[tedmeyer]

The forecast was perfect, so I took today off and drove up to the Poconos (Lost Trails) to try out my new DRZ. This was my first off-road ride ever, and HOLY CRAP did I have fun. :thumbsup: I took it easy since I am a total noob (and don't have my pads yet - just some hockey elbow pads), but had a blast. Did all the easy trails and a couple intermediates (first time it was a wrong turn, but it was so fun I went back for more). The bike did great -- I was surprised at some of the stuff I could cruise through w/ no problems. It really soaked up the rough stuff -- and I haven't even set up the suspension yet. I did take a little fall, but it was cushioned by a knee-deep mud/water hole (hidden tree limb underneath) -- I consider it being baptized! :thumbsup: Why the hell did I wait to do this until I was 35?! :eek:

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos4713/6/0/73/43/54/1/154437300603_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos4713/6/0/73/3/85/9/985037300603_0_ALB.jpg

[knightsofstevenson]

Sounds like you're hooked!! Now you just need some gear and you'll be set.

[knightsofstevenson]

Oh, and one question, you were riding a drz? I think this might get moved...

[tedmeyer]

D'OH! Errant mouseclicking.... Move me... (I'm definately hooked! Pants are en route from TT, but I couldn't wait. Now that I've actually ridden, I can see the wisdom of a chest protector and am gonna pick on up this weekend.)

[Slackkinhard]

D'OH! Errant mouseclicking.... Move me... (I'm definately hooked! Pants are en route from TT, but I couldn't wait. Now that I've actually ridden, I can see the wisdom of a chest protector and am gonna pick on up this weekend.)

Helmet, Boots, Knee guards....you shouldn't :ride: without them

BTW, way to go! Great to have another enthusiast! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Matts Dad]

Welcome offroad. 35 - U have ben in the dark. Now that U C the light its good 2 have U here.

[Xtreme-Stunts]

Great to hear that you enjoyed it so much. I also had a blast the first time i went out to the trails and left my streetbike at home. You just get a totally different kick out of it!

[redrdr150r]

well... the title was thinking this belonged in the thumpett forum :bonk: im sucha perv:lol:

[tedmeyer]

Helmet, Boots, Knee guards....you shouldn't :ride: without them

BTW, way to go! Great to have another enthusiast! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Believe, I'm getting everything -- and the way my arse feels today, some padded bike shorts will come in handy, too:excuseme:

[redrdr150r]

Believe, I'm getting everything -- and the way my arse feels today, some padded bike shorts will come in handy, too:excuseme:

lol i guess you can get them... or get another seat :excuseme:

[sonobob]

The 35 Year Old Virgin...someone should write a screenplay based on that...naaahhh...a box office flop for sure.:busted:

Don't feel too badly, I had to take a 10+ year hiatus from off-roading. Too busy changing diapers and buying more...if I'd just been smart enough to cut their food supply in half, I could've saved enough money to end that hiatus five years sooner! :smirk:

Don't stress over waiting until you were 35, too many people never start.
Don't underestimate the value of a $50 set of aluminum bark busters.

*Find some experienced and faster off-roaders to ride with. Your skill level will increase rapidly.

[RM125XxX]

glad to hear you had a good time. Stand up more and your tail end wont hurt as bad :)

[X-Static]

started riding in my 40's so don't feel bad. I'm totally hooked, why didn't I do this waaaay sooner

[rezrider]

The forecast was perfect, so I took today off and drove up to the Poconos (Lost Trails) to try out my new DRZ. This was my first off-road ride ever, and HOLY CRAP did I have fun. :thumbsup: I took it easy since I am a total noob (and don't have my pads yet - just some hockey elbow pads), but had a blast. Did all the easy trails and a couple intermediates (first time it was a wrong turn, but it was so fun I went back for more). The bike did great -- I was surprised at some of the stuff I could cruise through w/ no problems. It really soaked up the rough stuff -- and I haven't even set up the suspension yet. I did take a little fall, but it was cushioned by a knee-deep mud/water hole (hidden tree limb underneath) -- I consider it being baptized! :thumbsup: Why the hell did I wait to do this until I was 35?! :eek:

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos4713/6/0/73/43/54/1/154437300603_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos4713/6/0/73/3/85/9/985037300603_0_ALB.jpg

Hope you weren't riding alone:eek: Be careful, it's the time when youleast expect it when you bite it hard. Hate to hear you did it when no one was around to help out...just a word of wisdom! (I think):ride:

[OrangeTJ]

I know where you're coming from. I started riding on the street when I was 21 but didn't start riding in the dirt (aside from a few outings when I was a kid) until last year, at age 33. It's the most fun I've ever had on two wheels. If I had to choose between my street bike and my dirtbike, at this point I believe I'd choose to keep the dirt bike. Better yet...I may sell them both and get a kick a@@ dual purpose bike!

[Supafreak_711]

Welcome to your newest addiction.

[loucks428]

I am a total noob (and don't have my pads yet - just some hockey elbow pads)

haha goon!!

nah im just kidding dude sounds like you had a blast!!

[inspmark]

everyone starts sometime. I also didn't start until in my 40's. Only wish I started sooner:applause:

[tedmeyer]

I'm too big a wuss to be a goon, but I do have my moments. :naughty:

I topped off my gear on Saturday -- knee/shin pads & roost protector. I'm gonna stick with my goon elbow pads -- they have a lot better protection than the MX pads I saw in the store (and will work well if I ever get into a brawl w/ the atv'ers :excuseme: ). MX pants are on the way from TT. The new dirt helmet and gogs already got a couple nice scratches in them from the overhanging trees, so that purchase already paid for itself. I think that's it for now. With the pants come case guards, rad guard and a skid plate, as well as a jet kit (though to be honest, I had no probs whatsoever with the bike). Now I just need some seat time!!! :ride: :ride: :ride: And I totally agree with the point about riding with experience people -- I'd even love to take some lessons, though I'm finding it hard to find any riding schools near me (except MX). Ideas welcome....

