The initial move towards off-road riding should be to buy a motorcycle that is designed specifically for that purpose. However with some patience and preparation even street bikes like cruisers or sportbikes can be taken off road.
Looking ahead of where you are going, using your feet to steer, and making measured use of clutch, throttle, and brake controls are the foundations of successful off-road motorcycling.
Keep Your Head Up
But before you embark on an exciting journey over bumpy tracks or trails there are a few things you need to know about preparing yourself properly and mastering some key skills.
Keep in mind that when riding off-road your bike will shift around underneath your hands. Instead of fighting these movements try relaxing your body so that arms and legs act as extra shock absorbers smoothing out the ride and reducing fatigue – also reading terrain more effectively through anticipating what lies ahead is one of the best ways to stay in control of your bike; practice makes perfect.
Seek Out Smooth Paths
When riding over rough ground it is necessary to constantly scan for smooth surfaces. Even bumps or potholes on gravel roads can unsettle your front tyre balance so keep an eye on the horizon line as you cross them.
Keep momentum through sections of roughness on your ride. A little speed helps float over gravel or debris rather than pushing against them also makes it easier to get through those tricky bits further along.
Take someone with you on all offroad rides – not only safer if something goes wrong and needs pulling out but having another person along gives them another pair of eyes down trail plus different judgment when things look odd or unclear.
Keep Weight Over Front Tyre
Particularly important when riding rough terrain is keeping weight over front tyre otherwise vehicle may sink into mud or gravel which will make it harder to control or even dangerous to operate.
When powering up rutted or gravely roads Rugg advises riders to lean slightly forward so as keep front wheel off ground then remain seated with light hands on bars because this position makes it easier for them to go around rocks that may deflect their wheels trajectory lose grip and also skip over debris which could deflect or change it altogether.
Finally he notes that lowering tyre air pressure can increase their grip when driving on slippery surfaces but warns against using unreliable gauges for fear of over-inflating tyres too much thereby denting rims or losing traction.
Keep Weight Over Rear Tyre
As with riding any where else in rough terrains some lateral movement by your bike might occur while riding on pavement – this should not be seen as a problem! However on pavement it becomes a problem.
To achieve the best control possible, try and keep as straight line as you can while riding a bike. This way, you are able to stay on the right tracks, avoid ruts and deep piles of gravel that could cause your front wheel to slip, as well as keep safe throughout your journey.
Another strategy for limiting sideways motion is shifting into higher gears so that one can maintain constant speed while negotiating rough roads safely and using your rear brake more frequently will help keep traction in bad conditions. In addition, it would be better for you if you can remain relaxed on the bike so that the front tire absorbs bumps better.
Shift with the Rear
Rough surfaces do not have consistent grip like smooth ones do therefore braking must be done cautiously. Shifting one’s weight back and using their rear brake more often ensures control is maintained.
Some riders may choose to shift into higher gears when climbing over obstacles for extra power but always ensure hands are kept on handlebars for steering – too much use of arms tires them quickly.
If dirt or gravel roads feature in your riding ambitions then consider investing in a machine designed specifically for these terrains. Many sports bikes, cruisers and standards can comfortably ride on such surfaces but dual-sport or scrambler bikes might offer better options over tougher grounds.
