Evening All

Took the XTR out for its first ride in the mountains today. (FYI its a 2009 XTR which I have owned for 2 months approx)

I had all these great ideas about finding a dirt track and hooning off down it to use the bike for what its really made for.

So here's the problem..I cant do it!! What do I mean by that? Well sorry for the long post but let me give you a bit of background.

Been riding for about 5-6 years. Started out on an XT250 which I removed the knobbies and put on Michelin Siracs. Had no problem on that one going round the farm and dirt. Did a couple of dirt bike courses and even had a spare CRF 150 which I used to ride around the paddocks with no problem.

Have progressed through the years to a GSX1400 which I love but had a yearning to get a dual purpose bike - Enter the XT660

Bike is pretty Stock except for exhausts and a bash plate.

Any way - So - Today I went for my ride - on the XT up to the hills looking for a dirt track to run along and just felt a bit uneasy about belting down the dirt.

Personally a) I think its the Tyres - (Metzler Tourances - Virtually new) - They just dont inspire any confidence in me on the dirt b) I dont want to drop the thing and... c) Its a lot heavier then my old dirt bikes

When I had the little CRF - I used to drop it on the grass every now and then and just pick it up and ride off.

The other thing is - the CRF had brand new Dunlop Geomax 51's on it and it gripped like crazy.

I know it will take some time but I am after some inspiration and ideas to get back on the dirt..

I was thinking about changing the tyres but realistically 80-90% of my commute is on bitumen and having done the knobbies thing on the road - I dont want to do that again.

Another option is two sets of wheels - does any one else do that?

Thanks for reading - any help / ideas appreciated

Marc