Off road motorcycles are awesome! To get maximum fun from your bike, there are a few techniques you should learn. Whether you are a serious cross-country racer or a weekend warrior, this off road motorcycle training guide can seriously improve your riding.
Suit Up!
This has nothing to do with tuxedos. We’re talking about wearing all the right safety equipment, including a helmet, gloves, goggles, shoulder/leg pads, protective clothing, and riding boots. Buying this gear can be rather expensive, so check with your local dirt bike shop about buying the equipment used.
BODY POSITION
Stand and Sit – It is essential to smoothly transition from sitting to standing so you can stay balanced while riding. Just straighten your legs until you are upright with slightly bent knees. This is called the attack position and will give you maximum control over the bike. Your shoulders and head should stay at the same angle regardless of whether you are standing or sitting.
Keep the Center of Gravity – Your body’s center of gravity is your stomach area. Similarly, your off road motorcycle has a center of gravity in the middle of the engine. Many beginners sit too far back on the bike during off road motorcycle training, which can cause muscle strains and uneven tire traction.
Stay Low – If you have a good center of gravity, your motorbike will be stale. Crouching over the bike will make your body less likely to get thrown about if you hit a sharp corner. Just don’t crouch too low or you won’t be able to see what you’re doing.
CORNERING
Anyone can go fast on a straight road. When it comes to off-road competition, the racer who is fastest at cornering will likely win. This is why cornering is a must-learn in motorcycle off road training.
The Technique – Enter the corner in the attack (standing) position. Brake hard and gear down, then smoothly sit as the bike goes around the corner. While you sit, hit the gas in the same motion. Once you have completed the corner, stand up again.
Practice – Turning is a difficult move for beginners. Practice forming circles on your dirt bike, along with weaving through cones, barrel racing, figure 8’s, and other maneuvers.
JUMPING
Jumping is the most difficult technique for most off-road racers. However, it is also the most spectacular. Soaring through the air is the main reason people like dirt bikes, so it is an essential part of your off road training motorcycle course.
The Technique – Basic jumps are performed in the standing position. Pick a smooth spot for your motorcycle to leave the air and make sure you grip the bike firmly with your legs during take-off. Avoid pulling or pushing on the bike as you jump, simply allow the motorcycle’s suspension to compress and spring back naturally. Don’t attempt a jump until you’ve built up enough confidence.
FITNESS TRAINING
I’d recommend mountain biking since it is the most similar sport to off road motorcycle riding. A mountain bike is great cardio and keeps your weight low, which is perfect for dirt bike driving. Try to exercise a few times a week to keep your body in proper shape.
CONCENTRATE
Keep calm and let your brain do all the work. Maintaining concentration is the most important part of dirt bike riding, so put all your thoughts into the challenge ahead. When you ride, think of nothing else except the track ahead of you.
Of course, you won’t be able to learn off-road motorcycling without already knowing the basics of riding a motorbike. For those who don’t know, here is an article on motorbike maniac where you can learn to ride a motorcycle.