Off-roading has become an incredibly popular pastime over the years. Millions of people have jumped onboard with this activity. While many prefer to go off-roading in the safety of their trucks and SUVs, quite a few prefer the added thrill of taking to the woods and trails on an ATV or dirt bike. When you venture off the beaten path on a motorcycle, though, it requires quite a bit more nerve and stamina than doing so with a cage to protect you and four wheels to keep you steady.
Certain techniques are tricks of the trade for off-road motorcycling.
Mastering them will help you safely and effectively navigate any type of
terrain or obstacle course. While you're browsing off-road bikes like those
available from karl malone motorsports, consider reading up on
the following five basic but essential techniques you'll need to practice and
get the hang of once you find the motorcycle you're looking for.
1) Planning Ahead
One of the most important skills to master when you're riding a bike
off-road is planning ahead. As is the case on the road in a passenger vehicle
or on a motorcycle, you need to look well beyond what's directly in front of
you. Being off-road makes that extremely difficult because there could be
countless obstacles to keep track of. With that being the case, many people
lose sight of the bigger picture when they're off-roading. Instead of looking
ahead, they often keep their eyes on their front wheels and handlebars rather
than fixing their gaze several feet into the distance.
Planning ahead means knowing what's coming up and making quick decisions
about how to handle it. Look at upcoming turns, roots, logs, and ruts that are
in your path and possible ways to avoid them if needed. At the very least,
you'll be able to brace yourself for running right over or through them.
That'll make your rides safer and more fun.
Though it may sound more complicated, it'll actually take a great deal of
stress out of the mix in the long run.
2) Operating the Throttle
Operating the throttle is another essential technique to learn. It'll
help you match the bike's power to your needs and expectations. It'll also give
you more traction control and aid in improving your balance to an extent. It
may keep the bike from using more fuel than necessary and keep you from using
more energy than you have to as well.
Several points come into play here. For one, timing is crucial. You'll
need to know when to let off the throttle, like when you're going into a turn,
and when to twist it a little more, such as when you're getting close to an
incline. Learning to give the bike a little throttle for maintaining speed, a
lot more for gaining speed, and a bit less for slowing down without losing
balance or actually stopping is also important.
You'll need to master using the throttle in combination with the clutch
too. Over time, you'll develop the ability to operate the throttle smoothly,
and you may learn to use it to help you recover if you lose traction or the
bike starts to get away from you. You'll even be able to adapt your throttle
use to different types of terrain and riding conditions.
3) Braking
Of course, braking is also a vital point to master. Stopping a bike may
seem fairly simple, but at high speeds on rough terrain, it can be a tricky
process. On top of that, there are right and wrong ways to brake in different
situations, and you'll need to know which braking technique to use at a
moment's notice.
You'll need to learn to use the front and rear brakes on their own and
together. The front brakes provide most of your stopping power, but using them
too aggressively can cause your front wheel to lock up and send you into a
skid. Rear brakes don't give you as much stopping power, but they can help you
control skids and avoid losing control and balance. There are times when you'll
need to stop quickly without causing yourself to crash. Practicing using your
brakes and getting a good feel for them will help you do just that.
At the same time, there are different braking strategies to learn. For
one, it's often best to use your rear brakes more on gravel and loose dirt, but
on hard surfaces, the front brakes may be the better option. Wet surfaces, mud,
and slippery areas require a gentler touch than dry, solid ground. You can
brake a little going into a turn to help improve cornering. On long downgrades,
you can use the engine's compression in tandem with the brakes to help control
your speed. Those are only a few of the things to consider where braking is
concerned.
4) Riding Standing Up
Standing up on the foot pegs is an important skill to learn as well. You
won't always need to ride standing up, but it's good to know when it's
appropriate and why. You may need to stand up on particularly rough terrain,
when going through water, or when jumping to list a few examples. It'll give
you more control as long as you do it the right way and at the right times. It
may help you balance more effectively as well. It'll take some of the impact
off of your spine too. You should be somewhat relaxed when riding standing up.
Try to keep your elbows up and your knees out, and don't lean too far forward.
5) Steering
Yet another crucial technique to master is steering. Your handlebars do
much of the steering, but they're only part of the picture. You'll be steering
with your body as well. That entails shifting your weight or leaning to help
make the bike go where you want it to. You'll also be using your feet to help
with steering, which is one of the tricks many people have trouble getting the
hang of.
Becoming an Off-Road
Motorcycle Master
When you're learning to ride a motorcycle off-road, several techniques
come into play. They may seem overwhelming at first, but in time, you'll master
them all. With practice, you'll learn the techniques as well as the nuances of
your bike, and both will come together to make your rides more enjoyable.
You'll reach a point where you don't even have to think about them. They'll
simply become second nature.
