off road events/orgs

[GearHd6]

Holy crap, I'm not sure if this is helping or making me more confused. Lol

[SVRACER01]

route sheets are under $20 here at work, ill pick one up eventually

[maxim_X]

To add to what Chip said. In some classes you don't need even a watch to podium at an enduro. Finishing is enough. That said, finishing the one enduro I raced was the hardest physical event I have done as an adult. I was however completely unprepared.

[Rada]

Finishing is enough. That said, finishing the one enduro I raced was the hardest physical event I have done as an adult. I was however completely unprepared.

I've only raced one woods event. My friend dragged me to the Mt. Greylock round of the NETRA Hare Scramble series. I was in good MX shape and was not prepared for the pain that 2 hours of standing up riding in the woods as fast as you can is.... But is sure was fun....

[maxim_X]

I found the enduro significantly more taxing than a hairscramble. It took me about 6 hours to complete, yes there are breaks and road sections but it was too much for me. I knew the hairscramble would end soon, the enduro feel infinite. I hear from other riders that they found hairscrambles harder, because it's full bore for so long. It's probably mostly in the training.

[R7]

route sheets are under $20 here at work, ill pick one up eventually

There's someone on NEDB that makes and sells a killer route sheet holder. It has a magnifying glass so the route sheet reads triple it's size, and it was water resistant

[Chippertheripper]

There's someone on NEDB that makes and sells a killer route sheet holder. It has a magnifying glass so the route sheet reads triple it's size, and it was water resistant

That's the brz one.

[slowkermit]

Holy crap, I'm not sure if this is helping or making me more confused. Lol

Join the club. I've completed 2 enduros and still don't understand. I just ride.

[mrl1300r]

How about NECC? There a smaller group than netra and still a lot of fun.

[Chippertheripper]

Totally forgot about necc. They got quads too.

[slowkermit]

NECC looks good, but the website sucks. Do they run full 2hr races? I notice our buddy Seth D showed up for a round and won.

[gregp]

Just a note on Route Sheet Preparation. Chip mentioned that you should bring some Scotch tape, and a pair of scissors, and this is not a joke. The Route Sheet will be printed in columns, on a standard 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. This sheet must be cut into strips, and the strips must be taped end to end. You end up with a 4 foot long strip of paper, that is 2" wide. You then run a strip of Scotch Tape down the entire back-side, to prevent it from tearing when it gets wet (and it will get wet!). This whole thing is the wound up on one side of your Route Sheet holder.
Be sure to take the time to attend any riders meeting before the event, and to read the "Key" or any special notes on the Route Sheet (X=Danger, WR=Woods Road, P=Pavement, etc.).

[SVRACER01]

im gonna bump this because id really like to do one or 2 of the turkey runs or dual sport rides.
im looking at the noble woods TR for sure

[Stromper]

Events | New England Trail Rider Association

Internet not just for porn

[Chippertheripper]

Welcome to post two. Your eyeballs aren't just for looking at porn and tinfoil hat blogs.

[number9]

Enduro is an on and off road timed even with checkpoints. 60-100 miles.

JR enduros are for kids

Hairscrambles are long off road only races usually around 10 miles per lap. 1.5-2.5 hours.

Short courses are like mini scrambles, 2-5 miles per lap and 30-40 minutes

Turkey runs are enduros without the timing. Just a fun ride with some connecting street sections.

Some really useful posts in here, thanks! For a beginner - to me, dirt riding is when there are pebbles on a driveway - what bike is able to do most of these events? On another thread the KDX 200 and KTM 250 were mentioned..

I'm guessing it'd have to be something street-reg'able to do events on public roads.

[Chippertheripper]

A street reg is only needed for enduros and turkey runs.
A kdx200 is a workhorse of an antique motorcycle. People have a hard on for them because they're simple, effective, and often seen as "entry level".
The ktm's don't have a mco that says "for off-road use only", hence easy platablilty. If you make it out to any of these off-road events be prepared to see LOTS of orange. Certainly 90% at an enduro. Less at scrambles (because you don't need a plate) and turkey runs (because you'll see more factory dual sports). But a plated woods bike is far better to ride through the trees than any factory dualsport, with the exception of the new exc's, and whatever husqvarna is calling them.

