Hey everyone.
TLDR at bottom, sorry.
Helicopter parents long snuffed out my love for motorbikes (esp dirtbikes) when I was a kid, so much so that I never considered getting a bike my whole life (I'm in my mid-30's now) as that echoing "bikes are dangerous" mantra was always the first thing to automatically dismiss any fleeting thought that would enter my mind. Last year in October I was inspired to review my life's passions and realising that motorbikes has always been the first thing right below the surface, here I am.
I've done a lot of research over the last 14 months and would appreciate your thoughts on my logic/plan:
Background to give greater context:
My only experience with motorbikes was a 50cc mini-chopper many years ago. Slow bike fast = true. It was a blast.
I have no motorcycle license therefore can't test ride and don't know anyone that would be apt to test drive for me.
Closest track is about 3hr 30min drive return trip (doesn't bother me).
No space for trailer in garage so only option is hitch carrier (my cars tow capacity is fine).
1) Being so far away from the track, makes sense to get a road-legal bike t)hat I can also use on the track and trail) to build confidence.
2) Makes sense to get my license in anyway so that I can test ride bikes in the future.
3) After reading up on many different bikes and with what is available here in New Zealand, the Honda CRF300L (a trail bike) seems to be a decent starting point. A road legal KLX300 isnt available here 
.
The Honda is decently priced as well. I'm well aware of the soft suspension and how this would not do well for track use but is highly rated as a beginner bike in general, not just for off-road use. My long term goal would be to replace with a 250 4T or if I'm competent enough, a 125cc 2T.
I will be going for some lessons on a KLX300 at a dirt bike park soon to dip my toes and at a later time purchase all the necessary gear (I will be getting decent gear, that is priority).
TLDR:
I'm new to bikes, hoping to get into riding on mx tracks, Closest track is 1hr 45min drive away so getting some practice/ confidence building by having a road-legal bike that I can use off-road as well makes sense. While the suspension is poo, is there any reason why going with CRF300L (a trail bike which is recommended in general as a good 'beginner bike' regardless of off-road use) is a mistake with all this considered in mind? I would think that the soft suspension might be terrible on track and therefore mislead me into thinking track just isnt for me?
I would suggest starting with a small trail bike like a CRF 250F (the farm bike in NZ, not the R model) or even smaller and start by rising in fields and trails for quite a while. If you have fronds that ride or can find some groups, seek them out to get support that way too.
Stay away from tracks until you have a very good feel for riding overall. Upgrade to a better bike when your skill is more than the bike can support.
I have seen a street legal CR500 before
Easy no hesitation move right there
I’ll be sure to upload my whiskey throttle loop
Will be alot more expensive but you could look at the fuel injected KTM 150exc it Husky TE150i. These bikes are little more mellow than a carbureted two stroke. They also hold their value really well so if you can stomach the bigger initial outlay it might be a better financial decision in the long run.
Whatever you end up getting, just ride within your limits and you will have a blast.
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Seems that their 190cc farm bike is another option as well. You reckon the crf300l is too much too soon? Compared to the klx300 almost every review commented how the kawi almost had a powerband while the crf300l was more linear and beginner friendly
I really like the husky, watched a lot of vids for that model but would likely be further down the track as the 2T powerband is definitely something that I think will have me more worried about losing control rather than learning how to ride.
plus this won’t be road legal here
If you are in Auckland, tracks are closer than 1.5 hours .
Ardmore and Flightpath close by, then club tracks.
If you're happy to potter around trails and fields for a little bit and then sell the bike and upgrade in short order, then something like the farm bike may be a viable option I guess. I wouldn't do it but I can kind of see the idea behind it.
If you go that route, find a middle of the road option (decent condition for decent money, not mint condition for top dollar or clapped out for pennies) so you will get your money back, or there abouts, when the impending upgrade is needed.
Starting with a slower bike is fine. I do recommend taking lessons from a trainer from the get go. It will save you from learning bad riding habits and in general its more fun to take classes with a trainer as well.
First things first, get out of NZ. Move to California, it's communism light, or if you want to find out what the US sort of once was move to Texas or North Carolina. You shouldn't have any trouble getting in, they will give you money and a bus ticket to the city of your choice and even pay for housing for a while.
Ok on the the type of bike, get a dirt bike. Forget this enduro crap. They have their place, but you ain't gonna be happy unless you can rip it on a track. Get a YZ250F with some years on it, it's got all the power you need but handling and smooth power for you to get used to it. Get all the gear so when you go down your chances of injury are far less, and yes dirt bikes are dangerous but hell, so is life. Send us pics when you get on the track mate!
That’s good to know, I don’t know why I didn’t know about flight path!
Your dead on Cool Hand Luke, despite your downvotes. Texas is for me however my qualification is not recognised enough for it to be financially viable. My other option would be to shack up with comrade Turdeau lol.
i would go straight to YZ250f but being inexperienced I worry that I’ll find myself as Ryan Hughes said “spending more focus on trying to control the bike than actually enjoying it”
To be honest you could get the bike you really and just detune it. Get a flywheel weight or ecu reprogrammed
Don’t sell yourself short. Just go out and get a Monster Energy Edition YZ450F, you know you want it and you know you have the balls for it.
You’ll grow into the bike and won’t have to buy a new one for a very long time. Plus you’ll blow everyone away with how fast it is
Do you have any field or yard that you could ride in at all? If you haven't even ridden a dirt bike I would almost suggest the smallest bike with a clutch that you can find and just ride in your yard/ friends yard for a while. A KLX110L or CRF125/CRF230, anything like that. Even a "slow" big bike will be a lot to handle at first, especially when you get on the road with other vehicles.
I think you can go straight to a 150tpi. They are very soft and the only power is at wide open. 250 4t are kittens too at low rpm where most noobs ride. Your skills are non existent but you are an adult. You are going to crash no matter what. The crf300l’s weigh like 400lbs.
also no chance in hell riding a bike 1:45 to a track to ride and then ride home is remotely realistic by anyone other than a very experienced rider
Most guys on here are really smart and know what they are talking about...
I'd suggest a well maintained but older (2005 or newer) Yamaha yz 125.
Find a large relatively flat field and learn how to ride. There are plenty of great youtube videos for technique. You will also learn how to maintain your bike.
Eventually you will feel ready for some time on a track.
No matter what people tell you, do not ride trails in the woods first. For a beginner, all but the easiest trails are more difficult than a track. When something goes wrong you are much farther away from you vehicle and tools etc.
Have fun!
I like the idea of a 125 or small playbike also. My friend has a KLX300. It's a great machine, but it's fairly heavy. You will crash as a beginner, and you'll have to pick up the bike. Possibly many, many times. Not fun with that one.
Pit Row
That 300l is a great first bike.... but it and have fun!
Either of the 300s will be fine. The 150 would be a better off-roader.
I wouldnt recommend riding a bike to the track... you will break stuff at the track, and you will need tools and replacement parts. I have worked on a few crf300Ls recently, its a good gravel-back roads type bike, but I wouldnt track it or do any serious trails with one, and on open road they really feel slow. Those KTM 150s or crf150r are better bikes in my opinion as well
Is it easy to do that and to reverse it too?
Yea definitely not riding to track, too far in anyways and mostly on highways which as many reviews have echoed your points too. I’m likely to get a carrier hitch.
Yea, flywheel weight is a bolt on and the ECU just needs to be remapped as you get better/faster.
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