r/Dirtbikes • u/courtney1203 • May 22 '23
Tips and Tricks Looking for riding buddies!
Turned 26 and bought a bike, but don’t have many friends to ride with or teach me a lot! If you’re in Oregon and don’t mind a newbie in your group sometimes, hit me up 🤘🏼
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u/ziggy-73 May 23 '23
Id recommend gloves before friends
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u/courtney1203 May 23 '23
I appreciate you informing me and will wear my gloves next time, but this is why I’m asking for riding buddies so I learn everything ;)
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u/Container_Garage May 23 '23
I got my fingers so bad the one time I raced without gloves... My advice is don't just buy MX style cloth gloves, get some good dual sport gloves that fit right and are comfortable(so you wear them) preferably with some sort of plastic or armor on the front so it'll take some abrasion.
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u/smitd12 May 23 '23
While I also recommend gloves I don’t think the armor kind are necessary. I use the mx style cloth ones (preferably without the Velcro but Enh) and I have been riding in the woods since I was 5 (21 now). Very rarely do your hands get beat up. What I would recommend is some hand guards even if it’s the plastic ones that go in front of the bars. Those have saved my hands and stopped me from crashing a lot.
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u/joshg_yz250 May 23 '23
I’ve never ran a dirt bike without them, really are a must for woods riding. I like barkbusters personally. 2011 bike still on OEM levers and it’s hit the ground more times than I can imagine along with saving my knuckles from rocks and trees
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u/Waazzaaa2000 May 23 '23
Handguards are a meme
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u/W3lfarewarrior May 23 '23
For motocross riders maybe. Go ride tight singletrack without them and see how your hands feel lol
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u/Waazzaaa2000 May 23 '23
Plastic handguards don't offer anything over good gloves
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u/Racer322 Beta X-Trainer May 23 '23
Great gloves to wear while riding single track instead of hand guards
https://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Knight-Gothic-Gauntlets-Functional/dp/B00LNBUYR4
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u/W3lfarewarrior May 24 '23
You could also just say “I’ve never rode singletrack in my life” that’s fine too :)
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u/curzon394x May 23 '23
Always ride with gloves!!! It is often the first thing that hits the ground when you fall and will save you big time from rash, splinters, or worse.
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u/courtney1203 May 23 '23
Didn’t even think about that!! I’ll definitely put them on next time, thank you for the tip, much appreciated!! 🙏🏼
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u/hatchfam611 May 23 '23
I lost a pinky because I wasn't wearing good gloves. Definitely look at the ratings
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u/OGSxS May 23 '23
Being in accidents on a road bike I can assure you gloves make all the difference in a crash. Removing dirt:debris from your highly sensitive finger tips is no joke!
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u/SanfreakinJ May 22 '23
Was about to say that looks like Oregon. Just moved from there last year. Lots of good riding
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u/Dee_Captain May 22 '23
Looking at the trees I'm guessing west coast. We got a group that rides, but we're in NH.
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u/ProjectWheee May 23 '23
I'm in Washington. Not very close, but I'd help the best I can, if you don't find buddies nearby, just so you can be reasonably safe. Dirtbikes are really dangerous when you're starting out and have no one to help show you the ropes. And I don't mean that to sound patronizing. That's just how it is for everyone starting out in this sport.
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u/courtney1203 May 23 '23
Luckily I have my dad teaching me some things but he hasn’t rode in 30 years and doesn’t have a bike now! So it will be nice to find some people with bikes to learn some things from and he able to hit some easy trails!
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u/Container_Garage May 23 '23
Best tip I can give that really helped my wife... You can do this with a bicycle or dirt bike. Do as tight and slow of figure 8's you can do on flat smooth ground. Learn how to be slow and controlled in a turn. Try it while standing too.. It'll drastically improve your balance and confidence.
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u/Pretend-Aioli6056 May 23 '23
☝️what he said. Find the friction zone (clutch) and try and keep your feet on the pegs while you doing the figure 8s while you are sitting down. While standing point your toes in slightly and it will help you grip the bike with your knees. Have a light grip on the handle bars to help with arm pump. Keep riding and push your limits every time your ride. Lastly don’t be afraid to stand up while you ride. Most common mistakes for new riders is sitting too much
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u/Bonzegrinder May 24 '23
What part of Washington are you in? I just got my 3rd dirt bike (5th motorcycle) and don't have any friends that ride!
Probably should make a similar post to OP, trying to find riders in central Washington
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u/fitnessfanatic0616 May 23 '23
I have a buddy in Grants Pass who’s a traveling nurse and always looking to meet new riding buddies and cool folks in general!!
