Hi everyone,
I am new to Thumper Talk, and new to biking. I saw this thread which was launched years ago, and decided it needed to be brought back to life! What a great thread!

I am 48 years old, a brand new rider, 150 lbs, timid, and I have about 11 hours on my bike. I have a TT-R230, E start (love that). I ride trails and took it riding last weekend in SANDY, curvy, hilly Michigan trails up in Baldwin, MI. My husband has a YZ 250.

I like my bike - it seems to maneuver very well, easy to start, etc. Fits me perfectly. My only gripe is it is a heavy beast of a bike - I think about 250 lbs. I dropped it probably 20 times over the weekend :banghead: (learning to ride in deep sand) as I was learning. I literally could not pick it up by myself, which is so...well.......weeny. I am going to practice picking it up in my backyard and try to get the hang of it. My husband is so grateful that I am doing this with him that he doesn't mind doing it, but heck if you ride you have to be able to pick up your bike! I selected this bike primarily because I like how it fits me, and I knew I would love the kick start (and as many times as I had to start it, I am grateful for it).

I'm hoping to get great at riding it and move up some day, but I am older than most of the riders out there and realistically cautious. But I can't wait to ride again!

Welcome!

I'm pretty new to the sport also, having started last year. BUT I rode in my first harescramble a couple weekends ago (which was pretty much a disaster for me with all the rain and mud, which I am not all that comfortable riding in!). But I still had fun and came in smiling, which was more than some... so I guess it was all good!

Just get out and ride all you can (with LOTS of gear!!) and you'll see yourself improving. I know I'll never be as fast as those young 'uns that I often ride with, but I still have a blast.

Happy riding!

The funny thing is that for my first time out, I had all new equipment - new helmet, motocross pants, boots, chest protector - you get the picture. By the end of the weekend, I cracked the visor on my helmet, burned a hole in my pants (thanks to the bike falling on me) and my boots' buckle broke. Luckily they replaced my boots! But I really was glad for the equipment since I have quite a lot to learn! I also scratched up my bike a bit - doesn't look so new any more.:ride:

Start by telling about yourself... age, height, weight (if you so choose), type of riding you do (if you have different bikes for different types of riding, also add that info to the bike category). Also, are you a beginner rider, timid rider or aggressive rider? If this status varied through the bikes (do list all you have owned even if you no longer have them) point that out in the bike category also.

I am 20 years old, been riding my whole life, height: 5'3", weight: more than it should be :smirk:, trail riding but I like to get on a track every now and then. Probably a timid rider, but I do have my moments. I like to go slow as much as I like to go fast.

Manco 6.5hp go kart - 7 years old
Learned how to drive/pay attention to other people/trail (my mom wouldnt let my dad get me a quad or a dirtbike until I learned how to ride this)

1990 Suzuki LT80 - 8 years old
Shared this with my brother for a while

1983 Suzuki DS80 - 10 years old

2003 TTR125 - 14 years old
I am sure this bike has been gone over a thousand times on this fourm, so I will keep it as this: Great learner bike, better then the ds, my brother still rides it now, but he is getting rid of it to get a 125

1999 CR125R - 16 years old
Not the best transition. Should of gotten an 85 first, but I learned that the hard way :eek::shocked: it was too tall for me, and I couldnt position myself well to turn, and as a result I had zero confidence except in the straight aways. Sold it because I was tired of it blowing up (it had a brand new motor in it when I sold it) and to pay for college. :prof:

Current 2002 YZ85
Just bought a few weeks back, thought I could go four years without riding :lol: Love it so far, quick and snappy. The clutch is really senstive for a smoker even. Easy to haul around, light and nible. Ultimate woods machine. I see big guys coming out on their 450fs and 250's out of these little trails and they ask me "know where any tracks are?" No need for that in the woods of the UP let me tell you. :D

23 years old, 5'1", 115lbs. Going on my 4th year of riding dirt bikes, although was on quads before that. I'm also on my 4th bike. Wouldn't say i'm too "timid" of a rider, but I'm definitely cautious, don't get me wrong, some terrain still scares the crap out of me, but I get through it. I mostly ride trails, and will hit up tracks once in a while..I love jumping, I do not race MX, but I would like to try a harescramble eventually as I'm definitley more experienced in the tight, difficult trails( I ride alot in mountaineous, hilly terrain).

