From: rroberts@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Ross Allan Roberts)
Subject: Re: Beginning Dirt Riding
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 13:28:01 GMT

>    I'm giving some thought to going dirt riding, and I wondered if
>any of you had any opinions you'd like to share, on a few things :
>
>   - While I would like a dirt machine, my car can't tow, so I'm
>     thinking about a DP bike (although I know some folks with pickups).
>     (Maybe it's not smart to go dirt riding alone and probably twice as
>     dumb for a beginner ?)

I wouldn't say 'dumb...' just not smart. I'd get at least one other person to 
go also... when I ride there's usually four of us and not only does it make it 
nice in case someone breaks down, but we're also good friends and have a good 
time making a day of it. It was handy too... last time I was out, 1 guy had
drivetrain trouble with his quad (26 miles from the truck, offroad), and on the
trip back my brother ran outta gas. There were still two of us to get our
vehicles re-loaded, and go retrieving the others.

What kinda car? I had an Escort, and while I never towed with it (legally :-) 
it could probablly handle a small trailer and my quad...

>   - Does anyone here dirt ride in cold temps (below 40 or 50 for me) ?
>     What do you wear ?  I wonder if frozen ground puts a damper on things...

I wear jeans, long sleeves, gloves, Helm, occasionally a jacket and sweatshirt.
If you don't want to get cold , you also don't want to get wet, 'cause if you
get wet you'll feel cold real quick!

Frozen ground is only a bummer when you hit it...

>   - How long do some of these 2-stroke thumpers usually last under nominal
>     treatment by the average dweeb (meaning me) ?  I guess an engine
>     rebuild is probably simpler than for a multicylinder streetbike,
>     there being only 1 of everything...

Luke (my brother) has an '86 IT200, and I occasionlaly ride an '85... if 
maintained they'll last, even if (slightly) abused.

>   - I've got leather boots, ski goggles, and a ratty old street full-face.
>     I figure I'll get some kind of body armor, armored gloves, real boots,
>     knee/elbow protectors, and a real dirt-style helmet later on.  Do you
>     think that wise ?  Maybe I should go for the gloves and armor now...

Definitely the gloves. I don't really worry about body armor... occasionally a 
chest protector.

>     Any other kind of protective/maintenance/accessory equipment sound
>     like it might be good ?? (besides milk crate, butt pack,
>     band-aids, etc :-)

Water bottle... and if it's a 2-stroke, MANY MANY spark plugs.

>Rob Yang (Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A) RYANG@DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU
>'92 CBR600F2 (Hon) "It hisses on snakes." AMA 642916 DoD 0593
  ^^^^^^^^^^^
     oooooooh..... I take it all back. I hate you! I Hate You! (jealousy)

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#Ross Roberts (rroberts@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)|'85 IT200, '81 MX100       #
#DoD#0340, still patiently awaiting the 6ooF2...  |'88 YFM350 Warrior         #
 #---------------------4-stroke good, 2-stroke gooder!---------------------- #
 #       Today's Lyric:'I don't believe in love... it's never worth          #
 #                   the pain that you feel' -- Queensryche                  #
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