Welcome to ST.N
Guest
. Please
login
or
register
.
Did you miss your
activation email?
February 27, 2021, 04:12:08 am
"He who would ride happily must ride light."
Home
Forums
Photo Gallery
Login
Register
Shop @ MG.C
Shop @ ST.N
Contact
Sport-Touring.Net
»
The Club House
»
Dirt Lovers
» Topic:
Repository of dirt riding technique?
Pages: [
1
]
Go Down
Print
Topic: Repository of dirt riding technique? (Read 14071 times)
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Tyrroneous
Slow Attack Cow
Reputation 10
Offline
Motorcycles: '07 Triumph Daytona 675, 2000 SV650N, '03 XR400R, '09 KLX250S
GPS: Bham, AL
Miles Typed: 2352
My Photo Gallery
Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
on:
September 17, 2013, 01:36:47 pm »
This past saturday I loaded up my new to me XR400R and headed to Trace State Park for my initiation into the brotherhood of off-road bikers (b.o.o.b
). 2.5 hours later and I was beat up, bruised, bloodied and had a freakin' huge smile on my face. Most of the time, I just stayed on the gas and hoped the mighty torque of the XR would get me out of trouble. It worked most of the time. However, I'm sure I'm doing it all wrong. And as I was out there by myself, I didn't have anybody to correct me.
I'm hoping somebody out there has compiled some tips for off road riding. How to handle sandy trails, trails with nasty roots/rocks, hill climbs, hill descents with deep ruts, etc...
Logged
Ride On...
Sport-Touring
Advertisement
Sponsored Links
Remove Advertisements
black hills
Reputation 58
Offline
GPS: Rapid City, SD
Miles Typed: 5769
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #1 on:
September 17, 2013, 01:38:53 pm »
When in doubt gas it
its all in your head
that's all I got
Logged
'04 CBR1000rr '09KTM300exc '11 990Adventure R
the above opinion is simply that of an average middle aged hick with one too many brain injuries... or, don't take it too serious.
garry
Bleeds Orange...
Reputation 95
Offline
Years Contributed: '08, '09
Motorcycles: KTM 1190 Adventure / KTM 530 EXC
GPS: Southwestern PA
Miles Typed: 6036
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #2 on:
September 17, 2013, 01:53:29 pm »
Shane Watts has a series of instructional "DirtWise" DVDs and he travels around the country giving clinics. I have the full DVD set. Problem is, you have to practice the drills, but generally have no one there to provide feedback on how you're doing (short of noticing a lack of crashes, near misses, and being less exhausted).
http://www.ShaneWatts.com
My tips:
Stand Up unless the trail is really smooth
Look farther down the trail, not at your front wheel
Try to stay relaxed
Logged
2015 KTM 1190 Adventure
2009 KTM 530 EXC
Advertisement
bomber
Reputation 30
Offline
Years Contributed: '10
Years Supported: '11
GPS: Sea of Joy
Miles Typed: 17355
My Photo Gallery
Based on actual events
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #3 on:
September 17, 2013, 01:54:00 pm »
Don't ride in deep sand on Distanzas.
look for things to treat as a berm to help turning.
Ride with younger people who will pick your bike up off your leg.
Logged
Beautiful day, happy to be here
-- Jane Catherine Lotter
"Bomber is correct" -- Carbonero
Hotbrakes
Reputation 5
Offline
Motorcycles: KTM SMT, Super Duke R, RC51, F800S, 300XC
GPS: Beaverdam, VA
Miles Typed: 848
My Photo Gallery
Responsibly Irresponsible
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #4 on:
September 17, 2013, 03:33:29 pm »
+1 When in doubt, gas it.
Keep your elbows up.
Stand up with knees slightly bent.
Cover all the controls all the time.
Don't ride alone.
Logged
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d74/vafireman21/TRIP/VisitedMap.jpg
R Doug
Rain is my first name.
