Using Dirtbike for learning to ride streetbike?

[voodoochilde]

Well, after realizing that I won't be able to afford a street bike and insurance this summer before college with having to buy a laptop and fix some little things on my car (and convincing my parents to let me spend my money how I want) I'm searching alternative ways to learn to ride a bike before next summer. So...I thought of getting a dirt bike. Reasons for this...I have plenty of area to learn to ride, cheaper than streetbikes, could get experience on two wheels, no insurance since I won't be on the road (most of the time), and could buy one this summer and could enjoy plenty and possible keep once I get a streetbike.

What I am wanting to know is how different is riding a dirtbike compared to streetbike, and is it even worth learning on a dirtbike or should I just wait to get a streetbike? Obviously size is different, but as in maneuvering the bike, riding position, ect... And also what size would be good for a beginner without getting old too quick. I'm 5'11 and 190-200lbs if that helps any.

I appreciate your guys'/girls' input. Thanks

[formatr6]

Dirtbikes are great fun two. There are things that are similar and things that are very different. I was brought up on dirtbikes since I was 5 and even raced a little. One thing about dirtbikes is that you learn to ride out of control kinda. You can apply slidding and getting back into shape when ridding street.


Turning is much different on a dirtbike as well as braking. Ona dirtbike you lean the bike and not your body. On a street bike you at least have to lean with the bike if not more. Counter steering is another good thing you will get from a dirtbike.

I still to this day ride realegously whether dirt or street. If you love 2 wheels my friend you will love dirtbiking. I told my fiance before I engaged to her that I am a rider and will be my whole life so she needs to deal with me having all these expensive toys. SHe is a cool girl..

[NothingFace]

I dont know man...
Ive been around dirtbikes pretty much all my life, or as long as i can remember at least, nothing to major, just haveing fun, jumping over some stupid things here and there and just rideing...
When i got my first sportbike (2 weeks ago, an r6) i was VERY surprised to how different it felt. Not only is it much wider, bigger, everything but once you turn those handlebars its not like a birtke, they dont turn all that much, theres a lot more leaning needed then a dirtbike, and after rideing on the sportbike for awile, and getting back on a dirtbike it felt very different for awile, came back pretty quik but the fact that it felt different must mean there is something not the same.
Im sure it couldnt do anything but help you though, with balance, and just the general stuff of "bikes" but sport and dirt are two very different kind of bikes

[YZEtc]

I started riding @ 15 years old, so naturally I started off road (since you have to be 16 to get a license in my state).
Two and a half years later I got my motorcycle license, though even then I rode not sport bikes or another type of street-only bike, but instead rode dual-purpose (dirt bike with lights, DOT tires, and a license plate) bikes.

I rode these bikes on the street (as well as full-on dirt-only motocross bikes off road) for nine years (March of 1984 - April of 1993), owning many different models while racking up a lot of miles.
As I got older and (unfortunately) lost off-road riding areas around me, I gained interest in street-only sport bikes.

My very first street bike was a new 1993 Yamaha XJ-600SE Seca II - not a rocketship though a great choice for the time.
After all of the time spent riding off road, adapting to the relatively bumpy terrain there, and dealing with often less-than-ideal traction due to riding on loose surfaces much of the time, riding that Seca II on the street seemed like a walk in the park - it was very easy since the road surface felt glass-smooth in comparison to the dirt, and putting the bike exactly where I wanted was a breeze, not to mention very fun.

I immediately enjoyed the switch, felt I was ready for a change, and from then onwards, flip-flopped my riding habits and started concentrating on sportbikes (my next bike two years later was a new 1994 Yamaha YZF-750RF).

To answer the question as to whether or not I think riding a dirt bike for a year is worth it, I say, "Sure. Why not?".
Especially if you're a bona-fide newbie to motorcycles, you'll have a good place to learn the basics of motorcycle control.
Once you have the $$ to buy a sport bike, you will take some valuable lessons along with you, since though the physical stats of dirt and street bikes are different, the core basics of how they roll along are the same.

[formatr6]

Originally Posted by YZEtc

I started riding @ 15 years old, so naturally I started off road (since you have to be 16 to get a license in my state).
Two and a half years later I got my motorcycle license, though even then I rode not sport bikes or another type of street-only bike, but instead rode dual-purpose (dirt bike with lights, DOT tires, and a license plate) bikes.

I rode these bikes on the street (as well as full-on dirt-only motocross bikes off road) for nine years (March of 1984 - April of 1993), owning many different models while racking up a lot of miles.
As I got older and (unfortunately) lost off-road riding areas around me, I gained interest in street-only sport bikes.

My very first street bike was a new 1993 Yamaha XJ-600SE Seca II - not a rocketship though a great choice for the time.
After all of the time spent riding off road, adapting to the relatively bumpy terrain there, and dealing with often less-than-ideal traction due to riding on loose surfaces much of the time, riding that Seca II on the street seemed like a walk in the park - it was very easy since the road surface felt glass-smooth in comparison to the dirt, and putting the bike exactly where I wanted was a breeze, not to mention very fun.

I immediately enjoyed the switch, felt I was ready for a change, and from then onwards, flip-flopped my riding habits and started concentrating on sportbikes (my next bike two years later was a new 1994 Yamaha YZF-750RF).

To answer the question as to whether or not I think riding a dirt bike for a year is worth it, I say, "Sure. Why not?".
Especially if you're a bona-fide newbie to motorcycles, you'll have a good place to learn the basics of motorcycle control.
Once you have the $$ to buy a sport bike, you will take some valuable lessons along with you, since though the physical stats of dirt and street bikes are different, the core basics of how they roll along are the same.

Well put. We are basically try to say that and 2 wheel practice is relivant in some way or another!!! Have fun ride long and hard!

[fjman]

Dirtbikes feel different than streetbikes, but sportbikes feel different from cruisers by the same amount.

There's absolutely no better way to practice riding than a dirtbike, and for the beginner, it's perfect. The only single problem that I'd have with starting someone out on a dirtbike for their first ever machine is that they're often very very tall, and hard to put your feet down.

[NothingFace]

You could always get a dual purpose bike and ride it on the road and in the dirt... once you practice rideing enough off road take it on the road to get around, im sure its probably pretty damn good on gas

[voodoochilde]

So can anybody recommend a good size to start on? I am almost 6' and around 200lbs so I want something that I can get the principles down on but also still have fun on and not get bored.

[formatr6]

I would start with 2 stroke 250 its light but will have plenty of power. Then if you like it get a 450 4 stroke. It has engine braking since its's a 4 cycle engine. A 2 stroke doesnt so it will be easier for you to jump if you try.

[turboawd94]

I just bought my R6 a week ago and it was actually the first time i had ever been on 2 wheels period. I took the 17hr beginers classes at a local community college got my license the next day and they give you some beater bikes to learn on.