need to learn some stuff

[dream3wheeler]

I want to get a 250r extremely bad and i might actually go through with getting one. Before i get one though i want to learn to ride. ive never worked with clutch before and i want to make sure im not going to damage the trike right when i get it. any advice would be apreciated. thanks

[D-dub]

Learn to ride a motorcycle, or atleast a manual trans car if possible, If not just take it slowly and youll catch on quick. You wont break anything.

[thestud25]

A 250r is a mean machine to learn how to ride on. You need to start on a dirtbike or quad that has a manual clutch before you jump into the 250R. If you start with that machine, you need to have a helmet and riding gear. Learn on level ground with no obstructions. After you master that, take it out in a field with no obstuctions. When you think you are ready for trails/jumps....think again, then repeat the first steps. These machines are safe with experienced riders, but can be very dangerous to the unexperienced/underequiped riders.

[200XMichigan]

I would start with something smaller than a 250R to learn on. Its a lot of power to start with. I had ridden a GSXR1000 and when I first rode my 200X I was surprised how much power 200cc's can have. And a 250R has a lot more power than the 200X. So basically jumping on the 250R is like jumping on the fastest street bike to learn on. Not that after getting used to it the 200X feels like it has near enough power but it was great to learn on. Pick up a cheap more beat up trike, learn, then get a 250R. Or they have motorcycle classes and you could learn on a Rebel and get the clutch, brakes and shifting down. But learning a clutch, the handling an off road vehicle and all that power would be a lot all at once. Or at least learn the clutch in a car. There are some real cool auto-clutch trikes too.

[Bretmd94]

I agree, Get a cheap 200x to beat up on. Your going to hurt yourself learning to ride a trike on a 250r. Remember why they were outlawed? People were buying up 250cc 2 stroke trikes with out ever being on 3 wheels before. I have rode trikes my whole life and my 250r still scares the crap out of me. It is more dangerous than any street bike i have owned, they really are for experienced riders only. We don't need anymore deaths from 3 wheelers.

In comparison, buying a 250r as a first bike is like buying a GSXR1000 as a first street bike. You will probably hurt yourself if not kill yourself.

[Dirtcrasher]

Man, I was riding a 82 RM250 when I was 17yo..... And I still nearly kill myself on 2 strokes.

I know you want an R, they look nasty! but I'd work my way up with style and technique.............

[RIDE-RED 250r]

I tend to agree with the previous posts. ALL have very good advice and you would be smart to heed it. A 250r is NOT the machine to learn to ride a trike on, or learn to use a manual clutch. You should master riding trikes and using a manual clutch before you even think about throwing a leg over an R or 350x for that matter. A 200x is a great machine to start on for learning trike handling characteristics and how to master a manual clutch. That would be my recommendation...

[Xpress]

Having some experience on a 2 stroke trike, I can tell you that you will be best off starting on a 200X. I am completely comfortable on my X, and love to slide the rear around on it, but when I first rode my T3 around, I wouldn't even dare hit the powerband after feeling how much power is there. I am slowly getting more comfortable on it with about 2 hours of ride time total, and don't mind hitting the powerband in the dirt, but forget it on pavement.

I am so glad I went with a 200X as my first high end performance trike (okay sport trike, but still)- if I went with a 2 stroke and skipped the X, I'd probably have broken a few limbs!!

[HondaRidr]

I agree, the R is not a good beginner bike. Like other people have suggested, the 200x is a great starter bike. Once you are good with that, you can move up. The Rs have a lot of power and can get out of hand VERY quickly if you are not careful.

[scooterroo]

yeah, listen to all the above man. your wanting to start out learning to ride a trike on one of the top dogs of trikes. its a racing three wheeler! and for someone who has never done the manual shift thing before, your asking for some pretty hefty hospital bills or funeral expenses. start small and work your way up. 200x's are a nice, easy to get used to, and you can pound the crap out of them. i learned how to ride manual clutch on a 200x back in the 80's, had the bike for almost 15 years. when it comes to riding trikes, clutching and shifting are only part of the riding experience. braking and body english are needed as well. these things arent like quads where you can just about sit there on top of the machine, sure you need to lean and stuff on them, but trikes you need to "LEAN". whatever you do, ride within your limits!!!

[Xpress]

Yes agreed, proper body language on the trike is crucial. My buddy got my 200x onto it's side TWICE today, almost rolled it the first time because he doesn't know how to get off the side in turns, and he hasn't listened to my advice either. And thats just with a simple 200cc bike. I refuse to let him on my T3 because he doesn't know how to ride a trike, and it's not because im being a jerk or whatever, it's because I don't even feel comfortable on it just yet, and would feel a lot better if he doesn't ride it.

[hang&rattle]

I'm gonna disagree with everyone. Just to stir the pot (:naughty:). My 11 year old son rides the bejeebers outta his 200x, like a wild man! But let him feel out the Tecate and he is really respectfull and cautious, won't even get on it, good healthy fear. And the Tecate you can actually just putt slowly in 1st gear, the 200x will die with that least amount of throttle. But I'm just puttin' that out there, I actually agree with what folks have said, just want to stir the hornets nest a little, lol!!