Reputation 162
Offline
Years Contributed: '06, '07, '08, '09, '10
Years Supported: '11
Motorcycles: '13 R1200GS
GPS: Clemmons, NC
Miles Typed: 12029
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #5 on:
September 17, 2013, 04:08:36 pm »
Quote from: black hills on September 17, 2013, 01:38:53 pm
When in doubt gas it
Quote from: Hotbrakes on September 17, 2013, 03:33:29 pm
+1 When in doubt, gas it.
Keep your elbows up.
Stand up with knees slightly bent.
Cover all the controls all the time.
Don't ride alone.
I've watched the Shane Watts DVD and took a two day off road class with Jimmy Lewis and Cornerspin with Aaron Stevenson. More gas solves most of the problems you'll face.
In all seriousness, there were two key takeaways for me from the classes:
1) When the front end wants to push in a corner and bike doesn't want to turn, gas it.
This really came into light for me during a course which the instructor intentionally had us go through where there was a downhill, off camber, left handed turn. the more you gassed it through the corner, the better the bike would go through it.
2) The control of the bike is 90% by your core (upper legs and abs). If you find that you're trying to manhandle the bike with your shoulders and arms, you're doing it wrong.
This really came into light for me during a drill where we had to get the bikes going in a circle via a drift with the rear wheel spinning and we were only allowed to use one hand on the bars. The other hand was to be placed on the gas tank. You quickly learned that minimum bar input is needed and you’re controlling the bike with your lower body.
«
Last Edit: September 17, 2013, 04:59:32 pm by R Doug
»
Logged
R Doug
Rain is my first name.
Reputation 162
Offline
Years Contributed: '06, '07, '08, '09, '10
Years Supported: '11
Motorcycles: '13 R1200GS
GPS: Clemmons, NC
Miles Typed: 12029
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #6 on:
September 17, 2013, 04:19:34 pm »
Go get on a 125 cc and practice practice practice bike control. Elbows up was another big theme from both schools. Here you can see my elbows are up, I'm heavily gassing it out of the corner, and I'm steeting with my lower body.
From Watts and Lewis...
Practice the following often, they do:
Stoppies and Wheelies for bike control
Slow speed corning maneuvers using your body as counterweight
Gassing it is not the answer when you stall on a hill. Learn clutch and throttle control.
Gassing it is ALWAYS the option in sand. Stupid Sand.
«
Last Edit: September 17, 2013, 04:35:15 pm by R Doug
»
Logged
bomber
Reputation 30
Offline
Years Contributed: '10
Years Supported: '11
GPS: Sea of Joy
Miles Typed: 17355
My Photo Gallery
Based on actual events
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #7 on:
September 17, 2013, 04:29:46 pm »
Sand.
Huh
Good God y'all
What is it GOOD for
Absolutely NUTHIN
Say it again, Ohhhh
Logged
Beautiful day, happy to be here
-- Jane Catherine Lotter
"Bomber is correct" -- Carbonero
black hills
Reputation 58
Offline
GPS: Rapid City, SD
Miles Typed: 5769
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #8 on:
September 17, 2013, 05:01:31 pm »
best time I ever had on my 990 was in the sand near Moab. 3rd gear pinned and it was just like water skiing
Logged
'04 CBR1000rr '09KTM300exc '11 990Adventure R
the above opinion is simply that of an average middle aged hick with one too many brain injuries... or, don't take it too serious.
Windblown
Old Codger in Training
Reputation 33
Offline
Motorcycles: '04 Concours - '03 FZ1 - '05 KTM 525 - '09 CRF250X - '13 KTM 990 SM-T - '07 Yamaha R6S
GPS: Shenandoah County, VA
Miles Typed: 3540
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #9 on:
September 17, 2013, 06:16:53 pm »
Thumpertalk has a pretty good section on wood riding techniques, etc.
In rocky terrain more speed to get the suspension working for you helps smooth things out and keep the bike tracking true - to a point...
