Posts
87
Joined
12/11/2013
Location
Salem, MA
US
Edited Date/Time
7/5/2014 9:57am
I' ve been tossing some ideas around in my head about riding a dirt bike. I just started, maybe riding for a couple months, and everything just seems to go wrong for me. Don't get me wrong I LOVE riding!! But where I live the closest (Illegal...) place to ride is about 30 mins from my house. So my father needs to take me and I don't even have any friends that ride so I have to ride alone and he sits in the car and watches. I don't know any other spots to go and I just feel bad about wanting to do a sport that requires so much. I don't come from money and paying for gas to drive up to ride is a problem for my parents and my dad gets irritated every time I ask him if he can take me riding. I don't want to say riding is boring because it's not at all! But riding in the same sand pit every time, same routine and nobody to ride with is getting a little boring. I can't go riding at the local track because it's too far and too much money. What should I do? I thought about just letting this whole thing go but I love the sport and this keeps bumming me out. I'm suppose to go ride tomorrow but my father is all pissed at me again. Should I just quit?
The Shop
I've never checked this out so I can't vouch for it but I've seen it before.
http://www.riderplanet-usa.com
- You wanted a dirt bike, worked your butt off, saved your $$$, and bought one. That is a big deal. I did the same when I was 16/17. My parents did not help with anything concerning me and dirt bikes. But I wanted one and I made it happen.
- Now with all the logistics of getting your bike to a riding area it seems like a hassle. And in a sense it is. In this day and age and where you live, riding is always going to be a hassle. In my humble opinion, being able to ride out of your driveway is the key. You don't say what bike you bought, but one of the dirt bikes (KDX, CRF250X, KTM EXC) that you can tag and ride on the street is your key to riding. Then you can explore the power line right a ways just across the border in NH, 4th and 5th class roads, etc etc.
- Even back in the early 70's when we had lots of places to go, one of my racing friends first bike was DT-1. Street legal, but a (at the time) dirt bike. He rode all over town, in the alleys, ditches, farm roads, et all. It was "riding" and he was having fun. The key is to be riding your motorcycle. You may have to compromise the bike or where, but being able to ride is the beginning.
You're doing good. Keep after it.
Mountain bikes aren't a replacement for riding a dirt bike, but they are great alternative....
You didn't make a mistake. You saved up a bought your own bike - good for you! You may have to wait a while until you are a little more independent, but you are 17 years old - in no time you will be done with high school and be able to move on.
I was in the same situation - my dad HATED motorbikes and had absolutely nothing to do with me and dirtbikes. I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm so when I finally saved up enough and bought my first bike I could ride all the time. But it got much easier when I was 18 / 19, working full time, was able to buy an old truck, upgrade my bike, ride a lot more places.....
It will get better. DON'T sell your bike. Be patient, it may take a few years, but if you love moto like you say you do - IT WILL GET EASIER.
Good luck!
Sean K
If you concentrate on the motorcycle and getting better wether is a simple figure 8 turn track down the street on a fire road to improve your turning technique or your local track, you will realize getting better and just spending time on the bike will be rewarding.
Go to a local track & talk to everyone, tell them your story. True MX people are the most caring & giving. I'm sure someone or someone somebody knows can give you a lift. Find someone who just rides trails.
Hang a sign in the pits. Hang a index card at your local shop(s). Do a craigslist post.
Lots of MX people who have "made it" will be more than happy to help you out. If your tight on money offer to bring food or wash there cars, etc...
Good Luck.
Pit Row
Once you can afford a vehicle a whole new world will open up and riding opportunities will be endless.
Anyway, i had it bit better as I could ride trails in the woods to 2 sandpits we had practice tracks at but that was really it. I made friends with a local expert and he'd take me to a few tracks as he had a trailer and everything.
It IS more fun if you're riding with buddies so hopefully you can find a few. Other sucky thing is development. My main practice track that was 10 min from my parents house is now a Walmart.
Good luck!
I remember a riding park in northern Florida. Back in '73, my parents would bumper rack my Kawasaki 100 to the park, along with a five gallon can of gas, a small cooler, and drop me off for the day. I rode with many Navy guys who would rent bikes from the park, and would keep an eye on me. I was 10 years old.
Just memories from a different time.
I did whatever it took to ride. Be it a vacant lot, pay track or area, or even the back yard. This is our little backyard track, not much, but when we feel like messing around, it's there.
Post a reply to: Did I make a mistake?