[Rjfabwerx]

I'd like to stir the pot further...Travis Pastrana was operating a skidsteer by himself when he was 3 or 4 years old...If you like it, get it...just take it easy until you learn it...give it the least amount of throttle you can and let out slowly on the clutch...the rest will come...These other guys have good point of views...I'm just a believer that if you want it, get it and learn it...I was riding a 175 dirt bike when I was 9 or 10 years old...It's helpful if you have a buddy who rides something 2 stroke with a manual clutch so he can give you some pointers but if you don't wanna throw money away, get what you want and just take it easy...My 250R is fast and I let my buddy ride it that is pretty new to riding and he figured it out within the first 15 minutes...

[Xpress]

Age doesn't have a TON to do with it, mostly experience. I know of an 8 year old that can fly a cessna like it's nothing, but that's because he has had proper instruction. In any matter, a 200X would be a good first sport trike, so the transition isn't such a huge flying leap, more like a subtle jump.

[200XMichigan]

I am no saying that someone can't learn to ride on a 250R. Everyone told me I couldn't learn street bikes with a 750. But I knew how to drive a manual clutch since I was a kid. Hang and rattle, I've seen pics of your boy, he knows how to ride a trike. And you didn't put him on a Tecate for his first trike. I'm saying this in respect, just that the guy who started this post has way less experience than your kids. And I have seen a few people start on big street bikes and regret it, after I told them it was too big. They all are alive however, a few broken bone none the less. I think that while some people could jump on an R as their first trike most people cannot handle that much power without any experience. Most people need to start out with something smaller. Some people have a natural ability to handle things, other don't and without knowing anything about the poster of this question I am going to assume they are in the majority and need to start small.

Do you snowboard, BMX, or any other extreme sport that requires you to use your body to control where you land? If so then you have 1 point going for you towards getting an R, since you'll have some experience throwing your body around land.

I will also agree that sometimes logic and life don't go hand in hand. I don't know you, and from what you have said you should learn on something small, but maybe you are an exception. You're the only one that can judge that, but if you know someone with a smaller trike, dirt bike or even a manual shift quad, ask to ride it, it will give you a feel for things.

[Xpress]

if you know someone with a smaller trike, dirt bike or even a manual shift quad, ask to ride it, it will give you a feel for things.


Yeah, really anything that uses a manual clutch system that you can learn on is going to teach you how to use the clutch. Once you got it, it's almost the same as learning how to ride a bike- it sticks with you.

[dream3wheeler]

I can ride a trike ive been riding since i was around 5 or 6. im 16 now, and ive only rode a dirtbike once. i can drive a manual shift truck with little problems, i just never tryed riding something on 3 wheeles with clutch. it will be something new thats for sure. but as it stands if i did get one it would scare me enough to where i wouldnt get it out of 1st gear until i learned to handle it. thanks for the advice guys.

[Xpress]

^Even in first gear, when you hit the powerband it can lift that front wheel up. You can just cruise around if you want, but just take it easy when you're learning the powerband- get yourself plenty of room to learn :)

[jeffatc250r]

Everyone makes it seem like a 250r is crazy, its not.
They make like 30hp which is peanuts compared to new machines.
If you have any common sense, and im sure you do, you will ease into it slow and have no problems.
Respect the machine and all will be well, i started riding cr500's at age 12 and had no issues because i respected it.
Best advise i can give is find a field, or bigass lawn to figure everything out on.
If you want a 250r, buy one. They truely are awesome bikes and can be adjusted to however you ride.

[Rjfabwerx]

Everyone makes it seem like a 250r is crazy, its not.
They make like 30hp which is peanuts compared to new machines.
If you have any common sense, and im sure you do, you will ease into it slow and have no problems.
Respect the machine and all will be well, i started riding cr500's at age 12 and had no issues because i respected it.
Best advise i can give is find a field, or bigass lawn to figure everything out on.
If you want a 250r, buy one. They truely are awesome bikes and can be adjusted to however you ride.

Well said! Have fun on that thing man, just take your time...

[RIDE-RED 250r]

I want to get a 250r extremely bad and i might actually go through with getting one. Before i get one though i want to learn to ride. ive never worked with clutch before and i want to make sure im not going to damage the trike right when i get it. any advice would be apreciated. thanks



Guys guys, the reason most of us were recommending something a bit more tame is right here. The OP said himself he wants to learn how to ride. I wouldnt think it would be a smart idea for someone just learning to hop on a high performance machine. Would it make sense to put a 16 year old behind the wheel of a ferrari the day he gets his learners permit??

Although he did finally let us know on post 17 that hes been riding for a few years.... But given the info in the initial question i think the advice he got was sound.... Thats all we are saying...