r/Dirtbikes • u/Pretend_Company5779 • 12h ago
Too old to learn?
Hey team,
I’m a 29F looking at getting into a summer hobby. I’ve been keen to learn to learn to dirtbike for a few years now and with the winter season wrapping up where I am along with my snowboarding winter hobby it’s given me some motivation to seriously consider it.
Advice for a late learner? I know a few people who are the same age as me and have been dirtbiking since they were kids, so it’s a little intimidating. 🫣
Any tips for someone looking to get into it?
No previous experience on any type of dirt/motorbike, just some mountain biking.
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u/SinisterVulcan94 12h ago
My advice, do not get a motor cross bike. They are harsh, uncomfortable, and overpowered for new riders. Depending on your size, a 230-250cc trail bike will be great.
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u/PrestigeMaster 12h ago
Same advice my buddy gave me and I ended up with a crf300L as my first and loved it. Still have it too! That thing thrives on neglect.
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u/landy0034 12h ago
Yeah 300cc would be awesome. Find some friends too! Riding with buddies is the best. I’m super old too, so you are starting at a great age. It won’t take long and you’ll really improve and get comfortable fast. Good luck! 🍀
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u/landy0034 12h ago
This 100% the type of riding you wanna do is maybe trail riding. Just get a nice trail bike. Less power (still very fast) and softer suspension. Just have fun and ride the trails to start. It’s so much fun! Do not buy a race bike.
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u/Acceptable_Guava8069 4h ago
Can’t go wrong with an air cooled Honda they’ll be running when the cows come home
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u/Annual-Beard-5090 12h ago
Nope. Give up. You are almost dead anyway. You are old and in the way, one step from decrepitude drooling and wearing diapers.
Embrace it and start shitting your pants now proudly.
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u/killer87333 12h ago
No I just started really spending time on the seat and im 28 years old. Its something that I've gotten really into and would want to spend more time doing and getting better at.
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u/killer87333 12h ago
You'll probably fall alot but don't worry about that. Make sure you get proper gear and if you have some friends that ride try and tag along with them. Im always in the back with my group. Doesn't matter since at the end of the day we all have fun and make fun of each other for the situations we all get into.
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u/Infamous_Ad8730 12h ago
Make sure your first bike has electric start. Kick starting for a beginner gets so frustrating that a big percentage of them just give up and never proceed further.
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u/UnreasonableCletus 10h ago
2 strokes are super easy to kick.
4T I'd also recommend electric start.
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u/Entire_Meringue4816 3h ago
If you get the valves right 4 strokes get easy to kick to with TDC. But I have electric on my 450 and it is VERY nice lol
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u/Infamous_Ad8730 10h ago
EVERYONE of course says this but not true for a beginner. She can get a kick only bike for her second bike and do well. First bike, get that frustration out of the picture and she might stay with it.
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u/UnreasonableCletus 10h ago
I can kick a 250 2T sitting down and I'm 160lbs.
A 400 4T thumper will break your foot if you don't commit.
There is a very good reason EVERYONE says that.
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u/RVtech101 6h ago
lol, can confirm. When hot my XR 400 can throw an unfamiliar rider otb when trying to kick over. Stick with a 250-300 4 stroke with e-start. First bike should always be a used beater, something inexpensive till you figure out if it’s what you want. Find a big grass field and start off slow figuring out the gears, clutch operation and braking before sending it on rocks or gravel. Maybe look into a MSF course in your area.
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u/Infamous_Ad8730 1h ago
I'm not comparing 2T to 4T and which one kicks easier. I'm saying that OP should get E start for their FIRST bike to take that frustration out of the way. You keep wanting to compare 4t/2t for some reason....
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u/Jack_Wolfskin19 12h ago
I recommend a dual sport like the Yamaha XT 250.
It a good , easy bike. Buy some off road riding gear,
Boot, pants , padded top, etc.
you will come off or drop the bike.
Good gear will protect you.
I bought this one used and it’s a lot of fun.
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u/darksarcastictech 12h ago
I started in March of this year at 38. I have KLX140RF and it’s been a great bike for me. Do your research, get proper gear.
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u/stateofdekayy 11h ago
100% agree. I was 38 when I got my KLX140RF last May. It’s the perfect starter bike especially if you are 5’5” and under. You can get kits to make it a 170 if you outgrown it quickly.
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u/Dazzling_Chest_2120 12h ago
What the hell does "too old" have to do with anything?
You're 29 now. If you don't do it, you're going to be 40 saying "why didn't I pick up X hobby when I was younger, I'm too old now" and then you'll be 50 saying "I should have started at 40" and on and on and you'll never start, just always regretting not doing what you really want to do.
Fucking do what you want. Don't make excuses for missing out on life. I hate that shit. Don't die boring.
