Just in case anybody is interested, the Betas have been getting wrung out. My kid went and got himself a girlfriend, so I have been getting more seat time than him, but he is really getting hard to keep up with. Have done lots of trail riding plus a couple MX events. I ride the plus 40C events and do Ok. The suspension is soft for MX but so what. Who knew a dirt bike could invoke such passion at 55. If you think you may want to get back into dirt bikes, don't think.
Total Frivolity
- Thread starter Nigel
- Start date
Welcome!
By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2010
- Messages
- 6,496
I'll stick to four wheels, but good for you!
I'm glad you found something you can both share.
My son and I have an on and off relationship. I wish we could find some common ground, though as he gets older, he is beginning to see things in a similar perspective as me.
That's encouraging.
I'm glad you found something you can both share.
My son and I have an on and off relationship. I wish we could find some common ground, though as he gets older, he is beginning to see things in a similar perspective as me.
That's encouraging.
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2004
- Messages
- 161
Yup, dirt bikes are addictive!
Sold my last one a few years ago, getting the itch again.
Sold my last one a few years ago, getting the itch again.
Still addicted, getting ready for some winter maintenance. Actually considering an Ohlins TTX front and rear upgrade, not that it would make me faster, but looking for something to soak up the square hits better, and if it adds to the fun factor then well worth the money. I have done some tuning of the stock suspension and it is pretty good, but I am getting to old to spend time experimenting, feel like I am running out of time. Also, in the event that anybody is interested I dropped about 30 lbs since last year, mainly through eating habits. I only eat in a 6 hour window, and cut out processed stuff. Made a good difference on the dirt bike.
I have become psychotically addicted to the dirt bike and I cant say enough about the Beta 200rr, picture is from late last year. The thing has been a fountain of youth. I have a number of hours already this year in spite of living in upstate NY.
I finally got the Buick out today for the first time since last year , checked fluid levels, tire pressure, alky pump test, cranked the radio, and did a throttle drop test, still love the Buick. Performed flawless.
I finally got the Buick out today for the first time since last year , checked fluid levels, tire pressure, alky pump test, cranked the radio, and did a throttle drop test, still love the Buick. Performed flawless.
deezdad
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2005
- Messages
- 1,325
That is awesome Nigel glad your enjoying yourself, ride/rock on! You'll never catch me with both wheels off the ground at the same time, at least not on purpose.
New twist to the saga, not a surprise per say with dirt bikes, but maybe a cross road or a signal to acknowledge age and mortality, not sure.
Anyway, riding some trails that were logged not to long ago, and a 6 inch diameter stump was laid over and jutting out on the inside of a corner, hidden by some long grass. Caught my right foot and pinched my big toe between the stump and the foot peg. Caught it just right (or wrong) depending on how you want to phrase it. Nearly severed my toe off (I was wearing fairly good boots, but they are more geared to adventure riding). I knew it was bad right away. Picked myself up and the bike, rode back to the truck and loaded the bike up. The whole time debating weather I was going to have it looked at. Once I got the bike loaded my boot started feeling really squishy, so I sat down on the trailer and pulled it off, sock was bright red. Oh shit, I gotta get it looked at. The initial guy that saw it at the ER told me I might loose the toe, but that was not the case. It actually kinda degloved the top of it, I broke the toe bone, but no displacement. The resident flushed it and flipped it back on like a cap and sewed it up. I get to keep the toe. That was two weeks ago.
The dilemma, I am 56 reasonably good shape, but I spend all summer beat up from the bike which has been ok so far, but I have not broken anything since I started riding again. I am kinda like a junkie, the bike has been hugely beneficial mentally, better than any drug, but I don't want to end up maimed or seriously injured on one hand, and I want to keep pushing on the other. Not sure I can govern myself, I just keep pushing the envelope. Very depressing thinking of giving it up at this point, and at the same time it would be stupid to get really injured. If I lost the big toe, it would be over, which for a few hours seemed likely. The thing that really bothers me is I was just cruising when I caught the stump (not doing anything stupid), it was a bit of a surprising circumstance which may be a once in a century chance event, or maybe I should take it as a warning.
Thoughts?
Anyway, riding some trails that were logged not to long ago, and a 6 inch diameter stump was laid over and jutting out on the inside of a corner, hidden by some long grass. Caught my right foot and pinched my big toe between the stump and the foot peg. Caught it just right (or wrong) depending on how you want to phrase it. Nearly severed my toe off (I was wearing fairly good boots, but they are more geared to adventure riding). I knew it was bad right away. Picked myself up and the bike, rode back to the truck and loaded the bike up. The whole time debating weather I was going to have it looked at. Once I got the bike loaded my boot started feeling really squishy, so I sat down on the trailer and pulled it off, sock was bright red. Oh shit, I gotta get it looked at. The initial guy that saw it at the ER told me I might loose the toe, but that was not the case. It actually kinda degloved the top of it, I broke the toe bone, but no displacement. The resident flushed it and flipped it back on like a cap and sewed it up. I get to keep the toe. That was two weeks ago.
The dilemma, I am 56 reasonably good shape, but I spend all summer beat up from the bike which has been ok so far, but I have not broken anything since I started riding again. I am kinda like a junkie, the bike has been hugely beneficial mentally, better than any drug, but I don't want to end up maimed or seriously injured on one hand, and I want to keep pushing on the other. Not sure I can govern myself, I just keep pushing the envelope. Very depressing thinking of giving it up at this point, and at the same time it would be stupid to get really injured. If I lost the big toe, it would be over, which for a few hours seemed likely. The thing that really bothers me is I was just cruising when I caught the stump (not doing anything stupid), it was a bit of a surprising circumstance which may be a once in a century chance event, or maybe I should take it as a warning.
Thoughts?
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2010
- Messages
- 6,496
Keep riding, you find it theraputic.
Just be mindful of the fact you aren't bullet proof.
Anymore.......
Just be mindful of the fact you aren't bullet proof.
Anymore.......
Riding is my addiction. Starting riding at 10 years old, once I turned 16 I parked the dirt bikes and rode street bikes. My parents wouldn’t let me race. Once I turned 19 all my friends started racing motocross. So I bought mx bike again and started racing motocross . After many surgeries from this and nearly death once, it is still my addiction 30 some years later.
Attachments
I'm not quite at that level for sure, and trying to manage my desires with my age riding level.
But if I drink enough I become invisible just after becoming bullet proof and better looking.Keep riding, you find it theraputic.
Just be mindful of the fact you aren't bullet proof.
Anymore.......
skidlid, let's hear more about your riding. Any others that dirt ride feel free to chime in. I still got a little time before I can get back at it, but since my injury was mainly a flesh wound (fractured toe so what, stripped flesh was the main injury), I am hoping be good in couple weeks once the flesh heals back up. The other thing is I am going to have to look for better enduro boots
.My riding is usually on a motocross or supercross style tracks. Once in a blue moon we go to a riding facility that also has a big trail system. A friend of mine loves the trails but I not so much. I usually get stuck, hit a tree or fear getting lost.
deezdad
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2005
- Messages
- 1,325
Nigel I'd say it's gonna be your internal scale that makes the decision for you, your concerns are valid but if the joy of riding (can think of a thousand worse ways to spend my our time) outweighs the fear of what "could" go wrong, & vice versa then you have your answer.. admittedly it's easy for me to say sitting here with all digits intact 