Bikes past & present:

Yamaha TTR 125L: My first bike, was good for beginner, reliable, and grunted through the trails pretty good, but heavy and awkward especially being a light-weight girl and being a beginner dumping it a lot.. was tiring picking up, manouvering, un-stucking, etc. Sold after first season.

Yamaha YZ 85: Wanted a light, snappy 2-stroke, I felt I was ready for the challenge of riding one, definitely loved it compared to the TTR, but was incredibly powerful and snappy on the throttle..the thing took off like a bat out of hell.I was able to move it around better and start it better myself, and I loved getting used to the power of it, except I found that having a smaller back tire could be a bit annoying in certain terrain. I learned to ride a track and jump on this bike..was a good bike all in all.Rode 1 season.

KTM 105 SX: Ok, after riding my friends KX100 which is similar in size, and feeling the difference in the power (not as snappy as the 85, more bottom end power, etc), and better yet, having the bigger wheels made handling A LOT better, it chewed a lot better in "loose" terrain, rocky hill climbs, without losing control and had very few spills with this one because of it. I had a lot of issues with fouling plugs in this one, no matter how much tuning, jetting, etc I did (I literally tried everything) I ALWAYS had to carry extra spark plugs, and was literally always changing plugs halfway through a trail ride... gosh I sure did love this bike, loved playing with it on the track, great jumping and I felt a lot more confident on this one..but it was designed to be bagged a lot harder than I ever could..so I felt I was ready to try somethign different.... it was time to try another 4-stroke!

My current Honda CRF150RB : Still getting used to this one, but so far I love it! It was great on the track, and so far no complaints on the trail other then the noticeable weight difference compared to the 2 stroke. Still a lot lighter than a trail bike though, but the ride is nice, power is smooth and torquey, very forgiving on the throttle...intimidating at first though, sounded and felt like riding a 450. I'm thinkin this will be my final bike, I haven't gotten more than 1 season out of the other ones, and I dont have much other options after this one..so i'm hoping for the best, but so far so good!

i am new to the site.. my first post!
i am 52yrs young, 5'10", 190lbs with a 33in.inseam, i rode when i was a pre teen and into my teenage years. stopped about age 26, and just got back into it in 2006, I ride Mx, dual sports and streetbikes. I started back on a Honda 150f, after about a year i got a 08 Husky Te250, absolutely love it! just the best bike for off road and on a track.. then i got a 2010 Te 250 husky.... another awsome bike, so light & nimble....great in the woods..
now i have added to the stable a 2010 crf250r.. another great bike... had to be tuned down alittle with a x-chain, G2 throttle tube & cam, pro billited end cap with spark arrestor and ultra quiet insert. I also added a Rg3 tripple clamp, renthal twinwall bars, fastway foot pegs & works connection glide plate.. I love my bike... i ride everyday.......
and i have a 2010 Harley..superglide custom. another great bike..But I spend most of my time in the dirt! My husband & are both enthusiest and love our bikes. He has an 09 BMW G450x, 2009 crf450r, 2010 triumph thruxton, and 2 vintage mx bikes that we both ride.. a 74 elsinore 250 and a 75 TT500.

Start by telling about yourself... age, height, weight (if you so choose), type of riding you do (if you have different bikes for different types of riding, also add that info to the bike category). Also, are you a beginner rider, timid rider or aggressive rider? If this status varied through the bikes (do list all you have owned even if you no longer have them) point that out in the bike category also.

I'm 41 and have been riding for about 8 years now, so I was a late starter too!

I'm 5'3" and frankly, weigh too much. It's hard to find larger size MX gear but I'm lovin' Fly Gear and their new larger sizes (no, I don't work for them or anything, lol).

