Is it too late for me, a 27 yr old woman, to ride a dirt bike?

You are not to OLD to ride a dirt bike. My wife is in her 40's and rides a dirt bike.

As long as you can ride a bicycle, you can ride a dirt bike.

I would recommend you hook up with some dirt bikers and have them show you how to do some trail riding. Don't jump right into the motocross track. Most dirt bikers are fairly easy going guys and almost all of them have a spare bike you can ride.

It literally takes like 15 minutes to learn how to ride a dirt bike. Try to learn on grass or dirt and not sand. Sand is a little tougher to learn to ride on than dirt or grass.

You did not give your height and weight, so I would recommend you go down to the local shops and sit on as many different bikes that you can. This will let you know what size of bike you need. You can also talk to the salesmen on where guys ride at and if they would be willing to take you with them so you can try it out and buy a bike from them (even if you don't plan on buying a bike from them...lol).

Gear: SNELL approved helmet, goggles, long sleeve shirt, long pants and riding boots are the minimum you will need. Gloves, padded riding jersey, shoulder pads with chest protector and armored riding pants are additional that are not required, but highly recommend.

If you can afford new gear, by all means buy it. If you cannot, you have several options.

Used bikes: Ebay, Craigslist, BikeFinds and CycleTrader.

Used gear: Ebay, Craigsllist, flea markets and yard sales.

Bare minimum you will need $500 for a used bike and used gear. I have purchased used bikes off of Ebay and Craigslist for under $500. I have purchased boots at garage sales for $25. If you look hard and long enough, you will find what you need at very reasonable prices. It might not be the latest, greatest and new, but it will get done what you need done. Example: new Alpinestar boots - $375. Yard sale Thor boots - $25. Brand new Honda CRF 100R - $2,800. 1998 Honda XR100 - $350 Craigslist.

The best helmets are Arai and Shoei, but you won't be able to afford them on your budget. Look at HJC. They have new SNELL approved helmets at under $150.

Feel free to email me with any other questions you have.

Good luck, have fun and welcome to the sport.

Absolutely not! I'd recommend you go to the site advrider.com. Lots of people there who do offroad riding that can give you advice and there's even a women's forum for female-oriented issues (finding gear that fits etc.).

My first recommendation. LOOK FOR THE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION (MSF) COURSE IN YOUR AREA AND TAKE THE CLASS!!! It's anywhere from free to about $200 depending on your state. They teach you how to ride a bike the proper way and better than any friend can do.

My second recommendation. Buy the proper gear and wear it all the time.

Third, start out with a cheaper used bike because a new rider there's a good chance you'll drop it (we all do). The KLR 650 is a popular dual sport that works well on dirt and pavement.

You are never too old to have fun =).

Driving a dirt bike is very easy to learn especially if you have driven a manual car. I myself learned when I was seven.

For equipment you need:

helmet, goggles, gloves, any sturdy hiking boot is fine ( motorcycle boots are expensive), a chest protector and knee/ elbow pads.

What you mean too old? You're 27 years young of course you can ride a dirt bike as long as you find it fun and that's what you want to do then do it!

You don't stop riding because you get old.

You get old because you stop riding!!

You're never to old to start.