Older than dirt and new to it as well!

[NotThereYet]

Howdy Folks from Dallas, TX!

I've been lurking around this forum for a bit trying to absorb everything I can about these machines before I took the plunge. I appreciate the depth of knowledge and the friendly, helpful vibe already! Jumped in with both feet last weekend with a new 2019 ES. In just a few short days my wife's lamented that I've already spent as much on doodads, bangles, and baubles (critical safety equipment as I refer to them) as I did the bike...…...not yet but I'm working on it!

Not new to riding (have in excess of 100K miles on Goldwings), but I'd never been intentionally offroad until last weekend. It's a blast already and I don't yet know how to do it! I'm looking forward to learning from the experts (and the noobs like me) on this forum.

Happy Trails!

 

[gv550]

Welcome to our forum.

 

[Mak10]

Welcome from Idaho. Enjoy the new bike!

 

[Sierra1]

Welcome from Johnson County. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Nikolajsen]

Welcome

 

[escapefjrtist]

Welcome from metro Seattle!

~G

 

[SuckSqueezeBangBlow]

I would strongly advise you to take a dirt course. Riding in the dirt is way different than on the road and you can get in trouble real fast if you do the same things on the dirt that you do on the road. Make sure you have the right tires and get out there and ride!

 

[NotThereYet]

4 Stroke (I like your forum name),

I appreciate your advice and have been investigating some training options . There’s a well recommended adventure training school about four hours from my location and I plan to take one of their two day courses in the next couple of months. That should give me time to get the bike dialed in for me and to get some offroad miles (have a couple hundred in the first weekend) before then.

Thanks again!

 

[barkingllizard]

congrats on your new ride, NotThereYet, with a simple hello...

 

[MChappy]

Welcome from NETX. Lots of easy dirt roads out this way.

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[Tenman]

Learning to ride a 600lber in the dirt is gonna be a learning experience for sure. I've ridden dirt bikes 50 yrs. in the woods and still catch hell on a S10 in the dirt. It ain't no dirt bike. I learned the hard way in the woods. Single track you are not VERY familiar with has got me in a bind several times. Turning around on a slightest downhill on single track can be a nightmare. Good luck. You gonna dig it.

 

[Heresjeff]

If I were you, I’d get knobbies. The Kendas or Michelins. Makes for a whole new bike. Just throw the slicks behind the couch for another time.


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[NotThereYet]

If I were you, I’d get knobbies. The Kendas or Bridgestones. Makes for a whole new bike. Just throw the slicks behind the couch for another time.


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Thanks for the recommendation. I've been comparing the MotoZ Tractionator and the Heidenau K series but the Kendas and Bridgestones hadn't crossed my field of vision yet. I'll check them out.

 

[Heresjeff]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check them out.

I meant to say “Michelin Annakee Wilds”not Bridgestone, sorry.

And I mention the Kenda Big Blocks, cuz they are the cheapest. Incase you decide you don’t like knobbies, but they also have the split lugs on the rear.

I learned all of my off road skills on this bike also, barely ever rode dirt bikes before the S10. That being said knobbies helped me a lot at getting confident in the loose stuff.


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[Thrasherg]

You might want to look at the redneck ramble that is happening in Paris, TX in May (https://www.dualsportuniverse.com/) the organizer Robert Lee has a dual sport training class organised for new dirt riders on large dual sport bikes, the training is given by Bill Dragoo, it's only a 1 day event but much cheaper than a full weekend training and might be just up your street to get started.. Let us know if you go and I will try and find you there to say hi!!

Regards Gary

 

[NotThereYet]

You might want to look at the redneck ramble that is happening in Paris, TX in May (https://www.dualsportuniverse.com/) the organizer Robert Lee has a dual sport training class organised for new dirt riders on large dual sport bikes, the training is given by Bill Dragoo, it's only a 1 day event but much cheaper than a full weekend training and might be just up your street to get started.. Let us know if you go and I will try and find you there to say hi!!

Regards Gary

Gary,

I appreciate the information on that event. I watched some of their videos a few days ago, tentatively circled it on the calendar to attend, but didn't know if there was something for a new dirt rider. The Dragoo training is the one I referred to several posts above and I most likely will sign up for their June class. I'll make certain to let you know if I attend the Redneck Ramble and would like to meet you also!

Thanks again!

 

[SuckSqueezeBangBlow]

Thanks for the recommendation. I've been comparing the MotoZ Tractionator and the Heidenau K series but the Kendas and Bridgestones hadn't crossed my field of vision yet. I'll check them out.

Don't count out the Shinko 804/805's. Mine have done very well in the dirt.

 

[NotThereYet]

Don't count out the Shinko 804/805's. Mine have done very well in the dirt.

I appreciate the recommendation - i’ll put those on the list to check out.

Nice looking ride - love that blue. I came close to making a deal on a leftover 2018 (that color) but the dealer wouldn’t discount it enough compared to the 2019. Probably for the best. I’d never want to get it off-road. I‘m indifferent enough about the 2019 color that i can use it for its intended purpose.

Thanks again.