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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...

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.

That 300l is a great first bike.... but it and have fun!

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

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...

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.

I have seen a street legal CR500 before

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.

This was yesterday morning. I turned 46, the wife and lad got me a new helmet for my birthday. We had a full day planned but cancelled/postponed and insisted I go ride. My wife supports and encourages my lifestyle. We’ve been together for 23 years and still going strong. Riding is therapy….

Added an almost new 21 yesterday. I will still grab a 23 at some point. Glad she is so understanding

Apart from my wife and kids, riding makes me the happiest, I love getting out on the moto or the ebike. If your partner doesn't like you being happy, then find a new partner.

My wife hates it. She hates the expense, waking up early, the heat, the dust and especially the Porta potties. Were inTexas so 8 hrs in 110 degree weather and those porta potties get ripe. But she knows that my son and I love it. So she supports us. She stays home on practice days but she's there from dawn til dusk on race days. She's been in hospitals all night without one single complaint. I have to pay her back with lots of attention and I don't get nights out with the boys. That's our compromise and one I'm...

26 and single. I ride as much as I want when I want. My ex used to get mad at me when I went out and rode my dirtbike but she was very controlling and toxic, didn’t wanna go with me, ect. If I could find a girl that also rode dirtbikes, damn that would be a jackpot. Can’t help but feel jealous when someone is telling me about how they and their chick go riding together. That’s awesome. Gonna find one one day and marry her lol.