off road events/orgs

[Petorius]

The 500 EXC is a frickin' monster of a dual-sport.

Tell me more. I am getting impatient looking for a 200. There is a 520 not far from me. Too heavy?

[aldend123]

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

I'm a dirt noob when it comes to riding and knowing anything about these orgs/events. I've been introduced and brought up to speed by some family members and their riding group. I've tried the hare scramble, the turkey run, and watched a jday race (non-enduro).

Seems like the best way to start out is the turkey runs. They're long, but they let you skip the hard parts if you want with signage telling you which way to go to avoid it. If you skipped all the hero sections, you might be disappointed there wasn't more challenging parts. The last one I went to had helpful descriptions of each section on the route sheet. Even if you have to turn around and go back to go skip it, you usually aren't burning a ton of time. The trail marking is surprisingly well done, and there's usually enough other riders to follow, or at least dirt tracks. Seemed like the only time you really want route sheet or someone to follow is the road sections so you aren't riding 5 miles wondering if you missed an arrow when it's one more mile ahead. I'm impressed with how much effort is spent in organizing a long route to ride, clean trails, warning signs, gas/food stop etc etc.

The biggest learning curve seems to be the sign-up at the beginning of the day. Make sure you allot enough time (1hr should be plenty). And seems like most people are willing to help you, tell you which table to go to etc.

[Chippertheripper]

A $50/year membership and 45$ event plus usually $10 parking (that goes to the landowner or charity) will either yield 1.5hrs of racing for a scramble or 4-6hrs for an enduro.

[nhbubba]

I just want to go out and have fun...

Stop listening to me. Go buy that 300. Tame the beast or die trying.
It really isn't that bad.
Every day you wait is a day you get closer to death without having done it.

[number9]

A $50/year membership and 45$ event plus usually $10 parking (that goes to the landowner or charity) will either yield 1.5hrs of racing for a scramble or 4-6hrs for an enduro.

That sounds really amazing to me.

Stupid question: if it can be street titled, it can ALWAYS be street registered.. right? Even if that means buying lights for the thing?

Of course, I'd have to buy gear, but I love buying gear..

[Chippertheripper]

Yes, with a title you can register it. Whether or not you want to go the extra eleventy billion miles to make it pass inspection is up to you.

[maxim_X]

Tell me more. I am getting impatient looking for a 200. There is a 520 not far from me. Too heavy?

Avoid. I will say I bought a 520 with the intentions of making it a supermoto. I ended up using it in the woods as a first dirt bike, and it got me into the sport. All that said, it was a pretty awful choice to learn to ride with.

Hold out for a 200/250/300. I just sold my street titled 05 300 for 1800.

[Chippertheripper]

This was listed in the netra classifieds, so it's probably well taken care of:
**BEST OFFER**2008 KTM XCF-W 250 w/Thumper Racing 300 kit

[maxim_X]

Yeah do that shit, Pete!

[Petorius]

That thing is sweet, but more than I can spend at the moment, especially when you factor in a light kit.

[number9]

Yes, with a title you can register it. Whether or not you want to go the extra eleventy billion miles to make it pass inspection is up to you.

Do Enduro events just turn a blind eye when it comes to inspection stickers? So long as it's registered, it's kosher as Christmas?

[Chippertheripper]

Head, tail/brake, registration, and sound check. It's not up to the org to make sure every rider has the details worked out.

Mine has just what's listed above. No blinkers and no sticker. I've been winging it certainly since I bought this bike in '12.
But with an enduro, they build the "race" around you not having to speed on the road. They're really adamantly against speeding on the road, in fact.

[nhbubba]

I haven't inspected mine yet either. Although I did install all the switches, lights, and horn as required. My rearview mirror is a joke, but meets the letter of the requirement. I used a Sicass Racing horn kit (which is great) although I've seen others use a bicycle horn and get stickers. What I haven't done is mount up DOT rubber long enough to get a sticker. Technically I am in violation and can face something like a $60 ticket and possible tow/impound. Good times.

[No Quarter]

I've got mine inspected. They have never questioned my non-dot tires. Only look for headlight, tail light, brake light, horn and mirror. Very easy in NH. I agree with going orange. I have 2 of them. Got a 350 XCF-W last year, and a 300 XC-W this year. My personal opinion is that the 4T is easier to learn on, but the 2T is the ultimate woods machine, and not that much more difficult to learn on. The biggest difference is throttle control. The 4T is more forgiving. I have been using the 4T for more dual sporting type stuff, and the 2T for everything else. My suggestion is to find and orange 2T...200, 250, 300, get it plated and ride. Great turkey run coming up this weekend on the 11th. Turkey Run/Dual Sport | New England Trail Rider Association

[number9]

What are the orange beginner 4T bikes?

[nhbubba]

Anything that says XC, XC-W or EXC on the side.
Sorry, you said 4-stroke. So add a 'F' in there somewhere.

[Chippertheripper]

The only "beginner" orange bike is the free ride. And it's not really a beginner bike, but a hybrid trials/dirt bike. Beginner-ish.

Woods bikes are very easy to ride. And the 2ts are completely tunable, from mild to wild.
The thumpers just are what they are for the most part. The older 250 4t is kind of a lackluster motor, so that is something to think about. If you want to go fast on one, you've gotta keep it spinning, it doesn't have a ton off the bottom.
So, in that sense, it could be a good starter too.

[bryco13]

Am I crazy for wanting to trade in my wr250r for a KTM 2t 200?

[nhbubba]

And the 250 and 300 2ts are completely tunable, from mild to wild.

Fixed.

Am I crazy for wanting to trade in my wr250r for a KTM 2t 200?

A little. But only a little.

You only live once.

[Chippertheripper]

The 200 has that big ass knob on the side of the engine.

[SVRACER01]

Yeah that sounds like it might be too much bike for me.

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...

this was me a few years ago. thought for sure i wanted a 250 4T but chip talked me into a 2T 300. my experience with 2Ts was limited but i knew a 250 2T was an animal so i was hesitant.
i bought a 03 300EXC 2T and was amazed when i rode it for the first time. its a diesel truck. it has this weird low RPM torque that defies everything youve ever known about a 2T. 2nd gear walking speed...twist the right grip and just chugs out of it. getting it "on the pipe" seems to be way up in the RPMs and when you get it there it pulls the front wheel and then youre like "oh ya...2 stroke". riding through the woods, i rarely see that side of it because im old, slow, and have only ridden offroad half a dozen times. i cruise around clough in 2nd gear at a pace that nears the limit of my comfort zone and skill.
2 strokes are 2 strokes...unless they are made by KTM.
get a 300...you wont be sorry.

[nhbubba]

I agree with that. Keep the throttle cracked, modulate power with your left hand. Will tractor.
Very, very different than anything I've ridden before. And very fun.
Hydro clutch is worth paying KTM money for all by itself. The cable clutch on my DRZ is a nightmare in comparison.

[Petorius]

How expensive/much of a bitch is it to install lights on one of these things? I'm getting impatient enough to consider getting one without lights and figuring it out later.

[Chippertheripper]

Don't do that. Unless it's the one I linked.
MOST will have a connector behind the number plate, anything modern that is. Then you just have to worry about tail brake. Sicass makes harness kits, so everything sort of becomes plug and play.

- - - Updated - - -

Paperwork is most important. Hardware is secondary, imo.

[Petorius]

So you would recommend passing on titled bikes with no lights?