Getting back into Biking! (Dirtbike)

[Kurtatron]

I rode a motorcycle avidly for a year in 2020. I had a cbr250r that I put 6,000 miles on in less than a year. Never had a close call or injury.

I got married and had kids. Gave riding up due to the danger. I can’t ignore that no matter how safe you are, a careless driver can still kill you easily, leaving my wife and kids fatherless.

But I’ve had such strong longings to ride again. It’s the closest thing to flying I ever felt. No sports car can compare. Finally, I got to thinking.


My wife and I came to a compromise. A dirtbike.

Still dangerous, but not nearly as lethal as street riding. High risk of injury, but much lower rate of death.

I’m getting a small bike. I’ve never ridden on the dirt, so I figured I’d start out simple. A KLX 110rl.

Yeah, I know it’s a kids bike, but I am 5’3” 145lbs. So I don’t need something massive.

There’s quite a few trails in the Atlanta area where I’m at. I can’t wait to rip some trails!

 

[We're Metals]

Cool! - You're going to want to do something with the suspension regardless of your weight. Is this the 4 speed model? I think they make a 5th gear swap thats pretty straightforward.

I had a CRF110 for a few years, it was great for cruising the neighborhood. I dont miss it but it was a good time. I think I put 50 hours on the thing.

 

[Inked]

“It’s the closest thing to flying I ever felt.”

I have never piloted an aircraft but while stationed in the Philippines, I bought a 73 Firebird from a fighter pilot who was about to PCS. I was on a Motors Unit/Stunt Team and I remember him telling me that same thing.

 

[joekingcorvette]

That's an awesome looking bike and I really like the looks of the bike. The Kawasaki green color looks great. I had a new Suzuki 200 cc dual sport a few years ago and really liked it. You will have a blast with the bike. I always had more fun on the smaller lightweight bikes than I did with larger bikes. Stay safe!

 

[wings&wheels]

Ahh the "kids are grown/relive childhood/things I've always wanted to do but I'm around my 50's" phase, been there and doing that. Good for you.


Advil

 

[DCDG]

I rode a motorcycle avidly for a year in 2020. I had a cbr250r that I put 6,000 miles on in less than a year. Never had a close call or injury.

I got married and had kids. Gave riding up due to the danger. I can’t ignore that no matter how safe you are, a careless driver can still kill you easily, leaving my wife and kids fatherless.

But I’ve had such strong longings to ride again. It’s the closest thing to flying I ever felt. No sports car can compare. Finally, I got to thinking.


My wife and I came to a compromise. A dirtbike.

Still dangerous, but not nearly as lethal as street riding. High risk of injury, but much lower rate of death.

I’m getting a small bike. I’ve never ridden on the dirt, so I figured I’d start out simple. A KLX 110rl.
View attachment 327158
Yeah, I know it’s a kids bike, but I am 5’3” 145lbs. So I don’t need something massive.

There’s quite a few trails in the Atlanta area where I’m at. I can’t wait to rip some trails!

Get a TW200 best of both worlds

I am a small guy also 5'3

 

[FZ1]

I rode a motorcycle avidly for a year in 2020. I had a cbr250r that I put 6,000 miles on in less than a year. Never had a close call or injury.

I got married and had kids. Gave riding up due to the danger. I can’t ignore that no matter how safe you are, a careless driver can still kill you easily, leaving my wife and kids fatherless.

But I’ve had such strong longings to ride again. It’s the closest thing to flying I ever felt. No sports car can compare. Finally, I got to thinking.


My wife and I came to a compromise. A dirtbike.

Still dangerous, but not nearly as lethal as street riding. High risk of injury, but much lower rate of death.

I’m getting a small bike. I’ve never ridden on the dirt, so I figured I’d start out simple. A KLX 110rl.
View attachment 327158
Yeah, I know it’s a kids bike, but I am 5’3” 145lbs. So I don’t need something massive.

There’s quite a few trails in the Atlanta area where I’m at. I can’t wait to rip some trails!

Different strokes. It's a bad idea for all the reasons you stated. .02

 

[twX]

I’m getting a small bike. I’ve never ridden on the dirt, so I figured I’d start out simple. A KLX 110rl.

