. Last but not least there's the grand daddy of all, The Wick 338 (formerly/commonly known as Southwick) in Southwick, MA. I have ridden there and while it's by far the most difficult it is a totally and completely amazing place to ride. Unfortunately the practice days are few and far between.

There are a couple of tracks in Maine (MX 207, Boxshop) as well. And one (Rocky Hill MX) in Connecticut.

Not having been to WVRC I didn't think of that first but would recommend that over an open practice.

I haven't been to many open practice but they are a total hoot. Yes it's like a track day except no instruction. Usually broken into kids, Novice through expert groups.

I'll have to come back with names because I don't remember what they're called :p

I've done weekday practice days and weekend practice days, typically weekdays are much quieter with less attendees. This means less traffic on the track and that the track stays in better shape, but also with few riders they will generally not separate you into groups -- everyone will run at the same time.

For yourself, at zero experience it won't matter much. You will likely have better luck on MX with a woods bike than woods on an MX bike until you are faster/better/stronger. It would not make sense to only do one or the other just because of the bike.

I've done MX on a woods bike, and though it wasn't really ideal it was still an absolute blast. Being a beginner, it won't hold you back.

Stupid question, how do I know the difference between an me and woods bike?

Older KTM woods bikes (1990s-mid 2000s) will generally have an 'E' in the name for Enduro, e.g. my 300 EXC. Then they did away with that moniker and an EXC became an XC-W. Motocross bikes are usually modeled as SX. Anything with an 'F' in the name is a four-stroke. This thread has some good info about the KTM naming "scheme".

[aldend123]

Stupid question, how do I know the difference between an me and woods bike?

The lettering takes a bit to memorize but once you do it starts to make sense. MX: Yamaha YZ, Kawasaki KX, KTM SX, Suzuki RM for example. WR or a W usually means Wide Ratio gearing, and usually found on enduro models. F is four stroke. X or XC I think of as cross-country when found after the displacement. SM is supermoto.

So a Yamaha WR250F is a Wide Ratio 250 Four Stroke. A KTM SX-F 250 is their MX Four stroke, but I bet SX started as SuperCross.

[carsick]

If it's still stock, woods bikes have a headlight and kickstand. Has a generating coil to run lights and possibly charge a battery if so equipped. Electric start a good possibility.
Heavier flywheel for less stalling. Quieter exhaust. Engine tuned for torque and smoothness. Softer springs. Possibly more stable geometry. Lower first gear and taller top gear.
In Yamaha woods is WR vs YZ for MX.
Yeah, like above. Too slow to post.