Not as Good as I Thought

MudPup545
Profile picture for user MudPup545
Posts
1700
Joined
11/14/2014
Location
Imlay City, MI, USA
MudPup545 6/6/2019 7:39am
6/6/2019 7:39am
I'm 50, been riding since age 11. Took a two year break when the kids were born. I was slow then and still slow today. I'm a perpetual C rider...lol. I've been told by the fast guys that they like having me out there because it helps them practice with their line choice/passing skills. Not really sure if that's a compliment or not...lol. I just ride my own pace and we all get along.
1
jeffro503
Profile picture for user jeffro503
Posts
27640
Joined
7/22/2007
Location
St Helens, OR, USA
jeffro503 6/6/2019 7:39am
6/6/2019 7:39am
Loopy wrote:
So after 20 plus years off a dirt bike I decided last fall to get back into moto. I'm 49 and have followed motorcycle racing since...
So after 20 plus years off a dirt bike I decided last fall to get back into moto. I'm 49 and have followed motorcycle racing since I was a kid reading MXA in the early 80's. I was a C rider through the 90's but just loved riding a bike no matter where in the dirt. I ride a FZ 09 now and continue to mountain bike so I though with keeping up on two wheeled riding I thought my skills would stay somewhat sharp. I picked up a 17 YZ250F as the bike to get me back in. I waited about a month to finally get out and try it out. I even joined a moto club with a nicely groomed track and about 7 miles of trails to keep things different. Within about 60 seconds on the bike I realized I'm not the rider I thought I was. Not even close. Now I figured at my age I wasn't going to be setting record lap times but I thought I could do one lap without shitting my pants. I rolled everything and had zero confidence when I finished. When I got home home and unloaded the truck I stared at the bike and thought what the hell was I thinking. Now I'm not one to give up and quit because I do love the sport and really want keep at it, but I need help. Where do I start???
In your case , it's just seat time. 20 years is a long time , but you aren't learning to ride.....you already know how to do that , and improvement's can come fast or slow. But they will come back. Just have patience. It may be discouraging on your very first few rides back , but things will start to click and come back to you. Basically......get seat time and the rust will knock off sooner or later.
str8line
Profile picture for user str8line
Posts
3651
Joined
9/20/2018
Location
Sandy, UT, USA
str8line 6/6/2019 7:43am
6/6/2019 7:43am
I agree to start with trails so that you're not comparing yourself to the guys at the track who jump everything. Be in the moment. Enjoy going slow and finding your balance and the subtleties of throttle control, braking, etc. Having a learning curve is a wonderful thing. Most of us are well on the downside of that curve and you get to get better every time out. I'm jeaulous.
Texas Built
Profile picture for user Texas Built
Posts
867
Joined
5/30/2018
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Texas Built 6/6/2019 9:31am
6/6/2019 9:31am
Rolling everything is much more fun than being wadded up with your pelvis cracked in half. Roll everything, stop on the way home and eat some wings and get a beer. Thats way more fun than leaving in a helicopter. Those kids that go fast also eat Tode Pods. I would not worry about what they think.
3

The Shop

See All »
SPODEBOY
Profile picture for user SPODEBOY
Posts
804
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Apple Valley, CA, USA
SPODEBOY 6/6/2019 9:40am
6/6/2019 9:40am

I am 52 years old. I was at my prime a slow intermediate here in So Cal racing 250 2 strokes and 450's. I took about 6 years off and then came back. During my return I rode a bunch of bikes. I did not care to go back to the 250 2 stroke. And I was a little intimidated buy the newer 450's and they just had so much more power now. So I bought an 08 CR250F ( this was back in 2015). I dialed the bike in & had the suspension done by Clark over at Noleen.

I rode the wheels off that bike for a year. I did not go back to racing just play riding and practice tracks. I then went back to the 450's.

