Motocross

[Mellow Matt]

It's my first post, so first off hi all Been reading a while but never really had anything worthwhile to say!

But now I do, or at least I think I do.

I want to get into a bit of recreational motocross, I've been to Wildtracks a few times and had a go on their bikes and it's been great fun. I've got a CB500 for the road, and I'm kinda torn between upgrading that to something sportier, or buying a motocross bike and being able to mess around on that with my (non biker) mates without having to worry about insurance or anything.

So basically how would I go about doing this? I've had a look at some sites but I figured there's got to be some people into motocross on here, so I thought I'd ask. I guess about £800 - £1500 for a 125/250 bike and maybe a couple of hundred for some kit. Then maybe £30 a pop for track use, and maybe another couple of hundred for a trailer or something. What else do I need? Or what else do I need to think about?

Cheers

[Jamie S]

Tools ,lot's of em.

[Mellow Matt]

Heh, OK well I've got some tools already, so hopefully won't need too many more!

[rezzin]

[Jamie S]

[quacker_boy]

[KTM Gordo]

Off road 'bikes, of any flavour, are money-pits. You will spend a lot of time maintaining them and a fair bit of money on parts.

I was told this when I started riding off road and didn't believe him - he was 100% right.

If you can't do the maintenance yourself then you'd better have deep pockets.

Oh, and unless you started doing motocross (there's only 1 'r') when you were 3 you'll never beat those that did... It's a career sport

Good luck
____________________
Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4

[colin1]

if he just wants to mess around, and isnt out to win races, he could just get something low maintenance like a yamaha ttr250

admittedly, you have to make sure people dont nick it or vandalise is when trying to nick it, but other than that, theres not that much cost or effort involved

i have a £500 '93 one that i have a little play on from time to time, although i havnt taken it on proper tracks yet

ive been to watch people race and seen a bloke on a brand new version of my bike, and other than an oil cooler, there wasnt much difference. In fact on that course, i reckon mine would have been better as my tyres are more suited to mud than the ones he had on.
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[Mellow Matt]

Bit of a massive thread resurrection here, but I've been reading through some old threads and found this one which I'd forgotten about! So thanks to the guys who replied previously and I haven't acknowledged

So, essentially, I'm not looking to race a bike or anything, just play around on it, like colin says. Would people say a 2 or 4 stroke would be better for this? As far as I can tell it's a toss up between a stroker being more fun (love the power band), and being simple to work on, and a 4 stroker which is probably more reliable...? Having said that I've never actually owned a 2 stroke, so any advice would be good.

Also, I presume even a small bike trailer needs all the brake lights/indicators etc?

Ta all.

[G]

Play about on motorcross tracks, or just generally off road, just to clarify?

[Mellow Matt]

I'm thinking to play about on motocross tracks, there seem to be plenty scattered around the country, and it's so much fun I'm not looking to be competitive or anything, as I know that's a money pit and to be good you have to start when you're 3

However, if I could find somewhere to offroad generally I'd love that too! Unfortunately I only know 1 friendly farmer and he's in Brighton whilst I'm in Essex!

[G]

'Green lanes' are the other obvious off-roading pass time, never mind low level enduros, etc.

In most cases I'd choose a 2stroke as maintenance is a lot simpler.

Consider the Gas Gas and KTM 2 stroke enduro range as well - these are light enough to be near motocross bikes and are a bit more flexible.

[Mellow Matt]

Cheers for the recommendations G. I don't think greenlaning would be for me though, as then the bike would have to be road legal, taxed, MOT'd insured etc, and then my mates couldn't really join in as they don't have bike licences (despite my best efforts to convince them to learn!)