43 Year Old Noob in NE PA

OldDirtNoob wrote:

Hey all, Happy "you should be doing something nice for your wife and/or mother instead of on the internet talking about dirt bikes" day... So title...

Hey all,

Happy "you should be doing something nice for your wife and/or mother instead of on the internet talking about dirt bikes" day...

So title line says it all. But here's the long version. Never rode a motorcycle until I was 40. Got divorced bought a shiny red Ducati to park in front of Starbucks. I know, I know...

Did a couple of track days, got a S1KRR, dumped it on the track, sold it, bought a '13 ZX6R built it as a dedicated track bike. Rode 3 days last year... I love road course track days, but at $1000/weekend it's just to steep to ride as much as I'd like. Been wanting a dirty bike for a while (OK, since I was 9). My older stepbrother was a #1 ranked mx racer in Utah when I was a kid. Needless to say mom wasn't down with that and I got a horse instead...

Fast forward 34 years, I bought a dirty bike. The nice folks over at ThumperTalk had me all talked into a 2t woods bike (KTM 250 XC-W). Guys at work talked me into a 4t, and an mx bike. So I went 250 SX-F.

Needless to say dirt is way different than road course. My intermediate/b group status does not translate... So, before just rolling up to a local mx track I figured I'd get out and get some seat time. Unfortunately so far I've only connected with enduro riders. The couple of rides I've been on have convinced me that bouncing over rocks and dodging trees is not for me. So, looking for some like minded folks in my area to connect with and do some riding. I am sure there are some good places to ride mx bikes offroad besides practice days at the local track?

In order to help accelerate my learning curve, I have reached out to Greg Pamart for some private lessons on his track at his home. I'm a big fan of proper training rather than trial & error. I'm too old to learn mx the hard way...

Anyway, live near Mt. Top, PA? Want to hang out with an old noob? Have any advice to share about getting into mx in your 40s, hit me up.

Thanks,

Justin

BobPA wrote:

I am from the Harvey’s Lake area. Half hour, or so, from you. I’ve got all kinds of stuff you can ride. From tight single track...

I am from the Harvey’s Lake area. Half hour, or so, from you. I’ve got all kinds of stuff you can ride. From tight single track, to full moto....all close by as well.

OldDirtNoob wrote:

PM me... If you're willing to put up with a noob, I'd love to get out and ride with you.

3D wrote:

You're pretty close to me(35 minutes south of you) . I switched away from a lifetime of moto though. I'm the same age as you. I...

You're pretty close to me(35 minutes south of you) . I switched away from a lifetime of moto though. I'm the same age as you. I live in the heart of single track country if you decide you want to try it again. Frenchy will get you dialed for moto. I spent about 15 years getting beat by him.

OldDirtNoob wrote:

Thanks for the reply. I'm down to ride offroad but tight rocky single track is not for me. Bike has less than 3 hours on it...

Thanks for the reply. I'm down to ride offroad but tight rocky single track is not for me. Bike has less than 3 hours on it and I've dumped it at least 6 times. Plastics are hashed and I broke my clutch lever. Mining roads, coal dirt, fast flowing stuff would be fun though. I have a permit to FRO and I've heard there is some good stuff at AOAA too.

Do you ride a mx bike offroad, or a woods bike?

Neverclear wrote:

Welcome! Imho, MX573 is the place to go to just get moto seat-time. We've been going there since the mid 90's, and the new owner is...

Welcome!

Imho, MX573 is the place to go to just get moto seat-time. We've been going there since the mid 90's, and the new owner is really trying hard to work up a good surface each week. He's also been fixing the jump faces, which were rarely touched before he purchased it.

It's almost never busy, and for like $30 you can ride all day, anytime you want. They also allow overnight camping. I love the place. My son learned to moto there, now my grandson is spinning laps on the mini track. I like it way better than limited practice days at Evansville, Sleepy Hollow or Raceway Park.

Pad up & have fun..

https://www.facebook.com/mooresmoto573/

Carlton_Fartman wrote:

PLEASE SHARE ***MOORE'S MOTOCROSS IS CLOSED*** The Moore family would like to thank our riders for their support over the years. We are closing the business...

PLEASE SHARE
***MOORE'S MOTOCROSS IS CLOSED***
The Moore family would like to thank our riders for their support over the years. We are closing the business to start a new journey in our lives. Other tracks in the area to give you business to: Hurricane Hills, Broome Tioga, and Jackson's Pumpkin Farm.
Thank you to all our riders for your patronage,
Kevin
PLEASE SHARE
***MOORE'S MOTOCROSS IS CLOSED***

Carlton_Fartman wrote:

PLEASE SHARE ***MOORE'S MOTOCROSS IS CLOSED*** The Moore family would like to thank our riders for their support over the years. We are closing the business...