Logged
I may die with nothing to show for it but there will be a heck of a garage sale.
DangerMoney
Loud Helmets Save Lives
Reputation 6
Offline
Motorcycles: '04 BMW K1200RS, '05 BMW R1200GS, '07 KTM 950 Super Enduro
GPS: Tucson, AZ
Miles Typed: 822
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #10 on:
September 17, 2013, 08:29:41 pm »
Quote from: Hotbrakes on September 17, 2013, 03:33:29 pm
+1 When in doubt, gas it.
Keep your elbows up.
Stand up with knees slightly bent.
Cover all the controls all the time.
Don't ride alone.
That pretty much is it.
The only things I would add is:
You can sit on smooth dirt but the rougher it gets, the more you need to stand.
Look where you want to go, not at what's in front of you, and you'll go right to it.
Apply the brakes gradually
Apply the rear brake first, then the front. If the front locks, the bike will slide out from under you
hold the handlebars loosely, no death grip (see next bullet).
When standing steer with your feet, not your hands, by taking the weight off the opposite peg. (If you want to go right, lift your left foot off the left peg, The bike will go right automatically with a loose grip on the bars)
All the tips in this thread and more are demonstrated in this:
http://www.dualsportriding.com/products/dualsport-riding-techniques-dvd
It's well worth the money.
«
Last Edit: September 17, 2013, 08:37:26 pm by DangerMoney
»
Logged
Ack535
Reputation 75
Offline
Motorcycles: 1998 CBR1100XX, 2005 CRF250X, 05 FJR R.I.P.
GPS: Williamston MI USA
Miles Typed: 949
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #11 on:
September 17, 2013, 08:46:55 pm »
Practice balancing techniques by doing slow speed (1st gear at idle) figure 8's. Use counterbalancing.
Always weight your outside peg. If your turning right, place your weight on the left peg, and conversely if you are turning left, weight your right peg.
Always look up, and look to where you want to go.
Elbows up and stay loose. Loosen up the death grip on your handlebars.
In sand, get up on your foot pegs on the balls of your feet, slightly bend your knees, give it the gas and keep your speed up.
Speed is your friend in sand. Think a boat that is planed out on a lake. If the boat cuts the throttle, the bow dives down. Same thing with your bike. Except this will place a load on your front tire in soft sand, and you will likely crash.
Michelin S12 tires are the best for sand and soft ground.
Practice, practice, practice! And enjoy. I love riding in the dirt. Also look up MXTV on You Tube. Lots of helpful videos.
Logged
Pete
DangerMoney
Loud Helmets Save Lives
Reputation 6
Offline
Motorcycles: '04 BMW K1200RS, '05 BMW R1200GS, '07 KTM 950 Super Enduro
GPS: Tucson, AZ
Miles Typed: 822
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #12 on:
September 19, 2013, 07:43:11 pm »
Quote from: Tyrroneous on September 17, 2013, 01:36:47 pm
I'm hoping somebody out there has compiled some tips for off road riding. How to handle sandy trails, trails with nasty roots/rocks, hill climbs, hill descents with deep ruts, etc...
You asked for it, you got it!
http://www.bestrestproducts.com/p-341-how-to-ride-off-road-free-download.aspx
Logged
Tyrroneous
Slow Attack Cow
Reputation 10
Offline
Motorcycles: '07 Triumph Daytona 675, 2000 SV650N, '03 XR400R, '09 KLX250S
GPS: Bham, AL
Miles Typed: 2352
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #13 on:
September 21, 2013, 10:59:41 am »
Good stuff y'all!
Can't wait to try out some of these techniques next time I hit the trails.
DangerMonkey, that free book is awesome. Thanks for the link.
Logged
Ride On...
sagerat
Ural Tourist; BMW R1200GS Adventure
Reputation 12
Offline
GPS: Central Orygun
Miles Typed: 5684
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #14 on:
August 15, 2014, 11:32:43 am »
Ibuprofen for afterwards.
