Hello, new aussie rider

GU Ute · 12-02-2008, 02:15 AM

Hey all, Just bought myself an 09 CRF250R, a few weeks ago and was looking for advice on set up and tips on how to ride better.

Haven't ridden for years, used to have an XR80 when I was younger but it was stolen and have not had a bike since.

I live at the base of the Blue Mountains in outer western Sydney and mainly into trail riding but when i get enough confidence, would like to have a go at a motorcross track but no there yet.

JThompson · 12-02-2008, 06:27 AM

Welcome to mototips. I cant wait to read your posts. Feel free to ask anything you want. We are here to help. We have a lot of tips on how to be a better rider right here.
Riding/Training Techniques - Mototips

Hardtail · 12-02-2008, 07:03 AM

Welcome! If you're doing alot of trails you might want handgaurds/ bark busters to save your knuckles and put green slime in the tubes to help prevent flats. The more you ride the better you get! If you adjust the suspension write down where you started, make minor changes. Then take it for a good ride before you adjust again. Have fun!!

turtlemann14 · 12-02-2008, 02:29 PM

what is the terrain like? rocky muddy?

what type of riding will you be doing?

GU Ute · 12-04-2008, 04:22 AM

Hey, thanks for the replies. I am about to start fiddling with the suspension this weekend, a bit too stiff for me at the moment as I am only 75Kg, might need lighter springs in the forks??? How many clicks is noticable, and yeah I will write down what I have changed so I know how to get beck to where I started if it is worse.

Already thought about getting some hand guards, took skin off right knuckles last weekend.

As for the terrain, I have access to 270 acres in the blue mountains just up the road from me at my brothers place and there is a bit of everything, big snotty hills, cleared paddocks, tight tracks through rain forrest with mud and lots of logs at the moment till we clear them out, long fire trails which seem to go on forever, not much rocky stuff though. My bro and his friends all ride quads, so not much it the way of berms and big jumps. But still lots of fun to ride and its free so I cant complain.

Hardtail · 12-04-2008, 06:41 AM

I'm not sure on the clicks on your bike but I wouldn't do more than 2 for the first try than 1 after that if it makes a big differance. I forgot to add skid plates for the motor if you will be climbing logs or rocks.

gscx · 12-04-2008, 06:29 PM

Ok, so you weigh 165lbs. That is pretty much the weight that the factory sets up the bike for. just keep on riding it. I know the feeling you have right now, its like riding on stilts. You will get used to it after awhile. I would keep the suspension completely stock. Even if you are riding on trails you have some wide open areas and you will need the stability of suspension set up for the track, trust me.

Hardtail · 12-06-2008, 06:16 AM

gscx is right, break it in

GU Ute · 12-08-2008, 02:47 AM

Thanks for the help guys, I will get the bash plates and bark busters, just have to do it on the sly so the missus doesn't find out. She thinks I have spent enough money on it!

How long do you think the suspension will take to break in fully?

gscx · 12-08-2008, 10:39 AM

i dont really mean break it in, although it does take time to break in. You coming off a xr80(even though it was amny years ago) you still remember the way it feels and rides, even if you dont think so. Going from a trailbike suspension to something set up for MX(or even high speed trails for that matter, since stock suspension is alaways too soft for my riding). It will feel too stiff. Dont go spending 100 dollars on springs when you dont need it. Just give it time and you will get used too it. The suspension is set up for your weight from the factory, so dont waste your money

12-02-2008, 02:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
GU Ute C Rider Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Blue Mountains, Australia Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	Hello, new aussie rider Hey all, Just bought myself an 09 CRF250R, a few weeks ago and was looking for advice on set up and tips on how to ride better. Haven't ridden for years, used to have an XR80 when I was younger but it was stolen and have not had a bike since. I live at the base of the Blue Mountains in outer western Sydney and mainly into trail riding but when i get enough confidence, would like to have a go at a motorcross track but no there yet.

