Dirt bike riding?

[PB_SurfRider]

So, I am still pretty green when it comes to riding, but 100% of my motorcycle riding experience is on sport bikes.

Now, I have been invited to Glamis, CA at the end of this month for a weekend of camping and dirt bike riding.

This is kinda backwards, but...

Is there anything I need to know or pay attention to when dirt bike riding on dunes, as opposed to sport bike riding on streets?

With regard to bike displacement, I'm assuming "start small" is the way to go with dirt bikes also?

My friends have bikes that everyone can share, but if I/we rent more then we'll all get more riding time in. If I were to rent a bike for use, I have to order it before we go. There are 200s, 250s, 400s, and 650s available for rent.

I would assume a 200 or 250 is the recommended way to start, and I'm cool with that, but I just don't know if there are other factors involved in choosing a dirt bike (like height, weight, etc).

If it matters, I am 5'11" 235# and the large majority of my experience on the streets is on an SV650.

Thanks!

[636blurr]

Yea watch when you are topping a rise, be aware of your surroundings. Dont get over confident. Just becouse you will be playing on the sand doesnt mean you cannot get hurt, cause plenty of people do.
And use your rear brake have fun.

[Bobarino]

learn to couterlean or work on it some more before you go. keep in mind that traction is in short supply compared to a street bike. don't fight the bike. ride loose and just correct the bike when it needs to be. it will follow ruts, get squirrelly, and float all over the place which is not something we're generally used to on the street. just let the bike do what it do until its time to reign it in. wear good gear and don't go balls out if you're not familiar with the bike or the trail. its quite different but fun as hell. i'd stick with the 250 at first. the 400+'s are torquey little suckers.

Bobby

[mac 1]

I'm gonna assume your talk four stroke bike's you should be OK with a 200 but not sure what bike you are talking about, some 250's will be fine as well but again not sure what your talking about exactly, as stated above with dirt/off road bikes you want to use your rear brake more then the front, however if you forget you will be in sand right, It's a blast, good luck and have fun !

[PB_SurfRider]

Originally Posted by mac 1

I'm gonna assume your talk four stroke bike's you should be OK with a 200 but not sure what bike you are talking about, some 250's will be fine as well but again not sure what your talking about exactly, as stated above with dirt/off road bikes you want to use your rear brake more then the front, however if you forget you will be in sand right, It's a blast, good luck and have fun !

Yeah, the bikes listed in the link I gave are all 4-strokes.

Thanks.

[zx6r-andy]

if i were you id go with the 250, those xr's are all very tame bikes.
i think that you may get bored with the 200 as its chassis and suspension arenot even comparable to the 250 and 400 etc

[rockjunkie]

1. Stand up as much as possible, don't sit
2. If in doubt, throttle out
3. Weight the outside peg in corners
4. Elbows up and look through the corners
5. On a four stroke DO NOT chop the throttle off of jumps. Keep it on through the jump or you'll end up on your face.

But most of all, have fun!

[PB_SurfRider]

Thanks to everyone for your responses so far! This is great stuff that I probably would have had to learn the hard way otherwise. If anybody has anything else to chip in, that would be great! My trip is next week.

[baldheadeddork]

One last thing...take note of how it feels to walk without pain in your knees. ;)

[Gaolee]

You get knee pain from dirt riding? I been cheated! I got sore knees and I haven't ridden a dirt bike in 30 years. Shoot. I want a refund.

[OldSchlPunk]

Sand can be an absolute blast to ride in. Stay loose and let the bike move some, it will self correct out of more than you'd guess.