Just found this group and thought I should join. I am a 53 yo who just bought a TTR250 3 weeks ago to go with our cabin in the bush. This has roughly 1/4 million acres of state forest and with hundreds of kms of trails literally at the back fence. I have two teenage sons and thought I needed a toy we could all share. Never having ridden a MB in my life I figured now was as good time to learn as ever. Some online research led me to the TTR. I wanted a road legal trail bike that was simple to learn, not too heavy, plus not be too docile once we get better. The first attempt at driving was a spectacular spearing off on one wheel into the woodpile. Fortunately, I took the mirrors off for the first attempt and I am a quick learner so figured out what I did wrong - throttle control and weight distribution. Have ridden it around the property successfully since then (without further incident) and I am getting my bike license this month so I can go farther afield. The young ones (15/19) have taken to it like a duck to water and are already haring around without problems (up to 110kph and climbing before running out of straight dirt road apparently).
$3010AUD from eBay for a 2005 model, 7000km with off-road mods (knuckle guards, bash plate, stay in tune exhaust) as well as registration for 6 months. Spent some of the weekend changing oils and doing some routine maintenance as I always do on any new vehicle I purchase. Can't wait to spend time with the sons going through the forests.
Also looking forward to using this forum to find out things about the bike and learning from people who have been there and done that.
The cabin backs onto the Watagan State forest up near Laguna/Wollombi in the Hunter Valley if you know that area. Combining the wine tasting with bike riding could be dangerous!
Can't wait to explore more as I have only been riding the secluded dirt roads at this point ( I trust you won't tell the RTA). Last night no. 1 son (after having a few blinding fun rides on the TTR) just purchased a CRF250 2015 of his own with 500km for $4000 and gots his "L's" this morning. It has been bit wet up there lately and we have not gone too far yet. This weekend is the weekend we hope to hit the trials together, me thinks.
I might start my collection of "Watagan dirt tattoos" too then. On the maps I have studied the place looks fantastic and I came through the backroads a couple of weekends ago with the family in the 4 wheel drive when we did the delivery run to the cabin with the bike on the offroad trailer. The tracks looked spectacular. Might see you there!
I wrote this here on the forum a little while ago.....
"A little while ago I took a pair of Poms riding in the Watagans an hour north of Sydney; they were blown away. We did 160klms of tight 20-40kph forest trails and single tracks without seeing a formed road or a living soul. (And doubled back for a 320klm day).
We stopped at a bush lookout for a re-group, a break and a drink. The lookout looked down about 400 metres to a picturesque rural valley. When it came time to go one Pom was still gazing wistfully into the vista as I walked up to him to tell him to get his **** together or he would be riding on his own. He turned and said to me "how often do you stop here?" "ah, every second or third ride" says I. He was totally blown away when I said I could take him to another 5 more spectacular lookouts within a 30 minute ride.
Ah, we are spoilt - and to think those silly Poms sent us here as punishment; silly Poms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZgI_RymYCo (not me but it gives you the idea - these slackers are doing the easy bits)"
Looks good, i have a 2005 as well. No graphics on mine. So will be looking at your bike, to find the correct graphic kit, or make one up down the track. I reckon i buy $5 worth of white contact and at least do the sides..... (cheap and maybe nasty) 1/4 million acres sounds like heaven.... no cops, no rangers. Ahhhhh :)
-- Edited by z1g on Tuesday 3rd of July 2018 11:28:13 AM
From another Aussie in Adelaide welcome, I have a 2011 TTR bought new in 2013, it's been a great bike & now has 17k of mainly dirt on the clock, a few videos on my youtube channel if you want to see what a TTR can do day in- day out.
I do the air cleaner when needed, the oil & filter every 5k but use a good quality oil, go through heaps of tyres, in fact 1 x front & 2 x rear tyres for every oil change !!!
You will find lots of info on the TTR on here, good luck with the TTR as it's a steep learning curve.
Can't wait to get into it. I will not make comment on our English cousins until I have made myself more know Besides I married one. Footage is great by the way
Thanks for the welcome. Saw a couple of your videos. Looks like you have the same trouble keeping the front wheel on the ground as me - but in a more controlled manner than my famous woodpile incident of 2018.
Will be reading more than posting to start with to get to know what is here and what I need to know. The first problem solved when I found the link to the PDF version of the maintenance manual here yesterday.
Can't wait to get into it. I will not make comment on our English cousins until I have made myself more know Besides I married one. Footage is great by the way
I married one as well, the reason I've been to the UK 3 times in the last 10yrs.
I've dropped the TTR 5 times in the 5 yrs I've had it but in my defence 4 out of the 5 I had stopped but could not touch the ground, common with short legs & tall bike
My videos are of both the WRR & TTR, can tell by the fuel tank & speedo
Two thumbs up for that. I have the opposite problem - dragging my knees on the ground. One of the reasons I am quite liking the dirt bike - the extra height. I suspect I will be not far behind in the dropping stakes too but not for the same reason.