Logged
The poster formerly known as VFRfan
Money can buy motorcycles, which means money can buy happiness
R Doug
Rain is my first name.
Reputation 162
Offline
Years Contributed: '06, '07, '08, '09, '10
Years Supported: '11
Motorcycles: '13 R1200GS
GPS: Clemmons, NC
Miles Typed: 12029
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #15 on:
August 15, 2014, 01:10:57 pm »
Quote from: sagerat on August 15, 2014, 11:32:43 am
Ibuprofen for afterwards.
Logged
trail-road-ryder
Reputation 0
Offline
Motorcycles: 83 CB1100F, 02 CBR1100XX, 07 GS500F, 01 XR400R, 04 CRF250X, 00 DRZ400S, 01 DRZ400E, 08 KTM 250XCF-W,
Miles Typed: 2
My Photo Gallery
Re: Repository of dirt riding technique?
«
Reply #16 on:
October 01, 2014, 10:55:20 am »
stand up. if you sit down, stand up again. let the bike move and flow under you while you are standing. If you sit, the bike will bounce you around. when you stand, your legs will absorb the bike bouncing/moving under you and let you keep going.
Logged
Pages: [
1
]
Go Up
Print
Sport-Touring.Net
»
The Club House
»
Dirt Lovers
» Topic:
Repository of dirt riding technique?
Jump to:
Please select a destination:
-----------------------------
The Open Road
-----------------------------
=> General Sport-Touring Discussion
-----------------------------
The Club House
-----------------------------
=> Pit Row
-----------------------------
The Open Road
-----------------------------
=> Beginner's Garage
=> Motorcycle Polls
-----------------------------
The Marketplace
-----------------------------
=> Bike Tech
-----------------------------
The Tech Zone
-----------------------------
=> Mods & Maintenance
=> Gadgets
=> Gear and Apparel
-----------------------------
The Open Road
-----------------------------
=> Ride Reports
-----------------------------
The Club House
-----------------------------
=> Iron Butt
===> Aprilia
===> BMW
===> Buell
===> Ducati
===> Honda
-----------------------------
Global Positioning
-----------------------------
=> U.S. Region 1
-----------------------------
The Club House
-----------------------------
===> Kawasaki
===> Moto Guzzi
===> Suzuki
===> Triumph
===> Yamaha
-----------------------------
Global Positioning
-----------------------------
=> U.S. Region 2
=> U.S. Region 3
=> U.S. Region 4
=> U.S. Region 5
=> U.S. Region 6
-----------------------------
The Lounge
-----------------------------
=> Off Topic Discussion
-----------------------------
Global Positioning
-----------------------------
=> Canada
=> Europe & U.K.
=> Australia & New Zealand
-----------------------------
The Club House
-----------------------------
===> KTM
===> Harley-Davidson
-----------------------------
The Marketplace
-----------------------------
=> Vendor, Group Buy, Member Offers
=> Bikes Only
=> Non-bike Items
-----------------------------
The Club House
-----------------------------
===> Other
-----------------------------
Administration
-----------------------------
=> Announcements & Rules
-----------------------------
The Open Road
-----------------------------
=> ST.N Rallies/Meets
-----------------------------
The Club House
-----------------------------
=> Dirt Lovers
===> Off Road Ride Reports
-----------------------------
The Open Road
-----------------------------
===> STN National
===> WCRM
===> ESTN
===> Borscht Burn
===> SNOB
-----------------------------
The Lounge
-----------------------------
=> EOE: Experts On Everything
-----------------------------
The Club House
-----------------------------
=> Manufacturer Row
-----------------------------
Sport-Touring.net Vendor Deals
-----------------------------
=> MOTORCYCLEiD
Loading...
Copyright © 2001 - 2013 Sport-Touring.Net.
All rights reserved.
Terms of Use
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell My Data
Manage Consent
SimplePortal 2.3.1 © 2008-2009, SimplePortal