How deal with the first off-road damage?
 

Hey all

My 2011 XTR is in pretty good shape. Not mint, but not far off.

Thing is, I got it 4 months ago when I fancied trying some green laning amongst other things. Well, today, without any planning or ability or off-road experience I happened across a legal byway, and headed down it. Amazingly, I came out the other end safely 3 miles later, muddy and shaking with excitement and fear, but with so many close shaves I lost count! :)

So, this thing is going down. A lot. How do I prepare? I've seen guys online with their bikes dented, snapped and scratched, and they're fine with it. How does one go from a nice, clean, showroom-condition bike, and deal with the fact that it's going to roll down a hill and from that point on be saleable only as a properly used off-roader? At the moment I can't get my head round it.

On a related-note, is it worth getting a couple of blank side plastics before I go off-road again? Those stickers are awful pricey!

Thanks Keith.

I've already put the Renthal bars on, plus SW-Motech engine bars and sump guard. So I'm ready to crash :)

I just can't bear the idea of picking the bike up and seeing engine paint scratched, exhausts dented etc. Maybe I need to man-up! :)

Everyone's different.

Take StumpyDave, or Stoic Bloke, or Uberthumper to name a few - they don't appear (outwardly in any case) to care what happens, the bike is a tool and accept it gets damaged sometimes

Me, I was a proper diva the first time it went down :gayrepost: Ask NickW, StoicBloke or TenereDoug they were there! After that I accepted it had some additional architecture and it's never bothered me since.

The less you (or at least in my case) worry about it going down, the less it goes down - odd but I guess you think more about the riding than the consequences, as a result your riding improves.

Some people won't take their bikes too far off road, some because they don't want to damage them, some can't afford to be without them, some can't afford to repair them, there are many reasons and all of them valid - it's your bike, you ride it where you want to.

Who are you calling a tool? ;-)

I guess it�s more to do with mental preparation, coping with the fear of damaging your pride and joy, rather than the actual physical preparation of the bike. Preparing your mind is the best way to stay safe, stay upright and enjoy your ride.

Try and tune in to the aspect of fear that's rewarding � focus on the enjoyable bit. Think about that ride again: You clearly felt plenty of fear, but (correct me if I'm wrong) you were also having a great time?

Let's face it, a life without fear (and without courage to overcome fear) would be pretty bland and insipid.

I think GULG sums it up brilliantly...

^That�s a result of forgetting about the fear and focussing in on the fun.

Indeedy.

We are all unique. You alone are the only one who can really sort this one out. After all it�s in your head and no one else can see in there! ;)

Hey if you fit handguards (I have the Yamaha/Acerbis aluminium ones) plus engine bars (I have just bought a set of Givi bars) plus pannier mounts (I have a set of Givi Trekkers) then when the bike goes over the damage is really very very limited as the pannier mounts protect the back end and the exhausts, the hand guards prevent lever breakage and the engive bars do the rest as the XT is a very slim bike. Simple eh??

It's a dirt bike... if yer going to use it , it will get a few scuffs..
I dented the tank on my XTR the 2nd week I had it... dumped
it in a river against a big rock.. have also put a big flat spot in
the front rim , broken the rear inner guard , dented the metal
mule pipe with the rear brake caliper..not to mention all the
scuffs & scrathes...
my thinking is ..Is exspected... it's a dirt bike.. if it stays
in near show room condiction I'm not haveing a lot of fun on it..