Does anybody on here do any green laning? I have had the urge for a little while now to buy a cheap offroad project, fix it up and have a go at green laning, as I live just outside London it should be easy enough to get to some good lanes. Not sure where I will find the time but we can worry about that later:)
Anybody on here do it, any tips on bikes, lanes etc?
Thanks.
The first thing I thought of when I saw ‘Green Laning’ was riding down the bike lanes to get to work quicker…
HELP I’VE BEEN IN LONDON TOO LONG.
I do a bit of Green Laning, I am based South London and go from Rykas and do the lanes down as far as Guildford.I am a member of the Surrey TRF who have monthly meets and have current maps of the Lanes that are legal to ride.They also have regular ride outs.
I’ve got a DRZ400 which is quite a good all rounder (just dropped it off for MOT!!)May be out this weekend if it passes!!
I ride out to Oxfordshire and Berkshire (pop home for a cuppa too ;)). Not a member of the TRF, I’ve just been using OS maps and www.viamichelin.co.uk to find my routes. Sometimes with a friend, sometimes not. If you’ve a light enough bike to pick up solo, then riding alone means no-one else sees your binnage. :hehe:
Used to do a lot in Land Rovers and will be back out on them on a bike in the next week or so. I’m down in Kent.
If your South of London and Kent is not to far a good place to look for usable lanes is Kent Interactive Map BOAT’s are the ones in brown but you will need to look out for TRO notices.
If you get caught riding a TRO’d lane or a lane that has been downgraded you can have your bike taken and crushed so it’s always best to check.
The lane through Breadhurst Wood is now permit only.
I’ve also been wanting to do this for ages. Used to green lane in off-roaders but never on a bike.
I’m a fan of the DRZ400 (not ridden one but price/spec seems very good) but does anyone have any recommendations? What about CCM?
Thanks for the replies chaps, will do some research and see what I can come up with. Wonder if the Mrs will believe me that a dirt bike only costs £30 like all the bike related bits the postman delivers;)
dont forget green lanes are official highways, unmetalled and your vehicels should be road legal, ie taxed with mot and insurance…green lanes are not actually offroad…just very muddy…
done it over box hill dorking way before. was a good laugh
Noooo, dont get one. U’ll soon get threaders with the lack of power. If your wanting it for green laning i rekon your best off getting a proper enduro 450 or larger powered. I’d say KTM but im biased cause thats all i ride. Ive only had KTM’s since i was 17. They are designed more for offroad use than what the DR is and they come with trick bits standard, such as WP suspension and Excel rims.
Yeah I agree A KTM does have the extra power and the trick bits, but as an all rounder the DRZ is a good option,especially if you go for the E model ie a bit lighter, beefier cams and a better carb.
Also the DRZ’s need a bit less servicing than a KTM as is carries a few more litres of oil- oh yeah and the side stand is not made from cheese:D
But I have ridden a few KTMs and they are the nuts off road,very quick on the steering! I would love a 400exc and a set of spare motard wheels for the black stuff!
Often go green laning on my Daytona 955i. Mostly Palmers green down to Newington Green, never had problems with traction despite using road tyres, can be a little slow through Wood Green but all in all Green Lanes isn`t a bad route.
I had this discusion with someone else earlier about maintanence of the EXC’s. People keep saying how you have to change the oil and filters alot but i only do mine once a month at the most and i use my bike alot. The bolt that holds the side stand is made of cheese but you can just change it for a steel one soon as you get the bike.
My 525 is nice and light and easy to throw around. Not had it in the proper mud yet, took it green laning with the moto wheels on which is fun but you cant get in the real mud with them on. Gona get some enduro/mx wheels on in the next month or so so i can do some serious green laning. Im used to riding offroad/motocross and i love the muddy stuff, its the cleaning the bike after that i hate
IMHO…the CCM 404 is better all round than a DRZ (same engine but tuned better) and also has the ‘trick’ bits like WP suspension all round.
DS perfect choice for a bike to use on the road also…
…and moving swiftly on
:hehe:
