Beginner rider on a DT125 offroad questions

[dmitriman]

Hi

I'm a beginner rider living in BCN Spain

2 months ago I bought a 2006 DT125RE as a first bike till my Spanish get's good enough to go for the A2 license. Figured I'd learn a lot riding it since it can do a little of everything.

Loving the bike, using it every day for commuting in the city and some learner trail riding on weekends.

Today riding a hard packed dirt road I had some issues which I am wondering could be reduced or solved with tweaks to the bike..

Basically going over any sort of washboard surface causes the rear end to kick up, followed by the bike hitting the rev limiter. It happens rapidly over each bump so if it goes on long enough I seem to lose a lot of speed. The hills are quite steep here and I can't moderate my speed much or I come to a halt.

Is the suspension too hard? Should I be taking air out of the tires prior to riding on hard packed dirt?

Would riding style improve this, standing and taking weight off the rear wheels or sitting and putting weight on the rear wheels?

I realise the bike is not a full-on trail rider so my expectations are realistic.

cheers

[thx1138]

Stand up, go up a gear, or two, ride faster.

[dangerousdave]

hitting the rev limiter and spinning the wheels is fun though is it not? Is this not why we ride off road bikes?

dont be scared of the bike. its a 125, they need to be revved hard to get anywhere fast.

yes, standing up will help you ride faster. your legs are some of the best suspension available. stay out of the saddle on any rough ground, the bike will then get better traction. this in turn will allow you to ride faster and have more control of the bike.
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1988 Kawasaki KMX 200

Previous: Yamaha YZF1000, ZZR600, KMX200, DT50, KX80, CG125, PF50

[Fladdem]

Let it bounce, I don't think DT's have adjustable rear shocks, but check your sag, it's not vital, but does help a lot when it's closer to your weight.

I struggle with that obstacle as well, I believe they're called whoops in the MX world, but that's poor body positioning and lack of confidence on my part.

They're a lot more capable than people think a mate of mine raced a 1998 DT125R once, the RE's surely can't be any worse?
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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.

[thx1138]

Oh, whoops? I thought you meant riding across small ruts, going faster smooths the ride.

[Fladdem]

Actually, he may not have meant whoops.

After rereading it, a 'washboard surface' does suggest smaller ruts, anyway, just stand up, point your toes down, grip the bike with your knees, or if you are tall like me, your shins. Keep a steady throttle, pinned is best, keep your weight central and relax your body, let the bike move underneath without gripping the handlebars too tight, this way you'll avoid arm pump for longer.
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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.

[dmitriman]

Thanks for the advice guys. Yup I meant a rapid sequence of ruts. I seem to lose speed after each bounce. After the first time I pretty much came to a stop Possibly hitting the revlimiter is putting me off and I'm reducing throttle myself. The roads are in hill country so usually I'm going up steep hills, any loss of momentum doesn't help. As mentioned I probably need to gain confidence and go faster

I'm going to see if I can set the right amount of sag. The bike does allow for some adjusting of preload. And I've bought some wider footpegs too. The stock one's are like standing on toothpicks