Getting to the tracks without car license.

[rhys1005]

Hi BCF.

Basically as some of you may know i'm planning to get a ktm 300 exc to do some enduros, green lanes etc but the thing is in the midlands although we have a few green lanes I don't think we have anywhere to just 'mess around' without causing trouble.

I heard there is a place called 'four marks' where you can pay £10 for the day then go off and have some fun without having to worry about getting in any ones way or spoling an event etc.

Thing is these places all seem to be around 150 or so miles away and as i'm 18 and even if I did have a car license, the insurance on a van would be ridiculous.

What are these competition style bikes like for the occasional long distance trip? I'm keeping a sports bike for the commute but obviously i'm a little stuck when it comes to actually getting the dirt bike to places worth riding.

It will be via A roads so no constant throttle input if that helps? Thanks

[CaNsA]

Is there a bike trailer for a bike?

If you catch my drift....

[P.]

Small car, trailer, bam.

Alternatively get some friends with bikes that do this sort of thing, add your bike to theirs in the van and pay them £20 or so.

[weasley]

There's a similar setup at Ashdown Farm, between Goring and Blewbury (A417, South Oxfordshire). Maybe a bit closer to you.
____________________
Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[M1ke]

I know of two tracks that allow practice sessions within 20 miles of Shrewsbury. Just been to one in Welshpool today, £15 for as long as you like... I was shattered after 15 or so laps and had to call it a day!

A lot of places don't seem to actively advertise their tracks for open sessions but I think if you try ringing a few quadbiking places they will let you use their land for a nominal fee.

[rhys1005]

I could work my ass off and get a car license, car and insurance. But cheapest insurance for me on a car is £1700.. For a 1.0 shit bucket.

Don't have any friends that ride off road, only one that is planning to but like me can't afford the insurance for a car.

Ashdown farm is 86 miles away which is a lot more realistic? I'm from Birmingham.. Do you know any closer then that? Thanks.

[M1ke]

Google J4M54... It's a technical track (or so I'm told) its maybe 20 miles from bham?

You sure about this ktm 300? I'm not sure it's going to be ideal for you.

[P.]

[Fladdem]

Have a look into enduroland.

I have done a couple of their events. I ride a ttr250, if it is fairly local I ride the bike there, take off mirrors and number pate, stick em in my rucksack.

I am in the same position, 19, no car licence, no friends. And a trail bike.

I live in Leamington Spa so most of their tracks are closer to me than to you, although an extra 20 ish miles should be fine on the 300?

My mate commutes 18 miles a day to college on his EXC 125, flat out, may I add and it hasn't blown up yet, after about 18 months.

Fairly expensive, 40 pounds a pop, so that makes you feel the need to do more laps to get your moneys worth, they are pretty good as well, it's just difficult getting used to so many people riding around you.

Other than that I can't recommend anything else, hope it helps.
Adam
____________________
Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[c_dug]

I know very little about dirt bikes so excuse my possible ignorance, but would doing long road miles not kill offroad tyres? If so could you bungee wheels to the back and change there?
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Fladdem]

Yes road miles slaughter offroad tyres.

I just got 800 miles out of a set of Metzeler 6 days on a 20hp 250 four stroke, god knows what I would get on a more powerful bike.

I also average about 1200 miles on Michelin AC10s, I am still looking for a good compromise between mud and longevity, as I don't care about the wobbles, sliding and general lack of road manners on knobblies.
____________________
Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[.....]

Get some Mitas C02 tyres, they last fookin' ages.

[rhys1005]

[Fladdem]

[Matt94]

[_Iain_]

My Audi only cost me £100 a month more than my 1.1 cinquecento...and a micra was more than both of those. Go figure.

Y u no do car test & rent van with a few mates? £60 a day, three bikes in it, £20 a head for the van. Win at life.
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[Calite]

[G]

Four marks is definitely not worth travelling too.
Ashdown farm is more of an oldschool motocross track - long and winding rather than compact with a more supercross nature as many are these days.
They do run enduros there, where you get to use lots of countryside, but that's not their regular weekend days.


Enduro land is good because they move around and usually have decently varied terrain replicating a well thought out enduro, but without feeling the need to do it all riding as fast as you can - and not feeling bad about taking breaks and the like.

There will be motocross tracks near to you.

[lihp]

[rhys1005]

[suburban myth]

[Fladdem]

[G]

[_Iain_]