Ted

[x2468]

where in the poconos did you ride? (gimme somethin google map-able) lol.

[1nstr]

If you are thinking about padding for your butt dont do like I did and go out and buy expensive bicicle shorts with padding and put them on under your regular ridng pants! You will slip around so much you'll be lucky to stay on the seat, because the riding pants get grip off your mx seat cover and your padded shorts will have 0.0 friction inside. My riding buddys were cracking up! Good luck with your new riding obsession, let the family know youve gone nuts>>>>>>

[tedmeyer]

Was riding here: http://www.ridelosttrails.com/ -- right by the junction of 80 and 380. There's some discussion of this area in the Northeast forum -- I believe the mgr is on TT as PacDaddy or something like that.

Not only does my wife tolerate my insanity, she goes along with it. She's been to World Superbike with me in Italy, MotoGP at Laguna Seca, and has been my crew chief at a few of my LRRS club races. In fact, now she's interested in getting a bike so I'm looking around for a TTR or DRZ 125. :applause:

Ted

[x2468]

Was riding here: http://www.ridelosttrails.com/ -- right by the junction of 80 and 380. There's some discussion of this area in the Northeast forum -- I believe the mgr is on TT as PacDaddy or something like that.

Not only does my wife tolerate my insanity, she goes along with it. She's been to World Superbike with me in Italy, MotoGP at Laguna Seca, and has been my crew chief at a few of my LRRS club races. In fact, now she's interested in getting a bike so I'm looking around for a TTR or DRZ 125. :applause:

Ted

thanks. gotta love google maps man... they even accept GPS coordinates. such a good program.

I have a lot of family in danbury, ct/brewster, ny. maybe we'll get a chance to head out there sometime.

and that's cool about your wife. it must be cool having a girl that's so involved in your hobbies eh.

[scott_01_xr400]

if you are riding a drz, FOR SURE get the cover that goes over the clutch cover so you do not punch a whole in it with a rock or the brake lever.

[YZERIK]

get the elbow pads......... i have the 2X4 elbow pads from six-six-one


after smashing my right elbow up one weekend and the left one the next, i was finally convinced to buck up 35 bucks....... ps. elbows stay sore for a LONG time, and if you bump into anything while they are healing....:crazy:

[tedmeyer]

Thx, I ordered the case covers, radiator guard, and skid plate from TT (supposedly arriving today) along with the jet kit and fuel screw (though the bike runs so well I hate to mess with it). Someone mentioned bark-busters earlier, and fortunately the bike came with some nice ones, or my hands would be totally mangled right now (not to mention the rest of my body from when I would've nailed the front brake lever on a branch). I re-oiled the air filter and have decided that probably needs to be replaced, so I'm going to pick up a new OEM this weekend. Then I'll grab some spare spark plugs and an oil filter.... Anything else? :excuseme: I guess a stand would be nice, and I'll have to make sure I've got the right sized sockets for all of the axles (though I should have that covered).

I wasn't dazzled with any of the elbow pads at the dealer, so I'm gonna stick with my hockey pads until I find something better -- they are far more beefy than any motox pads I've seen so far, and I am positive they can sustain high-speed impacts very nicely. When I wore them on my first outing I barely knew they were there, which is the best sign. (The only down-side is they are a tad bulky, giving me the Popeye-forearms look :excuseme: )

Now I'm shopping for a power washer!

[snagduck]

Just started riding again myself. Its been about 8 years. Bought a used 450x and can't wipe the smile off my face when I am on it. It is a beast compared to the old 250 Katoon i used to ride.

[tedmeyer]

My wife got jealous, so I picked up a very lightly used DR-Z125L for her last night (which also means pit bike for me!). This stuff is addicting! :busted:

[1nstr]

Tedmeyer, if you get a power washer make sure that you don't blast highpressure water into any seals. If you use one regrease! I had to replace a rear hub on my XR400r because of a slip up with a pressure washer. If you want a good clean bike use simple green and let it sit for awhile and then blast it off with a regular hose, whammo....clean bike!! good luck. BTW a great bike for the wife is a Yammmie 125 TTL,.....I added the Rekluse and it works sweet for her.:ride:

[milkman93]

I'm too big a wuss to be a goon, but I do have my moments. :naughty:

I topped off my gear on Saturday -- knee/shin pads & roost protector. I'm gonna stick with my goon elbow pads -- they have a lot better protection than the MX pads I saw in the store (and will work well if I ever get into a brawl w/ the atv'ers :excuseme: ). MX pants are on the way from TT. The new dirt helmet and gogs already got a couple nice scratches in them from the overhanging trees, so that purchase already paid for itself. I think that's it for now. With the pants come case guards, rad guard and a skid plate, as well as a jet kit (though to be honest, I had no probs whatsoever with the bike). Now I just need some seat time!!! :ride: :ride: :ride: And I totally agree with the point about riding with experience people -- I'd even love to take some lessons, though I'm finding it hard to find any riding schools near me (except MX). Ideas welcome....

Ted
I would take the mx lessons. A lot of the stuff applies to off road as well, the way you have to lean, shift, etc.