I started on a Honda XR100 and moved up within a year to a brand-new 2003 Honda CRF150. I was quite happy with it until I test rode a well-used kinda roached out Honda CRF230 in 2008. I promptly went and found me a primo used one on eBay for a steal. So a 2006 CRF230 the guy bought new in 2007 and barely rode. It seriously wasn't even broken in when I bought it in 2008. I love it but am starting to see some limitations in it now.

I mostly trail ride with my husband. We will do miles upon miles upon miles in the trail system in the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. We go there several times a year despite being over 6hrs away. We also go down to Florida for 2 weeks in March and ride at Croom (Brooksville) and at Durhamtown Plantations (SE? of Atlanta). Also trail type stuff.

But we do have our own MX track (built last year) so I'm becoming more proficient at that but I have a loooooong way to go and frankly, I don't have much ambition to sail through the air like he does. Self-preservation, I guess, lol.

Hey Now
44 (for 3 more days) 56 1/2 inches 150 lbs (today).
I would say I am a timid rider. Recently working with a tutor so I feel like a beginner again.
Started riding 5 years ago on a Yamaha TR125. I started riding on trails on Winsor Mountain in NH. Lots of fun...I was very naive and followed a bunch of impulsive teenagers around. Lots of crashes, getting stuck in ditches and mud bogs but the bike was great and got me up some steep hillclimbs etc.
I did not ride in 2008 and 2009 but 2010 was a year of new beginnings.
Started riding a Kawasaki KLX 140. This bike was really fun for me. Great on the sandy parts of the flat trail I was riding (much better than the 125). Also seemed to respond much better to my requests (like the difference between driving my 8 cylinder Grand Marquis vs my sons 8 cyclinder Dodge Charger). Made it up a very steep hillclimb without incident.
Recently (past 5 rides) have been on a Yamaha WR250. This bike is awesome but I am certainly struggling with the size, the picking it up (seems much heavier but I do not know exact numbers) and just overall handling it. Important to note though is that I am trying to do more than ever before like turns, fiqure 8's, trying to use the clutch for reasons other than shifting gears so it is hard to say if the struggles are related to this or just the bike being bigger. I did recent fiqure 8's on the KLX 140 and I was having an easier time.
Maureen

Hello! also a newbie to ThumperTalk :]
24yrs old
5' 8" with a 34" inseam
120lbs

97 Honda 300 4x4 - I think I was around 12 years old when I started riding it. Rode that baby everywhere! Lived in an out-of-town neighborhood with coulees, hills, and by the river. I was very proud of that ATV haha

99 Honda 400EX - 13ish years old when I started riding that. My brother moved to college so I kinda took it over :] Also rode that everywhere! Prolly rode 3-5 times a day everyday haha! Ohhh to be young again with no responsibilities!

2004 Yz 250f - One of my brothers is an avid dirt biker and thought I would enjoy one also. Dad didn't want me to get a two stroke and also wanted something that we both could ride. Very nice bike but was too big for me. I was 15-16 years old when I got it. Had an extremely hard time riding it in the sand! Ugh! Haha! But again, great bike!

1996ish Honda CR80r - bought this bike when I was 20ish. Fun little bike to ride on with the nieces and nephews. Perfect bike to ride around on when I was preggers haha! Needless to say taking it on a spin on our local track did not make me go into labor haha!

Will be moving out to the hubby's farm this summer and have a lot of fun places to ride so I would like to step up from the 80. Am thinking of a CR150. I have been riding for years, way more confident on an ATV but as of right now a timid rider on a dirt bike. Would a 150 be a good choice for now? Or what do you all have to say about the Honda 230?

As for the type of riding it would trails, natural hill jumps, coulée type of terrain. And visit the local track for some fun rides!

Thanks everyone! Love that there is a place for the ladies!!! :D
Oh and how do you add in smilies?

I started riding when I was 15 and I'm 55 now, and only quit for about 6 or 7 years (and that was in the dirt....I still went street riding during that time). I weigh close to 130 pounds and I'm 5. ft 5 in. tall.