Even if you're a shorter rider, I'd still get an adult/adolescent sized bike instead of a kid's bike. You'd be surprised how easy it is to ride a 125 to 200cc adult-sized trail bike compared to even the smallest street bikes like the CBR250R, even if the seat height is a few inches higher and you can't quite flat-foot the bike.

It'll be far lighter, have way more steering lock for maneuvering at low speed, and it really doesn't matter if you drop it anyway. The engine power will not be intimidating at all. It'll never get you in trouble unless you're looking for trouble.

But I’ve had such strong longings to ride again. It’s the closest thing to flying I ever felt. No sports car can compare.

Do it.

 

[Chris142]

Just watch out for the idiots in sxs.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Even if you're a shorter rider, I'd still get an adult/adolescent sized bike instead of a kid's bike. You'd be surprised how easy it is to ride a 125 to 200cc adult-sized trail bike compared to even the smallest street bikes like the CBR250R.

I'd at least step-up to the 140R, as you get a lot more bike (size, better suspension, more power, disc brakes, 5-speed instead of the 4-speed on the 110R L, etc) for just $600 more.

There is also a 140R F version with larger wheels and even better suspension.
https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/klx/off-road/klx140r

 

[jcarr0314]

Buy the 140, much better for actual trail riding. 140RF is a 21" 18" setup, like full size dirt bikes.

 

[Kurtatron]

I went to a dealer today. I had some major sticker shock.

The bike was a perfect fit and exceeded all my expectations.

MSRP is $3,100.

Dealer claimed they needed to add $2400 in fees.

Wow, fees almost as much as the bike? Man, I will have to go used! There’s gotta be a lot of these that kids outgrew!

But the dealership made me giddy like a child. My kids sat on PW50s, crf110s, and the klx. Lots of other neat things we sat on also.

I gotta say, two wheels are way cooler and more fun than cars.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Shop around. That’s insane.

 

[FZ1]

I went to a dealer today. I had some major sticker shock.

The bike was a perfect fit and exceeded all my expectations.

MSRP is $3,100.

Dealer claimed they needed to add $2400 in fees.

Wow, fees almost as much as the bike? Man, I will have to go used! There’s gotta be a lot of these that kids outgrew!

But the dealership made me giddy like a child. My kids sat on PW50s, crf110s, and the klx. Lots of other neat things we sat on also.

I gotta say, two wheels are way cooler and more fun than cars.

If you must get one: Get it used. .02

 

[ZeeOSix]

I went to a dealer today. I had some major sticker shock.

The bike was a perfect fit and exceeded all my expectations.

MSRP is $3,100.

Dealer claimed they needed to add $2400 in fees.

Tell that stealership to pound sand. Call all the dealers within a radius you're willing to travel, and make them work for your business.

 

[Kurtatron]

Ordered the bike today. But it’s not what I set out for originally.

I decided I wanted something more family friendly, since I have two young daughters.

I got a bike they could learn to ride on, a bike they can easily ride with me, and also more affordable. I got myself one of these.

I think it will satisfy my need for two wheeled fun, without breaking the bank, or my spine. Bigger bikes, sure, they’re nice and all, but I thought of the saying,

It’s more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

I’ve seen many videos of people (adults) having a blast on these. They’re also very customizable.

Trailmaster 200x Hurricane. Less than $1200 new.

 

[02SE]

It’s more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

A sentiment I've never agreed with.

But if you're happy, that's all that matters. Congrats.

 

[Kurtatron]

My trailmaster 200x is busted right out of the box.

Throttle is sticky. Not the throttle handle, but at some pivoting arm that sits underneath the gas tank.

So disappointing!

I’m calling the vendor tomorrow to get help on how to fix this.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Throttle is sticky. Not the throttle handle, but at some pivoting arm that sits underneath the gas tank.

Did you take the gas tank off for a good inspection of the issue?

 

[Kurtatron]

Did you take the gas tank off for a good inspection of the issue?

I found the the problem and fixed it!

A fuel hose was dislodged from its routing slot. Pressed the hose back into its slot and the throttle moved freely again!

Bike rides perfect. First time riding a motorcycle in 5 years. What a blast! I got all giddy like a kid. Motorcycle = most fun machine on ground.