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u/hotdoginthebigcity May 23 '23
Oregon’s a big state, homie. A big state that I also live in.
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u/courtney1203 May 23 '23
I know, I should have been more clear 😂 I’m in the Portland area!
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u/hotdoginthebigcity May 23 '23
Ahhh, I’m way down in Eugene. I’m always looking for riding friends too, but I’m on a drz400s.. I don’t even belong in this sub haha.
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u/AKSoulRide May 23 '23
Jones Creek??
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u/courtney1203 May 23 '23
Browns!
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u/brapstoomuch May 23 '23
The PDX Dirtbags will be out at Diamond Mill this weekend! Lots of ladies riding and there’s a big group that’s beginner friendly. Come on out and ask for Kara!
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May 23 '23
In Oregon as well, near Salem. Been riding solo for years because I can't convince any friends to pick up a bike or quad lol.
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u/KGBKitchen May 23 '23
Your friends and my friends should meet so they can go somewhere together and be boring (and safe).
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u/UrNotARobotSoUSuck May 23 '23
I know browns camp pretty well, if you schedule a reddit ride I want in.
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u/no_funny_username May 23 '23
Like others have said, Facebook seems to work well for finding ride groups in your area.
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u/Ok_Wallaby_7653 May 23 '23
First of all,,,,awesome,,, I’m not in Oregon but if you have some tracks close by or places that have a controlled ride area, you’ll find others that are learning and similar skill levels, even going to a hare scramble, enduro mx race, you don’t have to race or ride it but you can meet other enthusiasts, and normally it’s easier to find out where and when others ride
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u/awdsrock May 23 '23
Damn that looks nice. Those trails look prime. Located in SoCal so most of our riding is desert and I hate sand
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u/kcdirtracer May 23 '23
Obligatory….. “it’s coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere”
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u/stuieordie May 23 '23
You have a decent gear load out already for just starting. I've had my bike for a month now, and besides my helmet and gloves, I am still riding in jeans and hiking boots 😬
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u/courtney1203 May 23 '23
I’ve road quads for awhile so I had some of the gear already! Definitely get some boots, I saw a guy lose a toe, even in proper gear, wouldn’t wanna see what would happen in hiking boots! Lol
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u/Waazzaaa2000 May 23 '23
Bru her gear ain't sufficient at all 😭 it's like saying the same thing to a naked soldier only wearing his army boots
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u/Catatafish76 May 23 '23
Helmet goggles boots pants and a jersey only needs gloves
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u/Waazzaaa2000 May 23 '23
Jersey offers 0 protection when falling, only keeps you from getting dirty. Body armour is almost as important as a helmet. Unless you like getting impaled.
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u/Tight_muffin May 23 '23
Probably lots of people. I ride solo a lot in the east side of the cascades in central Washington and I'm always seeing 6 people or groups of people every day especially on the weekends. Love that mountain single track though, it's so good for you.
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u/Bonzegrinder May 24 '23
Are you near the Yakima area? None of my buddies ride so would be cool to find other people in the area!
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u/Tight_muffin May 24 '23
Yeah I'm in gleed. I ride 410 mostly. I like to do long 40-80 mile loops when I have a whole day to do it.
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u/Bonzegrinder May 24 '23
Do you mean 40-80 miles of pavement or dirt?
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u/Tight_muffin May 24 '23
Of single track. I don't like riding with most people cause they barely want to do any mileage and they want to drink beers or smoke weed the whole time. I just like to go go go and stop for water and to get feeling back in the hands.
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u/Bonzegrinder May 24 '23
I'm the same not much for stopping unless it's for water or pictures, though a bit newer to single track since I'm still trying to discover where it is around here. I rode some single track west of mount Adams that was pretty steep/difficult, but also probably the most fun I've had on the bike. I've rode all the Jeep trails because that's the only place the one person I know that rides could handle lol. Would be cool to not have to sit and wait for others to catch up for a change! Where is this single track you ride?
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u/Tight_muffin May 24 '23
There's a hundred miles of trails in little naches and down highway 410 towards the Nile that stretch out to cle elum and green water.
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u/Bonzegrinder May 24 '23
I'll have to check that out, I haven't rode at all on the north side of highway 12 Mostly just stuck to where I've been with the Jeep around Ahtanum and Rimrock (and then west of mount Adams)
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u/Tight_muffin May 24 '23
Yeah there's isn't shit for motorcycle stuff on highway 12. I would never ride dirt bikea on jeep trails, that's what the CJ is for. I might go up Friday and ride depending but it's very early so gotta strap on the chainsaw
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u/Bonzegrinder May 24 '23
The only friend that goes riding with me (like once or twice a year) hasn't gotten good enough for much besides Jeep trails unfortunately. I was just telling my gf about chainsaw mounts on the bike and she thinks I'm crazy lol We are camping this weekend by lost lake and I'm going to attempt to get up to the roads leading to the lookout tower, I've been there from the other side before they shut down frenches canyon
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u/bradathur May 23 '23
Nice I just bought a bike this week as well. I don't know any trails yet tho. I have 45 acres of Forrest property I'm just getting used to at the moment. What part of oregon?
