Thinking about getting a dirt bike... need advice
- Thread starter sixstringsteve
- Start date
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
thanks Caleb. Let's do it. I don't know where to go, so I'll have you show me around. I'll bring my brother too.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I'd rather not do anything crowded. I guess there aren't too many options this early in the season. Let me know if you think of any other spots. I hear butterfield canyon rocks, but I'm guessing it's buried in snow right now.
Butterfields is about 2 minutes from my house. I wouldn't say it rocks, but it's a nice ride to blow off some steam in the evening. It's paved to the top on the Salt Lake side, then it's dirt to the overlook. I may run up there if I can find some time, this time last year it was rideable with a little snow near the top.
Is it legal to ride the canyon with the gate closed?
Ogre Palowakski
Active Member
- Location
- Gym basement
I was wondering this same thing yesterday. We drove to Butterfield in hopes of heading to the top but the gate was closed.
A few minutes later two sportbikes came down the canyon and rode through the pedestrian part of the gate.
I asked the guys how far they got and one of them said "far enough to crash in the gravel". He tore up some plastic and broke his shifter after hitting gravel.
Anyway, I wonder what would have happened if the authorities (whoever they are in this case - Sheriff? Rio Tinto?) caught them up there.
:guilty:
I found out some more info this weekend about Butterfields, it's closed. Likely for the entire year due to the Kennecott expansion into Rose Canyon. If you're caught up Butterfields you will be prosecuted, so I wouldn't push it, respect the private property. Not to mention you won't be able to get over the top since they block the top as well with no by-pass or opening like the bottom.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Are you just saying that so you can ride butterfield all alone? 
Just kidding. Thanks for the update.
Just kidding. Thanks for the update.
Thanks Caleb!
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Good news, I taught my wife to ride last week, and she wants to go out again tonight. I never thought I'd ever get her on a motorcycle, let alone looking forward to it.
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
Are we talking about the standard Butterfield, i.e. paved up to the summit and then it turns into Middle Canyon down the Tooele County side? Unless our county commissioners have been doing some serious pandering... those are county ROW's I believe. Is it possible its just closed until the Middle Canyon side dries out?
Yep, that's the route I'm talking about. I heard this info from Noah, who was told by one of his buddies that's a Herriman City Sheriff. I was going to call around this week and see if I can get some more info.
That route is also an RS2477 route. So I'm not sure how they are able to close it even if they do own most of the land on both sides of that road.
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
I too though it was an RS2477 route but its not showing up on SLCo's claims, sadly I wound't be surprised if they let it go in some deal with Rio Tinto? They rolled so fast on their previous RS2477 Claims: http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/landuse_slcounty.html
I think it is still a general Class B route? I can't find SL Counties transportation map...
I think it is still a general Class B route? I can't find SL Counties transportation map...
That's too bad if that's the case. The only info I could find on it was ironically from the Save our Canyons website (http://saveourcanyons.org/resources/archive/rs2477_archive/butterfield_canyon). I also found what looked sorta like an EIS from Kennecott that had several of the mines listed that were up (or still are) up the canyon.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I ended up raising my kdx to full height so I don't feel so awkward when riding full size bikes. It's not too bad. If I shift my weight, I can tip-toe on one leg
TJDukit
I.Y.A.A.Y.A.S.
- Location
- Clearfield
Ok well I finally decided to read through this whole thread. 217 posts and two days, it's always nice when Steve has questions about stuff that I do because it saves me from asking all the same questions. I guess I'll have to start my own thread though for my own questions. Lots of good info in here though.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
So, a little update to this thread with some feedback on my decision.
In . I bought a Yamaha XT225 in May 2011, and it was the best decision I could have made. 80 MPG, low seat height, controlable power, street legal. I got my permit, then my license, and I took it out on a few trails. It's a mountain goat and it won't stall, and you can practically crawl up anything. Lots of low-end torque, and very reliable.
Then a month later I bought a Kawasaki KDX 200, which was lowered when I got it. that was the next best decision I could have made. This bike was meant for the dirt, so I was able to improve my riding significantly and ride it a lot harder than the XT225. And I learned that i really enjoy the feel of two strokes that are meant for trail riding.
Now it's the end of June, so I've had the XT225 for 2 months (commuting on it daily), and the KDX for 1 month. I sold the XT225 last night for more than I bought it for (woohoo, that never happens to me), and I'm planning on getting a CR125 and throwing the KDX motor in it. I know I'll be going through withdrawals from not having a street legal bike, but that's where I'm at now. But buying cheap, I was able to ease my way up the food chain of bikes and still come out on top.
A HUGE thanks again to everyone for all their advice and help.
and LOVED it. Rode it
In . I bought a Yamaha XT225 in May 2011, and it was the best decision I could have made. 80 MPG, low seat height, controlable power, street legal. I got my permit, then my license, and I took it out on a few trails. It's a mountain goat and it won't stall, and you can practically crawl up anything. Lots of low-end torque, and very reliable.
Then a month later I bought a Kawasaki KDX 200, which was lowered when I got it. that was the next best decision I could have made. This bike was meant for the dirt, so I was able to improve my riding significantly and ride it a lot harder than the XT225. And I learned that i really enjoy the feel of two strokes that are meant for trail riding.
Now it's the end of June, so I've had the XT225 for 2 months (commuting on it daily), and the KDX for 1 month. I sold the XT225 last night for more than I bought it for (woohoo, that never happens to me), and I'm planning on getting a CR125 and throwing the KDX motor in it. I know I'll be going through withdrawals from not having a street legal bike, but that's where I'm at now. But buying cheap, I was able to ease my way up the food chain of bikes and still come out on top.
A HUGE thanks again to everyone for all their advice and help.
and LOVED it. Rode it
Corban_White
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Payson, AZ
It looks like the KDX has a headlight? For a few dollars (~200) it can be made street legal in a few hours.