I've ridden street bikes on occasion here and there, and raced dirtbikes. I think the best advice anyone has said thus far though is to buy a cheap dirtbike if you've never ridden before and learn the basics. They are small and easy to fix. Of course a road bike will feel different but you need to get balance, braking, shifting, etc down. If your on dirt on a dirtbike it's just like being on slick pavement traction wise. So as for experience goes best bet would be to learn on a dirtbike for a few months like previously posted. Just my opinion though. I just figure no point in burning cash on a couple thousand dollar bike to drop it like a rock and spend another grand plus to fix it. Not only that the danger factor on a dirtbike vs a streetbike is alot lower. You'll break an arm or a leg on a dirtbike, on a streetbike you'd be lucky if that's all you get from a crash.

 

can we say post whoring???

 

And that shows the right way of learning to ride, buy something smaller, upgrade when you are ready... same goes in all examples, drag racing cars, stereos, etc.. you dont go jump in a nitro funny car for your first trip down the 1320' and you dont have 6 subs in fiberglass in the trunk for your first stereo..

 

hey im just messin with you matt..