Have you ridden a modern day 250F? Tons of fun and make what I believe an easy way to return to our beloved sport.
KMC440
Profile picture for user KMC440
Posts
7764
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
KMC440 6/6/2019 10:11am
6/6/2019 10:11am
55 and had my mother all last riding season... I wasn't going to bail out on her just to go riding. So with a few fixes to the old dirt scooter it'll be time to prove how shitty I am to myself. Guess what, I don't even have to impress me anymore to have a good time. A couple "oh shits" a day and I'm fine. Cold beer and shredded beef taco and a bitchen sunset is all I need at the end of a ride day.
3
mxer15
Profile picture for user mxer15
Posts
90
Joined
1/4/2019
Location
Lady Lake, FL, USA
mxer15 6/6/2019 10:28am
6/6/2019 10:28am
Just send it.. only scary first time
madmaxperformance 6/6/2019 11:18am
6/6/2019 11:18am
I feel your pain. I was an A level rider, and took about 13 years off. Got on my new 450 KTM, couldn’t hardly stay with the intermediate guys. Huge arm pump. It sucks. But, I’m sure enjoying a bit of single track and moto riding.
1
duckdog77
Profile picture for user duckdog77
Posts
382
Joined
3/28/2019
Location
Laotto, IN, USA
duckdog77 6/6/2019 11:29am
6/6/2019 11:29am
I’m 31 and this is my first season back after 12 years off. First time out I couldn’t believe how tired and slow/nervous I was. I’ve been working on my fitness which has helped a ton. I also went back to the basics my track has no jumps (yet) as I’m focusing on correct form and cornering. Watching lots of videos that you would think an 8 year old should be watching.

Also bike set up. Tires, handle bars, And i’ve focused a ton on suspension set up and playing with all my clickers. That has helped tremendously! My bike was all over the place. I’ve got it stuck to the ground now and almost perfect.

My corner speed is faster than I ever remember it. My confidence grows each ride. I can’t stress bike set up and teqnique enough. I really don’t care how fast I’m going as long as I’m doing it right. It’s paying off.

Good luck! And welcome back!
2
Dudley
Profile picture for user Dudley
Posts
567
Joined
9/10/2012
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Dudley 6/6/2019 11:31am
6/6/2019 11:31am
I’ve taken time off. My recommendation is hit a track that has enough riders to gauge speed again but not enough to make you look over shoulders all the time . Then relax and just ride. With seat time it will come back before you know it
duckdog77
Profile picture for user duckdog77
Posts
382
Joined
3/28/2019
Location
Laotto, IN, USA
duckdog77 6/6/2019 12:01pm
6/6/2019 12:01pm
I’ll add one more thing that helped me a ton...

Kris Keefer has said it in a video I watched and also on the pulpmx show... “when you go to ride....have a plan” know what you’re going to do before you get to the track. Are you working on corner speed that day, fitness, technique? Know before you go. Now before each practice day I pick one or two things to focus on for the ride. My big ones right now are staying on the balls of my feet, weighting my outside foot peg in the corners, and getting forward coming out of the corners so my bike isn’t dragging me down the straight. It’s pushing me. Saves so much energy if you do it correctly.
1
KennyT
Profile picture for user KennyT
Posts
4400
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Vista, CA, USA
Fantasy
74th
KennyT 6/6/2019 12:30pm
6/6/2019 12:30pm
Rolling all the jumps? That’s my style!
Sell the modern bike and go buy yourself your favorite bike from the past and go vintage riding/racing. Much safer and every bit as fun
PRM31
Profile picture for user PRM31
Posts
3728
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
Northern, VA, USA
Fantasy
1233rd
PRM31 6/6/2019 12:46pm
6/6/2019 12:46pm Edited Date/Time 6/6/2019 12:57pm
Trade for a YZ-125/144 or a 150. I’m 52, got back into it after 20 years away and bought a friends CRF250. Hated it. They feel sooo heavy.... Not saying you’ll go faster, but at least you’ll feel like you can save it all those times you get squirrelly. You won’t get as tired, and if like me, you’ll at least come away enjoying the riding. If you get enough seat time and eventually feel you need more bike, then move up. Food for thought.
SwingHard
Profile picture for user SwingHard
Posts
482
Joined
3/14/2017
Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
SwingHard 6/6/2019 12:57pm
6/6/2019 12:57pm
Make a commitment,4-5 consecutive weekends at the place you joined. Alternate between the Track & Trails,you'll be pleasantly surprised with how comfortable & confident you are feeling on the bike.
Stick with it!!
1
Zesiger 112
Profile picture for user Zesiger 112
Posts
2362
Joined
3/4/2013
Location
Galveston, TX, USA
Zesiger 112 6/6/2019 1:40pm
6/6/2019 1:40pm Edited Date/Time 6/6/2019 1:41pm
Every time I go to the track I have that exact same feeling. For at least the first 2 sessions. I come back to the truck sit down and think man I just can't get the hang of it I should have stayed home today.

