How to Ride a Dirt Bike
Riding a dirt bike can be one of the most fun things you’ll ever do, providing hours of enjoyment in a number of different environments. Despite the immense amount of pleasure they can deliver, however, they demand a great deal of respect and caution. You should learn how to ride a dirt bike before you hop on and take off.
For starters, you should make sure to wear proper protective gear to protect against accident-related injuries. At the very least, your protective equipment should include a full head and face dirt bike helmet, wraparound eye goggles, hard rubber riding boots, leather or rubber gloves, and knee pads and elbow pads.
Once you’ve procured the proper protective equipment, you should consider what type of dirt bike you’ll ride. If you’re going to borrow a friend’s dirt bike, make sure they don’t mind a few extra dings and scratches, because chances are, you’re going to scuff it up a bit on your first few times out. Your best bet may actually be to find a less expensive used or second-hand bike so you don’t have to worry about wrecking a friend’s bike! Second, dirt bikes are available in different stroke models. For example, a two stroke dirt bike is usually too much dirt bike for beginner riders. They are much more difficult to handle. Dirt bikes feature a powerband, which automatically compensates for harder terrain, taking stress off of the engine. This powerband can activate at unexpected times and create an extremely dangerous aspect for novice riders. Instead, opt for a four stroke dirt bike. These are much easier to ride and still provide ample power.
Because dirt bikes are so much fun, they create a constant temptation to open it up and hit high speeds. But you must fight this temptation when first learning how to ride a dirt bike. Start off by riding on a straightaway in first gear (low gear). When you hear your bike start to whine or shimmy a bit, then you can try shifting up to second gear. Those with automatic bikes won’t have to worry about shifting. Now, once you get your bike up to a comfortable speed, you’ll need to know how to handle bumps and uneven terrain: create a 45 degree angle with your back, bend your arms at 90 degree angles and stand up.
Turning seems simple enough, but can actually be very dangerous. The most important thing to remember is that two-wheeled bikes do not turn like cars. Remember to not turn your handle bars too drastically as this will cause you to flip over your handle bars.
Related Information