12-02-2008, 06:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
JThompson Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bellingham WA Posts: 5,163 iTrader: (6)	Welcome to mototips. I cant wait to read your posts. Feel free to ask anything you want. We are here to help. We have a lot of tips on how to be a better rider right here. Riding/Training Techniques - Mototips __________________ Tired of ads? Become a member for an almost ad free site! Also we give away monthly prizes just for posting! Register today! Looking for places to ride! Want to review a riding area? Check them out! PRE-ORDER MOTOTIPS Stickers now. Help keep mototips running! Get your order in today! Buy NOW! Special Discounts for members only! Check out our new discount forum for retailers offering to help you save money! Mototips Discounts

12-02-2008, 07:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Hardtail Pro Mototips Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast V.A. Posts: 2,227 iTrader: (1)	Welcome! If you're doing alot of trails you might want handgaurds/ bark busters to save your knuckles and put green slime in the tubes to help prevent flats. The more you ride the better you get! If you adjust the suspension write down where you started, make minor changes. Then take it for a good ride before you adjust again. Have fun!! __________________ I love the smell of gasoline!! I woke up.....life is good!!!

12-02-2008, 02:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
turtlemann14 Pro Mototips Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 4,363 iTrader: (0)	what is the terrain like? rocky muddy? what type of riding will you be doing? __________________ If it does not move at first, get a bigger hammer!! Myspace Yamaha 1982 xj550 under bike lights Kawasaki klx250 1979 custom fiberglass silencer+ Honda xr200r 1985 stock = Dakaw Dk250 2008

12-04-2008, 06:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
Hardtail Pro Mototips Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast V.A. Posts: 2,227 iTrader: (1)	I'm not sure on the clicks on your bike but I wouldn't do more than 2 for the first try than 1 after that if it makes a big differance. I forgot to add skid plates for the motor if you will be climbing logs or rocks. __________________ I love the smell of gasoline!! I woke up.....life is good!!!

12-04-2008, 04:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
GU Ute C Rider Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Blue Mountains, Australia Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	Hey, thanks for the replies. I am about to start fiddling with the suspension this weekend, a bit too stiff for me at the moment as I am only 75Kg, might need lighter springs in the forks??? How many clicks is noticable, and yeah I will write down what I have changed so I know how to get beck to where I started if it is worse. Already thought about getting some hand guards, took skin off right knuckles last weekend. As for the terrain, I have access to 270 acres in the blue mountains just up the road from me at my brothers place and there is a bit of everything, big snotty hills, cleared paddocks, tight tracks through rain forrest with mud and lots of logs at the moment till we clear them out, long fire trails which seem to go on forever, not much rocky stuff though. My bro and his friends all ride quads, so not much it the way of berms and big jumps. But still lots of fun to ride and its free so I cant complain.

12-04-2008, 06:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
gscx Pro Mototips Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: bridgeville DE Posts: 2,319 iTrader: (0)	Ok, so you weigh 165lbs. That is pretty much the weight that the factory sets up the bike for. just keep on riding it. I know the feeling you have right now, its like riding on stilts. You will get used to it after awhile. I would keep the suspension completely stock. Even if you are riding on trails you have some wide open areas and you will need the stability of suspension set up for the track, trust me. __________________ 199? KX60- Bone stock and in process of complete rebuild and restoration

12-06-2008, 06:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
Hardtail Pro Mototips Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast V.A. Posts: 2,227 iTrader: (1)	gscx is right, break it in __________________ I love the smell of gasoline!! I woke up.....life is good!!!

12-08-2008, 02:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
GU Ute C Rider Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Blue Mountains, Australia Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the help guys, I will get the bash plates and bark busters, just have to do it on the sly so the missus doesn't find out. She thinks I have spent enough money on it! How long do you think the suspension will take to break in fully?

12-08-2008, 10:39 AM	#10 (permalink)
gscx Pro Mototips Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: bridgeville DE Posts: 2,319 iTrader: (0)	i dont really mean break it in, although it does take time to break in. You coming off a xr80(even though it was amny years ago) you still remember the way it feels and rides, even if you dont think so. Going from a trailbike suspension to something set up for MX(or even high speed trails for that matter, since stock suspension is alaways too soft for my riding). It will feel too stiff. Dont go spending 100 dollars on springs when you dont need it. Just give it time and you will get used too it. The suspension is set up for your weight from the factory, so dont waste your money __________________ 199? KX60- Bone stock and in process of complete rebuild and restoration

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