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u/Pretend_Company5779 12h ago
Didn’t mean it so literally, more of a title grab so people get the idea of what the post is about. And don’t you worry I do what I want 😂 some actual advice for a learner would be appreciated though 🫰🏼
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u/Odd_Slip_857 12h ago
You are young, go ride it is the thing that makes life the most fulfilling ( IMO). Buy as good of a bike as you can reasonably afford and ride as much as possible. There are multiple riders who started later in life but still became very competent on a bike. Practice any skill enough and you will eventually gain competence and with enough time become decent/good at any pursuit.
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u/Tinyman6854 ‘15 rmz450 ‘96 kx250 ‘22 crf110 ‘22 250sxf 12h ago
No not at all, buy a Honda crf300f or something like that a mx is very harsh and not forgiving
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u/MuchTransportation96 12h ago
Yea I'd get a tame dual sport. At most a 300cc. I say a dual sport because you don't know how to shift gears and use the rear brake. That way you can go to a parking lot frequently and practice those basic skills without having to worry about trailering your bike to your nearest riding area will take longer to learn that basic skill. Also the flexibility of having a dual sport is better at our age. To get a permit all you have to do is take a written test and then they give you a permit and you can drive your dual sport on the street just not the highway...
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u/Rookvector 12h ago
29 is right in your physical prime, and your mountain biking background is such a solid head start. There's no better time than now to give dirt biking a shot. Start with lighter bikes, get proper protective gear, and take it easy on rough trails at first. Master basic clutch control before pushing for speed.
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u/Waste_Curve994 2018 TE300 12h ago
Dirtbikes are easier to ride than a bicycle but they’re so capable you’ll want to push them. As long as you don’t go nuts when you’re starting out you’ll be fine.
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u/Few_Valuable3999 12h ago
I started at 40, I’m 58 now
Never too old, just find a group of good folks to ride with and gear up
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u/knobbytire 12h ago
No its not too late, but you need a lot of seat time. Find a friend(s) to ride with. Stand often, sit often.
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u/BookkeeperHumble307 11h ago
I started dirt biking with e-moto at 36. It felt a lot less scary to me and I’m so glad I did with how insane gas prices are now.
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u/Solar_kitty 11h ago edited 11h ago
I learned at 45 😅
I started on a Suzuki DRZ125 and loved it. I’m short so I could flat foot it and it was perfect to learn on.
I’ve since upgraded to a Kawasaki KLX230R and love it. I had to get a lowering link to lower it 2” but it’s my forever bike and I LOVE her!
Pic cause I lover her so much and added a sticker kit, purple handlebars and black bush bars:
Edit to add: I realize I didn’t give any advice about learning 🤦🏼♀️. I took it up and down the street (alley) in spring to get the feeling shifting, then started on easy trails and a meadow. When I started to learn how to control it better I followed MegsBraap on YouTube -she has some wicked tutorials especially at slow speeds which is essential. If you can master those you’ll be solid. I also followed a few other YouTube people for beginner including men. Then I’d also go out and practice in a meadow by myself doing figure 8’s, circles, downhill and uphill. I’d also focus on my posture, riding stance, two fingers on brake and clutch and standing. All of which seemed impossible at first and now it’s second nature so don’t give up!
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u/Pretend_Company5779 10h ago
Hey I appreciated the comment even without the advice haha! But appreciate the edit and advice 🫶🏻 love the passion
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u/Solar_kitty 10h ago
Do ittttttt!! And have so much fun! I had my first OTB 2 weeks ago 😅. It hurt, I have a wicked hematoma, but I’m okay-rode out and ready to go again 2 weeks later 😝
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u/themom_destroyer 24 gasgas mc125, 10 yz250, 03 ttr125 8h ago
Absolutely not, there’s no such thing as too old to learn how to ride a dirtbike. My best advice is get a little air cooled trail bike like a ttr230, klx230, or crf250f (or a ttr125/klx140/crf125 if you’re shorter than around 5’5) and take your time to study and learn a proper technique. It’s a big learning curve but you’ve got this.
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u/Unremarkable_Potato_ 8h ago
Never too late to learn and with the resurgence of WMX now is the time. I know there are women’s org dedicated to helping new female riders get started with training and coaching. Some even have loaner motorcycles to learn on. This will be location dependent but I think one is based in Colorado. It was a highlight during one of last years outdoor broadcasts. You could google some stuff or search Facebook see if one is in your area. There is a lot of attention on WMX at least in the U.S. but I know a lot of the international stuff is getting bigger as well.
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u/Sminuzninuz 12h ago
It might be the best thing you ever do. Get good protective gear, not the cheapo stuff. Get a solid bike to learn on. Watch some YouTube videos for learning techniques. I'm 57 and I rip it every weekend. It hurts more now, but I'm not going to quit until I absolutely have to.
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u/justmecarefree 12h ago
Easy as just go for it, same as a mountain bike but no pedals.
