What Have You Being Doing With Your Non-triumph Today?

Maybe it's your mind reading skills that are lacking.... .

No idea what the next step is yet!

 

If you do decide to buy a bike, don't "overbike" yourselves!

You don't need 100hp

You don't need 300mm suspension as that will mean a very tall bike.

You don't need 200kg plus

A simple small bike, say a Honda crf300, would be a good starting point.
Will it win any sprints .... no
Will it jump the grand canyon... and survive... no

Will it be manageable fun... YES

 

Actually, you'd be surprised how many road riders ride like a plank of wood
They sit bolt upright, or in a racing crouch, and simply don't FLOW with the bike.
The bike off road is unpredictable, but with experience that is predictable .
People don't realise how much of a workout riding off road actually is and say things like, well you've got an engine.
It really can be like doing intense Yoga for 4 hours plus, although I don't normally ride my bikes in a leotard

 

Even enthusiastic or “aggressive” road riding is a ride in the a park compared to a good off road session on some challenging terrain. The top Moto X and enduro riders are really fit blokes (and ladies of course) IMO.
I’m about to get the Husaberg back on (off!) the road since it was SORN’d at the end of May and I know from past experience that I’ll be carrying a few aches and pains for a couple of days after the first off road excursion, but I love it really!

 

In agreement with @Pegscraper and by way of an example @Mrs Visor of the exercise level involved.
In winter with snow on the ground, I've known me and a few mates have an intense hour or so on the trials bikes, max speed probably less than 15 mph.
We stop, take our helmets off and it looks like our heads are on fire with the steam coming off

All good fun and very satisfying when it all comes together





Note the body positioning both for balance and momentum.
Plus the full use of the rear suspension travel, this creates ground pressure on the tyre for maximum grip.

 

Thank you, I will likely badger for advice should I be in the position to buy one. I was thinking small, light and simple so it was fun, I could pick it up and I don't scare myself on something I have nowhere near the skill to utilise!!

 

Being comfortable getting your foot down and being able to pick the weight off the floor want to be near the top of your "needs" list.

On Youtube there's a few videos of bikes being picked up off the floor. I currently fancy a Kove 800 rally, addition rather than replacement , and comparing to a Yamaha T700 it is quite surprising.
The kove is about 40kg lighter but this isn't about numbers, more importantly it's how does it feel to you, the new owner.

Try it for yourself on any shortlisted bikes you fancy and the seller shouldn't object, if you're a serious buyer.

Here's a tale along those lines....
Went into a commercial kitchen suppliers as we wanted a new mincer. Spotted a suitable one on a shelf so asked the shop assistant if we could plug it in and listen to it?


Yes we got a funny look but I stated, "we wouldn't put anything in it..... like fingers "

Switched on..... hum hum hum

Sold ... an easy £400 sale all for x2 minutes of effort, our old one drove nuts with the noise.

For those curious; Buffalo mincer rated at 250kg/hr

 

Here you go @Mrs Visor for a video to think about.
I'm not promoting any of these bikes, more an awareness of what will benefit you

 

My off road fancy was first tickled when I bought a road legal TY250 which I started using on local tracks and woodland and found it the ideal machine to learn on, very little on it to break and I could pick it up with one hand. Pukka Trials bikes are a real PITA for any distance on tarmac though.
Modern trail bikes are way better than were available back then and a much better off/on road compromise.
As Eldon has said, a comparatively small lightweight (2stroke?) machine is the way to start, easier to control and manhandle when it all goes a bit Pete Tong!

 

If you were a serial killer, you could mince about 3 large ish male victims per hour in that .

 

Easy, the silent killer

 

With ease, the silent killer

Apparently it will do full rabbits, obviously dead ones , bones and all for people who feed dogs raw food.

More back on track, a Beta Alp 200 could be a good option to look at. Four stroke, so no two stroke oil issues but lightweight, electric start and a great little bike for scooting about and taking off road routes on.

Here's an example;
https://ebay.us/m/oQb0QB

 

Helmut and I are on annual leave still from work, we just went out for a quick 93 miles today, both on our Ducatis. We were slightly tired from yesterday's full day of learning so Helmut didn't want one of my full day tours . We called in at the Baffle Haus and Honey Cafe then went to see some friends, so it was a very nice relaxing day.



I bought a nice new top too from the Baffle Haus:

 

The lengths Women will go to, just to disguise a shopping trip!

 

That sounds like a great experience, @Mrs Visor! I'll be curious to know if you find some additional benefits to your road riding from your day of off-road instruction and practice.

 

Loved your emoji response to the comment by @Pegscraper about your garage, @Helmut Visor.

 

Sounds like a lovely day out, @Mrs Visor! I really like that shirt you bought. What a great design.Do you know if they sell online??

 

I have a few shirts (four now ) from the same brand called Wildust Sisters https://wildust.com/en. They're French but a few UK stores stock their brand. I don't know about US delivery or whether any of your stores would stock them, but if there's something you really love I am sure I could get it to you! The sizing is quite small, I usually have a medium in their tops when I would be a small in many brands. It does vary according to the style though as I have a vest that's pretty big and a long sleeved top that's perfect, both in the same size.

 

Well Helmut did choose to ride his Multistrada and the top box wasn't being used......

 

Helmut wasn't feeling like one of my grand "tours" again today, so we did a nice 87 mile route, going to the Postcard Cafe in Clun, across to Knighton, the cafe at Shobdon Airfield and then back home. We both took our Ducatis again.

Helmut hadn't been to the Postcard Cafe before, whereas I have been a fair few times, so I was feeling the pressure destination - wise, although you cannot fail to enjoy the food and coffee there so he was suitably impressed!

This was the approximate route, just edited so exactly where we live isn't revealed :