Here's a thing to try? Hare Scrambles.

[Kaan]

its beautiful and too big for me... lol

[Kaan]

Kaan, if you get into dirt bikes, you should jet my bike for me

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i am looking at fuel injected bikes but i doubt i'll afford it the first time around

[BLINGMW]

something cheap... i'd even rock a YZ85. I need to read the rules and see what "class" fat guys on little bikes fit in.

There's age based classes (30+, 35+, 40+) where you find the largest mix of bikes and you could certianly run an 85 (80cc minimum) and probably still not finish last. And the sportsman class where you don't even get a number or finishing place. But in the more competitive classes, the smallest is an up-to 200cc 2-stroke / 250cc 4-stroke class. Then there's another one for stuff over that. So no serious poky classes (unless you're 15 years old or less).

I'd probably still set it up for motocross but I don't see it being a negative factor. Most of my younger riding was trails exactly like those. So maybe some handgauds that I can pop off for the motocross track and go for it.

I'm sure it'd be fine. That's where my co-worker started on his 250 2-stroke Honda though and ended up softening it up a lot from a motorcross setup. There's not really jumps unless you seek them out, but the terrain is a mixed bag of god-knows-what. Then yes, handgaurds and radiator guards are pretty much a must, and then you see others with various other skid plates, brake gaurds, cables and other gaurds to keep branches out of pedals here and there. I also read a discussion about o-ring chains, which most recommend as the lube on a regular chain doesn't hold up to all the dirt and mud for 2 hours so you'll be replacing it every few races.

[Kaan]

i'm down with the sportsman class and just surviving for a while

[Sully]

I

I'm sure it'd be fine. That's where my co-worker started on his 250 2-stroke Honda though and ended up softening it up a lot from a motorcross setup. There's not really jumps unless you seek them out, but the terrain is a mixed bag of god-knows-what. Then yes, handgaurds and radiator guards are pretty much a must, and then you see others with various other skid plates, brake gaurds, cables and other gaurds to keep branches out of pedals here and there. I also read a discussion about o-ring chains, which most recommend as the lube on a regular chain doesn't hold up to all the dirt and mud for 2 hours so you'll be replacing it every few races.

Hmmm well I'm on a 125 anyway so I won't even be in a class? Do motocrossers not run o-ring chains? I assumed they were the best option for chains but I know nothing about racing :dunno:

Edit: read that wrong because I'm an idiot. I'd be in under 200cc. Got it. Probably with a bunch of 150's and 200's. Do KTM still make those weird ass sizes

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[Sully]

Not to jump the gun but I was planning on doing it anyway before this thread came about. Would anyone be interested in a custom made MM graphic. Its a one time design fee of $150 and then $219 for a graphic set for whatever bike you end up with. They are on sale for $130 now too so I guess they do sales from time to time too.

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[Tyler.M]

Man, this looks awesome. I think it would be great do some hare scrambles. If I wasn't shopping for a street bike, I'd totally be in the market for a beater 200 to do some of this stuff.

[BLINGMW]

What do you think? It's an '05 TTR 250, the most serious bike I can find that's still air cooled (which of course my backwards self likes). It's overpriced, but it does have some useful extras, and a lot of work done in 2011, and seems to be ready to go. I'm leaning towards yes.



Getting the DR200 prepped for this would probably be the wrong way to go.

[Sully]

About damn time this thread be revived. Hmm...four stroke trail bike might be the way to go even though it seems like (from the videos at least) everyone is running old two strokes possibly even 4 stroke race bikes.

Why air cooled? I would think that would be bass ackwards.

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[xvxax]

Oh, whoa. I do these with a vintage group out of DC with my dad. I built a Suzuki PE175 last year with him as a cool father son project I race in the 0-200 class.

This is me right after finishing the Suzuki in early 2012 at Tomahawk in WV:


Anyway, basically I echo what people say in here. It's a lot of fun! Do it!

I was really surprised how exhausting it is to ride that hard for an hour. You will wear yourself right the f out. I learned quick you want handguards, at least 5 tear offs or the string kind, and a water system of some kind.