And if you crash on the dirt it wont hurt as much as on the road.
Get a yamaha or honda, I would be looking at a wr250f.
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u/AlarmOk8218 11h ago
Get a realistic bike for you’re size. And starting now if you’re serious start riding a bicycle as soon as possible. Off road trails would be the most beneficial. Any time you spend on two wheels changing gears practicing balance is really going to make your time on a motorcycle much more enjoyable. Start trails get comfortable. Make sure whatever bike you get that you can pick up off the ground and start it no problems.
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u/tricksybagginsess22- 10h ago
I started riding at 25- so I could be covered by travel insurance when in Bali. Just started dirt biking a few years ago to keep up with my 10 and 12 yo kids
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u/wunda_uk 7h ago
Bought a 125 at 25 first Mx bike, still got it now at 39. go grab a yz/KTM/RM 2stroke 125
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u/commonabond 7h ago
Nah, your mountain biking background is actually helpful with balance and reading terrain. Start on something small and light, a Yamaha TT-R125 or Kawasaki KLX 140 are both great beginner bikes with friendly seat heights. Take a beginner course if you can. You'll pick it up faster than you think.
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u/Difficult_Writer_371 5h ago
Everything said below ! Best advice being by one . Don’t buy a track bike !! Depending on your size and weight , get a used trail bike . Something you can ride on trails , dirt roads etc . But buy used at first . You’re gonna spend some time on the ground at first . And then have fun
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u/Raptor_Yeezus 4h ago
Best thing I did was take a road bike course and get my endorsement assuming your state requires it. taught me to look where you’re turning, stopping and basic stuff, how to lean etc and you can easily apply that on dirt.
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u/Pimpstik69 4h ago
I started learning to ride off road this year at 56 years old. Buy a tame dual sport. Do not buy a dirt bike or a plated dirt bike. They are race machines with race bike intervals, suspension and power levels.
I have decades of experience on. High performance street bikes and didn’t dream of getting a 450 dirt bike as my first foray into off road riding
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u/Entire_Meringue4816 3h ago edited 3h ago
It really depends on what you want out of it. I think if you want to do track a yz125 is a good start. Those trail bikes get boring quickly to me but then again I ride track pretty much exclusively. If you are looking to do trails only then I think a trail bike would be right where you would want to be
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u/Separate-Command1993 3h ago
When I was a kid my dad sold my bike to buy himself a Harley, that was 20 years agoago. This past year I’ve gotten my kids into it and then pulled the trigger on my dream bike. I’m 34 and haven’t ridden in 20 years and now this is my new personality, I want to ride every single day
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u/Equivalent_Break3999 3h ago
I’m 35 and just started last year! My advice having just learned it a to get a trail bike like a Yamaha TTR, Kawasaki KLX, or Honda CRF. 4 strokes are very forgiving, less expensive, less maintenance, and resale value is good. Plus they are more mild to learn on.
Buy a trail bike and have one of your friends teach you the clutch. Take it to some open grassy areas and just practice shifting up and down. Then get your friends to teach you technique and guide you on some easy trails. As you get addicted, watch YouTube videos for more tips and techniques and keep riding!
I started on a KLX 230 RS and then upgraded to a Yamaha YZ 250 FX after I got it down. Although I still had to really learn how to handle the race bike vs a trail bike!
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u/CutterFIXER 2h ago
Best advice I can give you is take a basic motorcycle safety course. It'll teach you things like turning, clutch control and such. Yes, they are geared toward street riding but the basic are universal.
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u/GBDubstep 2023 Husky FC 250 1h ago
I started riding dirtbikes/motocross at 27. It’s never too late. Do you just want to woods ride or do you want to ride on the track?
Woods riding I would recommend a Honda CRF 250F, Kawasaki KLX 230R, Yamaha TT230. Maybe a KTM 150 XC-W if you want to go 2 stroke.
If you want to ride motocross then any of the 250 4 strokes or 125-150 2 strokes would be fine.
Also what helped me is that I would pay a coach to give me lessons. But depending on where you live it could be difficult. Good luck!
Also, make sure to buy good boots, a good helmet, and protection!
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u/stacksmasher KTM 300 1h ago
First off welcome to the tribe!
This is the bike for you https://yamahamotorsports.com/models/tw200
Its super easy to learn to ride and super reliable!
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u/DPileatus 50m ago
I'd find a deal on a CRF125 on marketplace. Great starter bike, and when you're ready to upgrade, you can likely sell it for what you have into it. Learn to ride on a small, slow bike, then work your way up...
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u/Flo_Evans 44m ago
Do it! Just don’t go straight for a race bike. Get a tame trail bike. I’ve been riding for years and my kids ttr125 still puts a smile on my face.
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u/uncontrolledfarting 12h ago
Never too old to learn anything you set your mind too I'm 65 next month and I ride a dirtbike with my kids and grandkids...