Posts
87
Joined
12/11/2013
Location
Salem, MA
US
Edited Date/Time
1/19/2014 10:45am
So I posted a few topics about how my parents won't let me ride. I might have come up with a solution though. I was thinking about buying a pit bike. It's a lot less money, a lot more practical, still loads of fun, and lot less dangerous. Is it worth buying a pit bike? Are they fun or just wastes of money? I feel like if I get a pit bike and love it and continue to show interest in this then my parents might just give in. What you guys think? Pit bike or keep trying for a dirt bike?
The Shop
I love mine. If you buy a crf50 you can learn how to work on a big bike by maintaining it. Its also pretty cheap (about 150) to put a big bore 88cc kit on it and it flies!
Then you can take him high in a corner and brake check his ass to the ground. Then give him the Poto Death Stare!!!
Muhahahahahahaha
Bought an EBay new rear wheel ($45), a front rim to match the black rear ($20) which I laced myself, a plastic kit ($25), new seat ($25), an air filter ($10) and an exhaust system ($27). Yeah, it's a Chinese pile, but stock for stock , will smoke a CRF50, makes my nephews stock TTR50 look sick, (which, by the way, has "Made in China" stamped right on the cases, 2012 model).
Runs good, does not smoke, why not use it up ?
I beat the piss out of it, weigh right at 200lbs, (fat ass), and if it breaks, ( which it has not in over three years of ownership by me), I do not feel bad for the $$ I have in it. If nothing else, it will allow you to learn the basics of riding and wrenching, without a lot of $$ outlay.
Your folks aren't keen on the idea of you riding becaue they don't want you to get hurt.
So instead you go buy a pit bike which you will probably ride with street clothes and a cheap helmet cause "it's only a pit bike".
So when you're at your buddy's house and you wreck it riding around the backyard and bust your arm or scrape the shit out of your back in someones driveway doing wheelies is that going to help your cause?
I say this as the father of a kid who rode and raced for 12 years...believe me I am not against anyone riding.
If you want your parents to understand and go along you need to play the long game not try and trick your way around.
Continue to save money and show how serious you are, try and get them to watch some races with you or go to a local one and see the families that all do it.
You might be surprised at what they think after seeing that side.
Bring them to Winchester Speedpark in New Hampshire this spring and I will talk with them myself.....I am the announcer there.
If all else fails you will be 18 soon and will have the money saved to do what you want.
However I do think getting a pit or trail bike is a much better idea. Ideally I think if you can get a used trail bike like a ttr125 and put some stiffer fork springs in (about $60) you will have a durable bike that you won't get bored of and can learn how to ride on. It has a clutch so you will learn that, plus it is a nice intermediate size that you will be able to work on body positioning and general riding technique. You could ride this for a couple years and then upgrade to a big bike if you still want and you will have a lot more fun on the big bike than if you had just jumped on a race bike right away.
If you have a friend to trail ride and race pit bikes with they will never get old and in many ways are more fun than big bikes. I know I have considered selling my 250 2 stroke to get a ttr125 or klx140 to race with my brother and friends because I honestly have more fun, it costs less, and the risk of serious injury is pretty low.
So short version: getting a pit /trail bike is a great idea because you have a better chance of winning your parents over, will have an easier time learning, will save $$$, and will probably have way more fun. Just my opinion based on experience having learned to ride trail bikes as a teenager and not moving to tracks until I was older.
Get a quad
Either way, get a pit bike, a good helmet, and never ride without a good pair of boots. Good boots are still cheaper than an ER visit for a broken ankle.
Good luck and have fun.
Your dad put a Oury grip around you and your brothers bottles when you were babies..... he told me. You had no choice but to ride.
It was your DESTINY..... (loud symphonic sounds here for effect)
Pit Row
THe only bad thing I will say is I think they break down easier than a big bike.
Nearly everyone on this board rides and loves doing so. I'd also venture that nearly everyone has made at least one trip to the hospital as a result. As mentioned earlier, pits bikes can cause injuries just like the big bikes. If you and your parents cannot come to terms, plead find another hobby, as few things are worth alienating the most important people in your life.
PS: do not take them to a MX event. Chances are nearly 100% someone gets carted off, and the redneck factor is high. However, if your folks are the type that might enjoy a tractor pull, then MX could be their cup of tea.
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