Then I keep going out and it clicks and by the end of the day I've picked up speed faster from the last time I rode and have a good day.

Just keep going it will pick up, look at individual improvements not the whole track.
3
LoudLove
Profile picture for user LoudLove
Posts
2942
Joined
7/16/2010
Location
USA
LoudLove 6/6/2019 1:42pm
6/6/2019 1:42pm
Ride those trails and retrain your central nervous system, as it needs a refresher course. Your mind doesn't forget the fundamentals, and they will reemerge with seat time.

Also, focus on cornering, not jumps. Maintaining speed out of the corner greatly simplifies the jumping process, as you're not preoccupied with gaining momentum as you approach the jump face. You'll also gain confidence as your technique improves.

Jumping is about timing, and understanding what pace will clear the obstacle. Ride behind an experienced rider to gauge your speed, and you'll be surprised how easy it can be. Just remember to apply at least a small amount of power off the face to keep that heavy rear wheel turning and preventing an ugly endo.
FreshTopEnd
Profile picture for user FreshTopEnd
Posts
13296
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
FreshTopEnd 6/6/2019 2:06pm
6/6/2019 2:06pm
FWYT wrote:
Dude, what? 2 decades off? Seriously, have a more realistic view!!! Hell, I take 2 months off and it's full reset!!! Just go do some trail...
Dude, what? 2 decades off? Seriously, have a more realistic view!!! Hell, I take 2 months off and it's full reset!!!

Just go do some trail riding for a while. Give it time!!!
^^^^

Get your body used to riding a powered two wheeler in the dirt again.
jonesaustin
Profile picture for user jonesaustin
Posts
2653
Joined
7/6/2009
Location
Austin, TX, USA
jonesaustin 6/6/2019 2:25pm
6/6/2019 2:25pm
buy a Vitus Sentier VR 29 hardtail mtb and shred some fast trails. it's not unlike what you're seeking in MX. you'll love it.

Pit Row

See All »
SoCalMX70
Profile picture for user SoCalMX70
Posts
3571
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
SoCalMX70 6/6/2019 2:39pm
6/6/2019 2:39pm
I'm 34, got back into riding about 2 years ago after a 5+ year hiatus. Now, I was never fast... 125 beginner class in my teens and then I just "rode around" here and there in my early to mid 20s, and maybe only once every couple months.

When I got back into racing last year I didn't jump anything except the smallest doubles and tables... I was scared and got tired in 1 or 2 laps. That was after I had already done about 3 months of serious exercise/training to try and prepare myself. Despite that, I just kept working at it. Been riding once every 1-2 weeks, exercising on week days. This past weekend's race I set good lap times (for a Vet Novice) at Milestone and jumped everything, and I never got tired in any of my motos.

Anyway, point is you need to keep doing it. Keep riding. Just DON'T over-do it. Ride at your own pace and get/keep yourself in shape. As others said, maybe start with trails, but don't be afraid of the track either. Just don't get sucked into some fast guy's pace at the track. Do your own thing (and hold your line!).
1
kkawboy14
Profile picture for user kkawboy14
Posts
11486
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
USA
kkawboy14 6/6/2019 3:27pm
6/6/2019 3:27pm Edited Date/Time 6/6/2019 3:29pm
I still like my idea best of not wearing shorts if your worried about sharting them! Problem solved!
1
captmoto
Profile picture for user captmoto
Posts
5892
Joined
4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
captmoto 6/6/2019 3:50pm
6/6/2019 3:50pm
Go do some easy trail riding to get back into the feel of a bike on dirt. You have lots of street bike muscle memory and that needs to be unlearned or at least shoved off to the side to let the dirt muscle memory build. Tracks are too stressful to try to learn or relearn on.
coastie44
Profile picture for user coastie44
Posts
564
Joined
1/19/2013
Location
NorCal, CA, USA
coastie44 6/6/2019 8:19pm
6/6/2019 8:19pm
jonesaustin wrote:
buy a Vitus Sentier VR 29 hardtail mtb and shred some fast trails. it's not unlike what you're seeking in MX. you'll love it.
I tried MTB several times. Basically I have no interest in it and my bike just collects dust.
Wiff3
Profile picture for user Wiff3
Posts
295
Joined
8/27/2009
Location
Bellefonte, PA, USA
Wiff3 6/6/2019 8:45pm
6/6/2019 8:45pm
Rode a friends turn track a couple weeks ago for my first ride in almost 6 yrs. Still have my YZ167, so the bike wasn't a problem. Although I'm not what I was (decent Vet A guy) I didn't completely forget how to ride. I had alot of fun after I stopped overthinking everything.

