need advice

[mqo233]

I just purchased my first dual purpose motorcycle, and I want to learn to ride in the dirt, looking for some dirt or gravel roads around Baton Rouge area, that I can learn on, I am not ready for forest hills, does anyone have any suggestions, thanks, remember I can ride on the street, I need to learn in the dirt, and by the way I am old, so easy dirt roads first. Thanks

James

[Juice]

Welcome James

What did you buy? You need to catch up with us on one of our St Francisville / Mississippi rides. Its 200-300 miles of insanity. About 60% Tarmac and 40% Gravel.

Now that spring and the riding season is upon us. Normally someone from here will be riding every weekend.
Keep your eye on the upcoming ride section all rides are posted in advance and don't worry about trying to keep up. Most of these guys are a burger short of a happy meal if you know what i mean. Set a pace that you feel comfortable with and ride your own ride. You might fall behind but you will not get left. We always stop and wait for slower riders at all turnoffs. Most of the time you will have lots of company back there anyway. What area of BR are you located?

[Drivin&Cryin]

Welcome James

[Rocky]

Welcome aboard.

[mqo233]

R1200GS, this is my 7th BMW but my first GS, thanks alot,

James

[JayD]

Welcome aboard James

[scootertrash]

Nice choice of a bike

[Ritten]

Nice choice of a bike


WOOO HOOO.....I'll say. Always nice to see another GS on here! Welcome to the sight and remember, "If Jimmy can do it, then most people probably can't" :D :D

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d71/Thetedeo/4.jpg

[weave]

Old folks don't play here, sheesh your not even fifty,plus you have a way cool bike. Might be nice to have another seasoned rider around. I ride most every weekend, 60 miles east of BR on an old outdated 1150 GS

[mqo233]

how about some ideas about the where to ride, yes I am glad to meet everyone, and the outdated 1150 is not that out dated, but I still am looking for the roads, I looked at the maps and I can not find any dirt roads, and I was looking to ride on the leavy, and really not sure were to get on or start, please help, thanks

James

[fatrat]

Welcome James!

I am not from around your area so I can not tell you where to look but you can do like I do, get on your beemer (or KLR in my case), ride the asphalt until you see dirt, then point your bike toward it and twist the throttle! But then again, we have lots of dirt/gravel roads here in N. Georgia so you don't have to ride far to find dirt.

FR

[bayoubikebruiser]

Welcome!

Here's a couple of rules of thumb when you're thinking dirt vs. pavement.

1). Favor REAR, not front brake.
2). No sudden changes in speed or direction until you gain confidence.
3). Your dirtbike is lighter than your streetbike. You also go slower in the dirt. It will track less surely as the gyroscopic effect of the wheels is lessened.
4). You can countersteer with impunity. It helps you lean. Use your throttle.
5). You must muscle the bike a bit more than you do on the street to correct for quarrelsome terrain features. See item 4.
6). Take care of your chain.
7). Offroading removes you from civilization. Plan accordingly.
8). There are no "panic stops" in the dirt. Plan ahead or go back to item 4.
9). Never ride faster than you can see.
10). Hills conceal oncoming riders.
11). Riding buddies come in handy.
12). You don't stop riding because you get old....you get old because you stop riding!!!!

Look for me in your travels. I'll be the boots sticking out of the bush next to the wrecked bike. Pull on the boots...we'll talk.

[DukeRyder]

how about some ideas about the where to ride, yes I am glad to meet everyone, and the outdated 1150 is not that out dated, but I still am looking for the roads, I looked at the maps and I can not find any dirt roads, and I was looking to ride on the leavy, and really not sure were to get on or start, please help, thanks

James

http://www.geocities.com/t_2m/beautifullouisiana.html

This guy has posted up some good riding in different areas around the state.

Around here there's the spillway, lots of dirt access roads, 2 "Off-Road" riding areas. I've ridden there once on the dirt roads; and dumped the bike; trying to blast through a huge waterhole (broke my brake lever, no other damage). I installed some hand guards so the next time that happens I'll have a front brake or clutch to ride home. The nice thing about the spillway is it's patrolled by the Army Corp of Engineer park rangers, so if you get hurt out there; someone will eventually find you and call for help. I was hoping to get my new tires mounted up before I headed out there again.