Did you, or do you ride dirt bikes?

[dantama]

Spirello posted a picture of his dirt bike on the main board. It made me wish I could take it out for a day.

I haven't ridden for 15-20 years since my dirt bike was stolen and never got replaced. I don't have any good photos (that was back in my 110 instant camera days :-[ ) But here's one of only two that I have.

How many of the rest of you did ride, or do ride dirt bikes?

[audiogooroo]

Used to. But it's been a long time. Now I enjoy my "old man bike". :)

[rflnomad]

I do I do!!!!
96 KX 250. mostly stock, WMR fork kit, FMF Gold Series pipe with silencer, EBC red pads front & rear and HotRod connecting rod.
My sons bike and he learned how to ride on it. It WILL teach you respect .
Only mods we would like to do is FMF 'Gnarly' pipe ( for low end torque), and FMF "Q" series spark arrestor. Calms the db level down a bit.
I have had CR 125 and 250 Rs, RM 125, 370 and 400s. Lots of fun but nowdays there is NO PLACE TO RIDE.
Posting pics when I can....

[rflnomad]

Here they are! In the garage before the rod went ..Poof. Now rebuilt and running good.
Oops, sorry for the multi pics!

[skimo]

Long ago before mono shock rear swingarm suspension.

40 years ago, Ducati, Ossa, Husquavarna.

[b2]

Learnt on a dirt bike.. would love another (maybe a dual sport actaully) if the boss would let me have 2 bikes ::)

First bike, Honda XR75 at 8 years old. Rode it for the first 6 months with no clutch.. starts were rough, and as for stopping, I got really good at finding neutral !

Brian

[bosko]

Just sold mine a month ago a 94 KX 250. Lots of fun but this 41 year old body has a back that feels twice that age.
Ruptured discs pressing on the sciatic nerve becomes unbearable when aggravated.

Also had a few old bikes years ago.
1979 Yamaha IT 250
1975 Yamaha DT 175
80's Suzuki Rm125

I just love that 2-stroke smoke.
Had many snowmobiles and Quads but that's for another thread.

Riding dirt gives you some awesome experience on how to handle panic situations on the street.

[kenb]

Had a Husqvarna 400. It beat me and I beat it. Went to street bikes for a bit. Now I have a couple quads. (and the Nomad). Quads are far easier on the body and the best for riding in the sand!

[skyhookman]

Once upon a time, had a honda-125, and then a yama-350, no more.

[watchman]

Started out with a used 90 Hodaka Ace, went to a used 125 Penderson Wildcat and then moved up to a new 1972 Kawasaki 175 Enduro. I installed a Baszeene expansion chamber, full 350 knobby, changed the carb to a 180 jet and primary sprocket dropped from 14 to 13 teeth. We rode the old strip mine pits and did a lot of hill climbing. A guy from California that use to race Houn and Hare taught me to ride dirt.

[ringadingh]

I had a 125CZ back in about 1970. I really learned how to handle a bike riding back then.

[phenrichs]

I think everyone should start on a dirt bike. It gives you good experience for learning to control torque (wheelies) and more importantly you learn the right and wrong way to crash.

[cactusjack]

I had a CR250 Elsinore back in high school (early-mid 70's). Mostly used it to outrun the sheriff's deputies trying to bust us for riding in the foothills.

[schoeney]

Aaaaah the CR250 Elsinore. Now that was a sweet bike!

I had at least a dozen dirt bikes when I was in my teens and 20's. All over the map (Yamaha's, Hondas, CZ, ). I never owned a CR250 Elsinore but rode one of my buddies. It was the dirt bike of its time. My favorite was a 250 Yamaha 2 stroke. I think it was about a 1975. It weighed a ton compared to todays light bikes.

My last dirt bike I owned up until last year (2004 Honda XR400 ). That was a nice bike too but all the power was wasted as I usually just took it out with my young (6-10 yrs old) nieces + nephews trail riding. Only went riding a couple times a year.

I do have a bunch of quads (400EX) and bikes sitting in my driveway that I can use....but this old guy prefers the lazy boy Nomad to the rough + tumble dirt biking world.