I have a few bikes. I like all my full sized ones for the power, suspension and handling, but hate it when any of them get dumped, which happens often enough because they are too dang tall, and then they are top heavy to try to pick up. If I rode on the track, this wouldn't be too much of a problem, but I ride a lot of singletrack and technical stuff where being able to get a foot down sure would help a lot in tight situations. None of the full sized bikes have stock suspension that is set up for my weight, so all of them had to have lighter springs and different valving to suit my weight and riding style.

I tried a couple of shorter bikes, but found them to be too heavy and low on usable power and good suspension. The only little bike I have left is a CR85Expert. It's both light and well suspended, and fun both on and off the track, though the bike's powerband is too high strung for serious technical riding.

I'm 23 5'7" 140lbs mild/agresive. learned to ride at age 5.

Suzukie JR50
first bike rode it for 2 seasons (still have it but it's my nieces now ages 3 and 4)
for little kids the JR has the lowest seat hight and only 1 gear so makes a graet learning bike.(made custom training wheels for nieces)

Yamaha YZ80 bhad for 1 season parents sold it
moving from a 50 to a racer 80 was a huge step there allot taller then a trail bike and I had to start it at the portch just so I could get on(crashed allot due to I could not touch the ground)

Yamaha DT100 Awsome bike for all ages my entire family has owned a DT100 at some point in there life and loved it.perfect learning bike and now days cheap to buy.con shocks do not like jumps

Yamaha DT125 same as the DT100 still a few in family but they getting beat up with all the new riders but they arwe cheap to fix so we ceep them around.con front fork seals blow out if ride on race tracks.

Kawasaki KDX 200 my first race bike loved the power and suspension sisters hated it the 2 stroke power band is a lil skidish and they din't like the frequent wheelie if not paying atention.con first thing to go was hand gaurds if you wipe out they would fold in and the levers would braek all the time.mods FMF pipe,re jeting,agresive tires,220 big bore kit.

TTR125 my siters race bike My uncle and I built it
she misses the bike graet learning bike and with mods graet racer.
mods YZ85 front forks,rear swing arm,180 big bore,banshe carb,FMF pipe pro tapper bars,YZ graphics,front and rear disk break(did allot of welding to get the YZ 80 rear swing arm and breaks on it) CONS spent way to much cheaper just buy a YZ80

current bike Kawasaki KLR 250
graet enduro bike but I feel i'm to agresive on it I fined my self going to fast on the trails.
looking to put a KLR 650 rear shock on it and a 280 kit to help with highway riding and giving GF rides.
cons suspension is to soft for my style riding bottoms out on the trails at high speeds but at 20-30MPH it is smooth and fun but on my trails I fined my self wide open at 50-60MPH and way over my haed when jumps come up.

............................................................................................................................
1989 KLR 250 only mod Jetson racing slip on pipe

Well, I doubt this will be useful, because I am kinda a unusual gal, but just it case:

Age: 23
Height/ Inseam: 6'0" 36"
Weight: 130 lbs
Rider: Aggressive, but careful? If that makes sense. I have been riding for a little less than a year and I LOVE IT.

First Bike: 1994 Suzuki DR125-SE
Great to learn on and get my motorcycle license for the road, but HEAVY and SLOW, I don't know the seat high but I am sure it was in the low 30's

Second Bike: 1979 Honda XL250s
Fun! But really not a true dirt bike

Third and Current: 1982 Honda XR250r
I love this bike! Much more power than the other two, It seems much lighter than the Suzuki I started on. REALLY TALL seat hight, I am sometimes on my tippy toes!

katcycle said:

Up dating my post from Dec. 07. Well after riding that heavy pig CRF250X for 2 years and killing my back trying to pick it up I sold it and bought a KTM 200exc-w. Was a little worried about riding a 2-stroke but adjusted almost instantly. I decided that after the 250 front end not handling the rock, not to lower the 200 to maintain the great front end suspension. Did put 2 softer springs in the front and back which again made the bike know that I was on it. Again I shaved the seat, feels like a board now which gets my ass off the seat. With the lighter bike I can now stand 90% of the time on the single track trails. Put all the guards I could on it, Skidplate, radiator guards, and hand guards but the cool graphics I put on are scratched from the rocks. Short legs leads to an occasional tip over in rocky spots.