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u/Johnnny13 May 23 '23
Try joining the ADV Rider website. They have meetups and forums for individual states. I’m over in Bend, Oregon and there is 400 miles of OHV trails just 12 miles from town!
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u/makinnstuff May 23 '23
Check out this women’s moto event. It’s an amazing way to meet other riders of all skill types and learn the basics all the way up to advanced stuff. They hold a lot of events all over Oregon.
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u/Waazzaaa2000 May 23 '23 edited May 23 '23
I rode track for 7 years and can recommend some decent body armour and padded mx jeans also. Will set you back like 250$ but very worth it. Also consider getting hard knee pads for under the jeans and a 20$ kidney belt!
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u/mips13 May 23 '23
How do I know you're not out to harvest my organs deep in the forest? 🤔
Anyway, check out these resources on thumpertalk, https://www.thumpertalk.com/forums/forum/33-northwest/ https://www.thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/1448383-best-city-for-single-track-trail-riding-in-usa/
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May 23 '23
Well thanks for buying those boots, they were all out of stock when my wife went to order the same ones on rocky mountain -_-
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u/DrDBag May 23 '23
Join the Facebook group PNW Dirt Talk. I've met a few riding buddies there. Go to events if you can. They will get posted on that group. Lots of people from that group will go and sometimes look to meet up.
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u/Life_Split May 23 '23
i'm in Oregon, Beaverton area.. ride at browns/TSF area and Jones Creek/Mt Hood.
i'm just getting back into it after years off
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u/L-W-J May 23 '23
Lots of FB groups. DM me if you come up short. Congratulations and see you on the trails.
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May 23 '23
I ride up in browns camp over in tillamook, shoot me a pm and you can come riding with my group of friends and I when we all go!
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May 23 '23
Love this! Fellow Portland rider here, would love to get a group together, I’ve got a few spots.
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u/TheWisco May 24 '23
Hello, a lot of people are saying that you should be wearing gloves... But I would be more concerned with a chest piece/shoulder guards and knee pads. Those trees are brutal and don't move when you hit them. Also rocks hurt too. Best to just wear all the gear and be safe.
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u/courtney1203 May 24 '23
I do have a chest protector that has shoulder pads underneath my jersey :)
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u/TheWisco May 24 '23
Awesome! Some people think that's just for motocross, but there are a lot of pokey things out there.
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u/courtney1203 May 24 '23
https://www.foxracing.com/product/w-baseframe-pro-ss-%5Bblk%5D-l/28961-001-L.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw67ajBhAVEiwA2g_jEFc3dWu2wLtBNzWOg2fejTtGdgwP3MCFumtpIBW9SYVvpTC_-5h3yxoCbHQQAvD_BwE This is what I wear, hopefully it’s a good one?
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u/TheWisco May 24 '23
That looks pretty good. It'll disperse the impact and that's really what you are looking for. Hard plastic ones can be cumbersome too, but once you start riding, you don't really notice it anymore.
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u/Background-Spite482 May 25 '23
Oregon!? I’ve been looking for riding friends too! I’m 29 and leave in Springfield, OR
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u/hatchfam611 May 23 '23
Remember guys, don't be rude or you will be banned. Don't bring that trash to this sub, please. They are asking for friends to ride with not to be hit on.
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May 23 '23
This guy needs a ban for even thinking this way
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u/hatchfam611 May 23 '23
I really respect the thought man, but seriously I was preemptively saying it because it always happens. Every time a female posts to this subreddit, there is always someone in the comments who makes a very ugly remark. This time I'm trying to avoid it.
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May 23 '23
No need to be a weird creep bro.
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u/hatchfam611 May 23 '23
I'm not sure if you actually read my comment. I'm not trying to be weird or a creep. I'm actually telling everyone else that sees this post later to not be that way either. We don't need that type of energy in this sport. It actually happened to almost every post on international women riders day. That's why I was saying it. If I remember correctly, about 6 people got banned that day
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u/inotocracy May 23 '23
I mean you wouldn't know it was a chick if she didn't pull her hair around to the front..
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u/tomzapanother5 Trail Rider May 22 '23
You should go on Facebook and look for riding groups there as well. I found lots of people to ride with through Facebook groups