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pastmyprime214
11/11/2016 3:04pm
11/11/2016 3:04pm
So I haven't ridden a motorcycle in about 16 years. Back when 2 strokers were the bike of choice. My buddy has 2 450 4 strokes and invited me to ride. My last bike was a 125. We just finished and I feel like I had never ridden a bike before. I was a D class rider back in the day but could manage to jump the bike and run corners pretty well. Sandy track conditions today and I was fighting the bike. Arm pump on the throttle side was terrible!
This track had vertical jump faces that intimidated the hell out of me. It was my first time on a four stroke and was really disappointed in my performance. Any good tips or ways to get back to the skill level I was at? Felt awkward on the bike. I need to address this arm pump too.
This track had vertical jump faces that intimidated the hell out of me. It was my first time on a four stroke and was really disappointed in my performance. Any good tips or ways to get back to the skill level I was at? Felt awkward on the bike. I need to address this arm pump too.
The Shop
Like anything else, it's all about practice and being comfortable. Riding pit bikes everyday is what worked for me.
I did the same as you, except I waited 31 years in between rides. I went from a 125 C rider in 1984 to a beginner on a CRF450R in 2015. I also remember grabbing a ton of throttle and hitting all the jumps fearlessly, we didnt have landing jumps back then. I think it was easier. I was lucky that i was in decent shape because I had been riding MTB for about 5 years and lost of ton of weight and in decent shape. I figured out the difference between arm pump and Carpal Tunnel. I was only able to do a lap or two before my hands gave out. I hadnt even broken a sweat or got my HR over 130. Got tested and I had EXTREME ADVANCED Carpal Tunnel. I had that fixed and I could ride my MTB for 2 hours without issues and ride MX for 4-5 laps or however long it takes to get winded or get some real arm pump, which I can manage easily.
These new jumps are steep and if you come up short you are done. The ground hurts waaaaay more than it did in 1984, for some reason I remember falling all the time and getting right back up and hauling ass. Now If I fall in a slow corner, even in soft loam, it hurts and sucks! The 4 strokes also have engine braking that makes then fly different. Launch with steady throttle, DO NOT LET OFF until you are well clear of the face, and then you get back on it just before landing. You can get a Rekluse, it will give it a 2 stroke feel on jumps.
Take it slow, you can really get hurt nowadays. Just enjoy riding a dirt bike.
BTW- I love my 4 stroke 450 and theres no way I would go back to a smoker. I do wish there was a big wheel CRF150R with the power of a 300, being on the short side, I would feel way more confident learning again.
Have fun !!
I caught myself several times not gripping with my knees like I should. Moving the bars forward helped keep my elbows out a little.
These 4 strokes are going to take some time getting used to. That engine braking caught me off guard. Hell I didn't even know what was going on. Cornering in the sand was brutal. I stalled it several times.
You might as well develop good habits now, ride the pegs on the balls of your feet, not the arches.
Find tracks that don't require you to go big. Trail ride for a while if you have to. Get seat time. That's been my biggest problem. When I ride a lot, I can get around the track fairly well for an old guy, it's just that I have so many other things I like to do, I just don't get to ride that much. I'm relearning every time I go to the track, which isn't much these days.
Just remember: Put your riding in perspective. You're probably not making a living riding dirt scooters, so don't put a lot of pressure on yourself. Swallow your pride and roll the stuff you're not comfortable with. When the time comes, you'll know when to pull the trigger. Just have fun with it, and enjoy that challenge of improving.
Pit Row
Set up 2 tires far enough apart that you have to shift at least once in between. Run laps one way, then laps the other way then laps in a figure 8 both ways.
Don't ride a track the next time you ride. Trails and tires! And just have fun.
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