Help Me Choose A Hobby

[Wingnut]

Hey guys,

Find myself getting really bored on the weekends these days, I dont like golf and I find it hard to commit to a team sport working in retail. So I was thinking about getting into either dirt bikes, go karting or some track days with a little grey import. Just wanting so info I guess from people who have any of these hobbys, costs, pitfalls, where do I start, who do I talk to and so on.

Taking budget out of the equation, not saying im cashed up, but anything can be had on a budget. I am kind of steering towards a little track car but I live in an apartment with no parking spot so space might be an issue..

Some of you might just say spend more on my T but I feel with over 300rwkw its a pretty nice street car and being a daily driver Im not really looking forward to breaking it by racing or making big power.

Thanks guys let me know what you think!!

Joel

[PJDXR6t]

dirt bikes are good fun but if u cant affored to take time off work from injuries they prob arent the best hobby as crashing is most likley

[xpl0sive]

I used to race a go-kart when I was young. It can be a bit of an expensive hobby though. You end up going through a lot of fuel, tyres, parts etc... lol. It's a lot of fun though!

[BensXR6T]

If you're in Brissy, maybe check out the "Excel Racing", I have a car lined up myself to start having a bit of fun. You should be able to get started with less then $2,000 if you find a car cheap enough.

Click here for more info.

Cheers,

Ben

[ZAP]

Thought about non car related hobbies ?

Try sailing, fishing or model making. They are all very time consuming, relaxing and can be cheap. You can sail free if you rock up at a sailing club and put up your name for crew. Fishing is easy as you need gear, bait and water with fish in it and model making can be fun.

You could also take up one of many RC hobbies. I like battery powered helicopters myself, as well as motorsports, sailing and fishing.

My problem is with 2 kids and a 3rd on the way, I have no time.

[mattyb]

I've got twin girls that are 5, and a 2.5 year old girl as well. I've found that anything I do that I can include them in, not only allows me time to do what I like, but also lets me spend time with them. My youngest loves cars and bikes, but isn't too keen on the water, but my two eldest can ski and are getting a wakeboard this coming summer.

Logan has cable ski world, and there is a cable park on the sunny coast too, as well as a new one that just opened in hervey bay. Wakeboarding is a fairly cheap sport to get involved in, and can be done alone (at a cable park) or with a group of mates (if you buy a boat)

[arjey]

my hobbies are almost all the ones listed here

go karting

dirt bike

fishing

jet ski

golf

go karting is expensive to get into, plug hauling your kart everywhere becomes a hassle. dirt bikes are a bit easier but bikes can get expensive.. observe-

I bought my self a 2k sh*tter 98 kawasaki kx125 (2 stroke obviously) to learn on.. I blew the motor in a month, one of the legs from the piston shot through right down through the gear box.. wasnt a pretty site. I was going camping with my mates that weekend - we all had moto's and I was in a hurry so instead of spending money on it that would of cost more than I bought it for I quickly sold it for the exact same price I bought it for in working order (man im a good salesman) and bought myself a yamaha yz450f for 12k! then I pimped myself out in new gear again so add like almost another 3k!!

fishing has got to be one of the cheapest hobbies I have ever had by far... till I got a boat! fishing is heaps good if you go with only 1 or 2 of your mates.. it gets relaxing (make sure you turn ya phone off!) all you need is a fishing license (around $30 for 2 years I think)and some gear as said before.. $150 will see you a decent baitcaster with full braided line and maybe some tackle. bait is cheap as well. I normally catch my own bait - I have a bag full of squid jiggs. jewfish love fresh squid! or spin out for some mackeral.. depends if you want to use real bait or lures.. you might save a few bob with lures, but its gets tricky on how to fish.

jet ski - I would never own one. I used to just use my mates one. I cannot believe he spent that much money for a jet ski.. its just ridiculous! first you have to buy the jet ski, rego trailer, insurance, get boat license, then get a recreational license. and one of his mates that dosnt have any of the licenses (me) takes the jet ski out for a bash while his not present not only does the guy operating the jet ski get a fine, but so does the owner for letting ride it! it's like a $1500 fine both ways. never been caught, but have come close!

golf was OK I guess.. I used to play as a junior as well.this time around I ebay'd most of my things. so irons, putter, driver, wood and bag was only $2700

I guess any hobby has an expense, just got to find the right one tailored to suit your needs and meets your financial situation.

[icer]

maybe

...wow this forum has some wierd 'smilies' lol

Edited 30/03/10 11:49 PM by icer

[Wingnut]

Thanks for the info guys...

Well I already own an RC petrol car, go fishing fresh and salt water and make models when im extremely bored and have to stay in...

I guess after getting over my WoW addiction I wanted to do something a little more exciting and very real. Regarding bikes, are 2 strokes banned or do they just stop making them these days.. Last thing I owned was a CR80 some 10 years ago. I can only ever seem to find 4 strokes these days unless I go for something pre 2008.

I guess Karting would be my first option and I have a good mate that's into it but looking around at what these things cost I could pick up an GSR or clapped out WRX for the same price.

Hmmmm keep it coming

[Guest XR09]

No two strokes are not banned or out of production. They are still the best hoot to ride in the dirt for mine.

They are fairly cheap to maintain compared to a four stroke. You will have to look at the euro's for one though. Have a geek at the KTM300EXC or the 200. It's still my favorite dirt bike the 200. I am 49 and still ride. If you stay away from the triples and don't get your capabilities mixed up with your ambitions you don't get too hurt. You will be a sore as hell after a day in the dirt when you have not ridden for a while, but it's a good hurt. Like when you have pushed yourself to far at the gym. Start squeezing tennis balls now if you are thinking of it, you will get arm pump pretty bad too.

Or you can pick up an x nats 600 supersport for next too nothing and just do track days. Don't need to be a fit to ride the roadies and nothing gives you the same speed rush.

Edited 31/03/10 02:22 AM by XR09