A beginner...again

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.
|
Tpog496
Posts
1282
Joined
9/16/2014
Location
MN US
11/11/2016 3:13pm
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...
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.
Ride more than one time every 16 years for starters.
motogrady
Posts
3931
Joined
1/27/2008
Location
WV US
11/11/2016 3:13pm
Laughing been there.......easy as you go boy.......just take yer time....
11/11/2016 3:16pm
Laughing it's awesome when you see your skill level at 32 vs 16.
kevin204
Posts
4066
Joined
12/29/2006
Location
Ontario CA
Fantasy
3416th
11/11/2016 3:21pm
Practice and time. It'll come back!

The Shop

RPM68
Posts
1559
Joined
11/18/2006
Location
DFW, TX US
11/11/2016 3:26pm
Laughing it's awesome when you see your skill level at 32 vs 16.
High five on your User name, that's pretty good.

Like anything else, it's all about practice and being comfortable. Riding pit bikes everyday is what worked for me.
Detroit Dick
Posts
562
Joined
5/10/2014
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
11/11/2016 3:27pm
Just go trail riding a bunch until you get your fitness up and your muscle memory back. Then head back to the track.
kaptkaos
Posts
1087
Joined
11/17/2015
Location
Miami, FL US
11/11/2016 3:46pm
Lots of good advice here. I really like the Pit Bike suggestion, just get a decent one.

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.
KMC440
Posts
7764
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
11/11/2016 4:14pm
Sit further forward, practically on top of the tank, that will help your transitions on and off the throttle. Grip with your calves and knees.... and I mean grip like you're riding a freakin bull for 15min. These will help you till you get your riding muscles back in shape.

Have fun !!
Hcallz5
Posts
2821
Joined
8/20/2013
Location
UT US
11/11/2016 4:42pm
Work on cornering before you try to tackle jumps. Learning in sand is harder because you have to ride loose and let the bike move around a bit. Try to look where you want to go, about 15-20 yards in front of you. Slide forward on the seat in the corners, lean the bike, keep your elbows up. Gripping the tank with your knees while standing will give your arms a break. Relax and have fun, trust the bike a bit and you'll get better.
11/11/2016 5:06pm
All this advice is awesome! Thank y'all for all the replies.

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.
kaptkaos
Posts
1087
Joined
11/17/2015
Location
Miami, FL US
11/11/2016 7:40pm
In sand, never use the front brake! In fact try not to use brakes much at all in sand.

You might as well develop good habits now, ride the pegs on the balls of your feet, not the arches.
11/11/2016 7:53pm
kaptkaos wrote:
In sand, never use the front brake! In fact try not to use brakes much at all in sand. You might as well develop good habits...
In sand, never use the front brake! In fact try not to use brakes much at all in sand.

You might as well develop good habits now, ride the pegs on the balls of your feet, not the arches.
I found that out the hard way when it kept stalling. Let's say I got addicted to riding again today and wanted to buy a bike...stick with a 450f or is a 250f more forgiving?
kaptkaos
Posts
1087
Joined
11/17/2015
Location
Miami, FL US
11/11/2016 8:07pm
If you weigh more than 170 lbs I would get a 450. Less than 170 a 250 might be better for you to toss around. If you get a 450, you can just leave it 100% stock and it will be reliable as hell and plenty fast and last forever.
jevyguy
Posts
471
Joined
12/1/2011
Location
Mona, UT US
11/11/2016 8:59pm Edited Date/Time 11/11/2016 8:59pm
No question...get a 450
11/11/2016 10:46pm
jevyguy wrote:
No question...get a 450
I disagree. As a beginner go for a 250. 2 or 4 stroke. You will NOT be at a disadvantage at 210lbs. It's a better bike to learn fundamentals on. You'll really learn how to ride the bike fast, not just riding a fast bike.
ledger
Posts
3673
Joined
1/17/2013
Location
TN US
11/11/2016 10:58pm
I disagree. As a beginner go for a 250. 2 or 4 stroke. You will NOT be at a disadvantage at 210lbs. It's a better bike...
I disagree. As a beginner go for a 250. 2 or 4 stroke. You will NOT be at a disadvantage at 210lbs. It's a better bike to learn fundamentals on. You'll really learn how to ride the bike fast, not just riding a fast bike.
10-4.
DoctorJD
Posts
2920
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Somewhere in..., GA US
11/12/2016 5:48am Edited Date/Time 11/12/2016 5:49am
Been there, as well. I was off the bike for about as long as yourself, maybe longer. I hated four-strokes, never could come to terms with them. Got an older YZ250 and dialed it in to my riding style (which is slow). I'm 175-180lbs and that thing pulls me fine. Enjoy riding it sooooo much more than the four-strokes.

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.
FGR01
Posts
5089
Joined
10/1/2006
Location
AZ US
Fantasy
1334th
11/12/2016 6:01am
Stay away from 450's. Try a 250F. They have much softer, easier to control power and the bike is lighter. They are much less fatiguing and inspire confidence.
kkawboy14
Posts
11494
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
TX US
11/12/2016 6:37am Edited Date/Time 11/12/2016 6:38am
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...
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.
Tpog496 wrote:
Ride more than one time every 16 years for starters.
Ha ^what he said!

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.
gasser303
Posts
25
Joined
2/18/2016
Location
Pittsburgh, PA US
11/12/2016 6:47am
Get a 2stroke!!!
Insider347
Posts
515
Joined
2/21/2012
Location
Raleigh, NC US
11/12/2016 7:24am Edited Date/Time 11/12/2016 7:25am
In the same boat, I used to be top of 125B class and even won the +25 class on a 125 in early 2000s but at after over 12 years I bought a new 150sx and 2nd ride I broke my shoulder and had surgery. I have rode twice since a surgery and It's just not coming back. I feel absolutely horrible. Age is a bitch. Keep going with all the advice you got and I'm going to use it too. Great post and thanks guys.
11/12/2016 7:51am
Thanks everyone for replying. Glad to know I'm not the only one relearning everything. My friends 450 beat me up. The 06 Kawi was snappier than I expected. I'm going to buy a 250f to get used to these thumpers. Maybe then I can ride the bike and not hang on for dear life.
mx836
Posts
5579
Joined
4/2/2008
Location
; BF
11/12/2016 10:06am
I would also suggest a 250f. They have way more than enough power for somebody who was a D rider 16 years ago and hasn't ridden since. It will also be much more forgiving and less intimidating.
TeamGreen
Posts
28657
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
11/12/2016 1:45pm
Get that same buddy to take you trail-riding on that same bike where you can take the time to get familiar with all the power and "mass". That's a "Whole Lotta Bike" compared to an old-school 125!

Welcome Back!
11/12/2016 2:43pm Edited Date/Time 11/12/2016 2:44pm
You can't imagine the joy of being a fairly fast expert then, don't ride for 15 years then try again on a new 450 at 45 years of age. Total shot to the ego and mind. Yep. I suck. Lol
sandman768
Posts
5955
Joined
3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY US
11/12/2016 3:10pm
I"m shocked when I hear of someone who would stop riding for so long.....what were you thinking?

Post a reply to: A beginner...again

The Latest