Anyway, for bikes.. it's a tough call. Yeah, all of the big guns run 2 stroke or 4 stroke enduro bikes, but for getting started it doesn't matter. One issue is you'll probably also tower over the TTR-225 because those bikes are made for smaller people. If it were me, I'd just get an older full size 4 stroke and know for sure you've gotten something you can grow into.

Also for the dudes calling out CR500 etc, I probably wouldn't want to ride any motocross 2 stroke in hare scrambles because they get dominated in torque. My two bikes don't make any top end power. I imagine that those bikes can be modified for that purpose as I see some of them out there. If you've ever ridden a motocross bike, they don't like going slow at all.

[Sully]

So my 125 2 stroke isn't guna cut it?

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[BLINGMW]

Oh, whoa.

You've done this! Awesome. Around here, they're like 1.5+ hours and I fully realize I am currently not in good enough shape to handle that at speed. But I'm probably going to buy this overpriced POS, do some practice until I'm comfortable with it and do a race or two this season.
This is a 250, very much full size. 36" seat height, and with 11 inches of suspension travel and rear discs, it could almost fool someone into thinking it's a real bike. It's just a little heavy. Most air cooled dual sport or trail riding bikes have 9ish inches of travel and drum rears though.

Why air cooled? I would think that would be bass ackwards.

Yeah, that sounds like me! I dunno, I just think bikes are supposed to be air cooled. :dunno:
pro:
1) no radiators to puncture with tree limbs. (a real issue for woods riding)
2) when I smell coolant, I can laugh. (something I enjoyed from bike track days)
3) one less thing to maintain.
con:
1) less power potential.
2) heavy mud can cake the fins and blow you up. I guess I'll keep my grill brush in a tool belt. :lol:

So my 125 2 stroke isn't guna cut it?

I'm sure it would. There's all kinds of stuff out there, and most are 2-strokes. I just figured I've never messed with two strokes, I've never ridden one, and the more linear power delivery is a plus for a newbie like me.

[Sully]

http://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/3857850204.html

Theres one for ya channing

[BLINGMW]

http://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/3857850204.html

Theres one for ya channing

Yeah, thank you, hmm...

[V1GiLaNtE]

This could be fun.. I'm in.. What are the rules on building a "scrambler" style CBxxx and running that?

[Kaan]

i'm still in... hopefully i can pick something up this fall to prep

[BLINGMW]

This could be fun.. I'm in.. What are the rules on building a "scrambler" style CBxxx and running that?

You cannot swap out the whole frame for titanium apparently, and have to use some form of gasoline to power the bike, and it must be rear wheel drive, otherwise it's pretty open. :dunno: I cannot really summarize reasonably, so here you go. Starts on page 44:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Libraries/Racing_Documents/AMA_Racing_Rulebook13_web2.sflb.ashx">http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Lib ... .sflb.ashx</a><!-- m -->

I'm also reading lots here

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://vchss.net/index.php">http://vchss.net/index.php</a><!-- m -->

Right now I'm trying to find a good page that might explain what kind of gear I should order. Like, the bare minimum is boots and a helmet, but I want to know ALL the stuff I should really have. One guy's list I found:
1. boots (but just regular short socks--not those super long things)
2. shin guards with the knee cup (and I cut the straps off--the boots hold them in place)
3. good quality race pants with lycra type shorts for underwear (keeps the monkey butt in check)
4. Fox Titan elbow guards (these are the best I have ever used, and they stay in place)
5. chest protector
6. camelback
7, Fox tiger paw gloves--very nice!
8. full face helmet
9. goggles with a good tear-off system
10 I prefer a cotton long-sleeve jersey rather than a regular synthetic top

[BLINGMW]

Gear ordered! I decided to get a little crazy with one of these:

The rest I just stayed mostly as cheap as possible.
Hopefully installing trailer hitch this weekend.
Will get a new 4x6 trailer next week if I cannot find a good CL deal.
Following up on a couple of potential TTR 250s.
I should be all ready to start injuring myself a week or two from now!

[G.Irish]

Fuck yeah

[Dave]

Fuck yeah

This.