The biggest mod that I have added to this bike is the REKLUSE clutch. It is the best thing that you can add to a bike for any rider, whether a beginner or a more experienced single track rider.

I am approaching the 50's mile stone but can do a 60 mile day of single track in the mountains thanks to the KTM 200 light weight and REKLUSE.

Age:21
Hight:5'5
Weight: 100

Started riding when I wasd 18 on a 96 yamaha yz 80. Was a good starters bike cause it was so light and I could touch on both sides. A little hard to ride since its either no power or all power.
Then I went to a yamaha 2006 ttr 230. This bike is amazing! Easy smooth power and a very forgiving bike all around. The only thing about this bike that is bad is its really heavy! Bonus was it has an electric start.
Now I am currently riding my favorite bike of them all a yamaha 99 yz125!!
Lots of power, very snappy and light. Best bike so far but wont jump right into it. For beginners I'd recommend either of the other two.

Well I have to update since my last post.

Age 49
Height 5'10"
Weight *** (guess hehe)

I ride like an old lady so had to upgrade from the DRZ400SM to a KTM450SMR to have a chance at picking it up when I hug the ground hehe :smirk:

I guess some would say I am an aggressive rider but I don't think so as I am older and wiser (I know what your going to say WTW and Sun) and don't take the chances I did when I was younger :thumbsup:

But that being said I have never raced before and January 1 2010 I did my first ever race in a Mud fest and had a blast and then June the same year I did my first ever SuperMoto race and well....... yep.. you guessed it I am hooked and well feel as if I should have done this 20 years ago:busted:

I also ride street and do that on my DRZSM and well........ I like to have fun hehe. Just ask Sun...she knows and has had the unfortunate opportunity to ride with me :smirk: and well... she's the one that said... today is Hooli day :lol:


Track fun


Hooli fun (street) Shhhhhhhhh

I wanna do this too!!
Anyways
2001 TTR125L
Age: 14-15
Height: 5'4
Type: Trails and Track
Intermediate Rider
The ttr was my very first bike, it was probably the best bike for me to learn on, I could easily touch the ground and I wasn't scared of the power at all. Once I got used to it though I wanted something bigger and faster.


2003 CRF230F
Age: 15
Height: still 5'4
Type: trails and track
Intermediate-Aggressive
My dad bought the crf orignally for himself until I came along and took it, I rode it for about 6 months, it had more power than my ttr, (it's bored out to a 240) and the electric start made me SUPER confident, I tried everything and I wasn't scared at all. I still am not as confident as I was on that bike. My dad still has it for himself


Current Bike
2001 YZ250F
Age: 16-now
Height: STILL damn 5'4
Type: Trails and Track
Intermediate
I love this bike, at first I had some trouble getting used to the height difference, but I love it. I began riding it every weekend and I started to get very confident on it, I was doing hill climbs like no other. Once I left for college, my bike stayed at home and I only got to ride when I was at home. However, the bike is now down at college with me and I hope I can be confident once again.



And I just feel like adding this in, the only 2stroke I've ever been on has been a CR500.

Hello all, here goes.
Age: 40
Height 5'9"
Weight: ?
Type: Aggressive/Trails/Want to MX

Started rifing when i was about 12. Currently ride a 01 YZ250 2-stroke and just purchased a 02' CRF450R that i love. I'm a very aggressive rider that like's to go fast. Have always riden trails, but would like to try out a MX track.

I've not modded the CRF yet but will in the future. The YZ is in the process of getting rebuild bottom end and top. My husband and i both ride with our kids ages 5 and 8. I've had around 20 bikes since the time i've started riding, so i don't think i'll list them all.