PLEASE SHARE
***MOORE'S MOTOCROSS IS CLOSED***
The Moore family would like to thank our riders for their support over the years. We are closing the business to start a new journey in our lives. Other tracks in the area to give you business to: Hurricane Hills, Broome Tioga, and Jackson's Pumpkin Farm.
Thank you to all our riders for your patronage,
Kevin
PLEASE SHARE
***MOORE'S MOTOCROSS IS CLOSED***

Neverclear wrote:

Oh no, that's heartbreaking. My kids & grandson are going to be really bummed. If anyone in the area knows of a decent practice only track...

Oh no, that's heartbreaking. My kids & grandson are going to be really bummed.

If anyone in the area knows of a decent practice only track, please email me at parcans@aol.com.

kage173 wrote:

OP you get a huge win for the way you're approaching it and welcome to the motofamily. I say you get a win because you're seeking...

OP you get a huge win for the way you're approaching it and welcome to the motofamily. I say you get a win because you're seeking advice and following it. I've met so many people that just show up to the track with a shiny new 450 because they don't want to 'outgrow' a 250 or a 125 2T. They ride it once and almost kill themselves, then never show up again.

Glad you're on a 250F. That's an ok bike to get started on. Listen to the guy you're taking lessons from. Other than that it's seat time that will help you improve. It's not the funnest thing in the world, but just finding an open field and setting up some cones then going out and practicing the techniques he shows you is how you'll the fastest.

Not sure how mechanically inclined you are, but another thing that catches new guys off guard is the amount of work and maintenance a dirtbike requires. It's much more than road bikes. Buy a pressure washer and a good toolset. Follow the manual reasonably well (doesn't have to be exact) or your bike will start falling apart.

kage173 wrote:

OP you get a huge win for the way you're approaching it and welcome to the motofamily. I say you get a win because you're seeking...

OP you get a huge win for the way you're approaching it and welcome to the motofamily. I say you get a win because you're seeking advice and following it. I've met so many people that just show up to the track with a shiny new 450 because they don't want to 'outgrow' a 250 or a 125 2T. They ride it once and almost kill themselves, then never show up again.

Glad you're on a 250F. That's an ok bike to get started on. Listen to the guy you're taking lessons from. Other than that it's seat time that will help you improve. It's not the funnest thing in the world, but just finding an open field and setting up some cones then going out and practicing the techniques he shows you is how you'll the fastest.

Not sure how mechanically inclined you are, but another thing that catches new guys off guard is the amount of work and maintenance a dirtbike requires. It's much more than road bikes. Buy a pressure washer and a good toolset. Follow the manual reasonably well (doesn't have to be exact) or your bike will start falling apart.

DTR830 wrote:

He rode well for his first time on a track & it was warm yesterday. Once I upload pics, I’ll get one in here.

OldDirtNoob wrote:

I don't know about "well" but I had fun and met some good people. Thanks again!

OldDirtNoob wrote:

Hey all, Happy "you should be doing something nice for your wife and/or mother instead of on the internet talking about dirt bikes" day... So title...

Hey all,

Happy "you should be doing something nice for your wife and/or mother instead of on the internet talking about dirt bikes" day...

So title line says it all. But here's the long version. Never rode a motorcycle until I was 40. Got divorced bought a shiny red Ducati to park in front of Starbucks. I know, I know...

Did a couple of track days, got a S1KRR, dumped it on the track, sold it, bought a '13 ZX6R built it as a dedicated track bike. Rode 3 days last year... I love road course track days, but at $1000/weekend it's just to steep to ride as much as I'd like. Been wanting a dirty bike for a while (OK, since I was 9). My older stepbrother was a #1 ranked mx racer in Utah when I was a kid. Needless to say mom wasn't down with that and I got a horse instead...

Fast forward 34 years, I bought a dirty bike. The nice folks over at ThumperTalk had me all talked into a 2t woods bike (KTM 250 XC-W). Guys at work talked me into a 4t, and an mx bike. So I went 250 SX-F.

Needless to say dirt is way different than road course. My intermediate/b group status does not translate... So, before just rolling up to a local mx track I figured I'd get out and get some seat time. Unfortunately so far I've only connected with enduro riders. The couple of rides I've been on have convinced me that bouncing over rocks and dodging trees is not for me. So, looking for some like minded folks in my area to connect with and do some riding. I am sure there are some good places to ride mx bikes offroad besides practice days at the local track?

In order to help accelerate my learning curve, I have reached out to Greg Pamart for some private lessons on his track at his home. I'm a big fan of proper training rather than trial & error. I'm too old to learn mx the hard way...

Anyway, live near Mt. Top, PA? Want to hang out with an old noob? Have any advice to share about getting into mx in your 40s, hit me up.

Thanks,

Justin