Find a deal on a decent used one coughoreo'scough and come out and play.

[number9]

A street reg is only needed for enduros and turkey runs.
A kdx200 is a workhorse of an antique motorcycle. People have a hard on for them because they're simple, effective, and often seen as "entry level".
The ktm's don't have a mco that says "for off-road use only", hence easy platablilty. If you make it out to any of these off-road events be prepared to see LOTS of orange. Certainly 90% at an enduro. Less at scrambles (because you don't need a plate) and turkey runs (because you'll see more factory dual sports). But a plated woods bike is far better to ride through the trees than any factory dualsport, with the exception of the new exc's, and whatever husqvarna is calling them.

Find a deal on a decent used one coughoreo'scough and come out and play.

Thanks Chipper. What orange model would be a good start? Just trying to figure out what I want to do next year..

[nhbubba]

Really, almost anything that says "XC, XC-W, or EXC" on the side of it.
The 300cc 2-strokes are super common. 250's and 200's being slightly less so.
The newer 350cc 4-stroke (XCF-W) is pretty damned sweet. The 500 EXC is a frickin' monster of a dual-sport.

There is also the new freerides. Haven't ridden one, but I suspect the XC-W or EXCs are better picks, especially 2nd hand.

Really, really hard to go wrong. Probably why the orange brand is so popular.

[Chippertheripper]

Like bubs said, it's pretty hard to go wrong. The xcw's still use the tried and true pds/open chamber forks. Some of the other models use some different designs that are a little harder to tune as you progress.
As far as what engine is best, it's strictly personal preference. They all make enough power to get you there, but each one has a different way they like to be ridden.
I'm on my second 300 two stroke. It is a MONSTER if you get the thing singing. But it's very docile and tractable if you lug it along.
A 4t will track a little better through the chop (less deflection) but I just finally put a Scott's damper on my bike and now it tracks nearly as good. Best of both worlds now.

[number9]

Really, almost anything that says "XC, XC-W, or EXC" on the side of it.
The 300cc 2-strokes are super common. 250's and 200's being slightly less so.
The newer 350cc 4-stroke (XCF-W) is pretty damned sweet. The 500 EXC is a frickin' monster of a dual-sport.

There is also the new freerides. Haven't ridden one, but I suspect the XC-W or EXCs are better picks, especially 2nd hand.

Really, really hard to go wrong. Probably why the orange brand is so popular.

So something like this as a ballpark idea? I have never ridden a 2t dirtbike, though my first street bike was a 125cc 2t.

[TripleTaco]

2t dirt bike ....

[Chippertheripper]

So something like this as a ballpark idea? I have never ridden a 2t dirtbike, though my first street bike was a 125cc 2t.

Might not (probably doesn't) have a street title.
But yes, you're on the path to righteousness.

[nhbubba]

So something like this as a ballpark idea? I have never ridden a 2t dirtbike, though my first street bike was a 125cc 2t.

That would do.

The 300's can be pretty fierce. I ride a 200 and she tries to get away from me all the time.

[number9]

Yeah that sounds like it might be too much bike for me. I feel like I would learn better on a 4-stroke, but maybe not. I want to get the bike that everyone agrees you should start on, and not say a CR500AF..

One thing that really piques my interest about dirt stuff is that (enduros especially) you seem to get much more seat time than at the track. And the same bike can (theoretically) be used for a bunch of different events. As much as I love NHMS and track days, it's a lot of day time for not a lot of seat time. I don't think I would ever choose one or the other, but it's something to consider.

I'm old(ish) and big(ish) and slow(no ish) so I have no delusions of being competitive or winning. I just want to go out and have fun...