Just go have fun. The vast majority of us will never make the big show. If it's not for fun, why bother.
22Ryann
Profile picture for user 22Ryann
Posts
834
Joined
11/29/2010
Location
AU
22Ryann 6/6/2019 9:36pm
6/6/2019 9:36pm
Yea you just need more time, it's def. abrupt jumping back into it for sure. Even was for me after years off. I think you will enjoy it more once your body and mental adapts.
EZZA 95B 6/6/2019 9:53pm
6/6/2019 9:53pm
I had a break for roughly 5 years and it just took seat-time to get back to feeling comfortable, as others have already mentioned.

Try to keep it fun, that's what it's all about.
BobbyM
Profile picture for user BobbyM
Posts
21436
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
BobbyM 6/6/2019 11:33pm
6/6/2019 11:33pm
Loopy wrote:
So after 20 plus years off a dirt bike I decided last fall to get back into moto. I'm 49 and have followed motorcycle racing since...
So after 20 plus years off a dirt bike I decided last fall to get back into moto. I'm 49 and have followed motorcycle racing since I was a kid reading MXA in the early 80's. I was a C rider through the 90's but just loved riding a bike no matter where in the dirt. I ride a FZ 09 now and continue to mountain bike so I though with keeping up on two wheeled riding I thought my skills would stay somewhat sharp. I picked up a 17 YZ250F as the bike to get me back in. I waited about a month to finally get out and try it out. I even joined a moto club with a nicely groomed track and about 7 miles of trails to keep things different. Within about 60 seconds on the bike I realized I'm not the rider I thought I was. Not even close. Now I figured at my age I wasn't going to be setting record lap times but I thought I could do one lap without shitting my pants. I rolled everything and had zero confidence when I finished. When I got home home and unloaded the truck I stared at the bike and thought what the hell was I thinking. Now I'm not one to give up and quit because I do love the sport and really want keep at it, but I need help. Where do I start???
It's OK to be as slow and as you were a few years back. "Ride for fun" is great mantra but getting yer doors blown off by some squid can take the fun right out of it.
sandtrack315
Profile picture for user sandtrack315
Posts
2851
Joined
7/19/2013
Location
Philadelphia, PA, USA
sandtrack315 6/7/2019 4:41am
6/7/2019 4:41am
Loopy wrote:
So after 20 plus years off a dirt bike I decided last fall to get back into moto. I'm 49 and have followed motorcycle racing since...
So after 20 plus years off a dirt bike I decided last fall to get back into moto. I'm 49 and have followed motorcycle racing since I was a kid reading MXA in the early 80's. I was a C rider through the 90's but just loved riding a bike no matter where in the dirt. I ride a FZ 09 now and continue to mountain bike so I though with keeping up on two wheeled riding I thought my skills would stay somewhat sharp. I picked up a 17 YZ250F as the bike to get me back in. I waited about a month to finally get out and try it out. I even joined a moto club with a nicely groomed track and about 7 miles of trails to keep things different. Within about 60 seconds on the bike I realized I'm not the rider I thought I was. Not even close. Now I figured at my age I wasn't going to be setting record lap times but I thought I could do one lap without shitting my pants. I rolled everything and had zero confidence when I finished. When I got home home and unloaded the truck I stared at the bike and thought what the hell was I thinking. Now I'm not one to give up and quit because I do love the sport and really want keep at it, but I need help. Where do I start???
Just keep riding and don't worry about going fast. You'll get the strength and skills back to have fun.

Post a reply to: Not as Good as I Thought